Mill Creek Weekly News - January 9, 2025 - Unitarian Universalist Society of Mill Creek

Posted on January 9, 2025 Posted By: Office Administrator Categories: News

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

Editor’s Note:
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** Congregational Life
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** Upcoming events, meetings and news to know
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** Concert this Friday Night
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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

** Sunday Worship Service Information
January 12, 2025
10:30 am
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As we continue into a new year, and prepare to enter a new presidential administration, it’s important to tell the story of who we are as people, as a nation, as a world. Join Rev. Christian Schmidt for his sermon, “The Story of Us.” Plan to remain with us for a potluck lunch after the service.

Music for this service will be performed by Keynote Jazz Singers, directed by Marty Lassman, featuring Brian Drake and Danielle Logan, soloists. Formerly associated with the Music School of Delaware, this community choir sings choral arrangements of jazz, Broadway, and pop songs. They welcome new participants who enjoy the challenge of singing this style of music. Feel free to see Marty after the service with any questions.
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)

** Potluck Sunday
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Come for the sermon, stay for the food!

Come to church this Sunday, January 12 and plan remain with us after the service for our first Potluck Sunday of the year. You may bring a main or side dish, appetizer, salad, dessert, or beverages to share if you wish. All are welcome, whether you bring something or not.

** 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.

** 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.

Virtual Discussion Groups:
Wednesday evenings, January 15 & 22, 7:00-8:30 pm
In-Person Discussion Groups:
Sunday afternoons, January 26, February 2 & 9, 12:30-2:00 pm

Participation in book discussion groups is open to the public. Advance registration is required. The registration link for the virtual group is here (https://firstu.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/2674069) . The registration link for the in-person group is here (https://firstu.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/2675622) . Questions may be sent to Julie Brewer HERE (mailto:jbrewerhuhn@gmail.com) .

** 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)
Share Our Plate – November & December

For the months of November and December we supported Kingswood Community Center with our donation of $1391.50. Since 1946, Kingswood has been supporting the Riverside neighborhood in Wilmington with a wide array of social services. Learn more about this organization HERE (https://kgwcc.org/) .
Thank you for your support.

** 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)

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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Mill Creek Weekly News – January 9, 2025

Mill Creek Weekly News – January 9, 2025