Weekly News - May 22, 2025 - Unitarian Universalist Society of Mill Creek

Posted on May 22, 2025 Posted By: Office Administrator Categories: News

Unitarian Universalist Society of Mill Creek
We are a community that invites you to awaken to love.

Here’s what’s happening at Mill Creek:

** Congregational Life
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** Upcoming events, meetings and news to know
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** Sunday Worship Service Information
May 25, 2025
10:30 am
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Freedom of opinion and expression are longtime core values of Unitarian Universalism, as well as enshrined rights in the founding documents of the United States. Over the course of our country’s history, however, these freedoms have repeatedly been threatened, often in the name of patriotism or of being law-abiding. In our present moment, the rights to free thought and free speech are once again threatened by those in power. This Memorial Day weekend, as we remember the brave souls who gave their lives to defend the rights established in our Constitution, there is no better way to honor their memory than by defending and exercising those rights when they are under attack. Join us this Sunday when Mill Creek member Stephen Petersen reflects on this topic when he shares his sermon, “Speak Now.”

Stephen Petersen and his wife Lauren have been members of Mill Creek for more than 20 years, and their two children have been dedicated and have come of age here. Stephen has served on the Worship Committee since 2005. He holds a B.A. degree in Religion, an M.F.A. in Studio Art, and a Ph.D. in Art History, and has taught at the University of Delaware, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Corcoran School of Art at George Washington University. He has written a number of books, articles, and reviews on contemporary art and photography, and has curated five art exhibitions at the University of Delaware Museums, most recently Beat Visions and the Counterculture.

Music for this service will be performed by returning musician Lingchin Liao. Lingchin is a native from Taiwan with a Master of Music in violin performance from Temple University. She is a violin teacher at The Independence School, Darlington Art Center, and The Music School of Delaware. The hymns will be accompanied by Brian and Jeanne Hanson.
Connect with Us In-Person
* Service begins at 10:30 am
* Children’s RE programming is available for ages 4 and up
* Child Care available (infant/toddler, ages birth to 3)

Connect with Us Virtually
Here’s how to get the Zoom link for livestreaming the service:
* Click the link below: ‘Sunday Livestream’ (bookmark it on your preferred device for quick and easy access on Sunday morning); OR
* Get the link by accessing the church calendar (https://www.uusmc.org/news/calendar/) (https://www.uusmc.org/news/calendar (https://www.uusmc.org/news/calendar/) )

Sunday Livestream – CLICK HERE (https://zoom.us/j/97806427419)

Meeting ID: 978 0642 7419

** Office Closure
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The church office will be closed on Monday, May 26 in observance of Memorial Day.

** 2025 Annual Meeting
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Sunday, June 1 after church service

Everyone is encouraged to attend this important meeting. We will hear committee chairs share their reports; elect new trustees and nominating committee members; and adopt an annual budget. Church By-Laws give voting privileges to: Members who have made a contribution of record during the 12-month period prior to the meeting. (However, everyone is welcome to attend.) If you’re unsure of your pledging or contribution status, contact the church office (mailto:administrator@uusmc.org) or check your Realm profile.

To read the full meeting announcement which includes the slate of nominees, click the link below.
2025 Annual Meeting Announcement (https://mailchi.mp/a7d8ba6a380b/annual-meeting-notice-17656612)

** Free Jazz Concert:
Thursday, June 5
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Come and join us for an evening of swingin’ brass and smooth voices at a FREE jazz concert on Thursday, June 5 at 7pm here at Mill Creek. Featuring The Keynote Jazz Singers, with guest Alto Sax player Larry Spencer, and the Clarion Brass. Everyone is welcome – share this event on your social media platforms, and bring a friend!

** SAVE THE DATE for an Ice Cream Social!
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Summer fun begins at Mill Creek! All are welcome to join us on Saturday, June 14 at 6:30 pm for ice cream and yard games, RAIN OR SHINE.

** Don’t Miss the Summer Solstice Ritual Next Month!
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** Lands Stewards Activities
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* Wednesday Meadow Maintenance Come and see what the gang is doing to improve the biodiversity and natural habitat in the meadow areas. Join them next Wednesday, May 28 around 5:30 pm.
* Pizza in the Meadow
* Join the crew in the meadow on Wednesday, June 11 for relaxation and a communal meal of everyone’s favorite: pizza!

** Current Share Our Plate Recipient
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We regularly donate a half of our undesignated plate collection to a local charity or non-profit organization. For the months of May and June we are supporting:

The Trevor Project
The leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit organization for LGBTQ+ young people.

This organization offers crisis services, advocacy, research, peer support, education, and public awareness, with the ultimate goal of preventing suicide – helping to create a world where all LGBTQ+ young people see a bright future for themselves.
Learn more about The Trevor Project HERE (https://www.thetrevorproject.org/)
Support this organization with your online donation HERE. Be sure to select ‘Share Our Plate’ as the giving fund. Thank you! (https://onrealm.org/MillCreek/Give)

** “Give us your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free…”
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(We want your socks.)
The SmartWool company is giving old products new life to eliminate the need for new materials and keep perfectly good materials from being thrown away and destined for a landfill. They have developed Second Cut, a process to refabricate discarded socks into new products they sell on their website. We are collecting clean, unwanted socks of any type, any condition, and any kind of material. We will then send them to the SmartWool company, giving them new life.

So far we have collected 10 pounds of materials, bypassing the landfill. Please help us reach our goal of 100 pounds by the end of the year. Look for the collection bin in the gathering space. Your participation in this project is an easy way to help the environment.

** Food Drive Continues
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Our support of the Food Bank of Delaware continues with a donation drive. We are collecting their most-needed items, including hot & cold cereals; peanut butter; canned fruits, meats, vegetables & soups; rice; and pasta.

The Social Justice Committee has provided a donation bin in the gathering space to collect the items mentioned above. Please help us to help our less fortunate neighbors – thank you for your ongoing support.

** Recurring Events
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Wednesday Evening Meadow Maintenance

The Land Stewards continue their weekly evening work efforts every Wednesday around 5:30pm, weather permitting. You don’t need to be a meadow worker bee to come out and enjoy some social time with us in the meadow. – everyone is welcome to simply walk around and enjoy our natural native habitat.

It’s not all about pulling weeds – there are many opportunities to get involved! We’ve put together a list of suggestions for ways anyone can help – from minimal effort, to moderate activity, to using shovels and pulling weeds. Check it out by clicking the button below.
Learn more – click HERE (https://www.uusmc.org/wp-content/uploads/How-to-Support-Our-Natural-Lands-1.pdf)

The D & D role-playing game is about storytelling in worlds of swords and sorcery.
In the Dungeons & Dragons game, each player creates an adventurer (also called a character) and teams up with other adventurers (played by friends). Working together, the group might explore a dark dungeon, a ruined city, a haunted castle, a lost temple deep in a jungle, or a lava-filled cavern beneath a mysterious mountain. The adventurers can solve puzzles, talk with other characters, battle fantastic monsters, and discover fabulous magic items and other treasure. All are welcome to join the group on Sunday May 25 at 12 pm in classroom 1. Occurs every 2 weeks on Sundays. Questions? Contact Tom Vincent (mailto:trv302@outlook.com) .

Realm is our church management software program. We use it exclusively for accounting, pledge data, membership, registration events, and more. Use the button below to access your Realm profile to make sure we have your most recent contact information, and make pledge payments and contributions.

Access your Realm profile HERE (https://onrealm.org/MillCreek/SignIn)
Fun fact: you can use Realm to set up recurring online monthly pledge payments using a credit card or your checking or savings account!
Mill Creek Staff
Rev. Christian Schmidt, Minister
In Office: Sundays & Tuesdays
minister@uusmc.org (mailto:minister@uusmc.org)
979-450-2477 (cell)
To request a teleconference, or a Zoom or in-person meeting, click the button below:
Connect with Rev. Christian HERE (https://calendar.google.com/calendar/appointments/schedules/AcZssZ1ETx17XToDEx3GC5293hfnHTj-VJpBMu_m7SpHkuCcHozb-ceUiT3H-hDGLbziPku9hYBquodp)
Debra Damiani, Congregational Administrator
Monday 9 am to 2 pm, Monday-Thursday
administrator@uusmc.org (mailto:administrator@uusmc.org)
302-369-2712

Margaret Borror, Faith Exploration Teacher
Sundays, and by appointment
dre@uusmc.org (mailto:dre@uusmc.org)
Connect with the UUA, Delmarva Cluster, and Central East Region

** Find Yourself in the Global U/U Story
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The Unitarian Universalist Association’s Office of Global Connections and Emerging Communities (GCEC) provides information, resources, connections, and opportunities to support Unitarian Universalists in the United States and Canada as they explore our global faith and create new chapters in the Global U/U Story.
Learn more about GCEC – click HERE (https://www.uua.org/global)
Subscribe to the UUA International Blog – click HERE (https://uua874.activehosted.com/f/1307)

** Opportunities for Connection: Central East Region Update
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MAY 2025

Featured Resource:
Summer Institute
The 1000+ Unitarian Universalist congregations in North America are grouped into 5 regions: Pacific Western, MidAmerica, Southern, Central East, and New England. The Unitarian Universalist Society of Mill Creek (UUSMC) is part of the Central East Region. To learn more about what’s happening in our region, click the button below.
Opportunities for Connection: click HERE (https://www.uua.org/central-east/blog/opportunities-525)

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Weekly News – May 22, 2025

Weekly News – May 22, 2025