In This Week's E-Pistle You Will Find:
This Week's Service: "World Communion Sunday"
On the first Sunday in October, Christian churches of different denominations all around the world celebrate "World Communion Sunday." This tradition began all the way back in 1933. Since then, the celebration has grown into an international day of unity. It is a day when we break bread together and remember Jesus's words: "That they may all be one." Please join us for our "Video Worship Service" this Sunday, as we celebrate "World Communion Sunday." Message: Pastor Sal. Music: Peter Black and Pamela Chappell.
Tune in on Sunday at 10 AM via our Facebook page, YouTube channel, or here on our website UCC "Neighbors in Need" - Special Collection
This Sunday, we will be taking a special collection for the UCC "Neighbors in Need" Fund. This year's campaign is geared towards helping local churches with their programs that help children. As this year's slogan says, "All children have the right to simply be children." To donate to this special offering, you can write a check made out to "Douglas UCC" with "NIN Fund" written on the memo line and mail it to Douglas UCC, P.O. Box 519, Douglas, MI 49406. You can also donate online via our website. Be sure to write "NIN Fund" in the "Optional" comment section. Our church will match all monies collected. Thank you, as always, for your generous giving. To learn more, watch the short video above.
Last Week's Service
The month of September at Douglas UCC was devoted to the theme of "God's Creation." Last Sunday, we focused on the "Spirituality of Animals." A gift from God, animals are our spiritual teachers. Watch our "Video Worship Service," as we honored and celebrated the sacred gift of animals. Message: Pastor Sal. Music: Peter Black with Molly and Hailey Huggett. Here is the homily, by text and podcast!
Congratulations to Peter and Robert!!
Congratulations to our Director of Music, Peter Black, who married church member Robert Trenary, September 26, at their home in Douglas with Pastor Sal officiating. We wish them a lifetime of wedded bliss!
Welcome Ellis!!!
Little Ellis was baptized September 28 at our church. Ellis is the daughter of our church members, Laura and Amber. Big sister, Charlie, lit a candle, symbolizing the Light within Ellis.
In Loving Memory: Pauline Zancanaro
We received the news that church member, Mark Zancanaro's mother, Pauline, died on September 25. We celebrated her 100th birthday at the church last year, and now we celebrate the life of this inspiring and loving woman, while we hold Mark and his whole family in our prayers.
Kudos to John Kerr, SDHC Vol of the Year!
Congratulations to church member John Kerr, who has been named the Volunteer of the Year by the Saugatuck-Douglas History Center. John became a member in 2019, and set to work right away on the Museum's "Then and Now" exhibit, the gift shop merchandising -- including the Root Beer Barrel ornament, a sellout success! John then joined the board of directors, the pop-up history team, and worked hard on the Century of Progress LGBTQ History Timeline exhibit, which opens next summer. WOW. KUDOS, John!!! Remembering Kyle & Kudos to Our Gardeners
October 4 marks the birthday of church member Kyle McCammon, whose life we celebrated as we mounted the new plaque at the Archway to the Memorial Garden, which was built in his memory. Kudos to Chris Maitner for its design, and to the loving care of the garden by Dick and Stacey Bont. Kudos also to David Geen for weeding the Retreat House gardens!
Voter Shuttle to the Polls
DUCC's Shuttle-to-the-Polls is a service for local voters. During the month of October, volunteers from DUCC will transport voters to deliver their completed absentee ballots to their clerks’ offices, in person. The service is designed to encourage early voting and relieve pressure on the United States Postal Service. This effort is a project of the UCC's Our Faith, Our Vote 2020 initiative to support local congregations in faithful, nonpartisan engagement in the electoral process. DUCC volunteers will provide rides for voters living in and around Holland, Saugatuck, Douglas, Fennville and South Haven. Both drivers and riders will observe safety guidelines to limit exposure to, and spread of, COVID-19. Volunteers who wish to drive, and voters who need a ride can contact Stan by e-mailing [email protected] or texting I CAN DRIVE or VOTER SHUTTLE to 616-915-4380.
Will You Support Crop Walk: October 18?
Douglas UCC CROP Hunger Walk - 2:00 pm, Sunday, October 18
CROP Hunger Walks raise funds to feed hungry families today and help them feed themselves in the future. Usually these events involve several groups and lots of people, but the pandemic has made large gatherings unsafe. As a result, our church will hold its own walk on Sunday, October 18. We hope to raise $4,000. A quarter of what we collect will be shared between Christian Neighbors and Ladders of Hope. The rest will combat drought in Nicaragua, provide training in Indonesia, and do much more. CROP Walks raised $7.6 million nationwide in 2019! Walkers: Physically join us on the day of the event OR walk on your own time along any route. Before the event, solicit donations from family, friends, neighbors, coworkers etc. Each walker will have a web page for donations; Chris can help set it up. (a note for those who’ve done this before: we won’t be using the big donation envelopes) Donors: Go online to support one walker, several, or the team (online donors can choose to remain anonymous). You can also write a check to “Douglas UCC,” indicating that it’s for the CROP Walk. Give it to a walker or mail it to the church and the amount will be credited to the team total. All donations should reach us by Monday, October 26. Contact: Chris Clark, clark.96@nd.edu, 574-276-2275 Donate or join as a walker at crophungerwalk.org/douglasmi/ducc Blessing of the Animals, Oct 4, 2pm, Beery Field
On October 4, at 2 pm, at Beery Field in Douglas, Pastor Sal and Lakeshore Pet Boutique will offer a Blessing of the Animals. Our Pamela Chappell will be providing the music. The event will be a standing affair, with animals leashed or in carriers, fully in control of their humans. You may bring a chair, and you must wear a mask and observe social distancing guidelines. Uncommon Coffee Roasters is providing hot chocolate.
Friendship Hall Roundup
We sure had fun this past Sunday in the Online Friendship Hall, celebrating the life of Rev. Fred Hamlin, who makes 90 look like the new 40, and has been such a great greeter and "icon" of Douglas UCC. Happy Birthday, dear Fred. Many happy more! Fred extended his thanks to the many friends who sent him cards, stopped by, and shared best wishes. It was a good birthday.
Jeff Spangler joined us as usual, but this time from his new home in Saugatuck! Jeff and Doug and Ozzie are home, safe and sound. And we will look forward to seeing and hearing more from him! Barb Lucier and her new knee checked in. She is doing well, the prayers are working. Thanks to everyone for their support and cheer. Please keep them coming! Birthdays & Anniversaries
October 4- Marjorie & Mark Reiman, 5- Stanlee III (Duke) Greene, 10- Mike VerMerris
Birthday and Anniversary cards are a great way we can continue to reach out to one another during this time. If you wish to mail a card to one of our church members, addresses can be found in our Church Directory. If you don't have a directory, please let us know, and we will email one to you. Prayer Requests
Fr. Jake Foglio (Linda Charvat's friend); Bill Blue (Jack and Julie Ridl's Friend); Fran David (Betsy York and Demethrea Terrien's friend); Dirk Hollebeek (Ruth VandenBosch's godson); Larry Gegsbeek (friend of Mark Reiman); the family of John and Sue Fleming on the passing of John's brother, Gary; Freddy; Nancy Chancellor (Beverly Hawkes' daughter); Daniel Ver Meulen (Susan Fleming's son); Barb Lucier; Vivian Libby (Sheryll Van Portfleet's Mom); Rachael Overweg; Anna Lisa Cox (Friend of Jack and Julie Ridl and Social Justice Team); Grant Oliver (Kirt Oliver's son); Jim Hopkins; Alan Weathers; Hannah Sherman; Gary Plantinga (Nancy Plantinga's brother); Roye McDonald; Jodi Berault; Sarah Hurley and Fred Eagle Royce; Mary Harris; Patricia Carr and her husband Riley (Debra Carr's family); Barbara Klatt (Barb Lucier's friend); Myron Freund; Terry Stough (Catz Dienes' son); Ted Sommer; Phyllis Wallis (Kathy Austin's mother); Drew Carter; Jeff Cooley (Jo Cooley's brother); Marcia Sullivan (Jo Cooley's friend); Len Lynch (Kathleen Mueller's brother); Curtis Coffin (Marty Coffin's brother).
Midwest residents and farmers who have suffered widespread destruction of crops and homes from the August 10 derecho storm. All of our Covid-19 pandemic first responders, and for the researchers and scientists working on effective tests and treatments for Covid-19. Prayers for all in the military and their families; all who are homeless or addicted or abused or neglected or rejected or hungry; The UCC; the Grand West Association; our Church Council; our Stephen Ministers; our church committees; our communities, our schools, our nation and our planet. To add or remove a name from the Prayer List, please email us. Financial StewardshipSeptember 27 Viewers for September 27 Online Service videos: 1,019 Podcast total downloads, September: 814 Weekly Online Giving: $2,246.52 Mailed-in Collection Plate: $1,155.00 Total: $3,401.52 Thank you!! Your generous giving allows us to sustain our church community and our mission of service in the world. Please consider giving online, which is easily done by texting your donation amount to 844-931-2849, or sharing through the donate buttons on Facebook or Instagram, or at our website. Or you may send checks by mail to: Douglas Congregational United Church of Christ 56 Wall Street, PO Box 519 Douglas, MI 49406 |
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56 Wall Street • Douglas, Michigan 49406
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