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Unitarian Universalist Society of Mill Creek
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Here’s what’s happening at Mill Creek:
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** Congregational Life
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** Upcoming events, meetings and news to know
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** Sunday Worship Service Information
August 11, 2024
10:30 am
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As Unitarian Universalists, we value different ways of approaching religion and community. If we look at this through the lens of cooking, flavor and gathering around the table, what can it teach us? Join Rev. Christian for his sermon, “Blending Flavors.”
Music for the morning will be performed the Bowman-Braddock Duo, featuring Mindy Bowman and Chris Braddock. Mindy Bowman holds two Bachelor of Music degrees from the University of Delaware, where she was a two-time recipient of the Presser Scholarship. She has been a flute instructor at the Music School of Delaware since 1993 and now serves as the wind, brass and percussion department head. Mindy plays in various settings throughout the Delaware valley, a recent highlight includes a performance in a flute quartet at the National Flute Convention in Salt Lake City. Chris Braddock works as a soloist and with several area ensembles, including two groups with Mindy Bowman. He has performed in concerts and other events at more than a hundred regional venues and his compositions can be heard on several locally released recordings. He is a past recipient of an Individual Artist Fellowship in music composition from the Delaware Division of the Arts, as well as a DDOA Opportunity Grant. An
instructor at The Music School of Delaware since 1996, Chris serves as master faculty and guitar department head. He previously worked as a teaching artist for the Delaware Institute for the Arts in Education and as Artistic Director for Delaware Classical Showcase, Inc. Chris received his classical guitar performance degree from the University of Delaware.
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)
** Pizza in the Meadow!
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Join our small but dedicated (and overworked) group of people we call our Natural Lands Stewards who gather every Wednesday afternoon around 5:30-6:00 pm for about an hour or so to tend to the trees, meadows and grounds.
Won’t you consider lending them a hand? Everyone is welcome – no gardening experience or knowledge is required. Bring your gardening gloves and we’ll show you what needs doing. Or, if you’re more interested in the scenery, we happily encourage everyone to stop by at any time for a walkabout and reconnect with nature. And have some pizza…!!!
Yes, Pizza in the Meadow! Woo hoo! Wednesday, August 14 we’ll enjoy pizza and beverages al fresco in the meadow (around 7:30 pm). All are welcome to join us — whether you work in the meadow or not!
Jamie (mailto:jamie@dsofurniture.com) and Amy (mailto:amywwhite@comcast.net) are always happy to answer any questions you might have – feel free to reach out to one or both of them.
** Recurring Events
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Dungeons & Dragons – This is a tabletop role-playing game where players explore fantasy worlds and embark on epic quests. All are welcome to join the group on Sunday, August 18 at 12 pm in classroom 1 (note the corrected date!). Occurs every 2 weeks on Sundays.. Questions? Contact Tom Vincent (mailto:trv302@outlook.com) .
Drum Circle – This is a great way to create rhythm and energy, no matter what your skill level is. Please bring your own instrument or use what we have available. Open to all ages from 0-94. Join the group on Saturday, September 14 at 4 pm in the sanctuary. Occurs monthly on second Saturdays. See or contact Sara Durham (mailto:saradurham88@gmail.com) with any questions.
** Weekday Kayak Paddle and Hike
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Join your fellow congregants for a fun 1-hour kayak paddle followed by a 1–3-mile hike at beautiful Lums Pond State Park on Thursday, August 22. We will meet at church at 9:00 am with the goal of carpooling as space permits.
Bring your own kayak or you can rent one (rental fees are $10/hour for a single kayak and $12/hour for a tandem; rental is on a first come, first served basis; ID is required). Wear a bathing suit or shorts and sturdy water shoes/sneakers you don’t mind getting wet, sunscreen, and a hat. Remember to bring your hiking shoes for the hike, plus a bag lunch and water. Lums Pond State Park parking fees: $4 in-state, $8 out-of-state, free for annual parks passholders.
Reserve your spot for this event – click HERE (mailto:margaret_bodine@comcast.net)
Did you know…? Lums Pond is Delaware’s largest freshwater pond! Learn more about the pond, the park, and the surrounding area HERE (https://destateparks.com/PondsRivers/LumsPond) .
** Habitat Presentation and Meadow tour
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Save the Date! We will be hosting a presentation and meadow tour of our property on Saturday, September 7, 9:00 – 11:00 am. The discussion and tour will be led by Kerry Wilson, Habitat Outreach Manager for the Delaware Nature Society, and is being co-sponsored by the Newark Interfaith Green Team.
The purpose of this event is to promote the importance of planting native trees and plants and learn strategies to transform lawn areas to native habitat and pollinator gardens. This will be a free event, open to the public, and kid-friendly with activities to encourage their learning and interest in nature.
We need help to make this event a success: welcome table, kids programming, AV needs, refreshments, and more. See or contact Jamie Kegerise if you can help – click the contact button below.
Contact Jamie HERE (mailto:jamie.newarkcoho@gmail.com)
** Our Current Share Our Plate Recipient
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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 July and August we are supporting:
Black & Indigenous Birthworkers of Delaware
Supporting Families Throughout the Circle of Life
This organization believes that supporting mothers and future mothers from a whole perspective and connecting families to the lost traditional modalities will create an environment of peace. It is their mission to educate, advocate and support the entire family and community in the areas of fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, self-care healing, end of life, herbal & nutritional wellness.
Learn more about Black & Indigenous Birthworkers of DE HERE (https://traditionaldoula.com/)
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)
** Sound Bath Meditation
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Sound Bath Meditation is an ancient practice using instruments (gong, singing bowls, chimes and more) to create a soundscape that can help you relax and meditate. The power of the sound will bathe you and reverberate through your body, awaken your senses, help restore balance, relieve stress and anxiety, and create a soundscape that is both soothing and uplifting.
Join meditation leader Jeff Brown here at Mill Creek on Monday, August 12 at 7 pm for a one hour sound experience that is personal to each participant. Bring a yoga mat or blanket with a small pillow for your comfort. Seating is also available. Cost is $25 per person.
Register and make payment HERE (https://app.ubindi.com/Jeff.Brown)
Have questions? Contact Jeff Brown HERE (mailto:sotsministryde@gmail.com)
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. Christian Schmidt, Minister
In Office: Sundays & Tuesdays
minister@uusmc.org (mailto:minister@uusmc.org)
979-450-2477 (cell)
To request a teleconference, or an in-person or Zoom meeting with Rev. Christian – CLICK HERE (https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/appointments/schedules/AcZssZ1ETx17XToDEx3GC5293hfnHTj-VJpBMu_m7SpHkuCcHozb-ceUiT3H-hDGLbziPku9hYBquodp)
Debra Damiani, Congregational Administrator
Monday 9 am to 2 pm, Monday-Thursday
administrator@uusmc.org (mailto:administrator@uusmc.org)
302-369-2712
Connect with the UUA, Delmarva Cluster, and Central East Region
** We Are Unitarian Universalists
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Are you new to the UU faith? Or would you like to share information about it to family or friends? Perhaps you’d like a refresher, or maybe you’re just curious?
The Unitarian Universalist Association’s (UUA) Outreach and Public Witness Office (https://www.uua.org/offices/staff/communications/outreach) uses communications methods to advocate for an equitable world and spread the inclusive, healing messages of Unitarian Universalist values, while equipping others within the UU community to do the same. They have produced “We Are Unitarian Universalists,” a short but informative video as a tool to help UUs show who we are, what we do, and why it matters.
View and share the video HERE (https://vimeo.com/344862790)
https://www.uua.org/central-east
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Opportunities for Connection: Central East Region Update
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AUGUST 2024
Featured Resource:
Helpful Board Habits Training
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 to learn more (https://www.uua.org/central-east/blog/opportunities-824)
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