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Unitarian Universalist Society of Mill Creek
We are a community that invites you to awaken to love.
IN THIS ISSUE
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This week, we invite you:
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.
** Congregational Life
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** Upcoming events, meetings and news to know
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** Potluck Lunch this Sunday
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April 16th
Everyone is encouraged to remain with us after the worship service this Sunday for our monthly potluck lunch. Bring a main or side dish, salad, finger food, dessert, or beverage to share if you like.
** Transition Committee Update
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Thank you to those who have responded to Step 2 of our “Virtual Dialogue.” For those who chose to participate, you should have received Step 3, a unique aspect of this process. Step 3 provides a customized, personalized subset of opinions where there is misalignment. Each person will receive a different subset based on your responses in Step 2 compared to others. We are seeking reasoning, insights, and experience to help the transition planning process.
When responding to Step 3, you may find it helpful to read and consider the Mill Creek Values, Beliefs and Mission statement. You can find it on the church website (www.uusmc.org/about/) or you can easily access it here (https://www.uusmc.org/about/) .
The deadline for Step 3 is Sunday, April 16. Thank you for your participation!
On Sunday, April 23, after the worship service, Tracy Morgan will share the results that the Transition Committee will use as it begins planning. The presentation will last approximately 45 minutes. It will also be recorded and featured on the church YouTube channel.
** Volunteer Spotlight
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Many thanks to Chris Hull, for his continued support of the Religious Exploration (RE) program.
Chris has been supporting the RE program nearly every Sunday this year to ensure we have two adults in the classroom providing enriching and engaging lessons for our youngest UUs. He has volunteered his time without being asked and the parents who bring young ones to church on Sundays are SO grateful! When you see Chris, say Thank you!
** SERVICE AUCTION UPDATES
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Donations Still Needed
We are collecting donations for both the live and silent auctions. After all, without items to bid on, there would be no auction! Contact our auction specialist, David Bonner (david@DLSK.net – or use the link below), today with your donations, or questions.
Click HERE to donate today! (mailto:david@dlsk.net)
Volunteer Commitments Needed
Friday May 5: set-up of all tables & chairs.
Saturday May 6: set-up of online auction items for pick-up by winning bidders; ticket sales at the door, including assignment & distribution of auction paddles (1 additional volunteer needed); beverage table set-up and tending; breakdown & final cleanup.
Click HERE to let us know how you can help (mailto:jcab621@gmail.com)
Tickets On Sale Now Stop by the table in the gathering space this Sunday to get your tickets at the advance price of $20 each, payable with cash, or by check to ‘UUSMC’ (or pay $25 at the door on auction day). Or….use the link below to purchase yours online.
Click HERE to purchase your tickets (https://onrealm.org/MillCreek/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=ZTFjOWRiYzgtNDU4OC00OTQ3LWI3NzAtYWZkYjAwZmQ2YWRj)
New This Year: 50/50 Raffle! Tickets On Sale Now
Tickets for our 50/50 Raffle will be on sale every Sunday prior to Auction day. Get yours!
If you have any questions about your donations, the process, or anything related to the Auction, feel free to reach out to our Auction Specialist, David Bonner, by CLICKING HERE (mailto:david@dlsk.net) .
Mark your calendar and plan to join us on Saturday, May 6th!
Did you know…? Service Auction tickets make great gifts and are a wonderful way to introduce Mill Creek to others. Purchase extra tickets for your friends, family and neighbors!
** Mill Creek Meadow Comes Alive!
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Weekly Meadow Maintenance Resumes
Join us on any Wednesday at 5:30 pm to help us maintain the health and vibrancy of our meadows (the time will be pushed back as the season progresses). Bring work gloves, clippers & general garden tools, and a kneeling pad if you have one.
Annual Meadow Mowing Day
Join us on Friday, April 21 at 9:00 am to pitch in. We are looking for help caring for the newer trees that we planted over the past couple of years, and also for help with removal of invasive plants.
Contact Jamie Kegerise (mailto:jamie@dsofurniture.com) or Amy White (mailto:amywwhite@comcast.net) with any questions you have.
Amy White Captures the Miracle of Bee Pollination
“I took the bottom 3 photos on a recent Sunday while weeding around the daffodils in the back garden bed. I didn’t notice it when I took the photos, but you can see how this illustrates flower pollination by a native bee.”
Photo 1 – bee entering the flower.
Photo 2 – bee inside the flower where it can reach the nectar (and inadvertently brushing up against the pollen-bearing anthers (https://www.trees.com/gardening-and-landscaping/flowers) ).
Photo 3 – back of bee covered with pollen, some of which will be rubbed off inside the next flower the bee visits.
** Choir Volunteers Needed for Special Service
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We’re seeking volunteers to participate in Rev. Greg’s final service on Sunday, June 25th when we plan to include a Farewell Choir Send-Off.
If you’ve ever sung in the church choir, or any choir at all, we’d love to have you be a part of this special event to honor Rev. Greg and benefit the whole Mill Creek community! Help us remember what real choir music sounds like and give Rev. Greg a royal send-off with our blessing. We will perform two or three pieces. Some preparation will be necessary, but the music should be fairly easy to learn, and will be familiar to former choir members. Click the button below to let us know you’d like to participate.
I want to sing! (mailto:music@uusmc.org?subject=special%20choir%20event)
**
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 March and April we are supporting:
Conscious Connections, Inc.
Conscious Connections (CCI) is a black-owned urban farm located in Wilmington, Delaware. Their mission is to uplift underserved and marginalized populations through exposure, education, and economic opportunities in the arts and agriculture.
They offer a variety of youth programs and engage young adults in farm-based training and experience which is designed to prepare them for work in agriculture, landscaping, and maintenance. They also offer seasonal Market Fresh Boxes during the summer months, host community workshops such as candle-making using wax procured from their beehive and sell the honey it produces. They give back to the community by having clothing and meal giveaways coordinated with local residents. By their outreach efforts and offering a safe place for local youth, CCI is contributing to the quality of life for many.
Learn more about CCI here (https://www.consciousconnectionsinc.com/)
Support this organization with your online donation HERE. Be sure to select ‘Share Our Plate’ as the giving fund. (https://onrealm.org/MillCreek/-/give/now)
** Sunday Worship Service Information
April 16, 2023
10:30 am
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Join Rev. Greg Pelley
as he shares his sermon:
This Sunday we invite everyone to join us and stand together as a community as we welcome several new members to our congregation.
Music for the morning will be performed by returning musician Aaron McCloskey, and Mill Creek member Isabella Weber.
Connect With Us In-Person
10:30 am
* Service begins at 10:30 am
* Masking protocol will be posted at each entrance
* 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. Gregory S. Pelley, Minister
minister@uusmc.org (mailto:minister@uusmc.org)
302-369-2712
To request an in-person, teleconference or Zoom meeting with Rev. Greg, use the link below to schedule:
Request a meeting with Rev. Greg – click HERE (http://calendly.com/gpelley)
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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** Annual Delaware Interfaith Peace Walk
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Newark Interfaith Council Invites You…
Let’s meet.
To walk and Talk.
Together…As One.
Regardless of faith, beliefs, color, or race.
To nurture peace and nourish harmony.
To Grow love and build mutual respect.
The annual Walk DE Talk, held on Sunday, April 23rd at 1:00 pm, begins in front of the Old College Hall on East Main Street in Newark and ends at the New Ark United Church of Christ, less than a mile away. Once there, everyone attending is welcome to share a message of love and peace. Afterward we gather to capture the moment with a group photo opportunity.
Click here to reserve a spot. (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/annual-delaware-interfaith-peace-walk-registration-534049555597)
** Free Tree to Delmarva Residential Customers
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Delmarva Power is collaborating with the Arbor Day Foundation and is once again sponsoring the Energy-Saving Trees Program, which provides one free tree to DPL residential customers.
You read that right – A FREE TREE!
It is a unique program designed to help you better understand where to plant trees on your property for maximum energy savings. The best part is, you get a tree delivered to your home – for free! Their interactive tool helps you to locate the best location on your property to maximize your energy savings.
Trees currently available:
Bald Cypress, Eastern Redbud, Red Maple, River Birch
Click the button below to get started in 4 easy steps. They go fast – reserve your free tree today!
Reserve your FREE TREE here (https://energysavingtrees.arborday.org/?partnerCode=07020#Start)
** News from the UUA, the Central East Region, and the Delmarva Cluster
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** We Cannot Normalize Authoritarianism. We Must Protect Democracy.
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UUA President Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray responds to the recent vote of the TN House of Representatives to expel State Representatives Justin Jones and Justin Pearson because of their actions supporting gun safety advocates.
“Protesting is a First Amendment right in American society. The three State Representatives that the Tennessee House of Representatives sought to punish are not only exercising their own right to free speech, they are channeling their constituents’ anger, concern, and desire to act in favor of gun safety. They are representing the will of the people of their districts. In a very real sense, expelling them is not just meant to silence the individuals – it is also meant to punish and disenfranchise the people for which they speak. This is fundamentally and inexcusably a threat to our democracy, and the practices and norms upon which it functions.”
Read Rev. Frederick-Gray’s full statement HERE (https://www.uua.org/pressroom/press-releases/cannot-normalize-authoritarianism)
https://www.uua.org/central-east
**
Opportunities for Connection: Central East Region Update
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APRIL 2023
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://uua874.activehosted.com/index.php?action=social&chash=2d71b2ae158c7c5912cc0bbde2bb9d95.6022&s=8983449a6b0e04757c2c9729fa49f044)
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** Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/UUSMC)
** Website (https://www.uusmc.org)
** Instagram (http://instagram.com/millcreekuu)
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