Weekly News – September 18, 2025

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
September 21, 2025
10:30 am
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As the autumn equinox approaches, we gather to honor Mabon—a time of balance, gratitude, and turning inward. Day and night stand as equals, reminding us of the delicate harmony between abundance and release, joy and challenge, light and shadow.

In this service, we’ll reflect on what it means to live in balance within ourselves, our relationships, and the wider world. Drawing inspiration from earth-centered wisdom and Unitarian Universalist values, we’ll explore how gratitude can ground us even as change calls us forward.

Join us this Sunday for Rev. Christe Lunsford’s sermon, “Mabon: Balancing Light and Shadow,” plus ritual, reflection, and song as we celebrate the gifts of the harvest season and deepen our connection to the cycles of nature—and to one another.

Music for this service will be performed by Eric Levy and Paco Demba Samb.
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

** Conference Room Chairs in Need of Steam Cleaning
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The light green chairs in the conference room (formerly located in the library) are in great need of thorough steam cleaning. Rather than rent a machine to tackle this job, we are hoping someone will have access to one and will coordinate the timely use of it. Please contact the church office (mailto:administrator@uusmc.org) if you are willing to help. Thank you!

** Crochet and Craft Night
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Wednesday, September 24
All levels of experience welcome!
Join us in the Art Lab at 7pm on Wednesday, September 24 for Crochet and Craft Night. There will be a crochet demonstration for beginners as well as extra yarn to go around. Join the creative circle – come and learn a new skill, or feel free to bring a project you are already working on. Contact the church office (mailto:administrator@uusmc.org) with questions.

** Check Out the Events the Fellowship & Fun Committee has Planned and Organized
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Hike/Tour of Brandywine Springs State Park

Saturday, September 20
11:00 am

Join the FFC for a guided tour of the grounds of the early 20th century Amusement Park provided by Friends of Brandywine Springs (http://www.fobsde.org/) . This is a 2.5 mile hike with a 147 foot change in elevation, learn more about the hike HERE (https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/delaware/brandywine-springs?u=i&sh=xddvh5) . We will meet at church at 11:00 am and carpool the 13 minutes to the park. Wear comfortable shoes, bring water and a hat. Register for this event HERE (mailto:wmfxir@gmail.com) .

Dinners for 7
Sunday, September 21
5:00 pm

Roy and Ann Draper are hosting dinner and are graciously opening their home to all who wish to attend. They will serve barbecued meats and fish (chicken, pork, salmon & burgers). Guests are asked to bring a side dish or dessert. Anyone wishing to attend must sign up today by email HERE (mailto:laura@DLSK.net) .

Sacred Grounds Wilmington Tour
Sunday, September 21
2:00 – 4:00 pm

Sacred Grounds™ (https://www.nwf.org/sacredgrounds) is a National Wildlife Federation program that recognizes congregations, houses of worship, and faith communities who both create wildlife habitat and actively link faith practices and caring for the environment. Pennsylvania Interfaith Power & Light (https://paipl.us/) (PA IPL), intended for places of worship in New Castle County, Delaware and West/Southwest Philadelphia, inspires and mobilizes people of faith and conscience to take bold and just action on climate change. PA IPL welcomes all to attend a tour of past Sacred Grounds sites in Wilmington. Click HERE (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf0EIob_kpvOXxXTuVRGCCb1aPb2M2kQAbsmm-o4140o6CVMA/viewform) to register.

Dungeons & Dragons
A Recurring Event
Sundays, September 28;
October 12 & 26
(every 2 weeks)
12:00 pm, Classroom 4

D&D is a role-playing game about storytelling in worlds of swords and sorcery. 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. No registration required – just drop in. All are welcome to join the group in classroom 4. Occurs every 2 weeks on Sundays.

Chili Cook-Off & Potluck
Saturday, October 11
5:00 pm

Last year, over 50 people attended, and 10 chili dishes competed for Chili Master Extraordinaire bragging rights. There will again be voting! Please register your dinner contribution (chili, cornbread, appetizer, beverage, dessert) and how many people you are bringing. Can you take the heat? See the sign-up sheet in the gathering space, or click HERE (mailto:reynoldschristine0@gmail.com) to register!

** Autumn Equinox Celebration
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Contact Regina HERE with questions or RSVP (mailto:regina139@msn.com)

** Don’t miss your chance to join a
Soul Matters Chalice Circle
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New Groups Forming!
Chalice Circles are our way of deepening faith and building community. In these small group ministries, we practice the sacred art of listening: to one another, to the wisdom of our daily lives, and to that still small voice within. These circles aren’t about debate or quick answers. They are about creating space where our truths can be spoken and heard, where we reconnect with life’s gifts, and where we find companions for life’s journey.

Each meeting we explore a theme together, weaving spiritual threads that strengthen our community and invite us into deeper living.

Join a Chalice Circle at Mill Creek and come home to connection, meaning, and belonging.
Click HERE to join a circle or ask questions (mailto:jeanne.m.hanson@gmail.com)

** 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 (mailto:suzannedsmith3@gmail.com) . Suzanne and Callie, 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.

** Yoga Class Series in October
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Limited spaces now available for upcoming Gentle Yoga and Meditation with Margaret Bodine

Join Margaret for a gentle yoga practice to relax and renew. We’ll explore asanas (held postures) and kriya (flowing through postures) using breath as our guide. We will end with mindfulness meditation practice.

When: Fridays during October, 8:30 am – 10:00 am
Where: Church Sanctuary
Bring: Yoga mat, a small firm pillow, water
Requirement: Must be able to get down to and up from the floor
Registration: Required! Space is limited to 6 participants – click the button below if you have questions or to register.
Click HERE to register or with questions (mailto:margaret_bodine@comcast.net)

** 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 September & October we are supporting:

Kennett Area Community Service

This organization’s mission is to strengthen the southern Chester County community through food, housing, crisis services, and education.
* KACS Social Services Program is not a shelter, but together with the help of partner agencies in Chester County, they connect vulnerable individuals and families with sustainable living solutions.
* The Food Cupboard is the largest food cupboard in Southern Chester County, feeding over 3,000 people every month. They rely on the generosity of the community for donations and a team of over 175 volunteers to provide the life-sustaining, healthy food for neighbors in need.
* KACS Community Education Workshops help to reduce the social costs of poverty by strengthening the workforce and building a more prosperous and sustainable community.

Learn more about Kennett Area Community Service HERE (https://kacsimpact.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)

** Wednesday Evening Meadow Maintenance
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The Land Stewards continue their weekly evening work efforts every Wednesday around 5:30pm, weather permitting, now through October. 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)

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
Sundays, when preaching: 9am – 3pm
Monday & Tuesday, 10am – 4pm
Thursday by appointment only, click HERE (https://calendar.google.com/calendar/appointments/schedules/AcZssZ08wOXSmX5fNN_vySxfpLP9VL2QqSZF5spIx5_9rxZm3e25LNywCGk4WoIlyFMvdn84osyy8XZl)
Or email 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

** Deeds Not Creeds
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Our work for a better world calls us to unexpected places as we harness love’s power to stop oppression. From grassroots community organizing to interfaith state, national, and corporate advocacy; in protest marches, prayer vigils, and press conferences; in homeless shelters and in prisons, Unitarian Universalists put our faith into action. For ways to get involved, click HERE (https://www.uua.org/justice) .

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

Featured Resource:
New leadership, UUA president’s message, and MORE
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-925)

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