Weekly E-Pistle: 22nd Sunday after Pentecost

10/30/2020

In This Week's E-Pistle, You Will Find:

This Sunday's Service Notes - "All Saints Day"
Last Week's Service Video --"The Greatest Commandment"
Daylight Saving's Time Ends November 1!
A Message from Moderator Peter Mueller
DUCC folk in the news for Our Faith Our Voice our Vote action!
Centering Prayer with Pastor Sal -- Meeting Weekly in November/December
Pride Garden Video from Larry Gammons
Christian Neighbors -- The Gift of Love, Deadline December 7
Christian Neighbors Flour Drive & Dennis Konarski's Challenge!
Registration is Open for UCC Michigan's Annual Meeting
Friendship Hall News
Birthdays & Anniversaries, Prayer Requests, and Financial Stewardship

This Week's Service: "All Saints Day"

All Saints Day is celebrated on November 1. On this day, we not only recognize and celebrate historic saintly figures of the church, but we also remember all of our loved ones who have died and are now in the heavenly realm. We hope you will join us online this Sunday for a very special "All Saints Day" service. Message: Pastor Sal. Music: Peter Black and Elizabeth Estes.

Tune in on Sunday at 10 AM via our Facebook page, YouTube channel, or here on our website.

Last Week's Service

In the gospel reading from last Sunday's lectionary, Jesus is asked, "Which of the ten commandments is the greatest?" He responds with what's become known as "The Golden Rule" - to love your neighbor as yourself. Following this commandment is a challenging one, especially during this time when our country is so divided. Please enjoy last Sunday's "Video Worship Service," when we explored the true meaning of "The Golden Rule." Message: Pastor Sal. Music: Peter Black and Nancy Plantinga. Click here to read the homily.

Fall Back! Daylight Savings Time Ends, Nov 1

On Sunday, November 1, 2020, at 2:00:00 am our clocks turn backward 1 hour to 1:00:00 am local standard time. That is, the automatic, digital ones do. You'll want to set the old timey ones yourself. Why is this important? Why, so you don't miss out on that extra hour of sleep on Sunday morning, of course!

An Update from Church Moderator, Peter Mueller

Our Voices, In the News.
Our Faith, Our Voice, Our Vote

(Last week we shared that our Voter Shuttle service was highlighted in a beautiful article in the Deseret News, and this week, the national UCC office published their own piece about our project, just one of our expressions of the Our Faith Our Vote, Our Voice effort this election season. Here is the story:
https://www.ucc.org/news_church_s_voter_shuttle_helps_rural_mich_residents_carry_out_moral_imperative_10272020

But that's not all. Last night, October 29 on CBS, during a star-studded program called "Every Vote Counts," Pastor Sal shared his story of organizing the vigil for the victims of the Orlando massacre, and speaking truth. Here he is with other Americans talking about finding their voices:
https://youtu.be/R5FYQLUkkcA

And Hannah Huggett, with her friend Siena Ramirez made the news to appeal to us to get out and vote for candidates who will work to reverse climate change -- voting for them and their future. Here is the story:
www.kiiitv.com/article/life/people/young-climate-activists-advocate-for-futures/69-71736c06-3b5a-459a-bd6b-fef67fb8f10e

Thanks to everyone who is working so hard to vote, to help others vote, and to speak their faith and their truth in this election cycle!

Centering Prayer with Pastor Sal, NOV/DEC

During the months of November and December, Pastor Sal will be leading a "Centering Prayer" meditation via Zoom each Wednesday night from 5:30 PM to 6 PM. Each session will begin with a short talk, followed by a 15-minute silent prayer practice. If you are interested in taking part in these sessions, please email Pastor Sal.

Pride Garden Video from Larry Gammons

Please enjoy this beautiful video from Larry Gammons celebrating the beautiful new Douglas Pride Garden!

Gifts of Love Deadline: December 7

Christian Neighbors is getting to work early this year to help kids in our area have a warm and happy Christmas. As in years past, our DUCC family can help by buying warm clothes and toys. In the foyer of the Retreat House, look for the Giving Tree poster, and the envelope of gift tags containing details of gifts needed. Take one or several! Instructions are included on the tags. Gather your gifts and drop them in the big gift box or deliver them to Christian Neighbors at the Community Church of Douglas by December 7. We need volunteers to help families select gifts for children too. Call Christian Neighbors at 269-857-1050 for work dates and times. And as always, thank you so much for giving your time and treasure in this way.

Christian Neighbors Flour Drive and
Chef Dennis' Challenge

Last year our Douglas UCC family gathered more than 900 pounds of flour for the Christian Neighbors Thanksgiving Food basket program, feeding 404 area families. And Chef Dennis Konarski, our church member, is issuing a challenge designed to beat that number in 2020, when we have so many more people facing difficult holidays. Chef Dennis is offering to cook a full Thanksgiving Dinner for 6 for the household that contributes the most flour to this year's drive!

Our drive this year is being managed differently, to keep everyone safe:
1. Drop your flour off in the provided bags in the entryway of the Friendship Hall.
2. Write your contribution on the sign-up sheet if you would like to be considered for the prize!
3. We will be accepting flour contributions through Sunday, November 22.
Thank you for all of your generous giving to look after our community members! And if you know a family that needs a food basket for Thanksgiving Dinner, please write to us at welcome@douglasucc.org.

Registration Open for
Michigan UCC's Annual Meeting

Registration is open for the Virtual 2020 Annual Gathering of UCC's Michigan Conference. Click here to register. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing the link you need to join the meeting. The gathering will take place on Saturday, November 14th beginning at 9:30 a.m. The meeting organizers ask that you plan to join Zoom at 9:15 a.m. so that we can begin promptly at 9:30. The Annual Report Booklet will be available prior to the gathering on the Conference website, and in the Michigan Conference Weekly Newsletter. More information will be shared as plans come together.

Friendship Hall News

Pastor Sal, Stan Greene, and Dale Lower shared updates on our Voter Shuttle service and the national attention it has been receiving (see National UCC article, linked above). Chris Clark reported on the Crop Hunger Walk, which, together with the Church Council's matching grant, has provided more than $11,000 to feed the hungry locally and internationally. Max Brown shared that the Spring Street Men's Group is still meeting and raising spirits during this difficult time. Jodi Beauralt and Chris Maitner shared another Rainbow Unicorn sighting, and rumors of the Unicorn's alternate identity ran amok in our Zoom Call. Members requested Richard Graham's address, so we can send him cards and letters and remind him that we love him and are thinking of him. Write to Graham at: American House, 1911 James Street, Building C-16, Holland, MI 49424.

Birthdays & Anniversaries

November 1- Jeff Spangler, 3- Mike Boston, Marty Coffin, 4-Susan Kuhn, Michael Riemke, 5- Peter Carideo
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

McKenzie Sang (Pamela Chappell's granddaughter); Leith Letcher and Jim Shewell; Warren Plantinga (Nancy Plantinga's father); Gregg Kirchen (Sheryll and Greg VanPortfleet's friend); Sarah Swift; Tom & Serena Spina; Sidney Matheis; 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); Freddy; 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 Stewardship

October 25
Viewers for October 25 Online Service videos: 688

Online Giving: $4,699.19
Collection Plate (mailed in): $4,190.00
Retreat House Use: $450.00
Special Collections (Crop Walk): $ 235.00
Special Collections (N.I.N.): $185.00

Total: $9,759.19

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