Weekly News - April 17, 2025 - Unitarian Universalist Society of Mill Creek

Posted on April 17, 2025 Posted By: Office Administrator Categories: News

Unitarian Universalist Society of Mill Creek
We are a community that invites you to awaken to love.
Here’s what’s happening at Mill Creek:

** Congregational Life
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** Upcoming events, meetings and news to know
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** Sunday Worship Service Information
April 20, 2025
10:30 am
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Come join us to celebrate Easter, and learn what practicing resurrection can mean for UUs in this day and age. Rev. Christian Schmidt returns to the pulpit and explores how we can learn to begin again, even in these times.

Music for this service will be performed by returning and accomplished duo, The Nearly Valentines, Chris and Jeanmarie Braddock. Chris works as a soloist and also with several area ensembles, including Mosaic String Duo, Second Opinion, and The Nearly Valentines. He teaches at The Music School of Delaware, where he serves as Master Faculty and Guitar Department Head. Chris received his classical guitar performance degree from the University of Delaware and is a past recipient of an Individual Artist Fellowship in music composition from the Delaware Division of the Arts. Jeanmarie is active as a violinist throughout the tri-state area (DE, PA, NJ). She has taught string music in northern Delaware for over twenty years and is currently a director of elementary school orchestras in the Brandywine School District. A graduate of West Chester University, Jeanmarie holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Technology from the University of the Arts. Chris and Jeanmarie have performed together since
2002.
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

** Service Auction 2025: What You Need to Know
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* TICKETS: last chance to buy your tickets in advance is this Sunday, April 20; this is important because buying tickets in advance gives us the numbers we need to purchase and prepare enough food for everyone.
* DONATIONS: we can accept donations for both the live and silent auctions through Wednesday, April 23.
* PROXY BIDDING: if you are unable to attend the auction but would still like to bid, email David Bonner HERE (mailto:david@dlsk.net) with the item numbers you’re interested in (found in the catalog) and your maximum bid amount. (Pro Tip: consider increasing your max bid amount by $10 or $20 to avoid being outbid!)
* SILENT AUCTION DONATION DROP OFFS: donations for the silent auction may be dropped off to the church office this Sunday, April 20, or during office hours next week – be sure to label with your name.
* CATALOG SNEAK PEEK: click HERE (https://mcusercontent.com/8c80a09d53a8aec43de675d26/files/fea7f084-58f9-4b6e-90c4-9a855d428fed/2025_Service_Auction_Offerings_v2.pdf) for an early look at what will be on the auction block! (note that this is a draft copy and is subject to change).
* CHECKBOOK: purchases at the auction can be made with cash or check – remember to bring your checkbook!
* 50/50 TICKETS: sold on auction day – CASH ONLY.

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!

It’s not too late to make a donation for this year – click the button below.
DONATE HERE through Wednesday, April 23 (mailto:david@dlsk.net)
♥ 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.♥

** Retirement Announcement
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First Unitarian Church of Wilmington (https://firstuuwilm.org/) has announced its longtime Business Manager, Marina VanRenssen, a member of our congregation, is retiring at the end of June 2025. Congratulations on your well-deserved retirement, Marina, and may your next life chapter be filled with good health, happiness, relaxation, and all the things you love.

In the meantime, First U is embarking on the difficult task of replacing Marina, whose hard work and dedication has been an integral part of their identity since 2007.

Anyone interested in this part-time, 30-hour per week position may inquire via email HERE (mailto:marina@firstuuwilm.org) for more information.

** Jewelry Box Night
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Come to the Art Lab this Wednesday, April 23, 7-8:30 pm and get creative. We have so many beads to share – all we need is you! Contact Jo Redbird with questions HERE (mailto:redbirdartlab@gmail.com) .

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

** Concert this Friday: Bob Bovee
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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. Learn more about Bob HERE (http://www.boveeheil.com/index.htm) , and sample his music HERE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDAfEHMTUj0) .

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

** Current Share Our Plate Recipient
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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
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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 27; May 11 & 25 at 12 pm in classroom 1. Occurs every 2 weeks on Sundays. Questions? Contact Tom Vincent (mailto:trv302@outlook.com) .

** Coming in August 2025…our new minister!
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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) .

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 a Zoom or in-person meeting, click the button below:
Connect with Rev. Christian HERE (https://calendar.google.com/calendar/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

Margaret Borror, Faith Exploration Teacher
Sundays, and by appointment
dre@uusmc.org (mailto:dre@uusmc.org)
Connect with the UUA, Delmarva Cluster, and Central East Region

** Extra Grace
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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
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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)

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Weekly News – April 17, 2025

Weekly News – April 17, 2025