Weekly E-Pistle: Second Sunday after Pentecost

6/17/2022

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

This Sunday's Service Notes — Second Sunday after Pentecost, "Emancipation Day "
Last Week's Service Video — Trinity Sunday
Congratulations to Bev Hawkes, New Stephen Ministry Leader!
Stephen Ministry Survey! Help Us Help You.
Juneteenth: Revealing Hidden Histories, June 17, 12 PM, Online
Summer Book Read: Refugia Faith, by Dr. Debra Rienstra
Walt Lawrence Celebration of Life, June 25, 2 PM
Annual Congregational Meeting, June 26, 11:30 AM
We Are Looking for Affordable Housing Options for Afghan Family
Brooke Townsend's Ukranian War Experiences, July 5, 6 PM
Resilience Blue Star Bash Fundraiser, July 27
Soul Collage with Rev. Ruth Zwald, Next Session, August 6, 1 to 4 PM
Birthdays & Anniversaries, Prayer Requests, and Financial Stewardship

This Week's Service: "Emancipation Day"

This Sunday, we celebrate Juneteenth, also known as "Emancipation Day," commemorating the emancipation of enslaved Black Americans. In Sunday's lectionary, we also hear the gospel story of Jesus setting a bound man free.

Please join us this Sunday at 10 AM (either in-person or streaming live online) as we celebrate freedom and recommit ourselves to building a just world for all. Message: Pastor Sal. Music: Peter Black and Max Brown.

Download this week's online bulletin here:

order_of_service_june_19_2022.pdf
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Last Week's Service

The first Sunday after Pentecost is known as "Trinity Sunday," when we celebrate the "three-in-one" aspect of God. In last Sunday'sgospel reading, Jesus speaks to the apostles about the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. How do we make sense of the Trinity? Is God one or three? Please enjoy last Sunday's service, when we explored the metaphysical understanding of the Trinity. Message: Pastor Sal Sapienza. Music: Peter Black and Jeff Spangler

Click here to read, listen to, watch, and share Pastor Sal's Homily.

Congratulations to Bev Hawkes,
Our New Stephen Ministry Leader!

Last Sunday, after months of study and training, Pastor Sal and the Stephen Ministry team welcomed church and council member Bev Hawkes to the Ministry as a new Stephen Ministry Leader. Kudos and Congratulations to Bev!

Stephen Ministry Survey: Help Us Help You!

To make sure our Stephen Ministry meets the needs of our church members, they have designed a survey, we hope all members of the congregation will take. You can take this quick survey online by hitting the button below. Or paper copies of the survey are available in the Friendship Hall. Thank you so much for helping us help you!

Take the Survey Now

Juneteenth: Revealing Hidden Histories,
June 17, 12 PM, Online

Remembering the day that news of emancipation reached the last outpost of enslaved people in Texas, Juneteenth acknowledges God’s sacred people of African descent. Sacred acknowledgment is recognition of birthplace—the cradle of civilization on the continent of Africa. Sacred acknowledgement is celebration of cultural expressions as first peoples, free people, multilingual, multiethnic, and multi-talented artisans, scientists, creators, builders, navigators, writers, thinkers, and orators. Sacred acknowledgement is remembering and honoring the generations of untold stories that are waiting to be revealed within these sacred bodies.

Amidst growing efforts to suppress the truths of our history, join the United Church of Christ for our Juneteenth 2022 Celebration as African and African American descendants— geniuses of spoken word and cultural oral traditions—reveal hidden histories so we might take up our roles in the unfolding story of God’s liberating love.

Summer Book Read: Refugia Faith

This August, Rev. Marchiene Rienstra ("Rev. Marty") will be facilitating a weekly book discussion group on the new book, Refugia Faith: Seeking Hidden Shelters, Ordinary Wonders, and the Healing of the Earth, which was written by her daughter-in-law, Dr. Debra Rienstra.

The term "refugia" refers to "places of refuge." In the book, Dr. Reinstra leads us in an exploration of refugia faith, drawing connections between the refugia of the spirit and the refugia of God's creation.

The book group will meet every Tuesday in August from noon to 1:30 PM at Rev. Marty's home in Douglas (66 Lakeshore Drive) on the back deck overlooking Lake Michigan. Bring your own lunch and a copy of the book, which is available for purchase on Amazon or can be ordered at your local independent bookseller.

If you plan on taking part in the book group, please email Rev. Marty (marchiene@gmail.com) or sign the sheet in the Friendship Hall.

Walt Lawrence Celebration of Life, June 25, 2 PM

On Saturday, June 25 at 2 PM, we will hold a Celebration of Life for our wonderful church member, Walt Lawrence. The celebration will be held in the Sanctuary, and all church members and friends of Walt are invited to join us.

Annual Congregational Meeting,
June 26, 11:30 AM

Our Annual Church Business Meeting will be held on Sunday, June 26, at 11:30 AM in the Friendship Hall and online via Zoom.

Our Church Council and Financial Oversight Committee will be giving us updates, and we’ll be approving the new church budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

All church members are strongly encouraged to attend. If you’ll be joining the meeting from home, please be sure to email Julie Ridl (julie@douglasucc.org) to receive the Zoom link.

You can email Julie to request a copy of the budget for review, and click below to download a copy of last year's meeting minutes, which will be approved at the start of this year's meeting.

june_2021_annual_congregational_meeting_minutes.docx.pdf
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We Are Looking for Affordable Housing Options for Afghan Family

Photo by Mayur Gala on Unsplash

Our family from Afghanistan is beginning to investigate affordable housing options in Allegan and Ottawa counties. We have a list of reduced rent and subsidized housing options. If you are aware of any affordable housing in either county, please email Karen Clark (kbclark@iusb.edu) or Pat Denner (dendronus@yahoo.com)

Brooke Townsend's Ukranian War Experiences, July 5, 6 PM

On July 5 at 6pm, Brooke Townsend, daughter of church member Mary Alice Townsend, will present a talk and slideshow on her Ukranian War experiences. Brooke is a Humanitarian Photographer and the Executive Director of The 25 Group. After graduating with a bachelors in Biblical Justice, she began advocating for the poor and marginalized around the world. Through the sharing of stories and project funding, The 25 Group creates opportunities for donors to change the world with their giving. Throughout the last 8 years, The 25 Group has worked in 14 countries with more than 38 different organizations to donate nearly $500,000. Join us to hear stories of impact and how you can help those in need around the globe. Please use the sign-up sheets in the Friendship Hall so we can plan for seating and refreshments!

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Resilience Blue Star Bash Fundraiser, July 27

Blue Star Bash – an exciting new fundraising event in beautiful Saugatuck!

Wednesday, July 27 From 6-8PM
5PM VIP Cocktail Hour for Sponsors

Blue Star Bash will feature live music by Mark Lavengood band, a VIP cocktail hour for sponsors, delicious food and drinks, attractive raffle packages, and more! Our event location has both indoor and outdoor spaces leaving plenty of room for social distancing. Tickets are limited – you won’t want to miss out!

Your ticket is all inclusive – food and drinks are included! This is a 21+ event. Raffle tickets will be for available for $15 each/10 for $100.

CLICK HERE for Sponsorship information.
To become a Blue Star Bash sponsor, please e-mail ChristinaS@ResilienceMI.org

Purchase Tickets Here

Soul Collage with Rev. Ruth Zwald
Session 2, August 6, 1 to 4 PM

Our friend and spiritual teacher Ruth Zwald is offering the next in her series of Soul Collage workshops on August 6, from 1 to 4pm in the Friendship Hall. If you're interested, register with Ruth at her email adress above.

Birthdays & Anniversaries

June 20- Jack Klott, 24- Katy Lemanski Loster

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

Rev. Lou Grettenberger (friend of Ginny Mikita); Rachael Rienstra; Dick Bont; Tom Pearson (Wendy Hamiln's son); Phil Sturdevant (Pete Wehle's friend); Darren Dixon (Beverly and Orie Hawkes' nephew); The Hotwagner Family; David Zylstra (Laurie VandenBeldt's friend); Elinor Hite (Virginia Stuart's sister); Judy Baxter (Kristine Sherman's Mother); Joann DeJonge; Richard and Joanna Weber's grandson Mattox (friends of the Ridls); Al Overweg; Beverly Willming (John Willming's mother); Jay North (friend of Dan Pierce); Hannah Sherman; Maureen Pierce; 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); Sherri Kanten (Ruth VandenBosch's friend); Chris Stuart (Virginia Stuart's sister-in-law); Mary Elizabeth Loudin (friend of Laurie VandenBeldt)

Financial Stewardship

In-Person Attendance, June 12: 87
Live-Stream Attendance, June 12: 59
Total Views for June 12 Online Videos:438

Collection Plate & Mailed Donations: $3,425.00
Online Giving: $2,700.18

Total: $6,125.18

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.