A Note on the WEATHER...You may have noticed that forecasts for this weekend hold the potential for tough-to-impossible travel conditions. There is, of course, no reason to feel compelled to attend services when you don't feel travel is safe for you. If we should cancel the service, we will post notice of the cancelation with WZZM-TV. These notices are available online here: https://www.wzzm13.com/closings This Sunday's Homily by Elizabeth Estes: "Exploring Jesus' Baptism (Thanks to a Black Swan, Fred Rogers, my Dad, and Prince)" Our Pastor Sal is currently on sabbatical, and we have an amazing lineup of inspiring speakers in the coming weeks. This Sunday, Elizabeth Estes will be giving the message, "Exploring Jesus's Baptism (Thanks to a Black Swan, Fred Rogers, my Dad, and Prince)." Elizabeth was born and raised in Central Illinois, in a large, LOUD and loving family. The youngest of six kids, she was raised by a Catholic Mom and a non-practicing, Baptist Dad. The Estes kids were all encouraged to read history, learn current events, discuss and debate many issues. However, religion wasn’t one of them. It was a given that Sunday Mass, Catechism and the traditions of the Catholic Church were followed. It wasn’t until later in her life, with the support of her Mom, that Elizabeth began investigating other ways of understanding spirituality and faith. That journey, and a move to Michigan, led Elizabeth and her wife, Mary, to Douglas UCC where they have been members for 5 years. Elizabeth is a business owner, a musician, and in her next life, aspires to be a chef. We hope you will join us this Sunday at 10 AM for an inspiring message from Elizabeth and uplifting music by Stan Greene and Peter Black. Rest in Peace, Tom Dula It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that our church member, Tom Dula, has died. Tom made a peaceful transition on the evening of January 6, the Epiphany. During his years in Michigan, Tom served as our Church Council Moderator; was a member of the West Michigan Gay Men's Chorus; and served as the Director of Holland Pride. Our condolences to Tom's husband, Arni Scheving. Back in 2013, they were the first same-sex couple to have their wedding announced in the "Holland Sentinel" newspaper. Cards of condolence can be sent to Arni at 277 Old Farm School Rd., Asheville, NC 28805. Below is a video of Tom singing one his favorite songs at our church. He will be missed. Sharing our 2020 Vision Thanks to everyone who came together for our Congregational Meeting after service on January 5, and to the dozens who joined us via Facebook Live. And especially to our moderator, Peter Mueller, who ran the meeting while battling the bug that's been going around. It was great to review all of the input that went into the visioning for 2020, and to see the resulting images and walk-through from the hard-working Facilities Team. The posters of the floor plans are up in the Friendship Hall, and a view of the walk-through and the meeting slides are available by writing to Julie Ridl at [email protected]. With Stan Greene's permission, we wanted to share his encouragement/wisdom, which he offered toward the end of our meeting: "“Casting a vision is really a courageous act. It’s a courageous act, in part, because at the time you cast the vision, there are more questions than there are answers. And so, there’s a host of things that will be sorted out over the course of time, but today when you ask the question, the answer is ‘I don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t know.’ And, in the absence of courage, people can take ‘I don’t know’ as ‘Why would we do this if we don’t know those things?’ But, the courage and faith of vision says, ‘Now that we have committed to taking the journey, we will discern the answers to the questions we have in our minds right now.’ So, I applaud all of us for being willing to step into a space of visioning, so that we can discern the answers together.” Hannah Huggett: Youth Social Justice Award! Holland's 2019 Youth Social Justice Award Recipient Each year, the Holland Youth Advisory Council requests nominations for the Youth Social Justice Award and the council chooses the recipient. This year, Douglas UCC's own 14 year-old activist, Hannah Huggett, was chosen to receive the award. HYAC will present the award to Hannah on Wednesday, January 15th at 6:30 pm at the City Council meeting in Council Chambers at Holland's City Hall, 270 South River Avenue, in Holland. A small reception in the Rotunda is planned immediately after the presentation. All of Hannah's Douglas UCC friends and family are invited to this event. 2020 Women's March Events Saugatuck Douglas Women's March 2020 is becoming a larger event of community celebration & sisterhood: Friday, January 17: 6 PM Voter registration and pre-screening poster making at Saugatuck Center for the Arts. 7 PM FREE screening of the film “Knock Down the House” at Saugatuck Center for the Arts [more time for post-screening poster making]. Saturday, January 18: “MEET ME IN DOUGLAS” Schedule: 10AM - 1PM Women’s Business: Merchants will be extending hours and support by opening early, offering solidarity and by spotlighting women in business and/or products made by women. HERstory: a pop-up exhibition of local women leaders, local social change, highlighting women business owners. 11-12:30 AM Toast to Tenacity: Restaurants in downtown Douglas host brunches featuring keynote speakers. Fire Circle: March participants will gather at Beery Field in downtown Douglas around fire pits to network and prepare for the march. Noon - Intention Setting Service at Douglas UCC, 56 Wall Street 1 PM – Saugatuck/Douglas Women’s March The march begins in Beery Field in downtown Douglas and will end at Coast 236 in downtown Saugatuck. ALL WEEK/WEEKEND: Women featured in Douglas galleries, Library & City Hall Douglas businesses will feature women makers, musicians & shop owners. Creation Justice: "Dark Skies" Speaker, Jan. 21, 6:30 PM On January 21 at 6:30 pm, please come to hear Peter Burkey speak on the over-lighting of our skies and the effect this trend has had on our health and the health of neighboring species. The event will be held in the Friendship Hall, where you can sign up to let us know you will attend the event. Peter has been a supporter of the International Dark Sky Association for decades and is an advocate for quality, dark-sky-friendly lighting. His talk will include information on the effects of poor lighting and how they can be remedied. For more information, visit this event at the Creation Justice Team Blog. Potluck January 12th Please join us in the Friendship Hall after our Sunday service for our "2nd Sunday of the Month" Potluck. Please bring a dish to share. Also, we are in need of one or two people to help with clean-up afterwards. Thanks! Pancake Breakfast, February 2! Our February Potluck will be a Pancake Breakfast in the Friendship Hall on FEBRUARY 2, rather than the second week of February. Thank you, once again, to our church member, John Willming, for facilitating the breakfast. It is always a fun way to celebrate together! 52 Ways to Care for Creation The UCC's Creation Justice Ministry is sharing an environmental action we can take each week of 2020 to make powerful change on behalf of our planet. We'll be sharing these in the E-pistle, and a copy of the entire document is available on the bulletin board in the Friendship Hall. WEEK 1: EAT THOSE LEFTOVERS! After the holiday season you will likely have leftovers from Christmas dinner, parties, and family get-togethers. A great way to be a steward to the Earth is to consume your food. Did you know that Americans throw away 25% of the food we buy? Not only is this a waste of money but it is also harmful to the environment. Producing food takes land, water, and heavy machinery. By eating your leftovers you are not only saving money but also preventing energy waste from food production. Not to mention you are keeping them from taking up space in a landfill. WEEK 2: BOOKMARK & VISIT CREATION JUSTICE MINISTRIES' ACTION CENTER Each month, the Creation Justice Ministries team will update www.creationjustice.org/action with a new set of timely events, advocacy opportunities, and education resources. Set a reminder to check this website monthly, and take the actions that are possible for you and your community. WEEK 3: GREEN YOUR LAUNDRY ROUTINE Use cold water when washing clothes to reduce energy use. Energy is needed to heat water. You can also opt for ashorter wash cycle. Only do laundry when the load is full. Not only does this save water and electricity but it also saves you money and time. You can either wait until you have more items to wash or combine your partial load with your family or housemates. Avoid using energy to dry your laundry by hanging a laundry line or using a drying rack. This cuts down on your electricity bill as well! STAY TUNED FOR MORE!!! Watch Last Sunday's Music and Message:
Financial stewardship report:January 5: Attendance: 154 Collection Plate: $2,915 Online Giving: $2,585.41 TOTAL: $5,500.41 Thank you for your generous giving which allows us to sustain our church community and our mission of service. You can also give securely online by clicking ONLINE GIVING. |
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56 Wall Street • Douglas, Michigan 49406
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