** Upcoming events, meetings and news to know
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** Church Pool Party This Saturday
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JUMP IN AND JOIN US!
Fran Gulino & Joe Snader welcome EVERYONE to their home in New London, Pennsylvania this Saturday, August 23 at 3pm for a potluck pool party!
Fran and Joe have a big backyard with an inground pool and a beautiful new gazebo they built themselves – a must-see! They look forward to a relaxed gathering poolside with church members and friends.
LOCAL WEATHER FORECAST:
Sunny! High 81F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.
Humidity: 63%. UV Index: 8 of 11.
Sunset: 7:48 pm.
(In other words, an absolutely gorgeous day!!)
Who can come: Everyone – adults AND kids!
What to bring: Swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and a dish (or dishes) to share.
RSVP: Click the button below to connect with Fran – let her know the number of people in your group and what food item(s) you plan to bring; Fran will respond with their home address & phone number.
YES – I/We will be there! (mailto:frangu302@gmail.com)
** Land Stewards Meeting BEFORE Church Service
this Sunday, August 24
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9:00 am
Everyone is welcome join the land stewards this Sunday in the conference room and learn more about the work that is both planned and currently ongoing for the acres they manage.
** Sunday Worship Service Information
August 24, 2025
10:30 am
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In Unitarian Universalism, covenant is at the heart of how we live and lead together. This Sunday we will reflect on the promises we make—to the larger faith, to among our board, staff, and committees; to one another, to ourselves and to our congregation as a whole. How do we promise to be together? How do we move forward with intention, rather than rushing ahead? And when our covenant is inevitably broken—not if, but when—how might we return, repair, and begin again? Join us for Rev. Christe Lunsford’s sermon, “This Is Us” and our exploration of the sacred practice of covenant as the foundation of who we are, who we are becoming and how we will begin in this shared ministry.
Music for this service will be performed by Lara Vercher and Aaron Walker. Lara Vercher is a clarinetist and educator from Spain. Based in Wilmington, Delaware, she performs with Center City Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, Newark Symphony, Enon Tabernacle ensemble, and with her own world music projects under Lara Vercher Duo/Trio. Aaron Walker, a native of Memphis, Tennessee, is a percussionist and educator, performing regularly at churches and other venues on the east coast. He teaches privately and he works as a freelance musician playing different styles of music. Lara and Aaron’s latest musical project includes fusing jazz, classical and gospel music.
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
Plan to remain with us after this service when we join together to celebrate Mill Creek member Kathie Stamm’s 90th birthday. We’ll have cake, ice cream, and plenty of good wishes for the birthday girl.
The celebration is not a surprise, and Kathie requests ‘No Presents Please.’ Instead, in Kathie’s honor you may make a donation to UU Society of Mill Creek by clicking
HERE (https://onrealm.org/MillCreek/-/form/give/now) ; or St. Michael’s School and Nursery, 700 N. Walnut Street, Wilmington DE 19801, or by clicking HERE (https://www.signup82north.com/beventLive.aspx?EventID=NBI95542700) .
** Sock Update
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98 pounds of socks have been collected so far, just shy of our goal of collecting 100+ pounds by the end of the year. Help us bypass the landfill by cleaning out your sock drawer and bring in clean, unwanted socks: any type, condition, any material. We are continuing our collection until the prepaid donation bags are gone so keep ’em coming!
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.
** Join Us for Ingathering
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Sunday, September 7
Join us for this sacred beginning to a new church year, as we celebrate the many sources of our lives flowing into one shared stream of possibility.
Bring water from a place meaningful to you, whether from a summer adventure, your own kitchen tap, or a symbol of the waters that have sustained you. Together, we will bless these waters and recommit ourselves to the work of inclusion, justice, and love that defines who we are as a people of faith.
** Autumn Equinox Celebration
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Monday, September 22
7:00 pm
Everyone is welcome to join us and celebrate nature’s bounty with an Autumn Equinox Celebration. We’ll gather in community for ritual, drumming, feasting and bonfire. Contact Regina Guarino (mailto:regina139@msn.com) with any questions.
** Mill Creek Membership Class
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Are you curious about what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist?
Are you interested in learning more about becoming a member of Mill Creek?
We invite all curious people to join our upcoming Membership Class on Saturday, September 27, 2025, 9:00am – 1:00pm in the MacArtor Library. Prospective and even current members are encouraged to attend. RSVP to Rev. Christe (minister@uusmc.org (mailto:minister@uusmc.org) ).
If you have any questions before deciding if this class is right for you, feel free to contact the Chair of the Membership Committee, Suzanne Smith (mailto:suzannedsmith3@gmail.com) . Suzanne and Callie Tyner, along with several other members, will be available after the service in the coming weeks to answer questions about the class and membership in general during coffee hour.
** 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 July and August we are supporting:
Unitarian Universalist Delaware Advocacy Network (UUDAN)
This organization supports Delaware state legislation that aligns with UU principles. This includes affordable housing, criminal justice, protection for marginalized groups, environmental protection, climate justice, and more. UUDAN’s operating budget of approximately $1000 per year is shared by the 5 UU congregations in the state of Delaware in a rotating cycle. This is Mill Creek’s year to offer support.
Learn more about UUDAN HERE (https://www.uudeladvo.org/wp/sample-page/)
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)
** 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, August 31 at 12 pm in classroom 4 – note new location! 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. Christe Lunsford, Minister
Monday & Tuesday, 10am – 3pm
other times by appointment
minister@uusmc.org (mailto:minister@uusmc.org)
Debra Damiani, Congregational Administrator
Monday-Thursday 9 am to 2 pm
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
The Environmental Protection Agency aims to repeal its own 2019 Endangerment Finding which forms the foundation for the EPA to regulate polluting greenhouse gas emissions and meaningfully respond to the climate crisis. The EPA’s mission is to protect human health and the environment. Yet, the EPA is now moving to strip away protections that save lives while allowing fossil fuel companies to pollute at will. UUA President Sofía Betancourt is calling on all who care about our planet and its people to weigh in against this effort to rescind the basis for federal climate action.
“Today, I urge all who care about our planet and its people to weigh in against the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed rule to rescind its own foundational 2009 Endangerment Finding. This proposal would dismantle the very legal framework that allows the EPA to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and respond meaningfully to the climate crisis.” – The Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt
Learn more and take action HERE (https://sidewithlove.org/endangerment-finding)
** Central East Region Welcomes New Team Member
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CER recently announced the addition of Rev. Byron Tyler Coles as Transitional Regional Lead.
“While it will take time for me to understand the particularities of the region, your congregations, and your ministries, know that I am excited to partner with each of you and your Regional Staff as we work to center Love and co-create the Beloved Community.” – Rev. Byron Tyler Coles
Learn more about Rev. Byron and the work they’ll be doing – click the button below.
Rev. Byron Tyler Coles joins CER – learn more HERE (https://cdn.mc-weblink.sg-mktg.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)
** Opportunities for Connection: Central East Region Update
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AUGUST 2025
Featured Resource:
Worship Resources
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-825)