Unitarian Universalist Society of Mill Creek
We are a community that invites you to awaken to love.
IN THIS ISSUE
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** Congregational Life
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** Upcoming events, meetings and news to know
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** School Supplies Drive
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Now through August 28th
Our School Supplies Drive, a Mill Creek tradition, is underway. This effort supports local elementary schools where the need is greatest, specifically grades 3, 4 and 5. The drive runs now through Sunday, August 28th. We have remaining bookbags we need to fill.

Here’s how to participate:
* Pick up an empty bookbag this Sunday from the table in the gathering space; the bags were donated so there is no additional cost. Inside each bag is a complete list of requested supplies for a specific grade (3, 4 or 5). Take the bag home, purchase all of the supplies on the list if possible, and bring back to church on August 28th.

Or…
* Pick up a list of general supplies. Take home the list, purchase the supplies of your choosing, and bring them in to church on August 28th.

Or…
* Use the link below to request a list of general supplies by email.

I want to help the school supplies drive! (mailto:administrator@uusmc.org?subject=school%20supplies%20drive&body=Please%20send%20me%20the%20list%20of%20general%20school%20supplies%2C%20thanks.)
All supplies will be delivered the week of August 29th. Thank you Chitra Vaidy and Ann & Roy Draper for coordinating this effort!

** Your Pledge Dollars at Work
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During the previous fiscal year, 7/1/21 to 6/30/22, we paid $2408.24 to Artesian Water, AND $954.30 to New Castle County for sewer charges…for a total of $3362.54 for water access & delivery, and wastewater disposal.

** Come to a Summer Campfire
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Join Us in the Memorial Grove this Saturday
We are welcoming all to a series of campfires on select dates through October.
Our next gathering is this Saturday evening, August 13th at 6:30 pm.
* The theme for this event is Origin Stories: bring and share origin stories from ancient cultures and religious traditions
* Everyone is welcome: members, friends, neighbors, youth & kids…bring a guest!
* Bring all your comforts: lawn/camp chair or blanket for those in your group, bug spray, etc.
* The Memorial Grove is adjacent to the main parking lot and is reasonably accessible on a slight grassy incline; we are happy to provide assistance to anyone who needs it
* The church building will be available for restroom use
* Feel free to reach out to Jamie Kegerise (mailto:jamie@dsofurniture.com) or the church office (mailto:administrator@uusmc.org) (or 302-367-2712) with any questions

Unable to join us? Plan to come to our next event – a potluck dinner & campfire on Friday, August 19th (rain date – Saturday, Aug. 20).

** Pool Party – You’re Invited!
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Mill Creek members Fran Gulino and Joe Snader invite everyone to their home on Saturday, August 27th at 5 pm for a pool party.

Tacos will be served! If you’d like, bring your favorite taco topping, side dish, or beverage. This event is open to all members, friends, and visitors to our church and will be a wonderful opportunity to relax and enjoy each other’s company, and perhaps meet a few folks you may not know. There’s plenty of room for everyone!

Use the link below to let Fran & Joe know you’re coming along with the number of people in your group. RSVPs will receive an email response with Fran & Joe’s address. We hope you can make it!
I’ll be there! (mailto:frangu302@gmail.com?subject=pool%20party)
Who are Fran Gulino and Joe Snader…??
Members of Mill Creek since 2017, Fran took her first turn at the microphone as auctioneer at our Service Auction held in May, and now serves on our board of Trustees; and Joe recently completed his service as a board member. They are looking forward to opening their home to all who would like to attend!

Join the Revolution!

**
Share Our Plate:
July & August
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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 July & August we are once again supporting the following charitable organization:

Independent Living for Young Adults
(ILYA)

ILYA is a social justice program serving young adults who are transitioning from the foster care system into independent living. This program is led by members of First Unitarian Church of Wilmington and is in partnership with the Delaware’s Division of Family Services (DFS). Since 2005, the ILYA program has been offering a wide array of services to support these young adults to help them feel part of a caring community. Participation in the program offers resources to increase their chances for future success.
Learn more about ILYA here (https://firstuuwilm.org/connect/independent-living-for-young-adults-ilya/)
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**

** Worship Service Information for Sunday, August 14, 2022
10:30 am
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Join us this Sunday when Mill Creek member Regina Guarino shares her message:

This is a story of awakening.

Our guest speaker Regina Guarino has been a member of Mill Creek since 2014. Her message today is the product of her participation in Rev. Greg’s ARE class, Shared Pulpit. A version of the sermon can be found in the online journal Yellow Arrow Journal. (https://www.yellowarrowpublishing.com/vignette/awaken-2022)

Music for the morning will be performed by Rachel Sabella and the Mill Creek Choir.

Connect With Us In-Person
10:30 am
We are pleased to welcome all to our sanctuary for gathering in-person this Sunday!
* Service begins at 10:30 am
* Masking protocol will be posted at each entrance
* Children’s RE is on hiatus throughout the summer months and will resume in the fall
* 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=d601645514&e=9e32ea5753) (https://www.uusmc.org/news/calendar/ (https://uusmc.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8c80a09d53a8aec43de675d26&id=2d81ea390b&e=9e32ea5753) )

Remember: the link remains the same from week to week.
Sunday Livestream (https://zoom.us/j/97806427419)

** Wednesdays are for Meadow Maintenance
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Pictured above: a busy bee on a milkweed plant in the meadow
Join our Natural Lands Stewards when they gather every Wednesday around 6:00 pm for weekly meadow & grounds maintenance. The meadow always needs tending, invasive plants need pulling, and our young trees need attention. The crew works for just about an hour or so and could really use a few more hands. Do as much or as little as you want – any help is greatly appreciated.

Bring your gardening gloves & clippers,
and join us next Wednesday, August 17th
(Set a reminder on your phone!)
Have a question about the meadow or the work we do? Ask it here! (mailto:jamie@dsofurniture.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!

How to make pledge payments, donations, and other contributions:

1. Mail a check: 579 Polly Drummond Hill Road, Newark DE 19711. 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.
**Click here to GIVE NOW** (https://onrealm.org/MillCreek/-/give/now)
Mill Creek Staff

Rev. Gregory S. Pelley, Minister
minister@uusmc.org (mailto:minister@uusmc.org)
302-369-2712
To request an in-person, teleconference or Zoom meeting with Rev. Greg, use the link below to schedule:
Request a meeting with Rev. Greg here (http://calendly.com/gpelley)
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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Home Page

** How about dinner and a show?
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The Candlelight Theatre presents Sweet Charity, the Tony award-winning musical about a girl’s misadventures in search of “Mr. Right.” Showing now through Sunday, August 28.

Located in historic Ardentown, Delaware, the Candlelight Theatre provides an all-inclusive evening of dinner and professional theatre in an intimate atmosphere, all for a reasonable price. Operating as a theater venue for over 75 years, the stage of this quaint barn comes alive every weekend year-round and entertains thousands of theatergoers throughout the year. While musicals are Candlelight’s specialty, other special events are held.

The Candlelight Theatre (https://candlelighttheatredelaware.org/)
2208 Millers Road
Wilmington, DE 19810
302-475-2313
boxoffice@candlelightde.org (mailto:boxoffice@candlelightde.org)
Get Directions (https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+Candlelight+Theatre/@39.8081512,-75.4826965,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x723d8888b6a920f9!8m2!3d39.8081462!4d-75.4828377)
Click here for Tickets (https://candlelighttheatredelaware.showare.com/)

** News from the UUA, the Central East Region, and the Delmarva Cluster
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** UUA Featured Read
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Asian American Histories of the United States by award-winning historian Catherine Ceniza Choy is a nearly 200-year history of Asian migration, labor, and community formation in the US. Reckoning with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the surge in anti-Asian hate and violence, the book presents an urgent social history of the fastest growing group of Americans. Available now at inSpirit, the UUA the book & gift shop. Click the link below to learn more and purchase.
Get the book HERE (https://www.uuabookstore.org/Asian-American-Histories-of-the-United-States-P19359.aspx?_gl=1*cpokiy*_ga*MTI1NzY0MDEzNS4xNjU1ODIxNTgy*_ga_CN7F7RET4F*MTY1OTU0MjU2MC4xNy4xLjE2NTk1NDM4MDEuMA..)
https://www.uua.org/central-east

**
Opportunities for Connection: Central East Region Update
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AUGUST 2022

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-822)

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