Weekly Invitation - September 7, 2023 - Unitarian Universalist Society of Mill Creek

Posted on September 7, 2023 Posted By: Office Administrator Categories: News

Read our latest announcement.
http://eepurl.com/iy8p1k

*|MC_PREVIEW_TEXT|*

View this email in your browser (*|ARCHIVE|*)
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:

*|MC:TOC_TEXT|*
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
————————————————————

** Upcoming events, meetings and news to know
————————————————————

** Lunch with the Minister
————————————————————
Come and have lunch at church with Rev. Christian on Tuesday, September 12th at 12 noon.

He’ll prepare a main dish (usually soup or a casserole), or you can bring your own bag lunch. It will be a low-pressure time to be together, talk, and share a meal. After this date, it will be a recurring event on the first Tuesday of every month (beginning in October). All are welcome!

** Join our Autumnal Equinox Celebration
————————————————————
Everyone is welcome to join us! Contact Regina Guarino (mailto:regina139@msn.com?subject=Autumnal%20Equinox%20Celebration) with questions about this event.

** September Fun Fact
————————————————————

Did you know that September is the only month with the same number of letters in its name as its placement in the order of the months? That’s right – “September” has nine letters, just like the number of the month (9). It’s a fun little fact that sets this month apart from all the others.

** Chalice Circles at Mill Creek
————————————————————

Chalice Circles are small groups that provide a supportive environment for people to meet and discuss topics relevant to our lives as well as share our stories, our experiences, and our ideas. Circles are an opportunity to get to know each other on a deeper level and develop a more meaningful spirituality. Some Circles are meeting virtually, and some in person. Circles can gather during the day or evening, at church or someone’s home.

If you’re interested in joining a Circle or just have questions, contact Jeanne Hanson (mailto:jeanne.m.hanson@gmail.com?subject=chalice%20circles) , or the church office (mailto:administrator@uusmc.org?subject=chalice%20circles) (302-369-2712).

Here’s what people are saying about Chalice Circles:

“During the pandemic, the circle has been a wonderful means of keeping in close touch with these members of our church. And in ordinary times, the circle meetings provide friendship as well as an opportunity to think more deeply about what our church means to us.”

“Joining a Chalice Circle was the most significant thing I did once I joined this church community several years ago. It is my main source for support.”

“The sisterhood of my chalice circle has been a lifeline for me. We ZOOM every week, sharing our own stories and deeply listening to the stories of others. Such a gift.”

“I have been participating in the men’s chalice circle for over two years now. It has been a wonderful way for me to connect with other members of the church on a deeper and more personal level. It has shown me additional view points and brought me a different set of tools for living my spiritual life. It has also brought me a lot of laughter and a place of emotional support in times of need.”

“The women in my Circle mean so much to me, we care for and about each other in a way I find difficult to achieve away from church.”

** UU Womenspirit Spiritual Retreat
————————————————————
October 4 – 8
This year’s retreat, Reverence for the Universal Spiral: All Things in All Seasons, celebrates the novelty, mystery, and power in the Universe around us. Because the Goddess is in everything, we are all connected. Within the Divine Spiral, there is always inclusion, love, and acceptance when we are open to hear the call. Six teachers will guide participants as they honor the relationships between all aspects of the Universe in this ever-evolving Spiral of all things in all seasons. The celebration will include ritual, music, dance, connecting with nature and with each other.

Retreat Location:
The Mountain Retreat & Learning Center (https://www.themountainrlc.org/)
3872 Dillard Road
Highlands, North Carolina
See the full event brochure: click here (https://76e6ac6f-aa5b-4b4a-8fad-4b5ba27bed6f.filesusr.com/ugd/008659_85825bf976524f5cb5e7abc36b409c9d.pdf)
Learn more about UU Womenspirit and register: click here (https://www.uuwomenspirit.org/)

** 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 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)
Previous Share Our Plate Donations

Here is an update of the donations we have made year-to-date for 2023:

January & February: Young Moms, Inc. – $1305.50
March & April: Conscious Connections – $1292.00
May & June: Urban Bike Project – $1291.50
July & August: Unitarian Universalist Delaware Advocacy Network (UUDAN) – $846.00

Thank you for your generosity!

** Sunday Worship Service Information
September 10, 2023
10:30 am
————————————————————
Join us for Ingathering and Rev. Christian Schmidt’s sermon,

Too Much and Not Enough
Join us for Ingathering Sunday, September 10 to celebrate the new church year, and our beautiful and freshly painted sanctuary! Remember to bring a sample of water from your travels or your home to share in our water ceremony. We’ll formally welcome our new Faith Exploration Teacher, Margaret Borror, and enjoy a choral performance from members of our congregation. After the service, everyone is welcome to join us for good food and warm fellowship at our monthly potluck lunch – bring a dish to share if you wish!
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
————————————————————

** Mushroom Festival this Weekend in Kennett Square, PA
————————————————————

The 38th Annual Mushroom Festival celebrates mushrooms, mushroom farms and their workers, and the town in which they’re grown: Kennett Square, the Mushroom Capital of the World!

The mile-long, nationally recognized Festival is a two-day event where attendees can sample a variety of mushroom-centric foods, learn about the interesting process of mushroom growing, watch the live chef presentations, visit the many craft and food vendors (https://mushroomfestival.org/accepted-vendors-2023) , and enjoy a variety of restaurant and boutique options right in the town.

Kennett Square Mushroom Festival
State Street, Kennett Square
(off Rt. 1 in southern Chester County)
Saturday, September 9: 10 am-6 pm
Sunday, September 10: 10 am-4 pm
Check out Festival headquarters HERE (https://mushroomfestival.org/index.php)
Quick reference FAQ’s (parking, directions, tickets & more) HERE (https://mushroomfestival.org/faqs)
Attention all Mushroom Lovers! Check out a great resource for mushroom recipies (including cocktails!) HERE (https://www.mushroomcouncil.com/recipes/)

** News from the UUA, the Central East Region, and the Delmarva Cluster
————————————————————

** Welcome, in this Season of Return
————————————————————
The Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt (https://www.uua.org/people/sofia-betancourt) , elected UUA President at General Assembly in June 2023, offers a message of welcome at the start of a new congregational year for Unitarian Universalists.
View the message HERE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLcdqLiruZY)
https://www.uua.org/central-east

**
Opportunities for Connection: Central East Region Update
————————————————————

SEPTEMBER 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://www.uua.org/central-east/blog/opportunities-923)

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|*

Weekly Invitation – September 7, 2023

Weekly Invitation – September 7, 2023