Here’s what’s happening at Mill Creek:
** Congregational Life
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** Upcoming events, meetings and news to know
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** Calling All Ordinary Heroes!
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Our 2024 Generosity Campaign officially ended November 12. But as of today, we have received just 49 pledges totaling $127,300. (By comparison, we ended the 2023 campaign with 79 pledges totaling $183,000.)
Based on what we have collected so far, we will struggle to finance even the bare necessities needed to keep our church home open and operational.
Our annual mortgage and current payroll expenses total $96,000 (approximately). Here are some of our other expenses:
* Realm: $1,500
* Phone/Internet: $1,800
* Garbage & Recycling: $840
* Grass Cutting: $2,400
* Liability & Worker Compensation Insurance: $6,600
* Routine Janitorial Service: $9,100
* Water/Sewer: $2,500
* UUA Annual Program Fund: $11,400
The mortgage and payroll expenses plus the costs listed above total $132,140.
NOT included are the following costs:
* Office supplies & postage
* Building supplies & repairs
* Electricity & gas
* Snow plowing
* Sunday programming (speakers, musicians, supplies)
* Music Director salary
* Increased salary for settled minister
* Technology costs & upgrades
* And more
Please, please, please support this campaign by getting your pledge in today or tomorrow. You can make your pledge through Realm (click the button below), by returning your pledge form, or even by emailing your intended pledge amount to the church office (administrator@uusmc.org (mailto:administrator@uusmc.org) ).
This weekend, the generosity team has to begin the exhausting and awkward task of calling those who haven’t pledged. Please send your pledge in beforehand and save us all! I believe in you all, believe that ultimately we will raise what we need to keep this place going.
Fran Gulino
Generosity Team
Have questions for Fran? You can contact her HERE (mailto:frangu302@gmail.com) .
Pledge Now! (https://onrealm.org/MillCreek/give/2024Pledge)
** Concert this Friday: Uncle Henry’s Favorites
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Brandywine Friends of Old Time Music brings the second of four concerts to Mill Creek on Friday, November 17 at 8:00 pm when they will host Uncle Henry’s Favorites.
For over 30 years, the members of this band from Charlottesville, Virginia have devoted their lives to the tradition of old time music and bring not only a great deal of sensitivity but also plenty of spirit and humor in the vein of past performers. Pete Vigour performs on fiddle and guitar, Ellen Vigour on mandolin, Jim Childress on fiddle and guitar, and mark Beall on bass fiddle. Bring the whole family for an evening of entertainment you won’t forget!
Tickets on sale at the door:
General Public, $25
Seniors, $20
Students with ID, $15
Ages 17 & under, FREE!
Take a listen to the band HERE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTvDhLQxHio)
** Electronic Pledge Payments in Realm –
Important Things to Know
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Realm offers a convenient way to make ongoing pledge payments by setting up a recurring giving schedule. As we transition from one pledge year to the next, it is important that recurring giving schedules are accurate.
In all cases the new giving fund will need to be updated (2024 Generosity Campaign). In some cases the monthly payment amount will also need adjusting (if you’ve made an increase in your monthly payment amount for example).
Realm has implemented security measures for your protection which limit the kinds of changes we can make to your electronic payments. For more information about updating your giving schedule, CLICK HERE (https://www.uusmc.org/wp-content/uploads/Updating-Your-Pledge-Info-in-Realm.pdf) .
** Share Our Bounty Another Success
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We collected a little more than 200 pounds of non-perishable food items which was evenly distributed to Kennett Area Community Service Food Closet and the Food Bank of Delaware. Thank you for Lauri Rickard and Becky Varlas for making the deliveries. And thanks to everyone who donated food – your support is appreciated.
** Mill Creek Pastoral Care Committee
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What it is: the committee is designed to assist Mill Creek members during a short-term health care emergency, a temporary incapacitation, a short-term emotional support, or an unexpected financial need.
Who is on the committee: the committee is comprised of our minister and congregation members : Rev. Christian Schmidt, Steve Selph, Jenn Broomfield, Dana Broadway, Ayliah Cannon, Ann Draper, Jay Karabin, and Janice Buckwalter.
How it works: the first point of contact for someone experiencing a pastoral care need would be the minister. The minister keeps information and communications confidential unless those seeking assistance agree to welcome help and support from the congregation. The Pastoral Care Team is ready to organize assistance as required.
Ways the committee can help: If the need is financial, the minister has access to a limited amount of church funds comprised of donations by church members; these funds include the Agape Fund and the Minister’s Discretionary Fund. If the need is support during a health emergency or temporary incapacitation, the Pastoral Care Team will organize to deliver meals, provide transportation to medical appointments, or provide other support. If the need is a sympathetic ear, the minister (minister@uusmc.org (mailto:minister@uusmc.org) ), church office (administrator@uusmc.org (mailto:administrator@uusmc.org) or 302-369-2712), or the Pastoral Care team (pastoralcare@uusmc.org (mailto:pastoralcare@uusmc.org) ) may be contacted, and someone will respond and listen.
How YOU can help: Anyone who is interested in becoming a member of the Pastoral Care Team and willing to provide support as described above should contact Rev. Christian (minister@uusmc.org (mailto:minister@uusmc.org) ) or the team (pastoralcare@uusmc.org (mailto:pastoralcare@uusmc.org) ).
** Land Steward Group News
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The church has purchased a new tumbler compost bin, and we will be assembling it this Sunday after church. We would love to have anyone come by to help and see the new composter and learn a bit about the process.
Our next meeting will be held Sunday, December 3, after coffee time, and anyone is welcome to attend. Contact Jamie Kegerise (mailto:jamie.newarkcoho@gmail.com) for more information.
** We’re Hiring!
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Would you like to hear music consistent with Sunday’s message?
Do you want to see more church members performing on Sundays?
Can you envision the return of an active choir?
All of these things can happen if we have a permanent Music Director on staff. Music has always been a big part of our story here at Mill Creek and you can help us fill the void!
Because the search is local, we will need to take advantage of every medium, network, platform, and resource to get the word out to optimize our chances of finding someone who is available and qualified. Here’s how you can help:
Use the link below to view the specifics of the position as shown on the church website. Then, feature it on your own social media platforms, share the link with friends and family, and mention the position in face-to-face conversations. Or simply encourage anyone who might be interested to contact us about the position: music@uusmc.org (mailto:music@uusmc.org)
A permanent Music Director will be a great benefit to our church’s programs and activities, and will allow us the opportunity for better long-range planning. We all have a stake – please consider how you can help.
Learn about the Music Director position HERE (https://www.uusmc.org/job-opening-music-director/)
** Unity Youth at Mill Creek
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The Art Lab and Youth Lounge (blue room) are open exclusively for teens every Sunday, 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. ALL TEENS are welcome to be a part of Unity Youth to drop in and create — or just hang out. Bring a friend!
Have questions or want more info? Click Here. (mailto:arts@uusmc.org)
** 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 November and December we are supporting:
Deep Roots at Clairvaux Farm
Located on 20 acres in Cecil County, Maryland, Deep Roots serves as a homeless shelter for children and families in the community while providing case management and assistance to break the generational cycle of homelessness. Situated at Clairvaux Farm, this organization provides stable and safe transitional housing featuring private apartments for up to 12 families with children. They operate a free café, have an on-site thrift store and furniture exchange, offer after-school programing, plus a variety of support services and programs, all with a focus on their mission, “Ending homelessness one family & one child at a time.”
Learn more about Deep Roots here (https://deeprootsinc.org/)
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)
** Sunday Worship Service Information
November 19, 2023
10:30 am
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Diane Hofer, with support from Reverend Schmidt, will offer up a unique service which includes both a Transgender Day of Remembrance Ceremony and a Sermon exploring a broad range of topics relating to Transgender Awareness week. We will be using the “Big Screen” in the sanctuary to provide some wonderful music to support what promises to be a moving and enlightening service.
With Diane in the pulpit, you won’t want to miss this service!
Connect With Us In-Person
* Service begins at 10:30 am
* Children’s RE programming is available for ages 4 and up
* We are currently unable to offer Child Care (infant/toddler, ages 0 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 & easy access on Sunday morning), OR
* Get the link by accessing the church calendar (https://uusmc.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8c80a09d53a8aec43de675d26&id=a404d3fb3e&e=9e32ea5753) (https://www.uusmc.org/news/calendar/ (https://uusmc.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8c80a09d53a8aec43de675d26&id=3386b49cce&e=9e32ea5753) )
Sunday Livestream – CLICK HERE (https://zoom.us/j/97806427419)
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
** News from the UUA, the Central East Region, and the Delmarva Cluster
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** Locate a UU Church Wherever You Are
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Photo: Live Oak UU Fellowship in Oakland, California
If your holiday plans include travel, you can find a UU service to attend at a church near you by clicking the button below. The UUA provides a search tool that will allow you to search for UU churches by state, region, or country. International and online congregations, too.
Find a UU Congregation HERE (https://www.uua.org/find)
https://www.uua.org/central-east
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Opportunities for Connection: Central East Region Update
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NOVEMBER 2023
Featured Resource:
UUA Common Read
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-1123)