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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.
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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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** Land Stewardship Meeting this Sunday
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Everyone is welcome to join us this Sunday, October 29^th after service to discuss our meadow and grounds and to help with planning our efforts to maintain a healthy native habitat.
We’ve been fortunate this year to have more people coming out to help, and we try to balance some work with enjoyment of nature, learning together, and enjoying the fellowship of each other’s company. We’ll meet in the conference room following coffee hour.
After our meeting we plan to walk the meadow – please bring appropriate footwear if you are able to join us.
Contact Jamie Kegerise (mailto:Jamie.NewarkCoho@gmail.com) with questions.
** Lunch with Rev. Christian
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Everyone is welcome to join our minister for lunch on Tuesday, November 7 at 12 noon. The main dish will be a Texas favorite: King Ranch Casserole. It’s chicken, corn tortillas, a cheesy sauce, and mild peppers (and gluten free!). It’s a low-pressure time to be together, talk, and share a meal. Join us!
** Share Our Bounty:
Now through Sunday, November 12
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We are supporting the Food Bank of Delaware (https://www.fbd.org/) and Kennett Area Community Service Food Cupboard (https://kacsimpact.org/) (in PA) with our donations of non-perishable food items now through Sunday, November 12.
In past years we’ve assembled individual family-sized food boxes designed to provide a full Thanksgiving meal. After consulting with these two organizations, we’ve decided to collect the food items most needed by each one (like hot & cold cereals, spaghetti/tomato sauce, peanut butter, etc.), plus Thanksgiving standards (such as canned cranberry sauce, instant mashed potatoes, canned/jarred gravy, etc.).
Look for the collection bin in the gathering space where you can pick up a printed flyer containing a list of acceptable food items. OR – click the button below. See or contact Becky Varlas (mailto:rebeccavarlas@gmail.com?subject=share%20our%20bounty) with any questions about this project.
Thank you for your support!
Click HERE to see the full list of non-perishable food items (https://www.uusmc.org/wp-content/uploads/Share-Our-Bounty-2023.pdf)
** 2024 Generosity Campaign Underway
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Are you an Ordinary Hero?
Forms for the upcoming 2024 pledge year have been mailed to Mill Creek members and Friends.
To make your pledge of support for this Campaign you may:
* return the form in the envelope provided, or
* place the form in the offering plate, or
* place the form in the collection box, or
* email your pledge info to administrator@uusmc.org (mailto:administrator@uusmc.org) , or
* make your pledge TODAY by clicking the link below
Pledge Now! (https://onrealm.org/MillCreek/give/2024Pledge)
The Finance Team is hoping to have all pledges received by Sunday, November 12 – this gives the team adequate time to prepare the budget for 2024.
Feel free to contact the church office with questions.
Thank you for your support!
** A Word About the Church Calendar
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All church and rental events are featured on the church calendar. The calendar can be accessed via the website, www.uusmc.org. At the top of the screen, access the ‘News & Events’ drop-down menu, then select calendar (https://www.uusmc.org/news/calendar/).
If you have an event or meeting you’d like to schedule, contact the church office (administrator@uusmc.org (mailto:administrator@uusmc.org) ) with the details (date, time, duration, desired meeting room, etc.).
** Concert Series Continues Next Month
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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)
** 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 September and October we are supporting:
Sean’s House
Located at 136 W. Main Street in Newark, Sean’s House is a free resource for young adults ages 14-24. It is a home-like space designed to help members of our community improve their health and wellbeing and connect with their peers in a safe and confidential environment. Support is available 24/7 for young adults to talk about mental health or substance use challenges with other young adult Peer Specialists who have lived experience with similar challenges. The goal of these services is to improve wellness, empower members of the community, and connect young adults to resources and communities of support that meet their specific needs, with the hope of reducing the rate of youth suicide by providing a place for young adults to feel safe, welcomed, and supported.
Our donations will support the Sean’s House Peer24 Program, a training program designed to provide the skills necessary to offer the high level of support offered to visitors.
We know that in order to fight darkness, we need a team of light. A team full of family, friends, and mental health specialists with a common goal to support those who are currently fighting their own darkness.
Learn more about Sean’s House here (https://seanshousesl24.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)
** Sunday Worship Service Information
October 29, 2023
10:30 am
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Monsters have played a prominent role in our stories and literature since the beginning of time. From ancient sagas to modern horror, monsters reflect real fears in society taken to great extremes. Join Rev. Christian Schmidt as he explores monsters in our world and how we can put them to flight!
Music for this service will be performed by returning musician Bensen Kwan. Bensen is a Houston-based percussionist who holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Houston. He has been a featured soloist with the West Point Band and U.S. Army Field Band and has been named a winner of the Mika Hasler Young Artist Competition, second prize in the Frances Walton Competition, winner of the University of Delaware concerto competition, and winner of the Philadelphia International Music Festival Concerto Competition. He is currently pursuing a masters at the University of Delaware.
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
** Happening in Our Local Community
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** American Red Cross: More than a Century of Service
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The American Red Cross is a non-profit humanitarian organization that has been providing emergency assistance, disaster relief, and disaster preparedness education in the United States since 1881. They help to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors. The Delmarva Chapter, our local chapter, spans three states providing lifesaving services to more than 1.4 million people across the Peninsula.
The Red Cross declared a national blood shortage in September 2023, citing a critically low blood supply level that dropped nearly 25% from the previous month. Donors of all blood types are urgently needed. Use the links below to find out how you can assist.
To find a blood drive near you, use the Red Cross simple search tool, click below:
Find a Blood Drive Near You (https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=19711)
Or make an appointment at a time and place that suits you:
Make an Appointment (https://www.redcrossblood.org/)
There’s an app for that! The Red Cross blood donor app can be used to find and map local blood drives, make easy appointments, stay updated with special promotions, and keep track of your own donations.
Learn about the App (https://www.redcrossblood.org/blood-donor-app.html)
** News from the UUA, the Central East Region, and the Delmarva Cluster
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** UUA Statement on the Humanitarian Catastrophe
in Gaza and Israel
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The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) joins the chorus of voices urging an immediate and total ceasefire, the admittance of humanitarian aid, and the restoration of power and water to Gaza to prevent the further staggering loss of human life that is inevitable under the current conditions.
Read the full press release HERE (https://www.uua.org/pressroom/press-releases/catastrophe-gaza-and-israel)
https://www.uua.org/central-east
**
Opportunities for Connection: Central East Region Update
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OCTOBER 2023
Featured Resource:
Disaster Relief Fund
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-923)
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** Website (https://www.uusmc.org)
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