Read our latest announcement.
http://eepurl.com/hMgVx9
Unitarian Universalist Society of Mill Creek
We are a community that invites you to awaken to love.
Sunday Worship Service
November 7th, 2021
10:00 AM
Livestream Only
Join Heather Petit this Sunday
when she shares her homily:
“It’s Complicated”
Music selections from Haydn, Handel and others will be performed by Rachel Sabella and Amy White on flute, and Rudy Nyhoff on clarinet.
Connect With Us Virtually
There are several ways to get the Zoom link for livestreaming the service:
* Click the link below (Sunday Morning Live!) and bookmark it; OR
* Access the church calendar (https://www.uusmc.org/news/calendar/) (https://www.uusmc.org/news/calendar/); OR
* Open our Sunday morning email; OR
* Open ANY PREVIOUS Sunday morning email
However you connect with us for livestreaming:
**THE LINK FOR SUNDAY SERVICE REMAINS THE SAME FROM WEEK TO WEEK**
Sunday Morning Live! (https://zoom.us/j/97806427419)
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:
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** Congregational Life
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** Upcoming events, meetings and news to know
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** Daylight Saving Time Ends this Sunday
November 7th
————————————————————
Daylight Saving Time 2021 ends at 2:00 am this Sunday, November 7th. Remember to move your clocks BACK one hour before you to to bed on Saturday night, so you’re not late for our Sunday morning livestream at 10:00 am!
** In-Person Indoor Services Resume Next Week
With Limited Capacity
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On Thursday, October 21st, the Board of Trustees voted to resume in-person indoor services.
Please note the following:
* In-person indoor services begin Sunday, November 14th
* Service time remains at 10:00 am
* Seating will be limited to 35 guests
* Registration will be required
* Masking and vaccination will be mandatory
* Services will continue to be offered livestreamed
We will be sharing with you more detailed information about the registration process next week in a separate email.
Please watch your inbox for this important communication.
** Child Care Workers Needed
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As we transition to in-person indoor Sunday services on November 14th, we are planning to re-establish a child care team. We need a minimum of two workers for every Sunday, and a coordinator who makes sure child care is in place each week. (Note that the coordinator position need not also be a child care worker.)
Here are the details:
* High School age (or older) preferred
* Must be vaccinated
* Able to care for children ages 0 to 4
* Hours are 9:45 am to 11:15 am
* Position pays $10 per hour; OR volunteer hours can be certified
Contact Rev. Greg if you’re interested or have questions.
Contact Rev. Greg about Child Care HERE (mailto:minister@uusmc.org?subject=child%20care)
** Considerations for Safe Church Operations
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The Board of Trustees, Minister and Staff are in constant communication regarding the current status of the new Covid case rates in our area and how it affects our operations and ministry. We have prepared a document for your review detailing our considerations for safe return which highlights topics such as Opening, Vaccinations, Masks & Distancing, and more. You can read the document in full HERE. (https://www.uusmc.org/wp-content/uploads/COVID-Considerations-for-safe-return.pdf)
** In case you missed it!
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Click the link below to view a video recording of Rev. Greg’s homily from October 31st – “Who, now?” – available now on our You Tube Channel.
Click here to view (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=of1WL0XVrdw)
** Saturday Campfires on Hiatus Until Spring 2022
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We’ve held a campfire in our meadow for most Saturday evenings this year and now it’s time to take a break. We’re thankful for the efforts of Jamie Kegerise, Rudy Nyhoff and others for coordinating and/or attending these weekly fellowship events. See you in the spring!
** 2022 Generosity Campaign Begins
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The Mill Creek 2022 Generosity Campaign is underway! The Generosity (pledge) Campaign runs from January through December 2022. Pledge cards have been mailed to members and friends. (If you haven’t received yours in the next few days, please let us know.)
You can make your pledge of financial support in one of the following ways:
* return the pledge card by mail in the envelope provided; OR
* access your Realm profile (https://onrealm.org/MillCreek/SignIn) , go to your Giving page and select the +Pledge button, then click on 2022 Generosity Campaign; OR
* email the church office (mailto:administrator@uusmc.org) with the amount of your pledge
Did you know?
Electronic giving through Realm is easy and secure.
What it offers you: the opportunity to schedule your pledge payments over time. You can set up a recurring weekly, monthly or quarterly schedule to suit your budget.
What it offers your church: a constant and predictable source of income.
However you decide to make your pledge, we hope to have all commitments by Monday, November 22nd. Contact the church office (mailto:administrator@uusmc.org) with any questions you have.
Thank you for your support!
** Mill Creek New UU Class Series: Sessions 2 & 3 RESCHEDULED
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We are offering a three-part series of virtual classes designed to introduce visitors, friends, and even current members who might be interested in learning more about the UU faith and the Mill Creek congregation. Attendance is expected for all three sessions. Use the link below to attend, or access it on the church calendar (https://www.uusmc.org/news/calendar/) . All are welcome!
**Sessions 2 and 3 have been rescheduled.
Please note the new dates!**
Intro to Mill Creek – NEW DATE: Tuesday, November 9^th, 6:30-8:30 pm
Part 2 of 3. Rev. Greg leads a conversation about the Values, Beliefs, and Mission of Mill Creek with the intention of helping new folks get to know who we are as a religious community.
Attend the class HERE (https://uuma.zoom.us/j/3909823196)
The Meaning of Membership – NEW DATE: Tuesday, November 16th, 6:30-8:30 pm
Part 3 of 3. This session is a conversation about what it means to be a member of Mill Creek. It will provide information and establish our shared expectations for membership.
** Share Our Plate: November & December
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We regularly donate a portion of our undesignated plate collection to a local charity or non-profit organization.
For the months of November and December we have selected:
Life Lines Program at West End Neighborhood House.
Established in 1979 and based in Wilmington, West End Neighborhood House offers a wide array of support services throughout the state of Delaware designed to resolve complex social challenges. Their outcomes-driven programming includes education and employment programs, financial services, housing, and much more, including services for foster care youth through their Life Lines Program.
This program offers services for foster care youth ages 18-23 through intensive case management. For 20 years they have offered housing, education, and employment training to youth both in and emancipated from foster care. They are expanding their program through the construction of their Drop-In Center. When complete it will serve unaccompanied homeless youth, including those who have experienced the foster care system, as well as those who identify as belonging to the LGBTQ+ community. It will offer 33 beds including an ADA-compliant efficiency unit. While not a homeless shelter, the Center will provide supportive services these youth need to reintegrate into society and become self-reliant, including education, physical and mental health services, drug & alcohol prevention & treatment, job training & placement, and more.
For more information about the program, click on the link below:
LEARN MORE about Life Lines Program (https://westendnh.org/programs/life-lines-programs/)
For more inspiration, click the link below to watch a short video:
WATCH the video here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jN8Tto-thoE)
To support this program, click on the link below to donate:
DONATE to Share Our Plate (https://onrealm.org/MillCreek/-/give/now)
**Be sure to select ‘Share Our Plate’ as the giving fund**
** Celebrating Diwali
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Diwali is the 5-day Indian festival of lights, a New Year celebration, and India’s biggest and most important holiday of the year. Diwali symbolizes the spiritual “victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.” The festival gets its name from the row (avali) of clay lamps (or deepa) that Indians light outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects us from spiritual darkness. Every autumn, the observance sees millions of people attend firework displays, prayer services, and other festive events in their homes and communities in celebration of the occasion. In addition to Hindus, this holiday is also observed by Jains, some Buddhists, and Sikhs.
To all who celebrate, may your Diwali be free from darkness and abundant with light, with hope for good health, wealth and happiness.
** More Images from Tree Planting Day 2021
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All photos courtesy of Amy White.
Above: Kristen and Joey Tosh-Morelli; Below: Jim White demonstrates proper planting techniques
Above left: Jamie Kegerise addresses a few volunteers; Above right: empty pots – a sign of a job well done!
** Newark Interfaith Thanksgiving Service
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Newark United Methodist Church (https://newark-umc.org/wp/)
69 East Main Street, Newark, DE
302-368-3774
Tuesday, November 23rd at 7:30 pm
**
Chalice
Circle
Openings
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Chalice Circles at Mill Creek are small groups within our church that provide a supportive environment for people to meet and discuss topics relevant to our lives as well as share our stories, our experiences and our ideas. Circles are an opportunity to get to know each other on a deeper level and develop a rich spirituality. During COVID, some Circles meet virtually, some in person; some meet during the day and some in the evenings.
Women’s Chalice Circles
2nd Tuesday Evening Circle:
Meets monthly, 7:15 to 9:00 pm
Wednesday Evening Circle:
Meets twice a month, 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Chalice Sisters Thursday Evening Circle:
Meets twice a month, 2nd & 4th Thursdays, 6:15 pm
Thursday Afternoon Circle
Meets twice a month, 1st & 3rd Thursdays, 12:30 pm
Men’s Chalice Circle
3rd Tuesday Evening Circle:
Meets monthly, 7:00 pm
Click the link below to contact Helen Springer for more information,
or call 484-732-8641; or call the church office, 302-369-2712.
Curious about Chalice Circles? Read what people are saying:
“During the pandemic, the circle has been a wonderful means of keeping in close touch with these members of our church. And in ordinary times, the circle meetings provide friendship as well as an opportunity to think more deeply about what our church means to us.”
“Joining a Chalice Circle was the most significant thing I did once I joined this church community several years ago. It is my main source for support.”
“The sisterhood of my chalice circle has been a lifeline for me. We ZOOM every week, sharing our own stories and deeply listening to the stories of others. Such a gift.”
“I have been participating in the men’s chalice circle for over two years now. It has been a wonderful way for me to connect with other members of the church on a deeper and more personal level. It has shown me additional view points and brought me a different set of tools for living my spiritual life. It has also brought me a lot of laughter and a place of emotional support in times of need.”
“The women in my Circle mean so much to me, we care for and about each other in a way I find difficult to achieve away from church.”
Click here for more information about Chalice Circles (mailto:helen_springer@msn.com?subject=chalice%20circles)
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!
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)
Follow us on Instagram!
@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 area
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** Event #1: New Castle County, Delaware
————————————————————
Middle Run Valley
Tree Planting Day
Saturday, November 6th
9 am to 12 pm
This event, coordinated by Jim White of the Delaware Nature Society, is part of an ongoing reforestation project at this nearby county-owned natural area. More than 55,000 trees have been planted over many years, enhancing biodiversity and improving the quality of the watershed.
Everyone is welcome to help dig holes, plant, cage, and water up to 600 trees. Volunteers are encouraged to bring shovels, trowels, gloves, and a water container (bucket or gallon milk jug) if able. Dress for the weather – this is a rain or shine event. Unvaccinated people are requested to wear a mask.
Planting (and parking) takes place in the field at the intersection of Polly Drummond Hill Road and Smith Mill Road (approx. 1 mile southeast of Mill Creek). (Note that this is not the typical entrance to the Middle Run Valley Natural Area.)
Registration for this event is appreciated but not required. Use the links below to register, and learn more about Delaware Nature Society and the important work they do.
LEARN MORE about this EVENT & REGISTER (https://14360.blackbaudhosting.com/14360/Middle-Run-Valley-Tree-Planting-Fall-2021–Middle-Run-Natural-Area)
LEARN MORE about Delaware Nature Society (https://www.delawarenaturesociety.org/)
** Event #2: New Castle County, Delaware
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Climate Action Rally
Kells Park, Newark
Sunday, November 7th
2-4 pm
Delaware Interfaith Power & Light (https://delawareipl.org/wp123/) , in collaboration with Sierra Club Delaware (https://www.sierraclub.org/delaware) and other environmental groups, announces a Climate Action Rally. The purpose of the rally is to call for bold and transformational governmental action to decarbonate our economy and prevent the worst impacts of the climate crisis in Delaware. This event features FREE veggie chili (bring your own bowl & spoon), live music, art, activities for kids, and more! Use the link below to register.
REGISTER for this event here (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScy3JibVeC40djdgjzhN2RZRKjWr-aol-fpYylE84rVsNFUqg/viewform)
** Event: Sussex County, Delaware
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Rehoboth Art League
Holiday Fair & Fine Craft Show
Rehoboth Beach
Saturday & Sunday
November 6th & 7th
10 am to 4 pm
The Rehoboth Art League is an arts organization with a 3.5-acre campus featuring art galleries, classes and studios. The Holiday Fair & Fine Craft Show, celebrating its 37th year, features a variety of artisans exhibiting and selling their work, including jewelry, glasswork, ceramics, mixed media, and decorative and wearable fiber creations. Refreshments available. Click the link below to learn more.
Rehoboth Art League (https://www.rehobothartleague.org/)
12 Dodds Lane
Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
302-227-8408
Learn more about the Holiday Fair & Fine Craft Show here (https://www.rehobothartleague.org/events/holiday-fair/)
** Event: Talbot County, Maryland
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https://waterfowlfestival.org/
Friday, November 12th – Sunday, November 14th
Easton, Maryland
The Waterfowl Festival is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting waterfowl habitat creation, restoration and conservation; the promotion of wildlife art; and the celebration of life on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. This annual event, celebrating its 50th year, features art exhibits, food and entertainment, activities for kids and dogs … and much more. Click the links below to find out more!
Learn more about this organization here (https://waterfowlfestival.org/)
Check out the Waterfowl Festival schedule of events here (https://waterfowlfestival.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Schedule_2021.pdf)
** Event: Chester County, Pennsylvania
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Deer Creek Malthouse
7^th Annual Fall Harvest Festival “Malt-a-palooza”
Saturday, November 13^th, 12 – 5 pm
Founded in 2012, Deer Creek Malthouse (https://www.deercreekmalt.com/) is a provider of malt ingredients handcrafted using locally grown grain. They are committed to creating more sustainable malting infrastructure in Pennsylvania by adding value to grain for regional food and beverage artisans. Showcasing malt-centric food, beer and spirits, the Fall Harvest Festival – a family-friendly event held at Ludwig’s Corner Horse Show Grounds – will feature food & beverages for sale, face painting, field games, hayrides (weather-dependent), live music and more!
Ludwig’s Corner Horse Show Grounds (https://ludwigshorseshow.com/about-us/directions/?mc_cid=794693be13&mc_eid=90f82f2957)
1326 Pottstown Pike
Glenmoore, PA 19343
610-458-3344
LEARN more about Deer Creek Malthouse here (https://www.deercreekmalt.com/)
PURCHASE tickets here (https://www.deercreekmalt.com/product/malt-a-palooza-2021-event-ticket/)
** News from the UUA, the Central East Region, and the Delmarva Cluster
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** Focus on Social Justice
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Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice is a collective group of UU individuals and congregations, impacted communities and like-minded organizations headquartered in our nation’s Capital. They work to advance equitable national policies and actions, aligned with UU values, through engagement, education and advocacy.
LEARN MORE about UUSJ here (https://uusj.net/wp1/)
SUBSCRIBE to the UUSJ newsletter here (https://uusj.salsalabs.org/enewssignup/index.html)
READ the November UUSJ newsletter here (https://uusj.salsalabs.org/uusjenews-nov2021_copy1?)
** UU Book & Gift Shop
————————————————————
Let the UU Book & Gift Shop Help with Your Holiday Shopping
inSpirit, the UU Book & Gift Shop offers books to support people of all faiths and seekers alike to engage with spiritual questions. Unitarian Universalists will find items that will help to nurture their faith, to connect with the UU history, and to ground and enhance work for social justice. They also offer cards, a wide range of fair trade gifts, as well as accessories proudly bearing the Unitarian Universalist Association and Side with Love logos.
If you are considering inSpirit as a source for your holiday gift giving this year, be aware that current global supply chain obstacles are hurting the collective capacity to get products into the marketplace, and the wonderful world of books and literature is as affected as any other. This includes almost every aspect of finding a book for purchase, from paper and printing, to shipping and warehousing. The staff at inSpirit wants you to know that these issues may affect the availability of items in stock. Meaning, what is available now may not be readily available later, and items scheduled for publication/manufacture could be delayed without much notice.
inSpirit encourages you — do your holiday shopping EARLY this year. Use the link below to access the many items offered.
Browse the inSpirit shelves HERE (https://www.uuabookstore.org/Default.aspx)
https://www.uua.org/central-east
**
Opportunities for Connection: Central East Region Update
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NOVEMBER 2021
Opportunities for Connection – click here to learn more (https://uua874.activehosted.com/index.php?action=social&chash=17f98ddf040204eda0af36a108cbdea4.5575&s=8983449a6b0e04757c2c9729fa49f044)
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