Our Stories
|
Nancy
I have lived in Douglas for 20 years, working as a massage therapist, artist and musician. In my previous life, I was a middle school band director in Illinois. My quest for spiritual and emotional growth has led me to various churches and spiritual centers during adulthood. I believe I co-create my life experiences with God/Spirit/Creator and desire to learn and experience the Truth of my Being. I attend Douglas UCC at this time because Pastor Sal speaks and affirms the Truth. I also love the sacred space and sounds of/in this church. I became a member of Douglas UCC to support this congregation's mission.
|
|
Peter and Kathleen
A few years ago when I was a member of a Methodist church, I read the book, If the Church Were Christian by Philip Gulley. As I read it, I skeptically thought that no such church existed. Being open and affirming? Welcoming challenging questions instead of mouthing correct answers? Focusing on living like Jesus instead of merely worshipping Him? To me, these were seemingly unattainable theories. After years of church-shopping, my husband, Peter, and I walked into Douglas UCC and we realized that the Christian church Gulley dreamed of was actually alive and well. We didn't feel welcomed; we felt embraced!
|
|
Debra
After moving to Grand Rapids in 2014, I visited various churches, but just wasn't feeling it. I searched out Pastor Sal and Douglas UCC. It was unique walking in for the first time and experiencing the positive energy of progressive Christianity, with spirituality and a Tibetan bell woven in. Accepting and affirming, it aligned with my other personal beliefs. I knew immediately I had found home.
|
|
Randall
The first time my wife and I went to Douglas UCC, I noticed the pastor's stole: it had these two goofy things on it that appeared to be number 9s with the holes filled in. So, I asked, and found out they are commas, the idea being that UCC goers believe God is still speaking. As old English major and a copywriter all my life, I was hooked! That began what I called the great unlearning, meaning that what I heard in the homilies week after week caused me to unlearn much of the rather conservative understanding I'd received from other churches. I get a new perspective on spirituality at Douglas UCC that is wide open and always making me think. And I like that.
|
