Unitarian Universalist Society of Mill Creek
We are a community that invites you to awaken to love.
IN THIS ISSUE
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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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** Sunday Worship Service Information
December 29, 2024
10:30 am
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This Sunday, the fourth day of Kwanzaa, we welcome Mill Creek member Gladys Smith to the pulpit who will share her message, The Cost of Division: The Blessing of Unity.
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With deep roots in Harlem, NY and a vibrant spirit, Gladys is a seasoned member of the Unitarian Universalist Society of Mill Creek, having joined our community in 2017. Her life’s philosophy, deeply rooted in the pursuit of continuous learning and thorough self-examination, drives her every action. Gladys lives by the Socratic principle: “An unexamined life is not worth living,” ensuring her path is one of growth and never complacency. While her faith transcends traditional boundaries, Gladys acknowledges a greater presence in the universe, shaping her intentional and purposeful approach to life. An architect of purpose, her goal is to craft a lasting legacy that raises and aids those around her, believing that true privilege lies in the capacity to be empathetic and contribute meaningfully to society. Gladys understands privilege not in terms of wealth or status but as a measure of one’s spirit and the ability to advocate for and empower those in need. Her philosophy celebrates a soulful
existence, nurturing a caring global community through kindness, intellectual curiosity, and spiritual enrichment. As such, Gladys seeks to imprint a positive mark on her community, emphasizing the unity of all people. Recently retired, she plans to use this phase of her life to continue her passionate journey of enlightenment, soulful living, and compassionate advocacy to help shape an inclusive and supportive future for all people.
Music for this service will be performed by returning guest musician, composer, and guitarist Kevin J. Cope. Kevin has been the recipient of the Emerging and Established Professional Awards for Music Composition as well as the Emerging Professional Award for Music: Solo Recital from the Delaware Division of the Arts and was featured on the cover of Soundboard Magazine in their 40th Anniversary Edition with a focus on composition for the guitar. He is a University of Delaware graduate with master’s degrees in composition and guitar performance and has served as the president of the Philadelphia Classical Guitar Society, having recently ended his eight-year tenure. Kevin’s many compositions and two full recordings can be purchased at www.kevinjcope.com (https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.kevinjcope.com&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw24wIZbrdes6vCNvAY8_F89) .
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)
** Join Our Next Land Stewards Meeting
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Our UUSMC property, the traditional land of the Lenni Lenape, has been transformed since our church was built in the early 2000’s. The featured photo shows the eastern corner of the meadow on Earth Day, 2003. Now with more native trees and plants, it’s a friendlier place for insects, birds, and other critters. This land absorbs and filters rainwater much more effectively than the nearby mowed grassy lawns and play fields. You can help us help the Interdependent Web by joining us at the Land Stewardship meeting on Sunday, January 5, right after Coffee Time in the conference room. All are welcome. See Amy White or Jamie Kegerise if you have questions.
** OWL Classes Offered at UUFN
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The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Newark (UUFN (https://uufn.org/) ) is offering Our Whole Lives (OWL) classes for kids in grades 4 through 6 beginning in February.
The mandatory parent orientation is Sunday, January 19, from 11:45am to 1:15pm; childcare and lunch will be provided. There will be a meeting for the kids that same day from 10:15am to 11:45am; classes will be every other week beginning on February 2nd during service from 10:15 to 11:45 at UUFN. Interested parents may contact Andrea, DRE at UUFN, HERE (mailto:dre@uufn.org) with any questions about this offering.
Our Whole Lives is a comprehensive lifespan sexuality education curricula that helps participants make informed and responsible decisions about their relationships, sexual health and behavior by providing accurate and developmentally appropriate information about a range of topics. Learn more about this program HERE (https://www.uua.org/re/owl) .
** 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 November & December we are supporting:
Kingswood Community Center
Supporting the Riverside neighborhood in Wilmington since 1946
This organization offers a wide array social services: education programs, food assistance, financial literacy workshops, virtual healthcare, emergency supports, and much more. Their planned state-of-the-art community facility will feature a modern senior center, new health center, fitness and recreational facilities, youth engagement opportunities, community health initiatives, and a world-class Early Learning Academy.
Learn more about Kingswood Community Center HERE (https://kgwcc.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)
** Recurring Event
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A fantasy tabletop role-playing game
The Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game is about storytelling in worlds of sword and sorcery. It shares elements with childhood games of make-believe. In the Dungeons & Dragons game, 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. All are welcome to join the group on Sunday, January 5 & 19 at 12 pm in classroom 1. Occurs every 2 weeks on Sundays. Questions? Contact Tom Vincent (mailto:trv302@outlook.com) .
** Learn more about the fight for Wind Energy in Delaware
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Everyone is welcome to join us for an update presentation via Zoom by Senator Stephanie Hanson on Tuesday evening, January 7, at 7:00 pm in the church library to learn more about the status of wind energy in Delaware. This program is presented by the Newark Interfaith Green Team and will be attended virtually by other places of worship in our area. To register and receive the Zoom link for this presentation, click the button below.
There will be time for questions and answers during the presentation, and you are invited to stay after to discuss how Mill Creek might become more effective in our involvement with the Climate Justice Movement. This past September, several of us were involved in the UUA’s Climate Justice Revival, and there is interest in the congregation to continue this work and dialogue. Please contact Jamie Kegerise (mailto:jamie.newarkcoho@gmail.com) with any questions.
Register HERE to receive the Zoom link (mailto:newarkinterfaithgreenteam@gmail.com?subject=January%207%20registration)
** Concert Series at Mill Creek
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Friday, January 10, 2025
Two of the most capable and compelling interpreters of old-time music, Joseph Decosimo and Stephanie Coleman, have been making music together for nearly two decades. Joseph cut his musical teeth in East Tennessee with folks like Charlie Acuff and Clyde Davenport. Stephanie spent her youth immersed in the rich fiddle traditions around Chicago and the Midwest. More recently, Joseph has performed in the Bucking Mules while Stephanie has worked with Nora Brown, the Red Squirrel Chasers, and Uncle Earl. In performance, they explore old songs and tunes with voices, fiddles, banjo, and pump organ, crafting immersive, patient renditions. Learn more about these performers here:
https://www.josephdecosimo.com/ (https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.josephdecosimo.com/&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw3wWijxAPQw538sCaHPFZmD) and https://www.stephaniecoleman.net/ (https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.stephaniecoleman.net/&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw2ifw2Qo74Y8N-Zb7LhROUn)
Brought to you by Brandywine Friends of Old Time Music
Friday, January 10, 2025 at 7:30 pm
Tickets Sold at the Door:
General Public, $25; Seniors, $20; Students with ID, $15, Children ages 17 & under, FREE
** Benefit Concert Featuring John Flynn
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New Ark United Church of Christ is hosting a concert on Sunday, January 19 at 3 pm featuring singer-songwriter John Flynn, to benefit New Beginnings-Next Step.
This local non-profit organization, led by Flynn, sponsors peer-support groups for returning citizens as they transition from incarceration to freedom. It is run both for, and with, returning citizens, along with a vital and growing group of compassionate volunteer-facilitators, for the purpose of building a community of hope and a culture of accountability and possibility on the streets of Wilmington, Delaware.
New Ark United Church of Christ (https://newarkucc.org/)
300 East Main Street
Newark, Delaware
Learn more about New Beginnings-Next Step HERE (http://www.newbeginnings-nextstep.org)
Learn more about John Flynn HERE (https://johnflynn.net/bio.html)
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 Gather With Love:
A Holiday Video Message from UUA President Rev. Sofía Betancourt
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With gratitude for all of the ways that UUs have been living their faith boldly in the past year, may this season be a time for us all to reflect on our renewed commitments to justice and compassion in 2025 together.
Watch the video message HERE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tNkFXqhAIs)
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