Read our latest announcement.
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:
** Congregational Life
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** Upcoming events, meetings and news to know
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** Sunday Worship Service Information
September 15, 2024
10:30 am
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Welcoming people in is the art of hospitality, something our congregation believes to be core to its identity. Join Rev. Schmidt for an exploration of themes of hospitality and his sermon, “Be Our Guest.”
Music for the morning will be performed by Joanna McCoskey Wiltshire, a clarinetist, educator, performer, and conductor based in Wilmington, DE. She is on the clarinet faculty at the Music School of Delaware and most recently taught at the University of Delaware (UD). She is currently ABD as a DMA candidate at UNC Greensboro studying clarinet performance. Joanna currently serves as the Delaware State Chair for the International Clarinet Association. In 2020, Joanna completed a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Clarinet Performance from UNC Greensboro. Joanna received M.M. degrees in Clarinet and Wind Conducting Performance in 2018 from UD. Prior to returning to school for her Master’s, Joanna was a middle school band director at Seaford Middle School in Seaford, DE. She also received her B.M. in Music Education from UD in 2014. During her time there, Joanna served as the principal clarinetist of both the Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra, along with conducting the UD Collegiate Band,
Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band and Clarinet Ensemble.
A word about Covid-19 Precautions: now that the weather has turned nicer, we are planning on opening the windows in the sanctuary each Sunday morning. (Even on warmer days, the sanctuary will be fairly cool as a result of cooler evenings.) This will bring fresh air into the space while reducing our energy costs. On cooler mornings, we recommend you bring a sweater or jacket. Masking is optional but certainly welcome should anyone feel the need to wear one. We have a small supply of masks located in the gathering space. As always – if you feel sick, we encourage you to consider staying home and participate in our Sunday service via livestream.
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)
** Caregiving Workshop this Sunday
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Join Jamaican folk artist and Delaware resident Eunice LaFate this Sunday, September 15 at 1 pm for “The HeArt of Caregiving” – a caregiving workshop. Eunice will be sharing how she used her art to turn her grief into growth. As a caregiver for her late husband, Eunice has experienced first hand the impact and pain caregivers can experience. By channeling her creative spirit she has become a beacon of light for those going through similar experiences.
Eunice LaFate is an educator, artist, former banker, human services administrator, writer, storyteller, and public speaker on Folk Art and Culture. A Jamaican born self taught artist, Eunice’s vibrant art in acrylic, and watercolor, portrays folk culture and human diversity. Eunice is the Owner of LaFate Gallery Vision Center on Market Street in Wilmington, where she offers a range of programs for children and adults.
Everyone is welcome to attend.
** Miqui Ambrose
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September 13, 1948 –
September 4, 2024
Migdalia “Miqui” Ambrose, a past member of the Mill Creek church, has died. Miqui lived in North Star and joined our congregation in 2008.
A visitation will be held this Saturday, September 14, at Mealey Funeral Home (https://www.mealeyfuneralhomes.com/) , 2509 Limestone Road, Wilmington, DE 19808, from 2:00pm to 3:00pm, followed by a memorial service at 3:00pm. Burial will be private. The full obituary can be read HERE (https://www.mealeyfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/Migdalia-Ambrose?obId=33010290) .
** Meadow Tour
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Jamie Kegerise (pictured, far right) welcomed a group of people on Saturday, September 7 who were interested in learning more about our meadow and grounds. The event was coordinated with the Delaware Nature Center and was an opportunity to introduce people to the natural treasure that surrounds our church.
** Sound Bath Meditation Series Cancelled
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Jeff Brown’s sound bath meditation session scheduled for Monday, September 16 has been cancelled. Future classes will not be scheduled in the immediate future. However, Jeff remains hopeful that he will resume the sessions soon.
** Ways to Get More Involved at Church
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The Board of Trustees is actively searching for people to coordinate and/or participate in two very important areas of church life: Membership Committee, and the 2025 Generosity Campaign.
The Membership Committee plays an important ongoing role in welcoming visitors and new members, helping them feel involved, and promoting participation. Committee members greet visitors each Sunday and follow up, hold New Unitarian Universalist (UU) classes as well as membership ceremonies at least twice a year, help visitors and members find places to connect within the congregation, and maintain contact with friends and members who come irregularly.
The 2025 Generosity Campaign, the annual church pledge drive, requires a limited investment of time. It involves setting a goal and creating a plan for the campaign, promoting the drive, creatively engaging members and friends to make a pledge of support, and developing a plan for follow-up.
If you have an interest in either of these areas, or have questions, please see any board member, or send an email to board@uusmc.org (mailto:board@uusmc.org)
Why does the church need volunteers?
* volunteers are crucial to the operation and development of church communities
* volunteers provide essential support for many church operations, by…
* helping to maintain a welcoming and dynamic church atmosphere
* promoting spiritual growth
* ensuring the church lives its mission, AND…
* meeting the needs of the congregation
What will volunteering do for you?
* help boost your self esteem
* expand your connections with others
* teach new skills or allow you to use and sharpen the skills you already have
* set a good example by encouraging others to volunteer, AND…
* will make you feel good!
Simply put:
WE CAN’T DO IT WITHOUT YOU
** Judy Cronin Memorial Service
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A Celebration of Life Service for founding member Judy Cronin will be held at Mill Creek on Saturday, September 21, at 10:30 am, with luncheon to follow. Everyone is welcome to attend.
** Come to Our Autumn Equinox Celebration
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All are welcome!
Questions? Contact Regina Guarino. (mailto:regina139@msn.com)
At this time of year, our ancestors gave thanks for harvest and stored provisions for winter. Now, we give thanks for the harvest, for the inner fruits of awareness, and we take stock of ourselves, what inner resources we will store for winter days. We’ll share in a broom ritual, sweeping away what doesn’t feed us, aligning with the themes of harvest and balance.
** Climate Justice Revival
at Mill Creek
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Join us for the first-ever UU Climate Justice Revival
Saturday and Sunday, September 28 & 29
Saturday features four hours of facilitated discussions and small breakout groups imagining what Mill Creek can do in our work for Climate Justice. Lunch will be served on Saturday. Sunday will include a multigenerational worship celebration and completion of our work that will describe the steps our congregation decides to take.
Please take a moment to listen and view to a brief invitation from our UUA President, the Reverend Dr. Sofia Betancourt HERE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zI1x1T88j4g) .
Note that our work will be mirrored in the work of some 300 Unitarian Universalist congregations across the nation, and that the leadership of Mill Creek is investing time and energy to create a successful and fulfilling weekend. So that we can plan lunch for everybody, please sign up for the Saturday workshop by clicking the button below. No sign-up is needed for Sunday.
I will be there! (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfg00bKPZVcBhO7czDZjC9cPaHPPEpc7cPe2qeUtYJgePMidA/viewform?pli=1)
We hope you will attend this very important and collaborative experience!
** Vision Board Crafting Event
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The Fellowship & Fun Committee invites you to get crafty at our October event! Participants will make a vision board –a collage of images, pictures, and affirmations that represent your dreams and desires. Make your vision board a source of inspiration and motivation for living your life. Scissors and glue skills required, along with a playful, creative attitude. Please bring old magazines if you have them. All are welcome to participate in this fun and creative gathering, including kids 12+. Mark your calendar and join us on Wednesday, October 2 at 6:30 pm in the sanctuary. See or contact Regina Guarino (mailto:regina139@msn.com) with questions & RSVP.
** October Social Event – Save the Date!
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A CHILI COOK-OFF, our first themed potluck, takes place on Saturday, October 12 at 5 pm. We hope to have at least 4-6 participants prepare their signature chili dishes in hopes of winning our coveted “2024 Chili Master Extraordinaire” bragging rights. There will be voting! Please register your dinner contribution by clicking the button below (or see the poster in the gathering space for the QR code).
If you will be attending the Drum Circle scheduled for the SAME DAY at 4 pm, please plan to stay for this exciting contest – and for good food and fellowship!
Register your Potluck Dish HERE (let us know what you will bring) (https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/781484364064/false#/invitation)
Have questions? Don’t want to bother with an online sign-up form? Contact the committee by email – CLICK HERE (mailto:fellowship@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 & October we are supporting:
Kennett Area Community Service
Strengthening the Southern Chester County community through food, housing, crisis services, and education
From their humble beginnings with a small food closet to their current campaign for a newly constructed building, this non-profit organization has been providing essential life-sustaining services to those in need for 70 years. This new building will feature conference rooms for a variety of workshops, respite services for the community, an expanded food distribution center, and more.
Learn more about Kennett Area Community Service HERE (https://kacsimpact.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)
** Recurring Events
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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. Like those games, D&D is driven by imagination. It’s about picturing the towering castle beneath the stormy night sky and imagining how a fantasy adventurer might react to the challenges that scene presents.
Unlike a game of make-believe, D&D gives structure to the stories, a way of determining the consequences of the adventurers’ action. Players roll dice to resolve whether their attacks hit or miss or whether their adventurers can scale a cliff, roll away from the strike of a magical lightning bolt, or pull off some other dangerous task. Anything is possible, but the dice make some outcomes more probable than others.
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, September 15 & 29 at 12 pm in classroom 1. Occurs every 2 weeks on Sundays. Questions? Contact Tom Vincent (mailto:trv302@outlook.com) .
Drum Circle: a group of people playing unrehearsed percussion music
A drum circle is a casual gathering where people play drums and other percussion instruments together to create a group rhythm. The goal is to bring people together to experience the positive benefits of playing unrehearsed music in the moment, and to connect with others through the beat. Drum circles are open to people of all ages and abilities, and no musical experience is required.
All are welcome to join in, 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, September 14 at 4 pm in the sanctuary. Occurs monthly on second Saturdays. See or contact Sara Durham (mailto:saradurham88@gmail.com) with any questions.
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
** UU Climate Justice Revival
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Our faith calls on us to act for love; and the revival is a way we can come together for a unified planet-loving purpose so we can make a difference for ourselves, our community, and even, perhaps, those policy makers.
-Rev. Abhi Janamanchi, Senior Minister, Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Bethesda, Maryland
Learn more about this nationwide event HERE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcVF1pDMPlQ)
https://www.uua.org/central-east
**
Opportunities for Connection: Central East Region Update
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SEPTEMBER 2024
Featured Resource:
Sermon of the Month Series
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-924)
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