In This Week's E-Pistle, You Will Find:
This Sunday's Service: "Harvest Sunday"
This Sunday, we celebrate God's Creation by putting our focus on the Harvest. Throughout the Bible, the Harvest carries spiritual significance. It is symbolic of bounty, health, and abundance.
Please join us this Sunday at 10 AM (either in person orstreaming live online) for this very special "Harvest Moon" service planned by our Creation Justice Team. Message: Pastor Sal Sapienza. Music: Peter Black, Jeff Spangler, and Lauri Donaldson. Download this Sunday's Online Bulletin: 
Last Sunday's Service -- 17th Sunday after Pentecost: "The Parable of the Workers"
In the gospel reading for the 17th Sunday after Pentecost, Jesus tells the "Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard." In the story, all the workers receive the same exact pay, regardless of how many hours they have labored. This may seem unfair, but Jesus's point is that God's extravagant love extends equally to all. Please enjoy last Sunday's service, when we explored the "Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard" and how it applies to our lives today. Message: Rev. Marchiene Rienstra. Music: Peter Black
Michelle Willis: Live in Concert at Douglas UCC
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Photo by Piotr Miazga on Unsplash
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Christian Neighbors Food Pantry is getting ready for winter and would like to stock its shelves with canned soup for their clients. For the month of SOUP-TOBER (Oct 1-31), Christian Neighbors is requesting donated cans of soup. You may drop off your donated cans in the designated box at the Friendship Hall. Financial donations are also welcomed, and can be made through the Christian Neighbors Douglas website, here: ChristianNeighborsDouglas.org Thanks in advance for helping warm and nourish local families this year! |
Spiritual Center Offerings for October!
Here are the one-time classes being offered to members and friends in October:
DIVINE SIGNS: DEVELOPING EYES AND HEART TO SEE
Rev. Marchiene Rienstra
Wednesday, October 4 (3:00-4:30)
If there is interest, an additional time will be added from 7:00 to 8:30 that evening
How can we become aware of the Divine Signs in our daily lives? These often take the form of special meetings, happenings, sightings, or coincidences…synchronicities. Come explore this lively and exciting way of tuning in to these Divine Signs that guide us and enlarge our vision of the possibilities unfolding for our lives.
NOTE: Anyone who attended Rev. Rienstra’s September offering – “God is Speaking. Are You
Listening?” – and is interested in further discussion may phone or email her to arrange further
conversation. Likewise, anyone who did not attend that session, but is interested in learning more should also reach out to Rev. Rienstra.
HARVEST…HEALING…WHOLENESS
Barb Flynn, Certified Spiritual Advisor
Thursday, October 5 (10:30-noon)
Harvest is a wonderful metaphor for the transformation that takes place in the human heart each Autumn. Join us as together we ask significant questions about our own needs for healing and wholeness.
DOG MEETS GOD…SESSION 2
Rev. Ginny Mikita, Animal Chaplain
In September, we began an exploration of animals and their spirituality and the value of interspecies practices in nurturing their and our spiritual lives. In this session, we will continue exploring specific spiritual practices to engage the five physical senses of our animal companions. We will practice using photos of our companions and our imaginations.
NOTE: This session is appropriate for those who attended Session 1, as well as those who wish to join for the first time.
Sign up sheets will be in the Friendship Hall, or contact Julie to be put on a class list.
All groups will be limited to six persons.
DIVINE SIGNS: DEVELOPING EYES AND HEART TO SEE
Rev. Marchiene Rienstra
Wednesday, October 4 (3:00-4:30)
If there is interest, an additional time will be added from 7:00 to 8:30 that evening
How can we become aware of the Divine Signs in our daily lives? These often take the form of special meetings, happenings, sightings, or coincidences…synchronicities. Come explore this lively and exciting way of tuning in to these Divine Signs that guide us and enlarge our vision of the possibilities unfolding for our lives.
NOTE: Anyone who attended Rev. Rienstra’s September offering – “God is Speaking. Are You
Listening?” – and is interested in further discussion may phone or email her to arrange further
conversation. Likewise, anyone who did not attend that session, but is interested in learning more should also reach out to Rev. Rienstra.
HARVEST…HEALING…WHOLENESS
Barb Flynn, Certified Spiritual Advisor
Thursday, October 5 (10:30-noon)
Harvest is a wonderful metaphor for the transformation that takes place in the human heart each Autumn. Join us as together we ask significant questions about our own needs for healing and wholeness.
DOG MEETS GOD…SESSION 2
Rev. Ginny Mikita, Animal Chaplain
In September, we began an exploration of animals and their spirituality and the value of interspecies practices in nurturing their and our spiritual lives. In this session, we will continue exploring specific spiritual practices to engage the five physical senses of our animal companions. We will practice using photos of our companions and our imaginations.
NOTE: This session is appropriate for those who attended Session 1, as well as those who wish to join for the first time.
Sign up sheets will be in the Friendship Hall, or contact Julie to be put on a class list.
All groups will be limited to six persons.
Harvest Moon Service, October 1 -- plus the Pie Tasting Contest!
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
A Harvest Moon Pie Tasting? Yes, please! The farm fields that embrace our region yield their bounty for... pie! All Douglas UCC bakers are invited by our Creation Justice Team and our dear members, Dennis Konarski and Joyce Wright, to yield up their finest pie creations for a tasting competition after the Harvest Moon Service on Sunday, October 1, during the fellowship hour. If you'd like to participate in this bake-off, contact Dennis Konarski by phone at 313-377-5819, dennis@hfcc.edu, or Joyce Wright at 616-550-4021, jwright2669@gmail.com. For the rest of us... come to church hungry. Prize Ribbons are waiting for our votes.
2023 Blessing of the Animals, October 1
The Blessing of the Animals is coming up! Mark your calendars for Sunday, October 1 at 2pm. Bring along your animal friends who do well in a crowd. Or bring photos of your animals who feel safest at home. The service will be led by Pastor Sal and Rev. Ginny Mikita and sponsored by our dear friends at Lakeshore Pet Boutique.
Walkers on Deck! October 8 Crop Walk!
CROP Hunger Walks raise funds to end hunger here in Southwest Michigan and around the world. Our local walk on October 8 is one of the thousands that take place around the country. If you would like to be a walker-fundraiser on the DUCC team, please contact Mike Mok by email and/or sign up in the Friendship Hall or online here:
https://events.crophungerwalk.org/2023/team/douglas-ucc
https://events.crophungerwalk.org/2023/team/douglas-ucc
Safety and Wellness Team -- Seasonal Advice
As we enter into cooler weather, we also enter into a time that virus related illnesses increase in prevalence. Because the number of cases of Covid 19 and it's variants decreased, many people have also relaxed the simple infection control practices that can help minimize the risk of " catching" Covid-19, or another virus related illnesses.
Your Safety and Wellness team would like to remind you of some basic things that you can do to minimize your risk and to minimize the severity of virus related illness if you do test positive or are diagnosed with a virus.
1) now is the time to get the new Covid 19 vaccine. It has been formulated to address the previous and new variants.
2) Influenza, commonly called " the flu" is a very serious and potentially deadly virus that is spread in much the same way as Covid. The " flu" vaccine is ready for you. Now is the time to get it so your body will develop some immunity before the months that have high flu cases - December through March.
3) A new vaccine for children and those over 60 ( and those with high risk health) is the RSV vaccine. This virus has become more prevalent over the past 18 months, resulting in a new vaccine being developed and approved. Please take advantage and get the vaccine.
4) If you aren't feeling well, stay home. If you do need to go out, wear a 3 layer mask or N95 mask. This will help protect others but also you from other illness during the time that your immune system is working overtime to fight whatever virus or bacteria you have.
5) Continue or resume avoiding close up crowded events. If you can't have an area of 6 feet around you, you are at risk of " catching" one of the viruses making the rounds. If you do have to be in a crowded situation, consider taking steps to protect yourself with a mask.
6) Good handwashing before eating, after touching public items and after using the restroom is a standard practice for helping to control the spread of viruses. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol base hand cleaner.
By doing these simple infection control actions, you can decrease the severity of a virus if it catches you along with prevent spreading it to others. Stay tuned for more information from the Safety and Wellness team, addressing various safety and health related topics.
Your Safety and Wellness team would like to remind you of some basic things that you can do to minimize your risk and to minimize the severity of virus related illness if you do test positive or are diagnosed with a virus.
1) now is the time to get the new Covid 19 vaccine. It has been formulated to address the previous and new variants.
2) Influenza, commonly called " the flu" is a very serious and potentially deadly virus that is spread in much the same way as Covid. The " flu" vaccine is ready for you. Now is the time to get it so your body will develop some immunity before the months that have high flu cases - December through March.
3) A new vaccine for children and those over 60 ( and those with high risk health) is the RSV vaccine. This virus has become more prevalent over the past 18 months, resulting in a new vaccine being developed and approved. Please take advantage and get the vaccine.
4) If you aren't feeling well, stay home. If you do need to go out, wear a 3 layer mask or N95 mask. This will help protect others but also you from other illness during the time that your immune system is working overtime to fight whatever virus or bacteria you have.
5) Continue or resume avoiding close up crowded events. If you can't have an area of 6 feet around you, you are at risk of " catching" one of the viruses making the rounds. If you do have to be in a crowded situation, consider taking steps to protect yourself with a mask.
6) Good handwashing before eating, after touching public items and after using the restroom is a standard practice for helping to control the spread of viruses. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol base hand cleaner.
By doing these simple infection control actions, you can decrease the severity of a virus if it catches you along with prevent spreading it to others. Stay tuned for more information from the Safety and Wellness team, addressing various safety and health related topics.
"A Little Comedy: A Little Mystery," Women's Club Funder, October 13 & 14
Once upon a time, not so VERY long ago, the comedies and mysteries we loved arrived in our living rooms through an object we called a radio. It's true! The Friends of the Saugatuck Women's Club will be raising funds for area scholarships by revisiting yesteryear on October 13 and 14, with "A Little Comedy; A Little Mystery," at the Saugatuck Woman's Club, Hoffman at Butler Street in Saugatuck. Featuring our very own church members, Peter Black, Lauri Donaldson, Chris Clark, Jim Kern, and David Miedema. Admission is $20. Our beloved Lynne Snyder will be selling tickets after church services. Call 269-857-2613 for more information. Refreshments will be provided at the performance!
Birthdays & Anniversaries
2- Gary Nicodemus, Nan Belschner, 3- Mark Johnston, Linda & Dick Riekse
4- Marjorie & Mark Reiman, 5- Stanlee III (Duke) Greene, 6- Bernice Lopata & Carol Rice
7- Linda & Rich Marth
Birthday and Anniversary cards are a great way we can reach out to one another. If you wish to mail a card to one of our church members, addresses can be found in our Church Directory.
4- Marjorie & Mark Reiman, 5- Stanlee III (Duke) Greene, 6- Bernice Lopata & Carol Rice
7- Linda & Rich Marth
Birthday and Anniversary cards are a great way we can reach out to one another. If you wish to mail a card to one of our church members, addresses can be found in our Church Directory.
Prayer Requests
Richard Mead (friend of Tom Fahlstrom); Ruth Fahlstrom (daughter of Tom Fahlstrom); Ann Hopkins, Pamela Chappell & Pete Wehle; Dan Pierce; Ruth VandenBosch; Mary Browning; Nancy Grib (Friend of Pamela Chappell); Stuart Family; Charlene Burdick (Paul Burdick's Mother); Diane Carr; Myron (Wendy Hamlin's grandson, Fred Hamilin's great-grandson); Betsy York; Mary Westenbroek; Brian Aikens; Jerry Elpers and family (Beth Howley's Dad); Edie Plantinga (Nancy Plantinga's mother); Joyce Potts (Ed Korson's Friend); Max Matteson; Eric Cooley (Jo Cooley's brother); Nicole and John (Wendy Hamlin's daughter-in-law and son)
Financial Stewardship
In-Person Attendance September 24: 98
Total Views for September 24 Online Videos: 209
Collection Plate & Mailed Donations: $1,276.00
Online Giving: $3,161.74
Total: $4,437.74
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.
Total Views for September 24 Online Videos: 209
Collection Plate & Mailed Donations: $1,276.00
Online Giving: $3,161.74
Total: $4,437.74
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.
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