Weekly E-Pistle: 24th Sunday after Pentecost

11/13/2020

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

This Sunday's Service Notes - "Gifts & Talents"
Last Week's Service Video --"Keep Your Lamps Burning"
Special Post Election Statement from the UCC
Holiday Family Album. Send us your photos by December 15
Centering Prayer with Pastor Sal -- Meeting Weekly in November/December
Christian Neighbors Needs our Help: Call for Volunteers
Christian Neighbors -- The Gift of Love, Deadline December 7
Christian Neighbors Flour Drive & Dennis Konarski's Challenge! Give by Nov. 22
Registration link for Saturday's Virtual UCC Michigan's Annual Meeting
Friendship Hall News
Birthdays & Anniversaries, Prayer Requests, and Financial Stewardship

This Sunday's Service: "Gifts & Talents"

On the surface, Sunday's Gospel of the "Parable of the Talents" may sound like an uncomfortable story about greed. But Jesus is offering an important teaching about our own relationship to God. We are endowed with innate talents precisely so that we can invest them, use them, and produce greater good. Come join us this Sunday for our "Video Worship Service," as we explore how to invest our gifts and talents to bring more of God's abundance into expression. Message: Pastor Sal. Music: Peter Black & Pamela Chappell.

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

Last Sunday's Service: Keep Your Lamps Burning

During this Election Season and this time of COVID, many of us are feeling emotionally and spiritually drained. Do you have enough oil in your lamp? In last Sunday's Gospel reading, Jesus tells "The Parable of the 10 Bridesmaids," five of whom did not prepare enough oil in their lamps. We explored how to keep our spiritual lamps lit and burning, especially during such challenging times as these. Message: Pastor Sal. Music: Peter Black & Stan Greene. Read and share the homily here.

Post Election Statement from the UCC

What does love require of us next? The UCC shares an important message urging worshippers to tap the healing power of love to close our political divide.

Also, the National UCC's "Feature Story" this week talked about our little church and quoted from Pastor Sal's sermon last Sunday. You can read the article here:
"As Election Contention Continues, Churches Pray for Peace - and to Persist for Justice."
It's the second time this past month that the National UCC has highlighted our church.

Help Us Build a Holiday Church Family Album
Deadline: December 15

We would like to build and share a DUCC Holiday Family Album, and to do that we need your help! Could you please take a selfie, in your favorite holiday clothes (or costumes!), by yourself or in groupings, and email it to [email protected]. Your deadline for this mission, should you choose to accept it, is December 15. We long to see one another, and we believe this will be a great way pull our family together this year!

Centering Prayer Every Wednesday at 5:30
through December

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.

Christian Neighbors' Gifts of Love by Dec 7

Thanks so much to all of our church members who have been contributing to our Giving Tree project! We just received a batch of new gift tags for area teenagers. Good gifts for these kids includes cards for SubWay, gas cards, manicure sets and nail polish, makeup, slippers, pajamas, cologne -- gifts that cost around $20.00. Gift cards should be for no more than $25. Instructions are included on the tags. Gather your gifts and drop them, unwrapped please, 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 Call for Volunteers

2020 Christian Neighbors Thanksgiving Meal Kit Preparation
Volunteers Needed!
Monday, November 23 - Tuesday, November 24
Thanksgiving will soon be here, and with it comes, Christian Neighbors’ distribution of Thanksgiving Meal Kits to area families — a 37-year-old tradition in our community. In 2019, through a coordinated, two-day effort, more than 60 volunteers organized and packed 400 meal kits, each filled with a dozen items, that fed nearly 1,500 area residents a complete
Thanksgiving meal.
2020 will be no different. The need for food continues to be great.

Our event will take place in the gymnasium at Community Church of Douglas, 6874 Wiley Rd. We will have many Covid best practices in place. All will be required to: wear a mask over mouth and nose, stand 6 feet apart, sanitize hands, wear plastic gloves, and provide names, phone numbers and emails in case it is requested by Allegan County Health Department. If you are unable to adhere to these day-of expectations, for whatever reason, please don’t volunteer this year. If you want us to, we will be sure to ask you next year!
Those interested in helping, check out the various dates, times, and job descriptions below, then reply to Beth Huffman at [email protected]. Indicate in the email which day(s) you’re willing to come, and your area code and phone number.

MONDAY, NOV. 23, 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m., NEED 21 VOLUNTEERS
On Monday, we receive, organize, and count hundreds of nonperishable food items donated from local churches. We will also label and set up ~370 bags that will be packed on Tuesday. Apples, potatoes, onions and donuts are bundled into family-size bags. All need to bring their own masks.
Outside Greeters/Carriers (Need 2; expect to be in and out of the building often)
Church Donation Counters (Need 4)
Church Bag Labelers (Need 1)
Produce/Donut Baggers (Need 14)
TUES, NOV. 24, 8 a.m.-11:30 NEED 12 VOLUNTEERS
These volunteers must be able to carry 15-20 pounds repeatedly throughout the morning because they will unload frozen turkeys & chickens from a truck to the gym. (Many birds, but not all, will be moved with a fork lift.) They will also pack 400 grocery bags with Thanksgiving foods. Carry packed grocery bags and frozen birds to vehicles. You will be in and out of the building often, and handling frozen poultry, so bring gloves and outerwear that can get a little dirty. Wear comfortable shoes. Bring a mask.
TUES, NOV. 24, 11:30-3 p.m. NEED 24 VOLUNTEERS
These volunteers must be able to carry 15-20 pounds repeatedly. As needed, they will assist clients with shopping and carrying 2 grocery bags and frozen poultry to their vehicles. A few volunteers will help manage line flows. We anticipate approximately 175-200 clients, and they have been given staggered arrival times. All will help with cleaning up and flattening cardboard boxes. You will be in and out of the building often, and handling frozen poultry, so bring gloves and outerwear that can get a little dirty. Wear comfortable shoes. Bring a mask.
Let us know how you can help on Monday or Tuesday
by contacting Beth Huffman at [email protected].

Christian Neighbors' Flour Drive Deadline Nov. 22

Volunteers needed to transport flour to Christian Neighbors' Food Bank on the morning of November 23! If you think you can help with transport, contact Christian Neighbor's liaison Ruth VandenBosch. Thank you so much to everyone who has contributed 4-5 lb flour bags to the Thanksgiving Basket food drive! We are still collecting flour contributions

Remember that 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! For details of the dinner download the PDF below!

Our drive this year is being managed differently, to keep everyone safe:
1. Drop your 4-5lb bags of flour (bigger bags won't fit in holiday baskets) off in the provided bin 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!

thanksgiving_dinner_prize.pdf
File Size:	4184 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Registration Open for Saturday's
Virtual UCC Michigan Annual Meeting

Registration is open for Saturday's 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

The coronavirus is hitting home again, Bubba Beaudreaux and Dennis Bales, Myron Freund and Ted Sommer are all struggling with this virus. At the meeting, we shared more news of friends and family with the virus. By now most of us know someone close to us and close by who is infected. Please protect youself and others by staying home, staying safe, and using those masks! We shared our election stories, and stories of the past four years of work. One of our favorite reflections came from Stan Greene: "These past few days demonstrate that Snowflakes come in different colors." Dan Mack shared news and thoughts of his upcoming knee surgery. (That was Monday, and he is well and home and so grateful for prayers and support), Pam Chappell's hip surgery is next week. We can encourage her at this week's online meetup! Mike Ver Merris' virtual pottery show extended through December 7. You can find the whole show, with Michael's link online here. Greg and Sheryll VanPortfleet have been working hard for Sheryll's mom, Vivian, who is making the move to assisted living. Now we have news that Vivian has tested positive for Covid 19. Sheryll and Greg are in quarantine and will be tested soon. Prayers up for them and all of our loved ones, please!

Birthdays & Anniversaries

November 15- Doreen Ritt, 18- Alex Andrede & Michael Batey,
19- Mark Johnston & Jeremy Lund, 19- Marcel terVeen, 20- Linda Koch, 21- Peter Mueller
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

Rev. Lynn Young (friend of the Clarks); the family and friends of Chris Cook, especially Larry Fuerst and Sue Scott; Pamela Chappell; Bubba Beaudreaux and Dennis Bales; Sarah Weaver (Ed Korson's family); Marilyn Ondersma (the Reimans' friend); Chris Robinson (Peter and Kathleen Mueller's nephew); Dan Mack; Leith Letcher and Jim Shewell; Warren Plantinga (Nancy Plantinga's father); Gregg Kirchen (Sheryll and Greg VanPortfleet's friend); Sidney Matheis; Jodi Berault, Dirk Hollebeek (Ruth VandenBosch's godson); Larry Gregsbeek (friend of Mark Reiman); Daniel Ver Meulen (Susan Fleming's son); Vivian Libby (Sheryll Van Portfleet's Mom); Hannah Sherman; Gary Plantinga (Nancy Plantinga's brother); 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).

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

November 8
Viewers for November 8 Online Service videos: 680
Online Giving: $3176.81

Facebook donations: 10/1 - 10/15/20: $520.00
(FB donations reported approximately 2 weeks after donation period)

Total: $3,696.81

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