Unitarian Universalist Society of Mill Creek
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** Worship Service Information for
Sunday, April 10, 2022
10:00 am
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Join us on Sunday morning when Rev. McKinley Sims shares his sermon:
The Gospel According to Channing
Join us for a classic Unitarian dive into the preaching, transcendence, and reformation fire from one of the more famous UU “saints”. Thees and thous might be present. We’ll read some of his classic sermons and engage with our own transcendent within-ness.
Rev. Sims is the minister of UUs of Mt. Airy, a historically Universalist congregation in northwest Philly. He hails from West Texas and is the proud owner of a very prolific tulsi plant named St. Basil.
Music will be performed by a woodwind trio, featuring Rachel Sabella, flute; Rachel Linden, oboe; and Rudy Nyhoff, clarinet.
Connect With Us In-Person
We are pleased to welcome all to our sanctuary for gathering in-person this Sunday!
* **NO** registration required – bring your whole self and be welcome!
* Service time remains at 10:00 am
* Wearing N95 masks is mandatory (a supply is available in the gathering space)
* Full vaccination is expected
* Feeling sick, been exposed or having symptoms? Join us Livestream on Zoom!
* Children’s RE offered for ages 4 and up (registration required; see ‘Children’s Religious Exploration this Sunday’ with a blue registration button below)
* Service will be livestreamed
* We are unable to offer Child Care (infant/toddler, ages 0 to 3)
Connect With Us Virtually
There are several ways to get the Zoom link for livestreaming the service:
* Click the link below (Sunday Livestream) and bookmark it; OR
* Access the church calendar (https://www.uusmc.org/news/calendar/) (https://www.uusmc.org/news/calendar/); OR
* Open our Sunday morning email; OR
* Open ANY PREVIOUS Sunday morning email – the link remains the same from week to week
Click here for Sunday LIVESTREAM (https://zoom.us/j/97806427419)
** Congregational Life
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** Upcoming events, meetings and news to know
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** Children’s Religious Exploration this Sunday
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Children ages four and up are welcome to join us for a joyful hour of crafts and activities on Sunday mornings in Classroom 1. Our religious exploration program is currently an all-ages group that is held during the Sunday service hour (10:00-11:00 am). Registration is required so that we can staff accordingly; use the button below. Until further notice we will continue to utilize masks. We ask that parents return to the classroom directly after the service.
We look forward to the excitement, laughter and creativity that your children bring to our congregation!
Register your child(ren) here (https://onrealm.org/MillCreek/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=OThhOGIwMWYtZDg2ZS00MTY3LThjMmQtYWU3MDAwZTA2OGNm)
** Worldwide Climate Teach-In Panel Discussion
Held at Mill Creek
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Pictured above, left to right: Onaje Cunningham, Justyn Thompson, Peggy Schultz, Beth Chajes, and Jamie Kegerise.
On Wednesday, March 30th we welcomed four knowledgeable and passionate panelists who all described significant challenges but also provided hopeful and very practical solutions to combat the effects of global warming. They fielded questions from folks both on Zoom and live in the sanctuary.
Onaje Cunningham is a Biology major and student researcher at Lincoln University (PA), and he described his research into campus food waste and efforts to reduce it. Food waste is a big contributor to global warming, as much of our uneaten food ends up in landfills where it gives off greenhouse gasses as it decomposes. Onaje also is working on the supply side to encourage more local and farm to table food supply as being more environmentally friendly.
Dustyn Thompson from the Sierra Club described the need for the State of Delaware to develop a comprehensive plan to combat Climate Change. He noted that Delaware has the largest percentage of low-lying land compared to the other states that is likely to flood or be lost to the ocean as sea level rise increases. A comprehensive plan would allow state agencies, businesses, and individuals to take action now that could help reduce the effects of global warming.
Peggy Schultz with the Climate and Energy Committee of the League of Women Voters discussed that wind energy generated off the Delaware coast would be game-changing in terms of reducing Delaware’s carbon footprint, and that wind energy makes economic sense as well. It’s true that a relatively small number of birds might be killed from hitting the turbine blades, but that many more birds and other wildlife will die if we don’t reduce global heating.
Beth Chajes with the Citizens Climate Lobby described how a carbon tax would work to both move us in a better direction environmentally, but also provide needed funding to assist communities most likely to experience the worst effects of global heating. This presents an opportunity to seek better climate justice as we move forward. Beth also noted the convergence of science and economics as making this the right time to move ahead with a carbon tax program.
Our own Reverend Bob Broesler was our master of ceremonies and moderator for the panel. We also had a lot of help especially from our tech team: Vicky Tosh-Morelli, Anna Hull and David Bonner, and also from John Springer and Cathy Blanchet, and Jamie Kegerise, the event organizer.
The Worldwide Teach-In is a project of the Graduate Programs in Sustainability (https://uusmc.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8c80a09d53a8aec43de675d26&id=fdc9ac977f&e=2476b15ad8) at Bard College in New York, USA, in conjunction with partners worldwide and the Open Society University Network (https://uusmc.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8c80a09d53a8aec43de675d26&id=4723bb24f2&e=2476b15ad8) . March 30 was the largest event of its kind to date.
** SAVE THE DATE:
Mill Creek Service Auction
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Coming soon to a UU near you!
We are excited to welcome all to the return of our beloved Service Auction in less than two months. Clear your calendar for Saturday, May 21st and plan to attend Mill Creek’s largest fundraiser!
Some features of this year’s auction are new while others will remain the same.
What’s new?
Start time: Venue opens 3:30 pm
Location: OUTDOORS, picnic-style; feel free to bring a lawn or camp chair, or use our tables and chairs already set up
Rain Date: Sunday, May 22nd
Children are welcome: childcare will be available
Food: will be provided by food truck including main entrée & sides; beverages & desserts also available
Silent Auction: held one week prior to the in-person event via online eBay-style format; winning bidders can pick up their item(s) on auction day or soon thereafter; more information will be provided soon; watch your inbox for more details soon to come!
What hasn’t changed?
Live auction: the event will still be centered around an exciting LIVE AUCTION, with food, fun and fellowship in abundance!
Catalog: a catalog of all items will be available for viewing prior to auction day.
Tickets: will be available soon at a low price of $15 in advance, $20 at the door; children 16 & under are free. Buy extra tickets for your guests – friends, neighbors or other family members!
Donations needed: without items to bid on, there would be no auction! Donations are being accepted now for both the silent and live actions. See below.
Members and friends are asked make donations of services, experiences, and/or items.
To donate a SERVICE, think:
* music or cooking lessons
* tutoring of any kind
* lawn care
* house cleaning/organizing
* personal IT consultation
* therapy/medical or airport transportation
* ballroom dancing lessons
* window washing
* auto repair/tune-up
* any special skill you have that you’d like to share
Or donate an EXPERIENCE, such as:
* themed dinners, picnics & BBQs
* garden tours
* guided hikes
* musical performances
* beach weekends
* museum trips
* vacation packages
* amusement park tickets
Or donate an ITEM, like:
* gift baskets of any description
* retail or other gift cards (spa day, movie night, restaurants, online shopping, etc.); Fun Idea: think about offering a “gift card bouquet” with several different cards!
* food-of-the-month offerings
* that fabulous cake that only you can bake
* hand crafted items
* a pot of your famous chili
Use your imagination, be creative, and have fun!
Have ideas for donations but not sure about pricing? Our auction specialists can help. Use the contact button below with questions and to make your donations.
Here is what I can donate! (mailto:david@dlsk.net?subject=service%20auction)
We are looking to add a few more volunteers to make the auction run smoothly – use the link below to contact Janice Buckwalter with your offer of help.
Here is how I can help! (mailto:jcab621@gmail.com?subject=service%20auction)
** Babysitting Event Here at Mill Creek this Month!
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Need time away with your partner or spouse? Or just time to yourself? Take advantage of our new Babysitting Night at the end of this month. Registration and contact links are below.
REGISTER here for Babysitting Night (https://onrealm.org/MillCreek/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=MjllNTBiYWMtNDVhYS00NWY3LWJjZjUtYWU2ZDAwZDQ0NDFk)
CONTACT us here with questions about the event (mailto:iceweber@gmail.com?subject=Babysitting%20Event)
** Missed a sermon? Here’s how you can get caught up!
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If you’ve missed a sermon, or would simply like to hear a particular one again, check out our You Tube channel! Click the button below to access the channel and view not just the sermons pictured above, but several others.
View our You Tube channel here (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChRFPbSookb9m3PV6DMtbHg)
https://www.consciousconnectionsinc.com/
** Share Our Plate:
March & April
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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 March and April we have selected the following charitable organization to receive these funds:
Conscious Connections, Inc.
Conscious Connections (CCI) is a black-owned urban farm located in Wilmington, Delaware. Their mission is to uplift underserved and marginalized populations through exposure, education, and economic opportunities in the arts and agriculture. They offer a variety of youth programs and engage young adults in farm-based training and experience which is designed to prepare them for work in agriculture, landscaping, and maintenance. They offer seasonal Market Fresh Boxes during the summer months. They host community workshops such as candle-making using wax procured from their beehive and sell the honey it produces. They give back to the community by having clothing and meal giveaways coordinated with local residents. By their outreach efforts and offering a safe place for local youth, CCI is contributing to the quality of life for many.
LEARN MORE about Conscious Connections HERE (https://www.consciousconnectionsinc.com/)
Support this organization with your online donation today!**
DONATE to Share Our Plate HERE (https://onrealm.org/MillCreek/-/give/now)
**Be sure to select ‘Share Our Plate’ as the giving fund**
https://www.kate-moore.com/the-radium-girls
** Book Group’s Next Read
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Join our next meeting:
Tuesday, May 3rd at 7pm
Everyone is welcome!
Everyone is welcome to join the Book Group for their discussion about the upcoming book selection:
The Radium Girls – The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women (https://www.kate-moore.com/the-radium-girls)
by Kate Moore
Tuesday, May 3^rd at 7 pm
Zoom links remain the same for each discussion and can be found on the church calendar (https://www.uusmc.org/news/calendar/) . Contact the church office with any questions.
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!
How to make pledge payments, donations, and other contributions:
1. Mail a check: 579 Polly Drummond Hill Road, Newark DE 19711 (staff is present in the office and the mailbox is checked daily). Please indicate on the subject line if this is a pledge payment, a general contribution, or a contribution to a specific giving fund.
2. Give electronically through REALM using your credit card or bank account (checking, savings, etc.): https://onrealm.org/MillCreek/Give or use the link below (remember to select a giving fund).
3. Text-to-Give: text MillCreek and the amount [e.g. MillCreek 50] to 73256.
We sincerely appreciate your support of Mill Creek. We are committed to offering a high-quality and stimulating Sunday worship experience while reestablishing our connections with one another. We gratefully acknowledge that there would be no Mill Creek without YOU.
**Click here to GIVE NOW** (https://onrealm.org/MillCreek/-/give/now)
Follow us on Instagram!
@millcreekuu
Mill Creek Staff
Rev. Gregory S. Pelley, Minister
Rev. Greg is away on sabbatical now through June 30.
He will not be available by phone or email throughout the duration of his absence. We offer assurance that all church operations will continue as usual, and have prepared a guide which contains a list of guest speakers, contact information for those in leadership positions, and other information. Use the link below to access the guide.
Sabbatical Guide – view it here (https://www.uusmc.org/wp-content/uploads/A-Guide-to-Rev-Gregs-Sabbatical.pdf)
Rev. Robert Broesler (Ret.), Minister On-Call
Rev. Bob is available to Mill Creek members and friends on an on-call basis.
rjbroesler@gmail.com (mailto:rjbroesler@gmail.com )
302-584-2218
Debra Damiani, Congregational Administrator
Monday 8 am to 1 pm, Monday-Thursday
administrator@uusmc.org (mailto:administrator@uusmc.org)
302-369-2712
Rachel Sabella, Music Director
Hours by Appointment
music@uusmc.org (mailto:music@uusmc.org)
302-369-2712
** Happening in Our Local Community
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** Annual Kite Day
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Brandywine Springs State Park
Saturday, April 9
1-3 pm
Let’s go fly a kite! Bring your kite for a fun day at the park for Annual Kite Day. Meet fellow kite flyers, and learn more about wind from park naturalists who will be available. Plus, see a demonstration about a new citizen science project with the NASA Globe Observer. Event takes place in the fields around Hawkwatch parking lot. Event is free, with paid park entrance.
Brandywine Creek State Park
41 Adams Dam Road
Wilmington, DE
302-577-3534
Learn more about the park here (https://destateparks.com/brandywinecreek)
** Annual Delaware Interfaith Peace Walk
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Sunday, April 10
1-2 pm
All peace lovers are welcome to join Delaware Sikh Coalition for their annual Peace Walk. The need is greater than ever before for everyone to hold hands as a community regardless of cultural, physical and/or religious differences, in a show of strength and unity.
Old College Hall, Main Entrance
East Main Street
Newark, DE
Learn more about the event & register here (http://desikh.com/interfaith-peace-walk-2022/)
** News from the UUA, the Central East Region, and the Delmarva Cluster
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** Multigenerational Ministry
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Is it the same as Intergenerational?
The term “Intergenerational” typically describes interaction between people of two distinctly different generations. Multigenerational connections happen among three or more generations and help our congregations thrive by bringing all of our people together, regardless of age; a congregational life where all are welcomed, included, and encouraged to lead and participate at any age. Why is the UUA talking about multigenerational ministry? What does it look like? What are the benefits, and how is it happening? Learn more about multigenerational ministry by using the link below.
Learn more about multigenerational ministry here (https://www.uua.org/multigenerational)
** Supporting Those Impacted by the Crisis in Ukraine
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Unitarian Universalist Association Press Release, March 7, 2022:
The scope of this humanitarian crisis is staggering. To help address the scale of the crisis, the UUA has been working closely with our partners at the UU Service Committee (https://www.uusc.org/) (Unitarian Universalist Service Committee*), which is dedicated to advancing human rights and social justice, together with an international community of grassroots partners and advocates. They have created an Emergency Relief Fund to support Ukraine and we are committed to amplifying their voice and humanitarian work.
Read the statement in full here (https://www.uua.org/pressroom/press-releases/supporting-ukraine)
UUSC Response to the Invasion (https://www.uusc.org/press/we-demand-an-end-to-the-bloodshed-uusc-responds-to-vladimir-putins-invasion-of-ukraine/)
*The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) advances human rights and social justice around the world, partnering with those who confront unjust power structures and mobilizing to challenge oppressive policies. Their work is grounded in the belief that all people have inherent power and dignity. It is a nonprofit, nonsectarian organization advancing human rights together with an international community of grassroots partners and advocates.
https://www.uua.org/central-east
**
Opportunities for Connection: Central East Region Update
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APRIL 2022
Opportunities for Connection – click here to learn more (https://uua874.activehosted.com/index.php?action=social&chash=7f7c351ee977c765aa8cd5c7020bc38f.5690&s=8983449a6b0e04757c2c9729fa49f044)
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