In This Week's E-Pistle, You Will Find:
This Sunday's Service: "For All the Saints"
In the gospel reading for the 22nd Sunday after Pentecost, Jesus is asked, "What is the greatest commandment?" He replies, "Love God and love your neighbor as yourself."
Join us this Sunday at 10 AM (either in person or streaming live online), as we explore these two commandments and celebrate all the saints in our lives. As we do each year on the Sunday before All Saints Day, we will conclude our service in the Memorial Garden behind the church with a "Remembrance of Names," honoring our loved ones who have died. Message: Pastor Sal Sapienza. Music: Peter Black and Jeff Spangler Download this Sunday's Online Bulletin: 
Last Sunday's Service
In the gospel reading for the 21st Sunday after Pentecost, Jesus says, "Render to Caesar what is Caesar's, and render to God what is God's." Is Jesus telling us to keep politics and religion separate, or is he saying something else?
Join us this Sunday at 10 AM (either in person or streaming live online) as we explore how giving our all to God requires our speaking Truth to the Caesars of today. Message: Pastor Sal Sapienza. Music: Peter Black and Max Brown Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson installed as UCC President and General Minister
Last week, the United Church of Christ made history, installing Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson as our new UCC General Minister and President. She is the first woman and the first Black woman to serve in this position.
The jubilant celebration — featuring a diversity of religious practices, a wide assembly of interfaith dignitaries and powerful, praise-filled performances — was held near the UCC’s headquarters in downtown Cleveland. To watch the video of Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson's installation service, visit: A New Thing: Thompson's Historic Installation Bobby Jo Valentine Concert: Tickets Now on Sale!
On November 3 at 7 PM, award-winning singer/songwriter Bobby Jo Valentine will return to perform at Douglas UCC! Soul/Pop? Folk? Bobby's music exists outside the lines of any genre. His thoughtful lyrics and gorgeous melodies reach listeners on all paths of life.
Bobby Jo has been awarded "Songwriter of the Year" by the West Coast Songwriters’ Association in 2011 and 2015, and "Song of the Year" in 2017. Born into a Baptist church of strict lines and sharp edges, and later coming out as an openly gay man, Bobby is now a believer of a different sort: a believer in the wild, strange, mystical nature of the world. Bobby has been invited to perform for many equal rights organizations, Gay Pride festivals, and justice-oriented non-profits, including many churches across the country. This will be an unforgettable evening. To learn more about Bobby Jo Valentine and his music, visit: www.bobbyjovalentine.com Tickets are $15 and are on sale online now at bobbyjovalentine.bpt.me/ November Spiritual Center Offerings
Growing through Change and Transition: Three Approaches
News of Pastor Sal’s end-of-year departure has us all grieving in some way. Join the Retreat House Ministry team to discuss our feelings and contemplate how we might grow from sharing this challenging change. Wednesday, November 8, 3 to 4:30 Changes in Relationships – Finding Our Way from Sadness to Joy Barb Steen, Hospice Nurse and Pastor’s Wife with Rev. Marchiene Rienstra Barb Steen, who has worked as a hospice nurse and a minister’s wife, has seen what it is like for a minister, the family, and the congregation to go through a major move and change in relationship. She will offer the opportunity for you to explore with her how to deal with big changes in important relationships: What are the challenges? The pitfalls? The rewards? Rev. Marchiene Rienstra, a retired minister who has moved from one church to another several times in her forty-four years of ministerial service, will be present to share what she has learned as a minister going through major changes in relationships with congregations. The upcoming departure of Pastor Sal will shape our sharing. Thursday, November 9, 10:30 TO NOON Holding Both Grief and Gratitude Barbara Flynn, Spiritual Guide with Rev. Marchiene Rienstra November is a month of opposites: It begins with the solemn feasts of All Saints, All Souls, and Day of the Dead, but then culminates with Thanksgiving! As our church community prepares to bid farewell to our beloved Pastor Sal, holding gratitude for his ten years here alongside our grief at his departure is the challenge facing us all. Barbara Flynn will offer her wisdom as a soul friend for decades to many who have wrestled with these challenging questions. Rev. Marchiene Rienstra will be present to share her perspective and experience as a minister who has moved from one ministry to another. Friday, November 10, 3 to 4:30 Improving our Perspective with Altitude and Attitude Rev. Marchiene Rienstra Looking out a rainy window gives us one perspective on our view, but gaining altitude in a plane lets us see an expanded view of the world and our place in it. In this session, we will explore our various perspectives, especially as they relate to the changes we face as our dear Pastor Sal leaves, and we prepare to welcome a new minister. Together, we will experience ways to change and expand our perspectives so that they become ever more inclusive and expansive. From a dark alley to a mountaintop, we will journey together! Online Directory and Phone App!
With KUDOS to the many advisors and testers who helped to prepare our online directory for prime time, we are happy to say that the online church directory is now available!
The company we chose, Instant Church Directory, is well trusted by many church congregations, for ease of use, and ease of updating information to keep us all current. It's also well respected for the layers of security it uses for keeping our information safe. This company gives us access to our directory from BOTH a desktop or laptop computer, AND the handy apps available for your iPhone or Android phone. When you log in for the first time, you will use your email and choose a password that will work on either your computer or your phone. You must use the email address you provided for the directory when you register. Only people already in the directory can gain access to the directory! That's a security feature, of course! The system uses a two-step verification system to make sure you are you. Once you enter your email and choose your password, the company will immediately send you an email. That email contains a link you must click to complete your registration and be let into the app or website. Go ahead! You can log in today! Click below for detailed instructions for each device you wish to use: Step-by-step log-in instructions for iPhone, iPad, or any IOS device. Step-by-step log-in instructions for Android phones or devices. Step-by-step log-in instructions for the website: members.instantchurchdirectory.com. Soup-Tober! Let's Fill Christian Neighbors' Shelves!
Photo by Calle Macarone on Unsplash
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! Honoring the Ancestors, Dia de los Muertos, November 1
Our friend and spiritual teacher Ruth Zwald is once again offering "Honoring the Ancestors: Dia de los Muertos," on November 1, in our Friendship Hall. Connecting to our ancestors is a vital part of spiritual work. Drawing on the Mexican traditions of Dia De Los Muertos involves us in an evening of sharing stories and food, creating an altar, as well as a chance to connect to our ancestors in a guided meditation. To sign up, follow the instructions in the poster above.
Author Event: Beyond Religion with Craig Vander Maas, November 9, 7 PM
Please join us on Thursday, November 9, in the Friendship Hall, as we welcome author, Craig Vander Mass, who will be discussing his latest book, Beyond Religion: Finding Meaning in Evolution.
In Beyond Religion, Dr. Vander Maas integrates science, religion, psychology, and politics in the ultimate pursuit of truth. From the Big Bang to human evolution to the history of the Bible, Beyond Religion is a well-balanced blend of scholarly research mixed with personal reflections of the author’s own spiritual development. Throughout the book, Vander Maas makes it clear that human evolution and spiritual transformation will require both “growing up” (committing to ongoing education and introspection) and “showing up” (putting compassion into action). You won't want to miss this fascinating discussion. The event is FREE and refreshments will be served. Afterwards, Dr. Vander Maas will be selling and signing copies of his books. Soul Collage: Listening to Our Inner Child, November 11
Our friend and spiritual teacher Ruth Zwald is once again offering "Honoring the Ancestors: Dia de los Muertos," on November 1, in our Friendship Hall. Connecting to our ancestors is a vital part of spiritual work. Drawing on the Mexican traditions of Dia De Los Muertos involves us in an evening of sharing stories and food, creating an altar, as well as a chance to connect to our ancestors in a guided meditation. To sign up, follow the instructions in the poster above.
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Birthdays: October 30- Pat Denner
NOVEMBER 1- Jeff Spangler 4- Michael Flynn Anniversaries: 31 Loran Atkinson & Gary Nicodemus 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
Karen Clark; Dave and Shirley Lawson; Clark McMillion (Chris Clark's friend); Richard Mead (friend of Tom Fahlstrom); Ruth Fahlstrom (daughter of Tom Fahlstrom); Ann Hopkins, Pamela Chappell & Pete Wehle; Dan Pierce; Ruth Vanden Bosch; 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 October 22: 101
Total Views for October 22: 349 Collection Plate & Mailed Donations: $863 Online Giving: $3,277.59 Total, General Support: $4,140.59 This Week's Stewardship Drive Giving: $13,552.54 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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