In This Week's E-Pistle, You Will Find:
This Sunday's Service: "Humbled & Exalted"
In Sunday's gospel reading for the 23rd Sunday after Pentecost, Jesus says: "Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."
The word humility is defined as being "unselved," a liberation from consciousness of self. When we humble ourselves, we free ourselves from the bonds of the ego and are, therefore, exalted. Please join us this Sunday at 10 AM (either in person or streaming live online) as we explore how the "humbling process" leads to spiritual ascension. Message: Pastor Sal Sapienza Music: Peter Black, Shirley Lawson, and Robin Haaksma. Download this Sunday's Online Bulletin: 
Last Sunday's Service
In the gospel reading for last Sunday after Pentecost, Jesus is asked, "What is the greatest commandment?" He replies, "Love God and love your neighbor as yourself." Please enjoy last Sunday's service, when we explored these two commandments and celebratde 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 Falling Back! Daylight Saving Time
If you still have clocks to adjust, then please do so Saturday night! Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, November 5, at 2:00 A.M. At this time, we “fall back” one hour!
Origin story: Daylight saving time was first introduced as a means to make better use of daylight hours and conserve energy. The idea is often credited to Benjamin Franklin, who suggested a form of it in an essay in 1784. However, DST as we know it today was implemented during World War I and again during World War II as a way to save fuel and energy. The United States officially adopted DST in 1918 under the Standard Time Act. Bobby Jo Valentine Concert November 3! Tickets Available at the Door!
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/ Thank you for your Generous Soup Offerings!
Photo by Gaelle Marcel on Unsplash
Thanks so much for your generous giving during our Soup-Tober drive for the Christian Neighbors Food Pantry, and to our church member, Rich Marth, for ferrying your donations to the pantry. We gathered an amazing 366 cans of soup to help warm and nourish our neighbors over the winter. Thank you!
Flour Collection for Christian Neighbors
Our Annual Flour Drive for Christian Neighbors' Thanksgiving baskets begins on November 1, and will run through November 20. We will place a flour collection box in the entryway to the Friendship Hall. Please donate 4-lb and 5-lb bags only. Thank you so much!
November Spiritual Center Classes
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. Use the sign-up sheets in the Friendship Hall to claim your space! 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! KUDOS for our Pastoral Search Committee
Our Church Council has selected our Pastoral Search Committee!
Council met on Monday, October 30th, to review the names brought forward as candidates to serve on the Search Committee. The Congregation is already involved and wanting to be a part of this next step in our search for a new pastor. As is so typical with DUCC, we had a great group of names presented – 44 individuals representative of our church community. After much discussion, the Council selected the following church members to serve on the Pastoral Search Committee: · Bill Briggs · Pat Denner · Ginny Mikita · Phil Raywood · Greg Sherman · Jeff Spangler · Kirsten Stannis We are excited about the diversity this group represents - a mix of long-term DUCC attendees and those newer to the church, male and female, sexual orientation, age, a member who served on the committee 10 years ago, and one ordained minister. All have graciously accepted the invitation. This Committee has now been introduced to Reverend Cheryl Burke, our UCC Michigan Associate Conference Minister, who will be a resource to them moving forward. The group operates and functions separately from the Church Council and is responsible to the Congregation. Moving forward, the Pastoral Search Committee will directly provide you with updates on their progress. We are blessed here at DUCC with so many wonderful and talented individuals. Thank you to everyone who raised their hand to serve! Looking forward to all that God has in store for us, Your Douglas UCC Church Council Mark Johnston, Moderator, Jim Kern, Financial Secretary, Stacy Honson, Treasurer, Kelly Wright, Trustee, Mike VerMerris, Recording Secretary, Stan Greene, Councilor At-Large, Michael Mok, Councilor At-Large, Bernie Lopata, Councilor At-Large Author Event: Beyond Religion with Craig Vander Maas, November 9 at 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: November 5- Peter Carideo
10- Derek Hoehn, 11- John Willming Anniversaries: November 8- Nancy & John Grib 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
Mike Mok; 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)
Stewardship Drive UpdateStewardship Drive Giving Week ending October 29: $16,758.52 Pledges to Date = $210,770.00 Pledge Donations Received to date = $65,305.00 Financial Stewardship
In-Person Attendance October 29: 106
Total Views for October 29: 512 October Podcast Downloads: 2,420 Collection Plate & Mailed Donations: $570.00 Online Giving: $1,322.92 Text giving: $80 Total, General Support: $1972.92 Total, Retreat House: 308.52 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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