Connect With Us - Unitarian Universalist Society of Mill Creek

Posted on August 14, 2021 Posted By: Office Administrator Categories: News

Read our latest announcement.
http://eepurl.com/hFn8qv

Unitarian Universalist Society of Mill Creek
We are a community that invites you to awaken to love.
Sunday Virtual Worship
August 15th, 2021

Join us this Sunday when Rev. Greg shares his message, “Vinyl.”

Connect with us: check your inbox on Sunday morning for links!
IN THIS ISSUE
Click on any topic of interest to jump to that particular announcement. Or, continue scrolling so you don’t miss anything!

Editor’s Note: if you do not see ‘Opportunities for Connection: Central East Region Update’ as the very last section of this email (look for the little purple map), you’re not seeing the whole email. You may need to click on ‘view entire message’ ‘view in browser’ or something similar, depending on your device.

** Congregational Life
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** Upcoming events, meetings and news to know
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** Book Group Meets Tonight
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Plan to join us this evening, Thursday, August 12th at 7 pm when we discuss Justin Cronin’s The Summer Guest. (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/33717/the-summer-guest-by-justin-cronin/) We will meet on Zoom. Use the link below to join the discussion. (Note – the link is the same one for each meeting; it can also be found on the church calendar (https://www.uusmc.org/news/calendar/ )

Have questions about the Book Group? Contact Deanna Koepcke. (mailto:dkoepcke@hotmail.com?subject=book%20group)

Join the discussion HERE (https://zoom.us/j/96762479752)

** Changes to Joys & Sorrows Format
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PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING CHANGES TO JOYS & SORROWS FORMAT

For our Joys and Sorrows ritual going forward, we are asking that you submit your Joy or Sorrow in writing beforehand. Rev. Greg will read them aloud during the ritual. You can submit your Joy or Sorrow via email: joysandsorrows@uusmc.org (mailto:joysandsorrows@uusmc.org) – or use the button below.

Submissions need to be received by 10:00 am on Sunday to be shared that morning. Submissions received after 10:00 am may be shared the following week. Please note that we will not be responding to emails sent to this address. If you need to talk to someone, please call the church (302) 369-2712 or email pastoralcare@uusmc.org (mailto:pastoralcare@uusmc.org) – or use the button below.

As we become more adept at managing the technology, we anticipate having both spoken and written joys and sorrows. Please be patient as we work to make that happen.
SUBMIT Joys and Sorrows HERE (mailto:joysandsorrows@uusmc.org)
CONNECT with Pastoral Care HERE (mailto:pastoralcare@uusmc.org)

** Saturday Campfire Events
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We continue to hold a campfire in the Memorial Grove every Saturday evening (unless otherwise noted, and weather permitting). We gather around 7:30-ish. Bring all your comforts (lawn chairs, blankets, refreshments, etc.) and feel free to invite your family, friends, and neighbors of all ages!

If you haven’t yet joined us for a campfire, consider one (or more) of these Saturdays this summer when we have some fun themed events planned for the whole family:

August 14^th – Poetry Readings
Join us and bring along your favorite poems to share with the group.

August 21^st – Stargazing
We’re hoping for a clear sky, so bring along any astronomy equipment you may have, such as a telescope or binoculars to get a good look at the moon, planets, and stars. Or phone apps to assist you in finding constellations.

August 28^th – Campfire Stories
Bring a favorite story to share. This could be a selection from a book or just a funny or interesting personal story to share.
All of our campfire events are open to everyone!! The Memorial Grove is to the left of the main (back) parking lot as you drive in. (Note: there is a slight incline on a grassy area leading up to the area.) Please note that the church building will be closed except for restroom use (by one person or family at a time). Contact Jamie Kegerise (mailto:jamie@dsofurniture.com) or the church office (mailto:administrator@uusmc.org) (302-369-2712) with questions.

** Your pledge dollars at work!
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$6414.92

This is the amount of mortgage interest we paid during calendar year 2020.

** Board of Trustees Agenda
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for
August 18, 2021

UUSMC Board of Trustees Meeting Agenda
Wednesday 18 August, 6:30 pm
on Zoom
* Opening
* Consent Agenda
* July Board Meeting Minutes
* Reports Received (Expected)
* Finance Committee
* Minister
* Treasurer
* Discussion
* COVID-19 Statistics
* Congregational Goals, Reawaken/Sabbatical
* Team/Committee Status/Actions
* Worship
* Opening
* Sabbatical
* Assessment
* Generosity Campaign
* RE
* Adjourn
* Extinguish Chalice

Members of the congregation are welcome to attend. Use the following link to zoom-in!
https://zoom.us/j/96304631050
Meeting ID: 963 0463 1050

** CHURCH BUILDING CLOSED DUE TO COVID-DELTA SURGE
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On July 31 the new case rate for New Castle County was 10 (new cases per 100,000), which means we have transitioned back to Phase 3 on our grid (use the link below to access the grid). This means that the church building is closed with the exception of essential personnel and public service use (AA meetings). Restrooms are available for outdoor activities if masks are worn and used by one person at a time.

For those of you who were unable to attend our briefings, new case rate is the weekly average of daily new cases per 100,000. For instance, on August 3^rd New Castle was at 11.1 or a weekly average of 62 new cases per day. For comparison, Cecil County is at 9.7 and Chester County is 7.0. The state of Delaware is at 12. The infection rate in the area is high, so the new case rate will be increasing rapidly.

The surge is due to the Delta variant and CDC guidance will need to change due to its increased transmissibility. Predictions on when the new case will peak and at what level are very rough at this time and highly dependent on vaccination assumptions. The estimates range from 4 to 6 weeks and from 2 to 4 times the current rate.

Questions may be directed to the Board (board@uusmc.org (mailto:board@uusmc.org) ) or use the link below.
ACCESS Phased Reopening Grid Here (https://www.uusmc.org/wp-content/uploads/OC-working-doc-UUSMC-PHASED-BUILDING-REOPENING-PLAN.xlsx-Plan-template-2.pdf)
CONTACT the Board with Questions Here (mailto:board@uusmc.org)

** Share Our Plate:
July & August
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We regularly donate a portion of our undesignated plate collection to a local charity or non-profit organization. Although we aren’t meeting in person for Sunday services for the time being, contributions are still being received to support this fund and are donated entirely to the selected recipient.

For the months of July and August, we have selected Independent Living for Young Adults (https://firstuuwilm.org/connect/independent-living-for-young-adults-ilya/) (ILYA), a social justice program led by members of First Unitarian Church of Wilmington, to be the recipient of this fund.

Use the links below to learn more, and to donate.
LEARN MORE about ILYA (https://firstuuwilm.org/connect/independent-living-for-young-adults-ilya/)
DONATE to Share Our Plate (https://onrealm.org/MillCreek/-/give/now)
**Be sure to select ‘Share Our Plate’ as the giving fund**

** Opportunity to Learn about ILYA Student Care Package Project
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Just What is the ILYA Student Care Package Project All About?

Do you remember when you were away at college or in the military and how nice it was to receive a surprise package of goodies from home? Sending such packages to young adults who have aged out of foster care and are continuing their education in post-secondary programs or the military is exactly what the ILYA Student Care Package project is all about. Our federal and state governments are now helping these youth with their tuition costs, but more support and motivation is needed to keep them pursuing their education.

If you are interested in volunteering for this project but are not really sure what it entails, two Zoom meetings have been scheduled for you to find out more. These are just information sessions; no commitments to volunteer are required. The Zoom link is below.

We are already receiving names of students who are attending various colleges and universities and are requesting care packages for the coming school year. If you decide to join other ILYA volunteers in support of this project, we will also be scheduling an Orientation Session in September that will provide additional background. This year, we are also encouraging members to find a friend to support a student together. It can be much more fun (and half the cost) doing it with someone else.

Two “Introduction to Student Care Packages 101” sessions are scheduled for these dates:

Sunday, August 29th at 12:00 noon,
AND
Tuesday, August 31st at 7:00 p.m.

Join the Zoom sessions via the following link:
Zoom Link to ILYA Project Information Sessions (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86584827091?pwd=b2Iyd09HeHlCKzNOOVkvZkhwZEFEZz09)

** Complicated Grief
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Part of a series shared by Rev. Bob Broesler

The No Place That is Grief

Too often, our culture celebrates the idea of being able to “tough it out” in the face of death. We will see someone who has lost a loved one and observe “they are doing well” when we see no sadness or tears. This is a tragic misperception of the healing process essential to every loss.

When someone dies and we feel suffering, it does not mean something is wrong. Going into the wilderness of the soul (in the presence of a loving companion) is anchored in the reality that walking through spiritual distress is the path to healing. Being in the wilderness relates to being in a “liminal space.” Liminal is the Latin word for threshold, the place betwixt and between. Liminal space, being a place of profound change and the finding of a new normal, is a place most people hate to be, but it is where the natural experience of grief leads us. Most of us have trouble trusting this process and feel an instinctive need to get ourselves or others out of the wilderness. We have become a people who demand answers and explanations and expect fast and efficient resolution.

Sadly, many people (even clinicians) have come to regard grief as an enemy. Brokenness is not something we choose to invite in. Yet the path to finding healing and new meaning is reflected in the wise words of Joseph Addison: “I will indulge my sorrows, and give way to all the fury of despair.” For the reality of a healthy human life and the path to wholeness demands such courage. We must simply be sure we do not journey alone but find a loving companion.
As an outgrowth of the loss of my son Justin, I believe I have been called to provide counsel to people who are experiencing “difficult grief”, particularly but not exclusively the loss of a child. This also includes those unable to be physically present with their loved one while they died. Below is another in a series of insights which I believe will provide you with the language to be present for a friend in such situations. I hope they are helpful.
-The Rev. Robert (Bob) Broesler
Rev. Broesler is a Grief Counselor and a member of Mill Creek. Connect with him using any of the following methods:
Email (mailto:bob@bobbroesler.com)
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/BobBroeslerCounseling/)
LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/griefcounselorrobert-broesler/)
https://onrealm.org/MillCreek/SignIn

CLICK HERE (https://onrealm.org/MillCreek/SignIn)
to access your Realm profile!

We encourage you to continue your financial support of Mill Creek during the closure by using one of the following methods:

1. Mail a check: 579 Polly Drummond Hill Road, Newark DE 19711 (staff is present in the office and the mailbox is checked daily). Please indicate on the subject line if this is a pledge payment, a general contribution, or a contribution to a specific giving fund.
2. Give electronically through REALM: https://onrealm.org/MillCreek/Give or use the link below (remember to select a giving fund).
3. Text-to-Give: text MillCreek and the amount [e.g. MillCreek 50] to 73256.

We sincerely appreciate your support of Mill Creek, especially now while we are unable to gather together for the time being. But the work of the church continues! We gratefully acknowledge that there would be no Mill Creek without YOU. Thank you.
**Click here to GIVE now** (https://onrealm.org/MillCreek/-/give/now)

@millcreekuu
Mill Creek Staff office hours & contact information

Rev. Gregory S. Pelley
minister@uusmc.org (mailto:minister@uusmc.org)
302-369-2712
Hours by appointment – use the link below to schedule:
– Click here to schedule time with Rev. Greg – (https://calendly.com/gpelley)
Debra Damiani, Congregational Administrator
Monday 8 am to 1 pm, Monday-Thursday
administrator@uusmc.org (mailto:administrator@uusmc.org)
302-369-2712

Rachel Sabella, Music Director
Hours by Appointment
music@uusmc.org (mailto:music@uusmc.org)
302-369-2712

** Upcoming events in our local community
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** Friday Farmers Markets in New Castle County
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There are several Farmers Markets in our local area operating most Fridays. Use the link below to find out more!
More info about NCC Farmers Markets (https://nccde.org/455/Farmers-Markets)

** News from the UUA, the Central East Region, and the Delmarva Cluster
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** Delmarva UU Cluster Family Day
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Killens Pond State Park
Saturday, August 14th
Spend a summer day with your family along with other UU’s in the Delmarva region at the beautiful Killens Pond State Park located south of the town of Felton in Kent County, Delaware. This is a fun and relaxed way to reconnect with folks you may already know – or take the opportunity to meet some new ones.
What is the Delmarva UU Cluster? Here is the breakdown…
The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) has established areas or regions within the Association for organizational purposes. Mill Creek is included in the Central East Region (CER). The Central East Region stretches from the Canadian border of New York State to the metropolitan DC area which includes northern Virginia, from the Atlantic Ocean to western Ohio. With over 34,000 members, we are the largest region in the UUA. Within our region there are 22 clusters, or about 200 UU congregations. We are a part of the Delmarva Cluster, one of 8 congregations.
DETAILS:
Saturday, August 14^th – 8:00 am to Sunset
Killens Pond State Park
2025 Killens Pond Road
Reserved Picnic Area C
Felton, Delaware
(15 miles south of Dover on Rt. 13)
Park Admission:
$4 per vehicle, in-state; $8 per vehicle out-of-state; free for those with annual park pass
General Info about the Park (https://destateparks.com/PondsRivers/KillensPond)
THINGS TO DO:
**Play in the water park
(**requires advance reservations & pre-paid tickets–details in link below)
Visit the nature center
Fish from the Spillway
Walk the trails
Enjoy the pond: rent a kayak, canoe, or paddle boat
Water Park: details & reservations (https://www.destateparks.com/GoPlay/KillensPondWaterPark)
GOOD TO KNOW:
Picnic Area C is reserved for our group for the day. It is shaded with plenty of room for all; includes tables and a large charcoal grill. Bring your cooler with your own picnic foods & drinks. If you have specific questions, feel free to use the link below to connect with event volunteer Mac Goeckler.
Questions about Family Day (mailto:socialjustice@uussd.org?subject=Delmarva%20Cluster%20Family%20Day)

** How to find a UU church during your summer travels!
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If you’re traveling this summer but would still like to connect with a UU church, the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) has made it easy to find one.

You can view all of the 1000+ member congregations, or you can browse by state, region or even country. You can filter the results by LGBTQ Welcoming, ADA compliant (wheelchair accessible), assistive listening devices available, and more. You can connect with the Church of the Larger Fellowship, a UU congregation with no geographical boundaries, and view The Hub Google Map which displays young adult and campus ministry group across the country.

And it’s all in one place! Click on the button below to find out more.
Find a UU church anywhere near you! (https://www.uua.org/find)
https://www.uua.org/central-east

**
Opportunities for Connection: Central East Region Update
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AUGUST 2021

Opportunities for Connection – click here to learn more (https://uua874.activehosted.com/index.php?action=social&chash=1b113258af3968aaf3969ca67e744ff8.5497&s=8983449a6b0e04757c2c9729fa49f044)

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