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:
** Congregational Life
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** Upcoming events, meetings and news to know
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** Music & Arts Potluck this Saturday
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Everyone is invited to join church members Bea Webb and Patti Ferich in the sanctuary this Saturday, October 21^st at 3:00 pm for a Music & Arts Potluck – an opportunity for fellowship and to share and enjoy each other’s talents.
Bring your instrument of choice and plan to play 1-3 pieces. Or you can sing a favorite song, read poetry, or read/tell/share a short story. Or do something entirely different! Bring a dish to share and we will enjoy our love of music, arts, and food! All are welcome – whether or not you plan to perform.
Let Bea and Patti know you’re coming by clicking the RSVP button below.
RSVP here (mailto:?subject=violinefurmir%40comcast.net&body=Music%20%26%20Arts%20Potluck%20RSVP)
** Board Announces Creation of New Committee
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As we put the foyer and sanctuary back together after painting, and for future wall item replacements, we are starting a decorating committee. Please talk to Steve Selph (mailto:mutiny397@yahoo.com) if this interests you, or join him in the MacArtor Library after church this Sunday, October 22nd to learn more.
** Land Stewardship Meeting
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Everyone is welcome to join us next Sunday, October 29^th after service to discuss our meadow and grounds and to help with planning our efforts to provide 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 enjoyment of the fellowship of each other’s company. We’ll meet in the conference room following coffee hour. Hope you can join us! Contact Jamie Kegerise with questions (Jamie.NewarkCoho@gmail.com (mailto:Jamie.NewarkCoho@gmail.com) ).
** Share Our Bounty
Now through Sunday, November 12
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We are collecting non-perishable food items now through Sunday, November 12. 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.
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)
** 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/)
** UUDAN Seeks Representation from Mill Creek
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UUDAN, the Unitarian Universalist Delaware Advocacy Network, brings together the five Delaware UU congregations to engage in local legislative action. Their mission is to inform, recruit and mobilize UU advocates to work, in partnership with other advocacy organizations, for the many social justice issues in the state of Delaware.
Church member Jack Guerin has long been the representative from Mill Creek for this organization. He is stepping down from this position to devote more time to other areas of social justice, leaving a vacancy. The work of UUDAN is enhanced by having the support of all the UU congregations in Delaware.
If you’re interested in social justice issues in the State of Delaware and engaging with legislative advocacy and national social justice issues which can be addressed by the Delaware congressional delegation, consider becoming a member of the UUDAN Steering Committee.
Rebecca Laster from First Unitarian chairs the Steering Committee. She will be scheduling a first meeting for this year sometime this month, and then there will be monthly meetings which usually feature speakers related to the UUDAN advocacy initiatives.
You may contact Rebecca Laster HERE with questions or interest. (mailto:blaster102@verizon.net?subject=UUDAN)
** 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 22, 2023
10:30 am
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More than any time in living memory, our democratic foundation is under attack from both within and without. As people who believe that everyone should have a say in issues affecting them, how can we help support democracy? Join Rev. Schmidt for his sermon, “Saving Our Democracy.”
Music for this service will be performed by returning musician Marty Lassman. Marty is a retired music teacher, having taught instrumental music at Wilmington Friends School, and choir at the Cab Calloway School of the Arts. He taught private and public school for 48 years prior to retiring. He is currently the director of the Small Wonder Jazz Singers jazz choir at the Music School 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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** New Castle County Farmers Market Season Winding Down
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New Castle County Farmers Markets offer the best local produce, honey, meats, artisanal foods, handcrafted items, and fantastic food trucks. But they will soon shut down for the season. Catch the last two remaining weekends at Glasgow Park, Carousel Park, Bellevue, and Whitehall.
Click HERE for location information (https://www.newcastlede.gov/455/Farmers-Markets)
** Day Trip Alert: West Chester, PA
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Nestled in the heart of the Brandywine Valley just 30 minutes from Wilmington and 45 minutes from Center City Philadelphia, Downtown West Chester, Pennsylvania reflects the small-town charm and cosmopolitan tastes that prompted The Philadelphia Inquirer to call West Chester “…one of the world’s most perfect small towns.” It is also consistently ranked as one of the best college towns in both Pennsylvania and the United States. West Chester oozes quaint charm and plenty to do all year long.
Learn more about West Chester HERE (https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/pennsylvania/charming-college-town-pa/)
** News from the UUA, the Central East Region, and the Delmarva Cluster
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** UUA Joins Faith Groups Urging Congress to De-escalate Violence in Israel and Palestine
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The Unitarian Universalist Association has joined 25 other faith groups to urge Congress to take action to de-escalate violence between Israel and Palestine. This includes calling for an immediate ceasefire, calling for all sides to abide by Geneva Conventions, and prioritizing the immediate release of hostages.
Read the Letter to Congress HERE (https://cmep.salsalabs.org/231012hillletter)
https://www.uua.org/central-east
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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)