Unitarian Universalist Society of Mill Creek
We are a community that invites you to awaken to love.
IN THIS ISSUE
Here’s what’s happening at Mill Creek:
** Sunday Worship Service Information
February 16, 2025
10:30 am
History is replete with examples of everyday people who embodied solidarity with the oppressed in moments when the powerful came for their neighbors. In this sociopolitical moment, how will you respond? Join us this Sunday when we welcome our guest speaker, Dr. Larycia Hawkins, who will share her sermon, “For Such a Time as This.”
Larycia A. Hawkins, PhD., is an award-winning political science professor, international activist, speaker, and commentator on issues at the intersections of race, politics, religion, and solidarity. Since August 2023, she has directed the Center for Public History at Lincoln University. Prior to Lincoln, Dr. Hawkins had a joint faculty appointment in the Departments of Politics and Religious Studies at the University of Virginia, where she was a Faculty Collaborator in the Religion, Race, and Democracy Lab; was a Fellow of the Sound Justice Lab; was a co-convener of the Religion and Its Publics Project of the Henry Luce Foundation; was Affiliated Faculty with the Project on Lived Theology; and was a Faculty Fellow on the Race, Faith, and Culture Project at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture. Professor Hawkins was the first woman to earn tenure at Wheaton College (IL), where she taught from 2007-2016.
Music for this service will be performed by Sheila M. Cassidy. Sheila is a native of Wilmington, DE. A seasoned professional with over 45 years of experience in music education and music ministry, she holds a master’s degree in music education from West Chester University, PA. Miss Cassidy was a band and choral director in South Carolina, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. She has served as the Minister of Music at several local churches. Sheila and her ensembles have received numerous awards. Although officially retired, she can be found working as a long-term music substitute in Red Clay Consolidated Schools. Passionate about music, she has served as an adjudicator, guest conductor, performer, private instructor and mentor, and is an advocate for student retention in school and church music programs. In her private time, she enjoys reading the bible, and attending live music and arts performances. Sheila’s extensive expertise, coupled with her dedication to fostering the next generation of music
talent, makes her a dynamic and inspiring leader in the field.
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)
** Get involved this Sunday!
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Social Justice Meeting
All are welcome to join the social justice team in the conference room after service (11:45) this Sunday for a short meeting.
Land Stewards Meeting
The group will be meeting this Sunday in the MacArtor Library following Coffee Time. Everyone is welcome to attend. We will be discussing long-term plans for the meadow and grounds.
** Office Closure
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The church office will be closed on Monday, February 17 for President’s Day.
** Express Yourself with Art
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Check out these opportunities in the Redbird Art Lab!
Watercolor & Wine, Wednesday February 19, 7-8:30pm. This is a free class, just bring your wrists ready for painting and pouring!
Jewelry Box Night, Wednesday, February 26, 7-8:30 pm. Back by popular demand. We’ll have the beads, just bring your creative brain!
Come to the side entrance by mailbox or call Jo Redbird (302-747-6055). Or, for questions prior to either event, contact Jo HERE (mailto:redbirdartlab@gmail.com) .
** GA Attendance Planning Meeting
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General Assembly (GA) is the annual meeting of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), where participants gather to worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy decisions for the Association through a democratic process. We’re fortunate this year that GA will be held in our area – at the Convention Center in Baltimore, Maryland. If you’ve ever wanted to go, this is the perfect opportunity – we’re having a drop-in information and planning meeting to determine if there is interest in a group attendance at the Assembly.
In these challenging times, it is vital that we understand the larger efforts and ideas of our association so we can support and be part of the important witness and repair work that is so needed. Past participants of GA use words like “transformative” and “empowering” to describe their experience. There will be amazing preachers, presenters, music, ideas, programs, and connections (click HERE (https://vimeo.com/970039119) to take a look inside the GA experience). GA is for all ages, and we especially want to encourage our youth to attend as there are special programs, and it’s a great opportunity to meet other like-minded young people.
Everyone is welcome to join our meeting on Sunday, March 2 after coffee hour in the MacArtor Library. Contact Jamie Kegerise (mailto:jamie.newarkcoho@gmail.com) with any questions.
Click HERE to learn about all things GA! (https://www.uua.org/ga)
** You’re Invited to Repro Shabbat
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Repro Shabbat is an invitation to Jewishly imagine a world where everyone has greater access to reproductive healthcare—including abortion access and full bodily autonomy.
Congregation Beth Emeth invites you on Friday, February 14 at 7pm to imagine this world, hear from speakers on how to realize this world, and bless those striving to make this world a reality, including abortion providers and reproductive rights advocates.
Congregation Beth Emeth (https://www.bethemethde.org/)
300 W. Lea Boulevard
Wilmington, DE 19802
302-764-2393
** Concert at Mill Creek
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Presented by:
Brandywine Friends of Old Time Music
Friday, March 14 at 7:30 pm
Led by wise and witty lead singer and songwriter Ron Thomason, the Dry Branch Fire Squad presents bluegrass in the best tradition: classics and originals, gospel and cowboy songs, heartfelt lilts of equine love, and galloping instrumentals. With impeccable timing, humorous social commentary, catchy lyrics, and song choices from the oldest traditions, this quartet is one of the most entertaining bands in bluegrass today.
Tickets Sold at the Door:
General Public $25; Seniors $20; Students w/ID $15; Ages 17 & under FREE
Learn more about Dry Branch Fire Squad HERE (https://drybranchfiresquad.com/home)
Check out their YouTube channel HERE (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcTqpURJvvnhjWG_Ex9MFZw)
** Spring Equinox Ritual and Celebration
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mailto:regina139@msn.com
** Church Cancellation Procedures and Notification Methods
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We never want to cancel our Sunday morning services, classes, or any event due to inclement weather. However, we also want everyone to be safe, so on occasion, we must – from an abundance of caution – cancel. Board policy leaves the decision to the minster and the board president. We always endeavor to make such decisions in a timely manner.
If the decision to cancel is made we will: send out an email to all congregants, and post notice on Facebook (both the public and private UUSMC pages),
We are also linked with the local SnoWatch system. SnoWatch reports are broadcast on 1150 AM WDEL and 93.7 FM WSTW and are available online at wdel.com (https://www.wdel.com/features/wdel-stormwatch/) and wstw.com (https://www.wstw.com/wstw-stormwatch/) These links will also be available on the church website, uusmc.org.
So, particularly now through March, if the weather calls for any kind of dangerous precipitation, please check your inbox and/or the above media or call the church before heading out. We want everyone to be safe this winter!
** 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 January and February we are supporting:
Planned Parenthood of Delaware
“Together we will empower all individuals to create a healthier future through exceptional health services and sex education.”
For over 90 years this organization has been promoting public policy and understanding that supports reproductive health and family planning. Their mission is to actively promote reproductive health and responsible sexual behavior through the provision of comprehensive high-quality education, counseling, and medical services.
Learn more about Planned Parenthood of Delaware HERE (https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-delaware/who-we-are)
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: D & D
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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, February 16; March 2, 16 & 30 at 12 pm in classroom 1. Occurs every 2 weeks on Sundays. Questions? Contact Tom Vincent (mailto:trv302@outlook.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
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
** A Message from the UUA President
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Fierce Love Compels Us to Action
Read the message HERE (https://www.uua.org/pressroom/press-releases/fierce-love-compels-us-action)
** Opportunities for Connection: Central East Region Update
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FEBRUARY 2025
Featured Resource:
CER Learning, Transformation and Community Networking Days
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 (https://www.uua.org/central-east/blog/opportunities-w25)
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** Website (https://www.uusmc.org)
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