In This Week's E-pistle, You Will Find:
This Sunday: Welcome, Rev. Dr. Lillian Daniel!
This Sunday, we are excited to welcome Rev. Lillian Daniel, our new UCC Michigan Conference Minister! Rev. Daniel is a nationally recognized preacher, teacher and writer who cares deeply about clergy and congregations. After serving four unique congregations in the UCC, she now feels called by the Holy Spirit to leadership as the new Conference Minister of Michigan.
Rev. Daniel is also a widely read author whose latest book, Tired of Apologizing for a Church I Don't Belong To, generated international conversation about the changing religious landscape and was featured in the New York Times and on PBS. Join us this Sunday at 10 AM (either in person or streaming live online) as we welcome Rev. Daniel, who will be sharing an inspiring message with us. Pastor Sal will be leading us in worship. Special Music: Peter Black and Stan Greene Download this week's online bulletin here: 
Last Week's Service — 12th Sunday after Pentecost: "Unconditional Love"
In the gospel reading for the 12th Sunday after Pentecost, Jesus instructs us to take the lowest place at the table when we are invited somewhere. And, when we give a banquet, Jesus says we should invite the poor and the outcast rather than our friends and relatives. Jesus wants us to give without expectation of something in return, just as God loves us. Please enjoy last Sunday's service, when we explored what it means to love unconditionally. Message: Pastor Sal. Music: Peter Black and Jeff Spangler
Click here to read, listen to, watch, and share Pastor Sal's Homily. The Return of Coffee Hour: We Need a Treat Planner!
Photo from American Heritage Chocolate on Unsplash
With our Covid numbers dropping and vaccines rising, we will soon restart after-church Coffee Hour again! And we are looking for someone to coordinate the treats! Could that be you? Contact Julie if you're interested in being the Treat Wrangler!
Bath Time!!
In preparation for Rev. Daniel's visit, our church received a good power-washing this week!!
On the Brink of Everything: Stephen Ministry Book Read, Thursdays in October
Photo by Valdemaras D. on Unsplash
"Every day, I get closer to the brink of everything... When a serious illness or accident strikes, or someone dear to us dies — or we go to a class reunion and wonder who all those old people are — it becomes harder to ignore the drop-off that lies just over the edge of our lives."
-- Parker Palmer The Stephen Ministry team is hosting a book discussion of Parker Palmer's On the Brink of Everything: Grace, Gravity, and Getting Old. Discussions will take place on Thursdays in October, beginning October 6 at 3pm in the Friendship Hall. If you'd like to join in, sign up via the church sign-up sheet, or drop a note to [email protected]. You can learn all about Parker Palmer and the book here. Meal Sign-up for Demetrhea and Betsy!
Photo by Owen Beard on Unsplash
The good news is that Demetrhea is home and recovering from her hip reconstruction. The better news is that our generous community has been pouring out love in the form of food offerings.
BUT! We have been offering too much of a good thing, too fast! In an effort to manage this loving food stream, our Congregational Care leader, Lynne Snyder, has placed a sign-up sheet in the Friendship Hall, and/or is available by email, to coordinate the food donations. If you'd like to help out, just use the sign-up, or contact Lynne. Thanks so much for your care and love! Beach Cleanup, September 17
The annual Oval to Douglas Beach Cleanup will be held on Saturday Sept. 17, 9am -12 noon.
All are welcome to participate...surrounding community residents, visitors, and (supervised) children. Check-in will be anytime between 9 -11am at the Oval Beach parking lot. Bring a bucket & gloves. Plastic bags and latex gloves will be available. This event is sponsored by the Creation Justice Team of Douglas United Church of Christ in conjunction with Alliance for the Great Lakes. Brad Hopkins will serve as the the on-site coordinator for our annual beach cleanup. If you would like to help with the cleanup this year, a sign-up sheet is in the Friendship Hall, or email Brad Hopkins. Debra Rienstra, Guest Homilist: September 18
Our church has been reading Refugia Faith by writer/professor Dr. Debra Rienstra, who is the daughter of our church members Rev. Marchiene & Dr. John Rienstra. And we are so delighted to share that Dr. Rienstra will be joining us in service to give the homily on September 18. You can learn more about Dr. Rienstra andher books at her website, debrarienstra.com.
Raising Funds to End Hunger: Crop Walk, September 18
For forty years, the Saugatuck-Douglas CROP Hunger Walk has raised money to fight hunger. One quarter of the money goes directly to food banks in our area, while the rest supports grassroots efforts around the world.
Here are two ways to participate in the CROP Walk: 1) Join the DUCC team: help raise funds and then walk with us. 2) Support the team: make an online donation of any amount! Go to https://tinyurl.com/crop22ducc and click the orange “Donate now” button or scroll down for the blue “Join the team” button Our team’s goal is to raise $10,000 by 2:00 pm on September 18, when we will join with other teams and walk from Saugatuck to Douglas and back. To learn more, contact Chris Clark or Mike Mok. Interfaith Action Celebration of the Harvest and Harvesters, October 9
Our partners at Interfaith Action of West Michigan have invited all of our church members to join in for this year's Celebration of the Harvest and Harvesters. Bring your donations to the October 9th Celebration where trucks will be waiting along with volunteers to unload items in your car into the trucks. Save a small basket of items for a procession at the beginning of the service.
Mt. Baldhead Run for Boys & Girls Club Needs Course Volunteers, September 10
In church last Sunday, we heard from churchgoer, Gordon Stannis, that the Mt. Baldhead Run is looking for course volunteers. Here is his promised note to us about what this means and how to sign up:
If you’re around Sat morning, September 10, we could use more MBC Race Volunteers (aka: High Energy Saugatuck-Douglas Ambassadors) to help keep people safe and pointed in the right direction. Please sign up here. https://runsignup.com/Race/Volunteer/MI/Saugatuck/MtBaldheadChallenge It’s easy, fun, do it as a couple, bring your kids, a cowbell or other form of (not-too-obnoxious :- ) “audio encouragement” to add to the festive atmosphere. Friendly Reminder: The MBC is the sole fundraising source for the Boys and Girls Club in Saugatuck-Douglas, an after-school program that serves hundreds of local youth and families throughout the school year (from 3-6pm) and all day during the summer. For many parents (and especially single parents) these programs are a LIFELINE! By volunteering YOU are helping to perpetuate these essential programs… and YOU get a free race jersey in a special (bright!) color. You are also welcome to join the after-race party at Wicks Park on Saturday morning. Cocktails, games, music, camaraderie… ”Pure Saugatuck!” Right? Arbor Circle, Final Taste of Summer,
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