Unitarian Universalist Society of Mill Creek
We are a community that invites you to awaken to love.
IN THIS ISSUE
** Congregational Life
————————————————————
** Upcoming events, meetings and news to know
————————————————————
** Rev. Christian on Leave Now through Sunday, April 13
————————————————————
He will be back in the pulpit on Sunday, April 20. Any concerns during this absence may be directed to the pastoral care team (mailto:pastoralcare@uusmc.org) , the Board of Trustees (mailto:board@uusmc.org) , or the church office (mailto:administrator@uusmc.org) .
** Sunday Worship Service Information
February 23, 2025
10:30 am
————————————————————
Sometimes when things feel most dire, our greatest tool is solidarity. Join UU Seminarian Erica Caldwell on Sunday as she links the threads of oppression and resistance between her military service during the occupation of Iraq, and her later experiences in Palestine and a Black American city living under terror.
Erica Caldwell served in the US Navy during the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan, providing imagery intelligence support, including working with wartime drones. She is a member of About Face: Veterans Against the War and a UU Aspirant in seminary. The image featured here is Erica’s own, taken during her trip to Bethlehem in January 2023.
Music for this service will be performed by Son Nguyen. Son is a 12th-grade student at Christiana High School in Newark, Delaware. He began studying the cello in fifth grade and currently studies privately with Dr. Lawrence Stomberg, professor of cello at the University of Delaware. As an orchestral performer, Son was a member of the Delaware Youth Symphony Orchestra’s cello section for three years and won the 2024 DYSO Concerto Competition. He served as principal cellist for the Delaware All-State Orchestra in both 2023 and 2024 and has performed in the pit orchestra for Christiana High School as well as various University of Delaware ensemble programs. Additionally, he was selected as principal cellist for the Music and Mindfulness Camp in Shenandoah, Virginia, from 2022 to 2024. For the 2024-2025 season, Son is a member of the cello section of the prestigious Philadelphia Youth Orchestra, performing at Marian Anderson Hall in the Kimmel Center under the direction of Louis Scaglione.
Beyond music, Son is a Scholastic Art Award-winning photographer. He was also named to the 2024 Delaware High School Men’s Volleyball All-State Team, ranking as the 24th top high school boys’ volleyball player in the state. Son plans to attend the Butler School of Music at UT Austin, where he will study under internationally acclaimed cellist Bion Tsang, continuing his pursuit of musical excellence.
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)
** Social Justice Workshop this Sunday after Service
————————————————————
All Are Welcome
We are hosting a 90-minute workshop on Unconscious Bias, conducted by Becca Cotto, Director of Racial and Social Justice at the YWCA of Delaware. The workshop will be held this Sunday, February 23, from 12 noon until 1:30 in the sanctuary. Those interested must register using the button below or by emailing SocialJustice@UUSMC.org (mailto:SocialJustice@UUSMC.org) . There is no cost for this seminar, but attendance is limited to 40 people, so: register soon to reserve your space.
Click HERE to register (mailto:socialjustice@uusmc.org)
** Express Yourself with Art
————————————————————
Jewelry Box Night, Wednesday, February 26, 7-8:30 pm. Back by popular demand. We’ll have the beads, just bring your creative brain! All are welcome.
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
————————————————————
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)
** Concert at Mill Creek
————————————————————
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
————————————————————
mailto:regina139@msn.com
** Mill Creek Annual Service Auction
————————————————————
Saturday, April 26
Reserve the date on your calendar so you don’t miss our annual Service Auction, Mill Creek’s largest fundraiser.
Lots more information and details will be forthcoming, and our donation line will be open soon. But in the meantime….
What will you donate this year?
** Church Cancellation Procedures and Notification Methods
————————————————————
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
————————————————————
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
————————————————————
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, 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
Rev. Schmidt is on leave now through Sunday, April 13. For immediate concerns, you may contact the pastoral care team (mailto:pastoralcare@uusmc.org) , the board of trustees (mailto:board@uusmc.org) , or the church office (mailto:administrator@uusmc.org) .
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
** UUA Joins Multifaith Lawsuit
————————————————————
Lawsuit Asserts ICE Policy Violates the First Amendment
In a recent press release, the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) announces they are a plaintiff in the lawsuit challenging ICE’s “sensitive locations policy” which was filed by a multifaith coalition and the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection.
“Our sacred spaces must continue to offer sanctuary to those who face oppression, violence, or alienation, including immigrant communities.”
Read the press release HERE (https://www.uua.org/pressroom/press-releases/sensitive-locations-policy-lawsuit)
** Opportunities for Connection: Central East Region Update
————————————————————
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)
============================================================
** Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/UUSMC)
** Website (https://www.uusmc.org)
** Instagram (http://instagram.com/millcreekuu)
Copyright © *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*, All rights reserved.
*|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* *|LIST:DESCRIPTION|*
Our mailing address is:
*|LIST_ADDRESS|* *|END:IF|*
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences (*|UPDATE_PROFILE|*)
or ** unsubscribe from this list (*|UNSUB|*)
.
*|IF:REWARDS|* *|REWARDS_TEXT|* *|END:IF|*