** Sunday Worship Service Information July 21, 2024 10:30 am
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It is a troubling era for our nation: it’s clear that our witness has never been more needed, that our words and actions must be strong in this time and place. Let’s do it together! What are you willing to put on the line to make our dreams come true? Join Rev. Christian this Sunday for his sermon, “Moving Forward.” Music for this service will be performed by Melanie Elizabeth Bates. A native of the Washington, DC metropolitan area, Melanie is a violinist dedicated to amplifying music written by Black composers and believes that music has the power to transform our overall well-being. She strives to make a meaningful connection with every person in the audience and cherishes every opportunity to share her passion through performances for assisted living facilities, youth groups, and other community organizations. The violin brings an amazing sense of balance and purpose to Melanie’s life. Having played violin when she was younger, she always had the dream of resuming her practice. In 2020, she discovered Levine School of Music and enrolled in private lessons, providing the opportunity to perform in recitals and juries. She eventually joined Levine’s Adult String Ensemble. Melanie is the owner of Melanie Bates Consulting LLC, a strategic policy and communications firm with an overall focus on criminal justice reform. Melanie is a Past President of the Greater Washington Area Chapter of the Women’s Lawyers Division of the National Bar Association (GWAC). She currently serves as a Councilmember for the American Bar Association’s Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Hampton University and a Juris Doctor from North Carolina Central University School of Law. 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)
** Dick Burgess Memorial
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A memorial for our beloved member Dick Burgess will be held in the memorial gardens this Sunday, July 21 at approximately 11:45 (after church service). The Burgess family invites Mill Creek members and friends to attend a short ceremony and scattering of the ashes.
** Church Social Event Opportunities
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Have you heard of it? Have you played it? Dungeons & Dragons is a tabletop role-playing game where players explore fantasy worlds and embark on epic quests. If the idea of exploring castles, casting fireballs, fighting monsters, avoiding traps and so on sounds fun to you, come to an introductory meeting this Sunday, June 21st from 12:00 noon to 2pm in the library. If you have questions in the meantime, see or contact event coordinator Tom Vincent (mailto:trv302@outlook.com?subject=Dungeons%20%26%20Dragons) . Weekday Kayak Paddle and Hike Join your fellow congregants for a fun 1-hour kayak paddle followed by a 1–3-mile hike at beautiful Lums Pond State Park on Thursday, August 22. We will meet at church at 9:00 am with the goal of carpooling as space permits. Bring your own kayak or you can rent one (rental fees are $10/hour for a single kayak and $12/hour for a tandem; rental is on a first come, first served basis; ID is required). Wear a bathing suit or shorts and sturdy water shoes/sneakers you don’t mind getting wet, sunscreen, and a hat. Remember to bring your hiking shoes for the hike, plus a bag lunch and water. Lums Pond State Park parking fees: $4 in-state, $8 out-of-state, free for annual parks passholders. Reserve your spot for this event – click HERE (mailto:margaret_bodine@comcast.net?subject=Lums%20Pond%20Kayak%20%26%20Hike) Did you know…? Lums Pond is Delaware’s largest freshwater pond! Learn more about the pond, the park, and the surrounding area HERE (https://destateparks.com/PondsRivers/LumsPond) .
** Meadow Event this Fall
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(it will be here before you know it!) Save the Date! We will be hosting a presentation and meadow tour of our property on Saturday, September 7, 9:00 – 11:00 am. The discussion and tour will be led by Kerry Wilson, Habitat Outreach Manager for the Delaware Nature Society, and is being co-sponsored by the Newark Interfaith Green Team. The purpose of this event is to promote the importance of planting native trees and plants and learn strategies to transform lawn areas to native habitat and pollinator gardens. This will be a free event, open to the public, and kid-friendly with activities to encourage their learning and interest in nature. We need help to make this event a success: welcome table, kids programming, AV needs, refreshments, and more. See or contact Jamie Kegerise if you can help – click the contact button below. Contact Jamie HERE (mailto:jamie.newarkcoho@gmail.com?subject=meadow%20event)
** Sound Bath Meditation
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Sound Bath Meditation is an ancient practice using instruments (gong, singing bowls, chimes and more) to create a soundscape that can help you relax and meditate. The power of the sound will bathe you and reverberate through your body, awaken your senses, help restore balance, relieve stress and anxiety, and create a soundscape that is both soothing and uplifting. Join meditation leader Jeff Brown here at Mill Creek on Monday, August 12 at 7 pm for a one hour sound experience that is personal to each participant. Bring a yoga mat or blanket with a small pillow for your comfort. Seating is also available. Cost is $25 per person. Register and make payment HERE (https://app.ubindi.com/Jeff.Brown) Have questions? Contact Jeff Brown HERE (mailto:sotsministryde@gmail.com?subject=sound%20bath%20meditation%20at%20Mill%20Creek)
** Call for Artists
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We are looking for artwork from our local community to exhibit in the sanctuary and gathering space. Seasonal themes are encouraged as we are displaying artwork to coincide with the equinox and solstice calendar. Larger sizes are preferred for the bigger walls. Contact Jo Redbird HERE (mailto:redbirdartlab@gmail.com) for more information.
** Our 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 July and August we are supporting: Black & Indigenous Birthworkers of Delaware Supporting Families Throughout the Circle of Life This organization believes that supporting mothers and future mothers from a whole perspective and connecting families to the lost traditional modalities will create an environment of peace. It is their mission to educate, advocate and support the entire family and community in the areas of fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, self-care healing, end of life, herbal & nutritional wellness. Learn more about Black & Indigenous Birthworkers of DE HERE (https://traditionaldoula.com/) 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)
** OWL Program for 8th-9th Graders
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Cassie Lengel, Director of Lifespan Faith Development the Unitarian Congregation in West Chester, Pennsylvania is inviting Mill Creek 8th and 9th graders to their OWL program. Parents who are interested in this program may contact Cassie directly. Cassie Lengel (she/her/hers) Director of Lifespan Faith Development Unitarian Congregation of West Chester (UCWC) (https://ucwc.org/) 501 South High Street West Chester, PA 19382 Contact Cassie by email HERE (mailto:dlfd@ucwc.org?subject=OWL%20program)
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) F
un 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