In This Week's E-Pistle, You Will Find:
This Sunday's Service: "The Shepherd's Voice"
In the gospel reading for the 4th Sunday of Easter, Jesus tells us that he is the Good Shepherd, and he instructs us to follow his voice. But, how do we hear this voice in our lives today? The UCC's motto is "God is Still Speaking," so how can we attune ourselves more fully to the Divine Voice?
Please join us this Sunday at 10 AM (either in-person or streaming live online) as we learn how to listen more closely to our inner G.P.S. (God Positioning System), the Divine Voice within which is always leading us to pastures of plenty where our souls can find rest. We will also be honoring Mother's Day. Message: Pastor Sal. Music: Bob Ruddy and Pamela Chappell. Download This Sunday's Online Bulletin: 
Last Week's Service
Last Sunday, the Third Sunday of Easter, we put our focus on another Resurrection story, this one from John 21:1-19, where the Risen Christ appears to Simon Peter and instructs him to "feed my sheep." So many people in our world today are spiritually malnourished, so how are you spiritually feeding yourself and others? Please enjoy last Sunday's service, as we explore what it means to be "Spiritually Fed." Message: Pastor Sal. Music: Peter Black, Jeff Spangler, and Mary Fechtig.
Click here to read, listen to, watch, and share Pastor Sal's Homily. Hazardous Household Waste Day, May 24
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Dark Sky Lighting at Douglas UCC!
Last week was International Dark Sky Week, in which we learned all about the effects of light pollution on ourselves and the environment. Thanks to the efforts of our church's Creation Justice Team, we replaced all the exterior light fixtures on our church buildings this week to make our campus more "dark sky" compliant.
Kudos!!
Thank you to church members, Kelly Wright, Mike White, and Larry Fuerst, for taking care of repairs at the church this week. They took down the worn-out side deck at the Spring Street cottage. We are grateful for their service.
Create Community: Spaces for Discovery
SCA Needs You!
In celebration of two decades bringing art and artists to Saugatuck and Douglas, the SCA is planning an ambitious 4-community, 7-site outdoor art installation in celebration called "Create Community: Spaces for Discovery" with sites in Fennville, Douglas (Wade's Bayou), Holland, and Saugatuck.
You can read ALL about the intent behind the installations (creative placemaking, public art), meet the artists, see each of the installation locations, etc., on our webpages for the project.
The SCA is offering volunteer opportunities for these installations, including helping paint sticks at the SCA! Volunteers + staff are painting approximately 2,000 sticks red for all 7 installations. No experience needed -- volunteers will have mini rollers and can stand or sit as needed. Painting happens both outdoors and inside our Art Studio.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP for volunteer slots -- lots of days and times through May are available.
You can read ALL about the intent behind the installations (creative placemaking, public art), meet the artists, see each of the installation locations, etc., on our webpages for the project.
The SCA is offering volunteer opportunities for these installations, including helping paint sticks at the SCA! Volunteers + staff are painting approximately 2,000 sticks red for all 7 installations. No experience needed -- volunteers will have mini rollers and can stand or sit as needed. Painting happens both outdoors and inside our Art Studio.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP for volunteer slots -- lots of days and times through May are available.
Summerhouse Lavender Farm Opening,
May 8, 11am - 5pm
We know spring has truly sprung when church members Carol Brown and Dan McGavin open their lavender farm to artists and visitors. Our own Mike Vermerris will be on site as well again this year. Opening on Mothers' Day, May 8, 11a.m. to 5pm.
Memorial Service for Paul Murphy, May 10, 11 AM
The Memorial Service for our beloved church member Paul Murphy, has been scheduled for Tuesday, May 10 at 11 AM in the church Sanctuary. All are welcome to attend. Mike Mok has generously designated that donations (in lieu of flowers) be given in Paul's honor and memory to Douglas UCC. Donations may be made by check (Please write "in memory of Paul Murphy in the memo line), or online here.
Qigong Starting Up Again, May 11, 11:30 AM
Photo by Sajad Nori on Unsplash
Dear Friends,
I am excited to be offering Qigong in Douglas again this year. We will meet for the first time on Wednesday May 11 at 11:30 am. (Please note the day and time change) and will be meeting this year on the Retreat House lawn. We will gather throughout the summer months on Wednesdays unless the weather is rainy. The class is generally about 50 minutes long.
For those of you who are new to this practice, Qigong is a very simple but deep practice of movement, meditation, visualization and breathing techniques. Similar to Tai Chi, Qigong is rooted in Chinese Medicine and Martial Arts Practice. Different than Tai Chi in that you don’t have to memorize any forms! It is great for cultivating Self and Body Awareness, Stability, Balance, Ease of Movement and Joy and Peace! It is a very accessible practice for everyone.
As last year, I am offering the class on a donation basis but am requesting that you give a minimum of $5 in order to keep it sustainable. Many thanks to the church for supporting this class, and I am looking forward to seeing last year’s students again and welcome anyone to come try it out.
Please feel free to contact me if you have further questions
Kat VanHammen Katvanhammen@gmail.com
I am excited to be offering Qigong in Douglas again this year. We will meet for the first time on Wednesday May 11 at 11:30 am. (Please note the day and time change) and will be meeting this year on the Retreat House lawn. We will gather throughout the summer months on Wednesdays unless the weather is rainy. The class is generally about 50 minutes long.
For those of you who are new to this practice, Qigong is a very simple but deep practice of movement, meditation, visualization and breathing techniques. Similar to Tai Chi, Qigong is rooted in Chinese Medicine and Martial Arts Practice. Different than Tai Chi in that you don’t have to memorize any forms! It is great for cultivating Self and Body Awareness, Stability, Balance, Ease of Movement and Joy and Peace! It is a very accessible practice for everyone.
As last year, I am offering the class on a donation basis but am requesting that you give a minimum of $5 in order to keep it sustainable. Many thanks to the church for supporting this class, and I am looking forward to seeing last year’s students again and welcome anyone to come try it out.
Please feel free to contact me if you have further questions
Kat VanHammen Katvanhammen@gmail.com
New Member Class, May 15
If you are interested in becoming a member of our church, Pastor Sal will be holding a New Members Class on Sunday, May 15 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at our church's Retreat House (69 Wall Street). All are welcome to attend. (If you would like to become a member, but are unable to attend the May 15 class, please email Pastor Sal at pastor@DouglasUCC.org).
Community Pride: June 1 thru 5
Douglas UCC is proud to be a "Silver Sponsor" of the upcoming Community Pride Event in Saugatuck/Douglas from June 1 thru 5. Each day, there were will a series of fun and informative events around town (see poster above) in which we hope you will take part. Our church will have a booth at the "Pride in the Park" event on June 4 at Berry Field.
Saugatuck Art Club Gallery Show and Art Sale, May 20-22
We're looking forward to this wonderful show, featuring the work of many local artists, including church members and friends Carrie Andrews, Max Brown, Paul Burdick, Sue Fleming, Demetrhea Terrien, Mary Alice Townsend, and Betsy York. Opening May 20 at Noon at Capizzo Studio, with a reception at 5pm.
Birthdays & Anniversaries
May 11 - Debra Carr, Jane & Jerry Coates, Ruth VandenBosch
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.
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
The Hotwagner Family; Fritz Royce; David Zylstra (Laurie VandenBeldt's friend); Elinor Hite (Virginia Stuart's sister); Michael Mok and friends and family of Paul Murphy; Wendy Hamlin; Roye McDonald; Michele Turner and Family; Judy Baxter (Kristine Sherman's Mother); Joann DeJonge; Richard and Joanna Weber's grandson Mattox (friends of the Ridls); Paul Burdick; Al Overweg; Beverly Willming (John Willming's mother); Jay North (friend of Dan Pierce); Hannah Sherman; Maureen Pierce; Ron Turks (Carol Cunningham's son-in-law); David Abbot; Sarah Johnson Lock; Linda Masten (Mark Reiman's friend); Vicki Latham (Ruth VandenBosch's cousin); Cole Hartman; Mike Sneedon (Peg and Jack Donohue's friend); Tim Reineck, Matt Brazys, Suzanne Cook, and Ken Cassbon (friends of Pete Wehle and Pamela Chappell); Richie Czarnowski (Mark Reiman's friend); Dale Lower; Sherri Kanten (Ruth VandenBosch's friend); Michael (a friend of Dan Mack's); Chris Stuart (Virginia Stuart's sister-in-law); Mary Elizabeth Loudin (friend of Laurie VandenBeldt); Chris Robinson (Peter and Kathleen Mueller's nephew); Daniel Ver Meulen (Susan Fleming's son); Marcia Sullivan (Jo Cooley's friend)
Financial Stewardship
In-Person Attendance, May 1: 75
Livestream Attendance: 63
Total Viewers for May 1 Online Service Videos: 452
Podcast Downloads in April: 7,978
Collection Plate & Mailed Donations: $1,993
Online Giving: $1716.06
Total: $3,709.06
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.
Livestream Attendance: 63
Total Viewers for May 1 Online Service Videos: 452
Podcast Downloads in April: 7,978
Collection Plate & Mailed Donations: $1,993
Online Giving: $1716.06
Total: $3,709.06
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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