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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:
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** Congregational Life
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** Upcoming events, meetings and news to know
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** Social Justice Event this Saturday
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mailto:jpappenhagen@christianacare.org?subject=YWCA%20fundraising%20walk
The YWCA is sponsoring a fundraising walk this Saturday, June 10^th, 11 am to 2 pm at Glasgow Park (2275 Pulaski Hwy/Rt. 40, Newark DE).
This event aims to unite the community and like-minded advocates to celebrate and honor a significant historical event and educate attendees about the Y’s programs, initiatives, and the individuals and families they serve. The 2.6-mile walk (shortcuts available!) will highlight the history of Juneteenth, then end back at the park for an after-party which will include local vendors, music, raffle prizes, and giveaways.
Learn more about this event HERE (https://www.ywcade.org/event/journey-to-freedom-a-juneteenth-celebration-rsj-fundraising-walk/)
If you’re interested in participating in a Mill Creek team, please reach out to Judy Pappenhagen by email – click the button below.
Hey Judy…I’m IN!! (mailto:jpappenhagen@christianacare.org?subject=YWCA%20fundraising%20walk)
** Summer Campfire Season Kicks Off This Saturday Evening – with Ice Cream!
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Summer Campfires for all ages are back!
Our first event of the season is this Saturday, June 10, at 7:30 pm when we’re having an
Ice Cream Social.
The campfires are held in the Memorial Grove by the Nature Sign at the edge of the rear parking lot, weather permitting. (Note that this is a grassy area with a slight incline to reach the campfire site).
Join us for fellowship, singing, poetry reading and story-telling, and bring your own lawn or camp chair, blanket, and other comforts. Mark your calendar for our other campfire dates (all Saturdays): June 24 (Pride Service followed by campfire); July 8 & 22; August 5 &19. EVERYONE IS WELCOME. Contact Jamie Kegerise (mailto:jamie@dsofurniture.com) with questions.
** Join Us for Lunch this Sunday
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Everyone is encouraged to come to church on Sunday for Rev. Greg’s sermon, and plan to stay for our monthly potluck lunch.
Bring a main or side dish, a salad, beverages or dessert to share, if you like.
** New Member Classes
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Have you been thinking about membership? Are you wondering if perhaps now might be the right time to join the Mill Creek congregation?
If so, we welcome you to participate in Rev. Greg’s last orientation class:
Monday, June 12 @ 6:30-8:00 pm –
Meaning of Membership
Click the button below for the link to attend.
Click here for Orientation Classes (Zoom link) (https://georgetown.zoom.us/j/95383179518)
We welcome you to participate in our next New Member Ceremony on Sunday, June 18. Contact Jerry Bilton (mailto:jabilton@aol.com) for more information.
** Summer Solstice Celebration
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Join us as we celebrate the return of the sun on Wednesday, June 21 at 7 pm. We’ll begin with a ritual in the sanctuary, then go outdoors for a bonfire (weather permitting). Bring snacks & beverages to share. Contact Regina Guarino (mailto:regina139@msn.com?subject=summer%20solstice) with any questions, or if you’d like to help with the planning.
** Pride Service and Campfire
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Everyone is welcome to join us on Saturday, June 24th at 6:30 pm for a special Worship Service to celebrate Pride and learn about its history. The service will be followed by a Pride Campfire at 7:30 where we will share stories about Pride, LGBTQIA history and coming out. Contact Jenn Broomfield (mailto:jennbroomfield@gmail.com?subject=Pride%20Service%20%26%20Campfire) with any questions.
** Meadow Maintenance: Ways You Can Help
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Join the crew any Wednesday at 5:30 pm when they gather to pull invasive plants and weeds, and water our newer trees. Bring work gloves, clippers & general gardening tools, and a kneeling pad if you have/need one. (Note that the time will be pushed back as the season progresses.) If you’d like to help with our efforts but either can’t join the crew on Wednesdays or perhaps you have physical restrictions – there are other ways – and we need you! Contact Jamie Kegerise (mailto:jamie@dsofurniture.com) or Amy White (mailto:amywwhite@comcast.net) for more information.
** Share Your Love of Music
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Summer is an ideal time for sharing your music with the Mill Creek congregation during Sunday service. Two Sundays in July and most Sundays in August are available for such sharing, and you’ll never find a more enthusiastic, supportive audience than we have here. All musical forms and genres are welcome! Click the button below to connect with the Music Committee.
Share your love of music HERE (mailto:music@uusmc.org)
** Protect Your Home During Summer Travels
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If you’re planning to be away from home this summer for more than a couple of days, there are some recommended and time-tested habits you can implement to help eliminate any obvious signs of your absence.
* Ask a friend, family member, or trusted neighbor to make regular visits, at random times. Be sure they have access (give them a key!), and your security code, if applicable.
* If you’ve left a vehicle behind, ask this person or someone else to move it periodically if possible.
* If you haven’t left a vehicle behind, invite a neighbor to park in front of your property or in your driveway.
* Arrange to have all mail and other deliveries halted during your absence by contacting the post office and any other delivery services that frequent your home. You don’t want mail or packages piling up. Don’t leave a note on your door – set up an online account to manage your deliveries (Amazon, FedEx, UPS, etc.).
* If your drapes, shades, and other window coverings are usually open while you’re home, leave them open while you’re away.
* Automatic timers are a good idea for lighting inside your home, and outdoors as well.
* For stretches longer than a week, hire someone to mow your yard and put out & collect garbage cans & recycling bins on schedule.
These simple, uncomplicated steps can go a long way toward concealing your absence. For those who are more tech-minded, a simple online search will reveal almost endless gadgets that can protect your home with an app on your phone.
** Collection for #2, #4 & #5 Recyclable Plastics Continues
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Please keep bringing in your clean, dry, empty plastics stamped with #2, #4, and/or #5 to support our park bench project. See Ann Draper or Janice Buckwalter with questions.
We have placed an order for 9 park benches with Eco Plastic Products of Delaware, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that recycles eligible plastic and transforms it into consumer products. They use recyclable plastic marked #2, #4 and #5 ONLY in their process. Learn more using the buttons below.
Learn more about this organization and the work they do. (https://www.ecoplasticproducts.org/)
What plastics can be used for this project? Click here for a quick guide. (https://www.ecoplasticproducts.org/about-recycling)
**
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 May and June we are supporting:
Urban Bike Project
Located on North Walnut Street in Wilmington, Urban Bike Project (UBP) supports Wilmington communities by providing access to bicycling as a healthy, affordable, and practical means of transportation and recreation. Bicycles provide reliable, healthy, and emissions-free transportation. UBP’s work is guided by three core principles: open access for all Wilmington residents, opportunities for residents to build self-sufficiency, and community-driven programming that is responsive to resident needs. UBP offers a wide array of services: open-shop hours for repairs; retail-only hours; youth-only shop hours; a free bike program; several youth programs including build-a-bike summer camp; instruction classes; and a variety of other services, events, and networking opportunities.
Learn more about UBP here (http://www.urbanbikeproject.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
June 11, 2023
10:30 am
Join Rev. Greg for his message:
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Music for this service will be performed by Lingchin Liao, along with Jeanne and Brian Hanson. Our monthly potluck lunch follows the service.
Connect With Us In-Person
* 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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** Find a Food Pantry Near You
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The rising cost of inflation makes it harder for some folks to get by and feed themselves and their families, resulting in a constant need of food at local pantries. Use the link below to find a pantry near you by entering your zip code.
Find a local food pantry HERE (https://www.foodpantriesnear.me/)
** Volunteer Opportunity: Help the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary
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Partnership for the Delaware Estuary (PDE) collects oyster shells from local restaurants. They are dried and bagged, then taken where they can protect shorelines on various waterways from erosion, and for use in other environmental projects. By keeping them from the landfill, this natural resource also creates a habitat for more oysters and other water-loving animals.
They are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help bag oyster shells on Saturday, June 17, 9:30 am to 1 pm. Click the button below for more information and to sign up.
Sign up HERE (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/volunteer-shell-bagging-event-june-17th-delaware-tickets-554684154237)
Can’t make this event but want to receive more information? You can sign up HERE (https://delawareestuary.org/home/contact-us/#join-form) to receive e-newsletters and alerts about other PDE events, volunteer opportunities, and the latest news.
The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary (PDE) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the Delaware Estuary.
Did you know…? The Delaware Estuary supplies clean drinking water for millions of people, and supports a booming industrial region; one that contributes $12 billion every year to our local economy. Our waterways and open spaces also provide plenty of free outdoor fun where you can hike the trails, fish the bay, watch wildlife, and paddle a creek!
The PDE was established in 1996 and is one of 28 National Estuary Programs (https://www.epa.gov/nep/overview-national-estuary-program) designated by Congress. Estuary programs exist throughout the coastal United States to improve the health of estuaries. They bring together people, businesses, and governments to restore and protect the Delaware River and Bay. The PDE is the only organization that focuses on the tidal River, from the head of tide at Trenton to the mouth of the Bay at the Atlantic Ocean.
Learn more about the PDE and the important work they do HERE (https://delawareestuary.org/)
** News from the UUA, the Central East Region, and the Delmarva Cluster
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** Deepen Your UU Faith at a Camp, Retreat or Conference Center this Summer
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The UUA has vibrant network of retreat centers, camps, and conferences to offer experiences of growth, connection, spirituality, and community throughout the year.
Each of these independent camps and centers identifies with Unitarian Universalist values and traditions, and are located in Ontario, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Texas and California. Click the button below to learn more about these locations and all they have to offer, plus information about other gatherings and institutes offered throughout the summer months and beyond.
Connect with a Camp or Conference Center HERE (https://www.uua.org/beliefs/get-involved/where/camps-retreats-and-conferences)
https://www.uua.org/central-east
**
Opportunities for Connection: Central East Region Update
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JUNE 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=b1f62fa99de9f27a048344d55c5ef7a6.6064&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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