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:
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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
January 19, 2025
10:30 am
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This Sunday we will be joined by Rev. Keith Goheen when he explores the role of the church as a place for communal healing with his sermon, “Power to Heal.”
Music for this service will be performed by Yuxin Liu. Born in Qingdao, China, Yuxin Liu began her musical studies at the age of six. She has been an experienced piano teacher for more than 7 years. She recently received her Master of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Delaware. As a social service advocate, she is passionate about community building and has performed as a soloist as part of the outreach programs at the Newark Free Library. While at UD, she serves on the keyboard faculty for the UD Community Music School (CMS), maintaining a studio for students of all levels and age groups. Additionally, she served as a staff accompanist for the Delaware UBF Church. Yuxin also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Piano Performance from Qingdao University. During her college years, she has won Qingdao University’s second-level scholarship for eight consecutive semesters. She was a selected performer for Qingdao University’s 2020 National Tour. Yuxin has played in masterclasses for Professor Julan Wang of the Central Conservatory of Music and Professor Qin Zhou of Capital Normal University. She won the bronze medal at the 2019 Euregio International Piano Competition in Germany.
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)
Learn about the artists whose artwork is featured in our gathering space and sanctuary:
In the gathering space – Delaware-based Artist Cony Madarigia, born in Santiago, Chile.
Since childhood, art has been my passion and sanctuary. Creating is my therapy, allowing me to express myself freely. The urge to create drives me, shaping every canvas I touch. My artwork spans portraits, line art, nature themes, and abstract concepts. I use a variety of mediums including acrylics, watercolors, soft pastels, oil pastels, paint markers, and pencils. I love experimenting with different materials to fuel my creativity. Inspiration for my art comes from people and the world around me. I capture my happiest and most challenging life moments on paper, sharing my vulnerability through my work. This has connected me with incredible individuals and empowered me to embrace my artistic identity
In the sanctuary – Jo Redbird, born in Auckland, New Zealand.
Sharing the vision of cosmic love, I had created these colorful pieces as art therapy during the time of caregiving for my mother. It was a struggle during this time to create representational art and so I just allowed the color and texture to flow. These pieces are very meaningful to me as they embody the very principle of change being the only constant. Through these paintings, the cosmic energy and love is captured in an every changing space-scape.
** Social Justice Committee Meeting this Sunday
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All are welcome to join the team this Sunday, January 19 after service in the conference room.
** New Year – New Vision!
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Vision board crafting in the Art Lab
Come to the Art Lab to create your own mixed media vision board. All materials provided – just bring your dreams and goals – everyone is welcome to participate! Join us on Wednesday, January 22, 7- 8:30pm. No registration necessary, just show up!
** New Member Recognition Ceremony
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If you have joined Mill Creek since our last ceremony (and it’s been a while!), we will ritually welcome you in membership during our worship service on Sunday, February 2. The congregation will formally covenant with you, and you’ll receive a token of our esteem as part of the ritual. Confirm with Rev. Christian (minister@uusmc.org (mailto:minister@uusmc.org) ) if you will be in attendance.
** Super Bowl Saturday Potluck
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Sponsored by:
Fellowship & Fun Committee
February 8 @ 5:00 pm
We might not yet know which teams will play in the Super Bowl, but we know where we need to be the night before — at Mill Creek’s Super Bowl Saturday Potluck Dinner!
Everyone is welcome to join us, and bring a pot of soup, a loaf of bread, or a dessert to share. We will provide non-alcoholic beverages and a large leafy-green salad with different dressings. Come dressed in the colors of the team you want to win!
Planned activities include football trivia and a super special contest to win our door prize. There will also be an accompanying 50/50 fundraiser: buy a $5 ticket and you may win some super useful cash.
Let us know you’re interested in attending and how many are coming! Please RSVP to the Fellowship & Fun committee by clicking the button below (or look for the QR code on the poster in the gathering space). We don’t need to know what you plan to bring, but we do appreciate seeing if the event draws the congregation’s interest. We are looking for at least 10 RSVPs to confirm the event on the calendar.
Looking forward to sharing a warming and SUPER Saturday evening together!
Please RSVP: click HERE (mailto:fellowship@uusmc.org?subject=Souper%20Bowl%20RSVP)
** 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, January 19, and February 2 & 16 at 12 pm in classroom 1. Occurs every 2 weeks on Sundays. Questions? Contact Tom Vincent (mailto:trv302@outlook.com) .
** 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)
** Poverty Abolition Discussion Group
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The First Unitarian Church of Wilmington Human Rights Task Force will host discussion groups focusing on the book Poverty, By America written by Matthew Desmond. The purpose of the book discussion groups is to raise awareness and help participants advocate for change.
Information about the book, its impact and importance, along with a discussion guide is available on the author’s website (https://matthewdesmondbooks.com/) . Those who are new to poverty abolition may be interested in this video recording (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95we_UcQh2I) of an interview with the author.
The discussion groups are part of a broader initiative for UU congregations across Delaware to engage with the book. The initiative started in the fall of 2024 with poverty abolition discussion groups hosted by the Unitarian Universalist Delaware Advocacy Network (UUDAN) and Peace Week Delaware. Unitarian values and principles support poverty abolition.
In-Person Discussion Groups:
Sunday afternoons, January 26, February 2 & 9, 12:30-2:00 pm
Participation in the discussion groups is open to the public. Advance registration is required – click HERE (https://firstu.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/2675622) . Questions may be sent to Julie Brewer HERE (mailto:jbrewerhuhn@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
** Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) General Assembly – Read All About It
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Click HERE to learn about all things GA: travel & housing, registration, programming & schedule information, and much more. (https://www.uua.org/ga)
** Opportunities for Connection: Central East Region Update
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JANUARY 2025
Featured Resource:
General Assembly 2025: Baltimore
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-125)
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