In This Week's E-Pistle, You Will Find:
This Sunday: "Called By Name"
This Sunday is "World Communion Sunday," in which different Christian denominations come together as one. Our Pastor Sal will be preaching at Hope Church in Holland this Sunday, as welcome Ginny Mikita as our guest preacher at Douglas UCC (see below).
Ginny will be speaking to us about the importance of our names. In Isaiah 43:1, God says, "I have called you by name. You are mine." Several people in the Bible even received new names from God. Come and join us this Sunday at 10 AM (either in-person or online) for an inspiring message from Ginny and uplifting music from Peter Black and Jeff Spangler. Join us this Sunday in-person or NOW STREAMING LIVE at 10 AM on our YouTube channel. >>>>> Click HERE to download a copy of SUNDAY'S BULLETIN. Welcome, Ginny Mikita!
This Sunday, we welcome Ginny Mikita as our guest preacher. Ginny is a 1991 Notre Dame Law School graduate and Center for Loss Death and Grief Studies Certification recipient. She is currently enrolled in One Spirit Seminary after which she hopes to be ordained as an interfaith minister.
Ginny and her husband, Bob Kruse, have their own compassion- and social justice-based law practice in which they represent the voiceless - animals and those who care for them, neglected/abused and unaccompanied refugee children, transgender individuals in name change and other legal matters, and incapacitated and vulnerable adults. For many years, Ginny has provided pastoral companion animal loss support services in West Michigan — facilitating a monthly Companion Animal Loss Grief Support Group (and private consulting before and between gatherings), officiating funerals/memorial services, writing grief columns for publications and speaking at gatherings of animal care and protection professionals. Ginny also regularly officiates Blessings of the Animals in both sacred and secular environments. She and Bob have two children - Spencer (24) and Greta (21) - and one rescue shih tzu/terrier mix - Chewy. Last Week's Service Video -- "Mountain Sunday: Season of Creation"
The theme of our worship for the month of September is "Season of Creation." Last Sunday, we focused on the mountains. Psalm 121 says: "I will lift up my eyes to the mountain from whence comes my help." What do these "Higher Places" symbolize in the Bible? Please enjoy last Sunday's service, when we explored this sacred "Higher Ground" together. Message: Pastor Sal. Music: Peter Black and Jeff Spangler.
Click here to download a copy of last Sunday's BULLETIN. Click HERE to read, listen to, watch, and share Pastor Sal's homily. Allegan County Covid-19 Transmission Rate is "High," Masks Requested in Services
Mask Recommendation for Sunday Services
Because our area transmission rate has increased to "High," the Church Council requests that we wear masks at the Sunday Service. Greeters will have masks available for anyone who needs them. You can follow our Covid transmission and infection rate at this link. CDC infection and transmission rates by county. Services are LIVE on YouTube!
With many thanks to the Church Council, Chris Clark, and Mike White, we are now livestreaming our church services. Tune in to our YouTube channel at 10am on Sunday mornings to enjoy our services from anywhere you happen to be!
https://www.youtube.com/douglasucc Sylvia's Place is Shining the Light on Domestic Violence. Can you help?
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Sylvia's Place plans to Shine a Light on Domestic Violence. You are invited to use a purple lightbulb to light your front porch or window during the week of October 18th, and share a picture of it on social media to spread awareness of domestic violence and to show survivors they are not alone.
Sylvia's Place will deliver purple bulbs to anyone who orders them. Use the sign-up sheet in the Friendship Hall if you would like purple bulbs, or email Julie Ridl. They ask for a donation for each bulb of at least $5, or more if you wish to offer more support to this shelter. They will deliver the bulbs by October 15th, and we will let you know when you can pick them up. Community Book Read, "The End of Night" by Paul Bogard, November 2
Photo by Khamkeo Vilaysing on Unsplash
Did you know that the over-lighting of our night skies is not only a problem of wasted energy and money, but is damaging to our health and well-being, and that of all the creatures who share our planet home?
Did you know that generations are growing up without ever seeing the night skies many of us remember from our childhood? What if we could fix this? What if our towns were known not only for our coastline and nature trails and shops and restaurants, but also for our night skies? The DUCC Creation Justice Team invites you to read and discuss the gorgeously written and critically acclaimed The End of Night by Paul Bogard. The book is available in print and electronic form from the Saugatuck-Douglas District Library, the Fennville Library, and is available as an audiobook, narrated by the author. A few copies are available to check out from the Friendship Hall. It is also available from your favorite booksellers. On November 2, at 6:30 pm, we will gather at the Friendship Hall to discuss the book and explore local and national efforts to reduce light pollution in our skies. This event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited, so please sign up in the Friendship Hall, or online at the link below to help us with our planning. Following CDC recommendations, facemasks are requested for all participants while indoors, regardless of vaccination status. The Social Justice Team is Exploring Support for Afghan Refugees -- Want to Know More?
Our Social Justice Team is exploring ways that our church can support locally placed Afghan refugee families. This discernment process explores many levels and opportunities for support, and opportunities for donations of talent, time, and treasure. Sign up in the Friendship Hall if you'd like to join in on these conversations, or email Bob Kenny to share your interest.
2021 UCC Michigan Conference Meeting: Registration is open!
The 2021 Michigan Conference UCC Virtual Annual Meeting is approaching quickly - the date is Saturday, October 16th via Zoom - and all church members are welcome to attend. All materials, reports and Annual Meeting Handbook will be available on the Conference website prior to the meeting. To register for the Annual Meeting, folow this link (please register before October 16):
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcvfu6urDopGNShGB8EcNR3efdGtqaOSutn After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about how to join the meeting. Please plan to join the Zoom at 9:15 a.m. to ensure your audio and video equipment are working properly. Blessing of the Animals, Beery Field, October 3
On October 3, at 2 pm, at Beery Field in Douglas, Pastor Sal, Rev. Ginny Mikita, and Lakeshore Pet Boutique will offer a Blessing of the Animals. The event will be a standing affair, with animals leashed or in carriers, fully in control of their humans.
Fall Cleanup Day, October 16, 9 am-Noon
Photo by Susan Jones on Unsplash
Please join us on Saturday, October 16, from 9 AM till Noon for our "Fall Clean-Up Day." We will be cleaning up the church grounds. Bring garden tools, if you have them. Thank you!!
Birthdays & Anniversaries
October 3- Alex Andrade, Mark Johnston, 4- Marjorie & Mark Reiman,
5- Stanlee III (Duke) Greene 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. If you don't have a directory, please let us know, and we will email one to you Prayer Requests
Helaine Miedema (David Miedema's mother); Brenda Marcy; Ron Turks (Carol Cunningham's son-in-law); Elizabeth Estes; Sidney Matheis; Pete Wehle; Jeff Chinski and Family; David Abbot; Pat Denner; Sarah Johnson Lock; Linda Masten (Mark Reiman's friend); Vicki Latham (Ruth VandenBosch's cousin); Sarah Ver Meulen (Susan Fleming's Daughter); Mike VerMerris and all of Luke Burnett's family; Walt Lawrence; Cole Hartman; Dennis Konarski; Mike Sneedon (Peg and Jack Donohue's friend); Sandy Feldman; Tim Reineck, Matt Brazys, Suzanne Cook, and Ken Cassbon (friends of Pete Wehle and Pamela Chappell); Richie Czarnowski (Mark Reiman's friend); Dale Lower; Sherri Kanten (Ruth VandenBosch's friend); Michael (a friend of Dan Mack's); Myron (Wendy Hamlin's grandson, Fred Hamlin's great-grandson); Chris Stuart (Virginia Stuart's sister-in-law); Mary Elizabeth Loudin (friend of Laurie VandenBeldt); Chris Robinson (Peter and Kathleen Mueller's nephew); Daniel Ver Meulen (Susan Fleming's son); Marcia Sullivan (Jo Cooley's friend)
Financial Stewardship
In-Person Attendance, September 26: 90
Viewers for September 19 Online Service Videos: 757 Online Donations: Collection Plate: $1,412.00 Online Giving: $2.965.09 Total: $4,377.09 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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56 Wall Street • Douglas, Michigan 49406
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