Weekly News - April 10, 2025 - Unitarian Universalist Society of Mill Creek

Posted on April 10, 2025 Posted By: Office Administrator Categories: News

Unitarian Universalist Society of Mill Creek
We are a community that invites you to awaken to love.
IN THIS ISSUE

Here’s what’s happening at Mill Creek:

** Congregational Life
————————————————————

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

** Sunday Worship Service Information
April 13, 2025
10:30 am
————————————————————

Discover the profound message of peace and the symbolic significance of Jesus’ choice of a humble donkey to herald his jubilant arrival in Jerusalem, today celebrated by many Christians as Palm Sunday. Join us as we welcome Rev. Paula Maiorano, who will share a thoughtful exploration of Jesus’ teachings of love that resonates with people of diverse faiths and backgrounds, highlighting the timeless and universal values of compassion and unity.

Rev. Paula is a retired UU minister who has served as a parish, interim, and community minister. She lives in Wilmington, Delaware with her husband and nearby son and two granddaughters.

Music for this service will be performed by Shianne and Dale Ketrell. Shantell, formerly known as Shianne Ladale, is a singer, songwriter, and entertainer from Dallas, TX with 30+ years professional experience in performing and writing music of multiple genres. When Shianne moved to Wilmington, DE, she formed an all-female band, Pristine Raeign, which became very successful under her leadership. Daille joined the band in 2013 as keyboardist. Along with Shianne’s dynamic abilities as a vocalist and entertainer, Daille was instrumental in helping this group become one of the most sought-after groups in the tri-state area of Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Shianne and Daille have worked together as a duo ever since 2020. Daille is a pianist, composer, and vocalist from Camden, NJ who also has worked professionally for 30+ years. She is a retired music educator of Camden Public Schools and works as a freelance artist. This duo has worked together in several groups/bands and are
currently working on their own project, Open4Business. They seek to work not only to entertain, but to build hope in those who are in need. They are currently working on a recording project as vocalists and musicians highlighting the Senegalese culture–partnering with composer Karen Rege and her husband, griot master percussionist and djembist Papa Dembe Samb.

After the service we will enjoy good food and warm fellowship during a potluck lunch. All are welcome!
Connect with Us In-Person
* Service begins at 10:30 am
* Children’s RE programming is available for ages 4 and up
* Child Care available (infant/toddler, ages birth 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 and easy access on Sunday morning); OR
* Get the link by accessing the church calendar (https://www.uusmc.org/news/calendar/) (https://www.uusmc.org/news/calendar (https://www.uusmc.org/news/calendar/) )

Sunday Livestream – CLICK HERE (https://zoom.us/j/97806427419)

Meeting ID: 978 0642 7419

** Come for the sermon, stay for the food!
————————————————————

Plan to remain with us this Sunday, April 13, for a potluck lunch. Bring a main or side dish, salad, appetizer or beverages to share – if you wish.

** Have you made your donations yet?
————————————————————
SERVICE AUCTION 2025
Saturday, April 26

Last year we had a wide array of items, services, and experiences offered in both the live and silent auctions.

We need your support to make this year’s auction another great success!

Our donation line is open – click the ‘donate here’ button below to make your donation(s) today!

Did you know…?
The most popular items in the live auction are themed or group dinners at private homes or restaurants.

Why? It allows for a relaxed opportunity for socialization and fellowship. It’s also one of the easiest things you, as a donor, can contribute! If you like to entertain, plan a fun menu at your house for 8-10 people. Aren’t up to it? Plan a gathering at a nice restaurant!
DONATE HERE (mailto:david@dlsk.net)
Need more ideas or inspiration?
* Gift baskets are fun to assemble and themes and/or ideas for one (or more!) are limitless. For a list of 500 gift basket ideas, CLICK HERE (https://www.fundraiserhelp.com/500-silent-auction-basket-ideas.htm)
* If gift baskets aren’t your thing, we found a source of over 150 auction ideas, separated by category. To view that list, CLICK HERE (https://www.winspireme.com/silent-auction-item-ideas/)

***DEADLINE FOR DONATIONS***
We can accept donations through Wednesday, April 23.
♥Without fun, festive, interesting and creative items to bid on…there would be no auction. We are grateful for your participation in our fundraiser, and we thank you for your generosity.♥
Only TWO Sundays Remain for Purchasing Tickets in Advance !

Buying tickets in advance helps us to purchase and prepare enough food for everyone.

Tickets will be on sale after church service this Sunday, April 13. When purchasing tickets at the reduced price, please be prepared to let us know what category you will be donating:
FOOD (specify cold appetizer, vegetarian dish or dessert) OR…
BEVERAGE (specify red wine, white wine, or beer).
Have a question and not sure who to ask? Access our Auction FAQ page! CLICK HERE (https://www.uusmc.org/wp-content/uploads/FAQ-Service-Auction-2025.pdf)

** Coming in August 2025…our new minister!
————————————————————
We are pleased to welcome our new minister, Rev. Christe Lunsford (they/them), who will be joining us in August. Get to know Rev. Christe by clicking HERE (https://mailchi.mp/c96447f677c1/revchristeintroduction) .

** In Concert:
Bob Bovee
————————————————————
Brandywine Friends of Old Time Music presents Bob Bovee on Friday, April 18 at 7:30 pm. Since 1971, Bob has traveled the country taking old time music to audiences of all ages. Along with a repertoire including dance tunes, ballads, cowboy songs, humorous and sentimental numbers, blues and rags, he spices his shows with stories, history and folklore. Bob sings (yodels, too) and plays guitar, harmonica, banjo and autoharp.
Bob Bovee
Friday, April 18, 7:30 pm
UU Society of Mill Creek
Tickets at the door: general public, $25; seniors, $20; students w/ID, $15; 17 & under, free
Learn more about Bob Bovee – click HERE (http://www.boveeheil.com/index.htm)
Sample Bob’s music – click HERE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDAfEHMTUj0)

**
Support the Food Bank of Delaware with Your Donations
————————————————————

We are joining Newark-area members of the Delaware House Democrats to support the Food Bank of Delaware with a donation drive. We are collecting the Food Bank’s most-needed items, including hot & cold cereals; peanut butter; canned fruits, meats, and vegetables; rice; and pasta.

The Social Justice Committee has provided a donation bin in the gathering space to collect the items mentioned above. Please help us to help our less fortunate neighbors.

** Current Share Our Plate Recipient
————————————————————
We regularly donate a half of our undesignated plate collection to a local charity or non-profit organization. For the months of March and April we are supporting:

Moms Demand Action – Delaware Chapter
A Volunteer Chapter in Every State

Moms Demand Action is a grassroots volunteer movement of Americans working for public safety measures that can protect people from gun violence. They work to pass stronger gun laws and close the loopholes that jeopardize the safety of our families. Moms Demand Action is a part of Everytown for Gun Safety, the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country with nearly 11 million supporters. Our donation will support the legislative advocacy fund, “Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund.”
Learn more about Moms Demand Action HERE (https://www.everytown.org/state/delaware/)
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)

** Recurring Events
————————————————————

Wednesday Evening Meadow Maintenance

The Land Stewards have resumed their weekly evening work efforts every Wednesday around 5:30pm, weather permitting. You don’t need to be a meadow worker bee to come out and enjoy some social time with us in the meadow. – everyone is welcome to simply walk around and enjoy our natural native habitat.

You don’t have to pull weeds either! We’ve put together a list of suggestions for ways anyone can help – from minimal effort, to moderate activity, to using shovels and pulling weeds. Check it out by clicking the button below.
Learn more – click HERE (https://www.uusmc.org/wp-content/uploads/How-to-Support-Our-Natural-Lands-1.pdf)

The D & D role-playing game is about storytelling in worlds of swords and sorcery.
In the Dungeons & Dragons game, each player creates an adventurer (also called a character) and teams up with other adventurers (played by friends). Working together, the group might explore a dark dungeon, a ruined city, a haunted castle, a lost temple deep in a jungle, or a lava-filled cavern beneath a mysterious mountain. The adventurers can solve puzzles, talk with other characters, battle fantastic monsters, and discover fabulous magic items and other treasure. All are welcome to join the group on Sunday, April 13 & 27 at 12 pm in classroom 1. Occurs every 2 weeks on Sundays. Questions? Contact Tom Vincent (mailto:trv302@outlook.com) .

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
Rev. Schmidt is on leave now through Sunday, April 13. For immediate concerns, you may contact the pastoral care team (mailto:pastoralcare@uusmc.org) , the board of trustees (mailto:board@uusmc.org) , or the church office (mailto:administrator@uusmc.org) .

Debra Damiani, Congregational Administrator
Monday 9 am to 2 pm, Monday-Thursday
administrator@uusmc.org (mailto:administrator@uusmc.org)
302-369-2712
Connect with the UUA, Delmarva Cluster, and Central East Region

** Extra Grace
————————————————————

It seems to me that right now, we all need a little extra grace. We need to offer ourselves extra grace, and tend to our own ragged nerves and bruised hearts. We need to offer each other extra grace: pausing before reacting; offering and receiving apologies liberally. -Elizabeth Stevens
Click HERE to read the full message (https://www.uua.org/braverwiser/extra-grace)
Did you know…?
Braver/Wiser gives you weekly messages of courage and compassion for life as it is. Every Wednesday a new and original written reflection and brief prayer, grounded in Unitarian Universalism, can be sent directly to your inbox. Subscribe HERE (https://www.uua.org/braverwiser/subscribe) .

** Opportunities for Connection: Central East Region Update
————————————————————
APRIL 2025

Featured Resource:
The Gathering
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 (https://www.uua.org/central-east/blog/opportunities-425)

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 News – April 10, 2025

Weekly News – April 10, 2025