Read our latest announcement.
Unitarian Universalist Society of Mill Creek
We are a community that invites you to awaken to love.
IN THIS ISSUE
Click on any topic of interest to jump to that particular announcement.
Or…continue scrolling so you don’t miss anything!
Here’s what’s happening at Mill Creek:
Editor’s Note:
If you do not see ‘Opportunities for Connection: Central East Region Update’ as the very last section of this email (look for the little purple map), you’re not seeing the whole email. You may need to click on ‘view entire message’, ‘view in browser’ or something similar, depending on your device and/or email provider.
** Congregational Life
————————————————————
** Upcoming events, meetings and news to know
————————————————————
** Sunday Worship Service Information
July 28, 2024
10:30 am
————————————————————
As requested by the congregation, Big Music Sunday is returning for the first time post-pandemic. This popular worship service will feature a variety of musical offerings by our own Mill Creek musicians along with some special guests.
Join us!
If music be the food of love, play on.
-William Shakespeare
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)
** Recurring Events
————————————————————
Drum Circle – This is a great way to create rhythm and energy, no matter what your skill level is. Please bring your own instrument or use what we have available. Open to all ages from 0-94. Join the group on Saturday, August 10 at 4 pm in the sanctuary. Occurs monthly on second Saturdays. See or contact Sara Durham (mailto:saradurham88@gmail.com) with any questions.
Dungeons & Dragons – This is a tabletop role-playing game where players explore fantasy worlds and embark on epic quests. All are welcome to join the group on Sunday, August 18 at 12 pm in classroom 1. Will occur every 2 weeks thereafter. Questions? Contact Tom Vincent (mailto:trv302@outlook.com) .
** 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)
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
————————————————————
(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)
** Sound Bath Meditation
————————————————————
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)
** Call for Artists
————————————————————
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
————————————————————
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)
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
** Hard, Brave Choices
————————————————————
This is a year in which hard, brave choices will be required of all of us.
In this week’s Braver/Wiser message, Martha Durkee-Neuman shares, “Our world is changing, so much is in flux. Increasingly we are faced with questions and decisions about our money, our time, our place in history, how we act, how we don’t act, what matters, what we give our attention to, what kind of world we’re building. We cannot afford to linger in front of all the candles aflame in front of us.”
Read the complete message HERE (https://www.uua.org/braverwiser/hard-brave-choices)
Braver/Wiser gives you weekly messages of courage and compassion for life as it is, delivered right to your inbox. Every Wednesday an original written reflection and brief prayer, grounded in Unitarian Universalism, is sent out to all subscribers. Join the Braver/Wiser community and sign up today (https://www.uua.org/braverwiser/subscribe) !
https://www.uua.org/central-east
**
Opportunities for Connection: Central East Region Update
————————————————————
JULY 2024
Featured Resource:
Chalice Lighter Program
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 to learn more (https://www.uua.org/central-east/blog/opportunities-724)
============================================================
** Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/UUSMC)
** Website (https://www.uusmc.org)
** Instagram (http://instagram.com/millcreekuu)