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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** Email Phishing Alert (again!)
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Fraudulent emails have been received by several of our church members and friends. This time, the emails are from leadministerinbox@gmail.com, reference Rev. Christe Lunsford’s name, and are asking for the purchase of gift cards for a cancer patient; another is asking for help with a “small matter.”
As a reminder, emails from Rev. Christe will NEVER:
* Ask for money
* Request the purchase of any type of gift cards
* Ask for a ‘favor’
* Be ambiguous or ask for ‘assistance’
* Ask for help with an unclear ‘special project’ or ‘small matter,’ or something similar
* Be vague or secretive in nature
* Ask for anything to be ‘handled discreetly’
* Ask for the church directory
* Be restrictive in asking that you limit contact to email only (i.e. asks for no phone calls)
Remember!
1. All of Rev. Christe’s emails concerning church-related matters will come from revchriste@gmail.com.
2. Any requests from Rev. Christe asking for resources will be made IN PERSON – and NEVER by email.
3. If you’re unsure about the authenticity of an email, first contact the church office.
If you have received an email of this nature….never reply.
DELETE and BLOCK it.
** Concert this Friday:
Erynn Marshall & Carl Jones
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Brandywine Friends of Old Time Music completes their concert series at Mill Creek with the award-winning duo of Erynn Marshall and Carl Jones, partners in life and music. They will perform southern song duets featuring powerful fiddle, guitar, mandolin, and banjo.
Erynn Marshall & Carl Jones
Friday, May 1, 2026 – 7:30 pm
Tickets: general public, $25; seniors, $20; students w/ID, $15; ages 17 & under, free
Available at the door, or HERE (https://bfotm-concert-tickets.square.site/)
Take a listen to their music HERE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdfuYDTSk04)
** Committee Reports Needed for Annual Meeting
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In preparation for our annual meeting on Sunday, June 7, we have begun collecting report submissions from all committee chairs.
The deadline to submit is Monday, May 25.
Failure by any committee to send their submission by this date will be reflected accordingly in the annual report.
Send to the church office HERE (mailto:administrator@uusmc.org) . Thank you.
** Help Us Care for Our Own: Join the Pastoral Care Committee
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Pastoral Care at Mill Creek is not about being a counselor, but about being a friendly face and lending a supportive hand. We are seeking to increase participation in this ministry to ensure that no one in our congregation walks alone through difficult times.
Team members are occasionally asked to make or purchase and deliver meals to members and friends who are sick or who have been injured or hospitalized; or providing transportation to and/or from medical appointments; or addressing and signing birthday cards. Some team members have a preference for one task or the other, and we honor that.
If you have a gift for listening and a heart for service to others, please reach out to Rev. Christe
HERE (mailto:revchriste@gmail.com) , Janice Buckwalter HERE (http://jcab621@gmail.com) , or the church office HERE (mailto:administrator@uusmc.org) .
Thank you for considering your involvement in this important area of church life. Your participation can make all the difference!
** Benefit Concert at Mill Creek
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Learn more about SOAR – click here (https://www.survivorsofabuse.org/)
** Newark Garden Tour
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Saturday, May 16
Mill Creek Artists & Musicians are invited to showcase their talents during this event.
On Saturday, May 16, 10am to 3pm, we will be hosting a garden tour in our meadow and welcome the musicians and artists of our congregation who are willing to share their talents. Groups and singles are welcome to set up in a nice spot to showcase their music and art in any way they choose. Musicians are welcome to perform for just 10 minutes; 30 minutes would be fantastic, 60 minutes would be amazing! Self-promotion is encouraged! See or contact the music committee (click HERE (mailto:music@uusmc.org) ) or Jamie Kegerise (click HERE (mailto:jamie@dsofurniture.com) ) with any questions.
** Mill Creek Featured in Stroll Magazine
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Written by Diana Saunders
Church member and board of trustee Diana Saunders had an article about life after retirement featured in the March 2026 edition of Stroll Magazine, a local publication focused on delivering neighborhood connections. In her article, one of a series, Diana focuses on experiencing spiritual fulfillment and how she found that and more at Mill Creek.
I know that my contributions in my spiritual community of choice make a difference. I am part of a community where individuals uphold each other as well as people in the wider world. I know that together we can make a difference. We “show up” together, welcome others, and stand up for our values. What more could I ask for than that? –Diana Saunders
Read Diana’s article in full – click HERE (https://www.uusmc.org/wp-content/uploads/Mar_2026_Stroll_Greenville__Centreville_page_25-combined.pdf)
** Sunday Worship Service Information
May 3, 2026
10:30 am
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This Sunday we explore what it means to awaken curiosity again — not as a pleasant spiritual quality, but as a practice with real consequences.
In their sermon, “At the Starting Gate,” Rev. Christe Lunsford will ponder – what does it look like to meet the world with beginner’s mind? To shift from the clenched posture of anxiety into the open posture of wonder? To love the questions themselves, even when the answers aren’t coming?
Music for this service will be offered by Marty Lassman and the Keynote Jazz Singers. Martin (Marty) Lassman is a retired music educator with degrees from the University of Delaware and the University of Iowa. He spent most of his teaching career as the band director at Wilmington Friends School and as one of the choir directors at the Cab Calloway School of the Arts, while also performing locally as a solo pianist and in the cover band “Lassman and Holmes.” He continues to perform as the accompanist for school choirs and as a solo pianist. While at Cab Calloway, he directed the JazzChords of Calloway jazz choir, and founded an adult jazz choir at the Music School of Delaware, combining the two into Keynote Jazz Singers, an adult jazz choir with singers ranging in age from 20 to 80, performing at local venues. Performers for this service include Ruthanna Katz, Joanne Liao, Pam McVeigh, Laurie Reinbold, Diana Saunders, Olivia Cerasoli, Danielle Logan, Sebrina Pham, Rose Porter, Athena Ruhl,
Santos Lopez, Evan L’Mon, Steve Mayo, Leopold Pullella, and Keaton Rennie. The group will be here at Mill Creek for a free concert along with Clarion Brass on Thursday, June 18. Learn more at keynotejazzsingers.com (https://www.keynotejazzsingers.com/) .
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
* Click the link below: ‘Sunday Livestream’ (bookmark it on your preferred device for quick and easy access on Sunday morning)
Sunday Livestream – CLICK HERE (https://zoom.us/j/97806427419)
Meeting ID: 978 0642 7419
** Join the Land Stewards in the Meadow any Wednesday
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(And you might see a beautiful sunset like this one!)
Join the Land Stewards next Wednesday, May 6 (and every Wednesday, weather permitting) at 5:30pm and see what they’re doing to improve the biodiversity and natural habitat in the meadow areas.
On Wednesday, May 13 they invite everyone to join them after work time for pizza & beverages. This is a wonderful opportunity for fellowship in a natural outdoor and relaxed setting. And… pizza.
There are many opportunities to get involved, and It’s not all about getting dirty! 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 and be inspired!
Click HERE for ALL the ways ANYONE can help! (https://www.uusmc.org/wp-content/uploads/How-to-Support-Our-Natural-Lands-2.pdf)
** FREE Jazz Concert at Mill Creek!
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** 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 & June we are supporting:
Black Mothers in Power
This organization seeks to dismantle systems of power to eradicate the racial health disparities that harm Black birthing people and babies throughout Delaware while building new systems of care and healing. Black Mothers in Power envisions building a state where Black birthing people are informed, in control of their own bodies, and cared for—both within the current oppressive system and in the liberatory systems we’ve created for ourselves.
Learn more about Sierra Club – Delaware Chapter HERE (https://www.blackmothersinpower.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)
** Yoga Extended through June
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Join Margaret in the library, 8:30am-10am, for gentle yoga & meditation on Fridays through June – except the last Friday of each month:
May 1, 8, 15 & 22
June 5, 12 & 19
To register or with questions, contact Margaret HERE (mailto:margaret_bodine@comcast.net) .
** Dungeons & Dragons
A Recurring Event
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Sundays: May 10 & 24
(every other week)
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 other week on Sundays.
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
* Mondays & Tuesdays: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm in the office; calls and by email after 2pm.
* Thursdays: by appointment
* Sundays (when I preach): 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
* My regular days off are Friday and Saturday, unless I am scheduled for special congregational duties. I answer calls and emails Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. Any non-emergency calls or emails outside of those hours will be answered during the next work day.
* Other times may be arranged by mutual agreement via email: minister@uusmc.org (mailto:minister@uusmc.org) or click HERE (https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/appointments/schedules/AcZssZ08wOXSmX5fNN_vySxfpLP9VL2QqSZF5spIx5_9rxZm3e25LNywCGk4WoIlyFMvdn84osyy8XZl) .
* I joyfully participate in committee meetings when I am able, with particular focus on the Board, Finance, and Worship teams.
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
dfe@uusmc.org (mailto:dfe@uusmc.org)
Rob Sylvester, Collaborative Accompanist
Sundays, and by appointment
** Connect with the UUA, Central East Region, and Delmarva Cluster
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** Holding the Heart of Unitarian Universalism: An Update on the Faith from our UUA President
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Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt shares how the UUA is adapting, investing, and collaborating in this challenging time.
Even in the presence of so much pain and profound transition at all levels of our institutions, we are in a time where many of our congregations are experiencing vitality in new and exciting ways, where our communities are emerging to meet the profound shared yearning of our times. Ours is a mission of shared leadership, prophetic justice, and communal care driven by love of neighbor itself. We are a people who show up; warriors for love and justice in the world, and we do not back down. –Rev. Dr. Sofia Betancourt
Read the essay HERE (https://www.uuworld.org/articles/uua-president-sofia-betancourt-update-unitarian-universalism?_gl=1*7yqjk4*_ga*NjI0ODgyMDUzLjE3Nzc0ODUwMjY.*_ga_CN7F7RET4F*czE3Nzc0ODUwMjYkbzEkZzEkdDE3Nzc0ODUzODUkajYwJGwwJGgw)
** Central East Region News Update
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MAY 2026
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.
Central East Region Update – click HERE (https://www.uua.org/central-east/blog/news/cer-news-0526)
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** Website (https://www.uusmc.org)
** Instagram (http://instagram.com/millcreekuu)
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