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.
Or…continue scrolling so you don’t miss anything!
This week, we invite you:
** Congregational Life
————————————————————
** Upcoming events, meetings and news to know
————————————————————
** 2023 Service Auction a Big Success
————————————————————
We had a great turnout with almost 100 people in attendance, the online & live auction offerings were plentiful and diverse, the food from Bucky’s BBQ was delicious, the decorations were festive, the fellowship was lively, and everyone went home happy! We raised over $20,000 to support the ministries of Mill Creek.
Pictured left to right: Chitra & Prakash Vaidy; Lauri Rickard
It all begins with donations.
We could not have a successful Service Auction without items to bid on, and we are especially grateful to all of our generous and creative donors! Thank you to everyone who donated an item or service for the live and/or online auctions.
Pictured left to right: Kris Tosh-Morelli, Karen Rege, Paco Samb, and Vicky Tosh-Morelli.
We had a team of dedicated and talented organizers.
We owe a huge debt of gratitude to Janice Buckwalter, Melissa Bryson, and David Bonner for their countless hours dedicated to the success of this event.
Pictured left to right: Roy Draper and Adam Kegley.
Everyone played a role.
We want to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to anyone and everyone who participated in the Service Auction in any capacity. We would not have realized such great success without:
* Anyone who made a purchase online or at the live auction
* All who helped set up or break down on auction day
* Folks who assisted with the online auction
* Everyone who helped sell tickets & distribute paddles
* Those who recruited and provided childcare
* Friends who shopped for and/or helped serve the food & drinks
* Each person who assisted with data management & item catalog preparation
* People who designed and produced posters & tickets
* Anybody who helped advertise the event on social media or word-of-mouth
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
** Flower Communion this Sunday
————————————————————
We are happy to announce the return of our traditional Flower Communion this Sunday, May 14 – Mother’s Day. This year marks the 100-year anniversary of this UU ritual, originally created in 1923 by Unitarian minister Norbert Čapek of Prague, Czechoslovakia.
* Everyone is invited to bring a flower from their garden or flower shop.
* Place your flower in one of the vases set up in the gathering space before the service begins.
* During the service, the congregation and Rev. Greg will bless the flowers.
* The flowers will then redistributed, with each person bringing home a different flower than the one they brought.
** May’s Potluck Lunch
————————————————————
Plan to join us on Sunday, May 21st for our monthly potluck lunch. Note that this has been rescheduled from our usual second Sunday.
** Park Benches on Church Grounds Coming Soon
————————————————————
We are excited to announce a project which will allow for a more meditative experience in our Memorial Grove and welcoming opportunities within our meadows.
Using designated funds from memorial gifts, park benches are being procured from Eco Plastic Products of Delaware (ECOP). ECOP is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that recycles eligible plastic and transforms it into consumer products. ECOP uses recyclable plastic marked #2, #4 and #5 ONLY in their process.
In exchange for our donation of recyclables marked accordingly, we will receive a discount on our order. Look for the recycling triangle stamped with #2, #4 or #5 on the bottom of food containers, laundry & cleaning products, bags, etc., and bring in your clean, dry, empty items (no liquids or food residue). We will have a bin set up for this collection.
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)
** New Member Ceremony
————————————————————
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 our next New Member Ceremony on Sunday, June 18th. Contact Jerry Bilton for more information – click the button below.
Contact Jerry HERE (mailto:jabilton@aol.com)
** Wednesdays are for Meadow Maintenance
————————————————————
Join the crew on any Wednesday at 5:30 pm to help maintain the health and vibrancy of our meadows and trees (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. Or…help us water our trees. Many of our young trees are at risk of dying without regular watering.
Contact Jamie Kegerise (mailto:jamie@dsofurniture.com) or Amy White (mailto:amywwhite@comcast.net) with any questions you have.
** Delaware Statewide Advocacy Workshop
————————————————————
Investing in Peace
This is a unique opportunity to learn about effective advocacy and peace-building! The Friends Committee on National Legislation (https://click.actionnetwork.org/ss/c/atcYNHk4Eh2YdGnwBh-YDOWKKeRVt4ghfat19WIZZ5pMCuWlTqtqGxADhYNe9NqOj1uG3EZdNTsmKeFQ_awie0j7TQx8EU3p3n2OB4NeRYU95SWdkLGivcEGVBR3wmj_ENFXFbDnipAMU-LRxebQN5Ae-w4onndlztSHIJtYfKXJ3T2y5KyrArS6n73gK9A_q7G4hf04IY53elk25d_cOiqseLMr49zVEYysawGbxWqQANUae5jxo0KUNO7dpWHJ/3vr/4RX_819bQqaoiC68kDh_7A/h0/PFhdBfKJU0WrJXiVGRJGMJMOG9QeXb5-GA2u6UF-kKE) (FCNL) is coming to share their time, experience, and talents with Delaware. They will teach us about story-based, relationship-building advocacy. In this fun, interactive, and informative training we will learn about advocating for Federal policies that support peace rather than war.
For 2023, FCNL’s campaign, Investing in Peace (https://click.actionnetwork.org/ss/c/A7GQnnr_XzUYyessq5BiRKVTzowgjFdugttIEtEBEOmqnXMF_runoe4RUGZqwEi5VIONWGDaSpLK4WLtgPN7k6IVqPsgT5i06Atrv4ttjM6UkmJ701PvGtwIF-2M-zrk6n7XRgkiKHwVPbGy-vyvLOYLsp9XG97w6Cdn7P9y9SRJHX0ZnIGP2Jr7BJvVTDSDegQXCJe4af5GMADuG7EIk0DLjZek-dFiURDiG9jOsm_bdR8t0RyvovX_sU6mZQZn/3vr/4RX_819bQqaoiC68kDh_7A/h1/mT3Es3Q9JqNOZ8dsGRZj3quDhxViydWwp2qT_qlT9S8) pushes our Federal Government to include money in the 2024 Federal budget for essential peace-building funds. Come learn more about it!
Saturday May 13, 2023, from 1:00-4:00pm
Simpson Community Center*
8 Rd 4
Camden, DE 19934
*Virtual attendance is also an option.
Details will be shared after you register.
FCNL Advocacy teams work to influence Congressional action through persistent advocacy, media engagement, and public outreach as part of a national network of 130+ advocacy teams in 45 states. FCNL wants to build a strong Delaware Peace Advocacy Team – and YOU can join this important work!
Register HERE to attend this Workshop (https://act.fcnl.org/event/advocacy-teams/3137/?link_id=2&can_id=03916e92c2beb71bbd578b62b476efd8&source=email-peace-advocacy-training&email_referrer=email_1899525&email_subject=peace-advocacy-training)
**
Current Share Our Plate Recipient
————————————————————
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
May 14, 2023
10:30 am
Join Rev. Greg for his message:
————————————————————
Music for the morning will be performed by returning guest musicians Shantelle and Daille Kettrell.
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
————————————————————
** Mother’s Day Chamber Music Concert at Winterthur Museum
————————————————————
In celebration of Mother’s Day and the upcoming Ann Lowe: American Couturier (https://www.winterthur.org/ann-lowe-american-couturier/) exhibition, Winterthur Museum (https://www.winterthur.org/) offers this special concert featuring works by women composers of the 20th century.
Enjoy chamber music performed by Kennett Symphony (https://kennettsymphony.org/) musicians and music director Michael Hall, including Amy Beach’s String Quartet, Op. 89, and Florence B. Price’s Piano Quintet in A Minor, interspersed with insightful commentary by Dr. Vincent Craig. $25; $20 for Members. $10 for students. Ticket price includes the concert and general admission to visit and enjoy the garden and galleries after the concert.
Saturday, May 13
11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Copeland Lecture Hall at Winterthur Museum
5105 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, DE 19807
Register for the concert HERE (https://my.winterthur.org/106769?_ga=2.30921981.393644295.1683737971-498291394.1683737971)
** News from the UUA, the Central East Region, and the Delmarva Cluster
————————————————————
** Explore Your UU Faith More Fully with WorshipWeb
————————————————————
Feed your spirit and live your faith with these online opportunities for growth and connection. You can browse WorshipWeb, a free and extensive online collection of readings, prayers and meditations for all occasions, Braver/Wiser, original messages of courage and compassion, delivered each Wednesday straight to your inbox and shared on Facebook – and so much more.
Explore your faith HERE (https://www.uua.org/inspiration)
https://www.uua.org/central-east
**
Opportunities for Connection: Central East Region Update
————————————————————
MAY 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=275d7fb2fd45098ad5c3ece2ed4a2824.6028&s=8983449a6b0e04757c2c9729fa49f044)
============================================================
** Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/UUSMC)
** Website (https://www.uusmc.org)
** Instagram (http://instagram.com/millcreekuu)
Copyright © *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*, All rights reserved.
*|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* *|LIST:DESCRIPTION|*
Our mailing address is:
*|LIST_ADDRESS|* *|END:IF|*
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences (*|UPDATE_PROFILE|*)
or ** unsubscribe from this list (*|UNSUB|*)
.
*|IF:REWARDS|* *|REWARDS_TEXT|* *|END:IF|*