 In This Week's E-Pistle, You Will Find:
This Sunday: "Our Faith, Our Vote, Our Voice" As part of the UCC's latest initiative, we will be focusing on the theme of "Our Faith, Our Vote, Our Voice" at this Sunday's video worship service at Douglas UCC. Under federal law, tax-exempt, non-profit groups, such as our church, are barred from intervening in elections by endorsing or opposing candidates, yet we are called to make our voices heard and to put our faith into action. Please join us online this Sunday morning for an inspiring message from Pastor Sal and uplifting music from Peter Black and Jeff Spangler. Tune in on Sunday at 10 AM via our Facebook page, YouTube channel, or here on our website. Last Sunday's Service VideoAt last Sunday's "Video Worship Service," we joined together virtually with members of our National UCC Family for a time of sharing and celebration. Our UCC denomination has more than 5,000 churches and more than 1 million members. We are a large, extended family. Last Sunday, UCC pastors and musicians from all over the U.S. lead us in prayer, word, and song, as we joined together online for a very special time of worship. Please enjoy the video above! Witness for Justice From the UCC National office: "Yes, challenges to voting abound in 2020. There are critical, long-term democracy reform efforts that continue to face significant obstacles. Voter suppression and disenfranchisement have been present since the founding of the nation, and we will need to continue confront voter suppression in new forms in this election cycle. This year the COVID-19 pandemic presents even more challenges to the voting process." Read the rest of this message from the UCC here and make your plan to fight voter suppression with the helpful guideline behind this link. Call to Meeting, Annual Meeting of the Michigan Conference of UCC churches, Nov. 14Our UCC Michigan Conference Annual Meeting will be held virtually this year, and all are invited to take part online on November 14. Watch the short video above, as Rev. Phiwa Langeni tells us more about it. To learn more, click here; Call to Meeting 2020. Crop Walk 2020, 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 more than $7,500. 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 October Voter Shuttle to the Polls Douglas UCC's Shuttle-to-the-Polls is part of a nation-wide movement among people of faith. And it's gotten the attention of the Deseret News in Utah. Click here to this in-depth article, featuring Pastor Sal explaining the UCC's Our Vote, Our Voice initiative. During the month of October, volunteers from DUCC will transport voters to deliver their completed absentee ballots to their clerks’ offices, in person, and with Covid 19 protections in place. The service is designed to encourage early voting and relieve pressure on the United States Postal Service. Rides for voters are offered for residents of Holland, Saugatuck, Douglas, Fennville and South Haven. Volunteers who wish to drive, and voters who need a ride can contact Stan by email at VoterShuttle@douglasucc.org or texting I CAN DRIVE or VOTER SHUTTLE to 616-915-4380. Friendship Hall Roundup We had questions about absentee voting during Online Friendship Hall, and promised to share this information: Our Secretary of State suggests that you order your Absentee Ballots before October 19 this year to avoid any possible delays with the surge in absentee votes. After Oct. 19, to avoid possible postal delays, they recommend requesting your ballot in person at your local city or township clerk office. You can find your clerk here: http://www.michigan.gov/vote. When you visit your clerk's office, you’ll be able to fill out and submit your ballot while you are there. Here are some other ways to get your ballot:
Max Matteson and Bud Baty checked in to report on the successful recovery from Max's surgery and to thank everyone for their prayers. We prayed some more for Jodi Berault, who had surgery on Wednesday, same surgeon, same surgery as Max. She came through her surgery very well and is recovering at home. Jodi and Chris are so thankful for the support from their church family. Keep those prayers for recovery going! Ann Hopkins announced she is planning to sit at her polling place and be present as a force for good, and to wave to people on election day. If you see her in South Haven, give her a honk and a wave! Rose Marie Stevenson is calling for DUCC horse people to check in with her (see membership directory for contact info). She is looking for good horse resources in the area. Birthdays & AnniversariesOctober 18- Demetrhea Terrien & Betsy York, 20- Jen Chada, 21- Lin Anderson & Elaine Troehler, 22- Barb Schipper, 24-Julie Kirschbaum, Glynis & Kenneth Whitcomb 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 For the family and friends of Marjorie Brettschneider, sister of Bill Klatt; for the family and friends of Fr. Jake Foglio, especially Linda Charvat; Max Matteson, Jodi Berault, 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); 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). Governor Whitmer and her family. 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 StewardshipOctober 11 Viewers for October 11 Online Service videos: 297 Weekly Online Giving: $2,326.02 Neighbors in Need: $254.13 Total: $2,580.15 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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