Weekly News - Unitarian Universalist Society of Mill Creek

Posted on May 9, 2026 Posted By: Office Administrator Categories: News

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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** Benefit Concert this Saturday Afternoon
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Please consider coming to the First State Flute Choir performance at Mill Creek this Saturday, May 9 at 3:30 pm. Come and show your UU solidarity and support for SOAR: Survivors of Abuse in Recovery.

SOAR is a local non-profit organization dedicated to providing professional mental health services to victims of sexual trauma and their families regardless of their ability to pay. More than 2,000 adults, adolescents, children, and their families residing in Delaware and the surrounding counties in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland utilize SOAR’s services annually.

We would love to have a big audience from our congregation and the community at large, so talk it up with friends and neighbors and share on your own social media platforms! Admission to the concert is free, with goodwill donations gratefully accepted. Executives from SOAR will be in attendance who will share more information about the services they provide and their positive impacts.

Hear flute music like you’ve never heard before! The First State Flute Choir is an 18-member ensemble of accomplished flutists performing on flutes, piccolos, alto flutes, bass flutes, and even a contra-flute, and includes our own Diana Saunders.

THANK YOU for considering your support of this worthy cause.

Learn more about SOAR – click here (https://www.survivorsofabuse.org/)

** It’s Potluck Sunday:
May 10
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Plan to remain with us after this Sunday’s service for GOOD FOOD and WARM FELLOWSHIP at our potluck lunch. Everyone is welcome!

Bring a main or side dish, salad or appetizer, dessert or beverages to share – if you wish.

Unable to bring something? Join us anyway!

** 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.

** Big Music News
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The Music Committee is pleased to announce the return of
BIG MUSIC SUNDAY!

What is it? It’s not a concert or a recital, but a special service when members and friends of our congregation perform music of all kinds, perform dance, or recite poetry related to music.
When is it? Sunday, July 12.
Why do we love it? It’s simply a fun celebration of our congregation’s talent woven into a Sunday worship service.
Who can participate? Anyone — all ages!
How do I sign up? Drop us a line HERE (mailto:music@uusmc.org) to express your interest or if you have any questions. For planning purposes, we need sign ups completed by Sunday, May 31.

** 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!

** 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.

** Sunday Worship Service Information
May 10, 2026
10:30 am
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Mystics are working to increase their spiritual maturity, and yours. This Sunday, guest speaker Gene Thompson will guide us in honoring our moments of Wow’s and AhHa’s as growth steps toward mysticism.

Gene Thompson, Ph.D., retired from DuPont in 1992 as a research manager. He was trained as a chemist but says he would starve today practicing chemistry as his interests have turned to philosophy, psychology, spirituality, and poetry. He loves reading, learning, and teaching, especially the works of philosopher-mystic Ken Wilber. He is an active member of First and Central Presbyterian church.

All are welcome to remain with us after the service for a potluck lunch.

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

** Pizza in the Meadow Next Wednesday
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Join the Land Stewards next Wednesday, May 13 (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.

They invite everyone to join them after work time that same day 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)

** Give a plant, get a plant — at our Plant Swap!
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Plant Swap – Saturday, May 23
Here’s how it works:

1pm–1:45pm – Plant Drop-Off
If you have plants to donate to the exchange*, drop them off during this time and you’ll receive a voucher for each plant you donate. Tip: vouchers are distributed until 1:45 sharp! You’re welcome to remain until the plant swap begins.

2pm–2:30 – Indoor Plants
The swap begins promptly at 2pm, and we’ll select plants in rounds. Everyone who donated plants gets to use their vouchers to ‘purchase’ plants donated by other neighbors. Each voucher gets you one plant. Tip: bring a box and/or wagon to transport your treasures home.

2:45-3:45 – Outdoor Plants
The best plants to donate are established native plants, and the second best are non-invasive. Please take care not to bring any invasive plants. As a general rule, any plant you can find on Mt. Cuba’s website is safe to bring (click HERE (https://mtcubacenter.org/native-plant-finder/) ). Tip: if you’re not sure what kind of plant you have, you can look it up using the free app called Seek by iNaturalist.

4:00-ish – Free Plants
We often have unclaimed plants at the end of the exchange, so if you don’t have anything to donate, but you want free plants — this is the time to help yourself.

*Some tips for preparing your donated plants:
Divide plants into individual containers that you don’t mind giving away (recycled or compostable plastic plant containers, yogurt containers, paper lunch bags, etc.)
Label clearly each plant container in advance.

You are also welcome to donate cuttings, seedlings, partially used seed packets, garden books, containers, and garden tools, but please note that you will not receive plant vouchers for these items.

** Ice Cream Social Next Month!
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Save the date for an evening of summer fun on Saturday, June 13 at 6:30pm when we’ll enjoy ice cream and yard games. Everyone is welcome, rain or shine.

We’re looking to borrow a badminton net and rackets for this event – if you can help, contact the Fun & Fellowship committee HERE (mailto:fellowship@uusmc.org) .

** 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 Black Mothers in Power 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)
Share Our Plate March & April

For the months of March and April, we supported Sierra Club Delaware Chapter with our donation of $1643.38. The Sierra Club dates back to 1892 and is the oldest and largest environmental advocacy organization in North America. The Delaware chapter has been working tirelessly since 1992 to promote renewable energy solutions, ensure clean air and safe drinking water for all, protect our natural resources and open spaces, and fight for environmental justice in our state. Learn more about the Delaware chapter: https://www.sierraclub.org/delaware

** Yoga Offered on Select Dates during the Summer Months
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Join Margaret in the library, 8:30am-10am, for gentle yoga & meditation on the following Fridays:
May 8, 15 & 22
June 5, 12, 19 & 26
July 3
August 14 & 21
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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