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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** What You’re Missing
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In case you didn’t know…our church is situated in the PERFECT location to see a sunset. This one, captured last week by Anita Sgrignoli from our Land Stewards team, did not disappoint.
Join the team any Wednesday evening through October to learn about what they do, why they do it, maybe help a little if you can, AND enjoy a beautiful sunset at the same time!
** Volunteer Opportunity: Help Serve Dinner at Family Promise
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Come join a dedicated team of Mill Creek volunteers as we prepare and serve dinner at the beautiful new Family Promise facility on Milltown Road. No special skills are needed—all food is prepared onsite under the guidance of the kitchen manager. Just bring your willingness to help.
Dates and Time:
* Monday, September 7 (Labor Day), 4-7pm: 2 volunteers needed
* Wednesday, September 9, 4-7pm: 6 volunteers needed
Family Promise (https://www.familypromisede.org/) is the only agency providing shelter for unhoused families in northern Delaware. Volunteers help staff the kitchen, prepare and serve meals, and assist with clean‑up. All you need to do is show up. You won’t be disappointed!
See or contact Chris Reynolds (click here (mailto:reynoldschistine0@gmail.com) ). Carpooling can be arranged.
** Adult RE Class
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New this fall:
Building Our Own Theology
What is it you actually believe? What UU values do you actually live by?
This fall, Rev. Christe is offering Building Our Own Theology, an original eight-week course — no textbook to buy, no single “menu” of belief options, just real material to think, feel, and argue with. The course builds toward something concrete: a personal credo you’ll write, revise, and share with the group in the closing week.
The class begins Wednesday, September 16 and meets first and third Wednesday evenings through January, 6:30–8:30 pm, at church. Registration is required, click the button below. Space is limited to keep the circle small. Contact Rev. Christe (mailto:revchriste@gmail.com) with questions.
Building Our Own Theology – register HERE (https://uusmc.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3831722)
** Help Preserve Democracy
Join Our Letter Writing Campaign
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Support our democracy by participating in the Social Justice Committee’s “Vote Forward” campaign! If you missed the orientation, click the button below for all information.
Join us for a group writing session at 6:30 pm in Classroom 3 on any of the dates shown below or pick up a packet from Becky Varlas on Sunday after the service in the back of the sanctuary, or send questions via email HERE (mailto:rebeccavarlas@gmail.com) .
SEPTEMBER SESSIONS:
Thursday, September 3
Tuesday, September 8
Thursday, September 17
Wednesday, September 23
Write on, Mill Creek!
Vote Forward: how it works – click HERE (https://www.uusmc.org/wp-content/uploads/Vote-Forward-2026-1.pdf)
** Faith Exploration Summer Activities
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Summer fun continues in the faith exploration classrooms!
August 30 – Tie-Dye Day! Another messy but fun activity. We will provide a white t-shirt and all the colors.
WISH LIST:
We are looking for woodworking tools. If you have any that you would like to donate, bring them in any Sunday. Thank you!
** Lost & Found
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There are several water/drink bottles that need to be returned to their owners. Look for the tray in the cloakroom to claim yours.
** Sunday Worship Service Information
August 30, 2026
10:30 am
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Meet the Moment: Reflections from General Assembly
This year’s General Assembly carried the theme Meet the Moment: Together Everywhere — and it showed up everywhere, from the 700 clergy who stood in the streets of Minneapolis this winter, to Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde’s Ware Lecture charge that we “lead boldly, even when the rest of us lag behind.”
This Sunday, Rev. Christe brings GA home, weaving new music from our expanding digital hymnal with Howard Thurman’s reminder that the real work begins after the gathering ends. Together we’ll explore what this moment is asking of us — not someday, but now: What skills do we need to meet this moment in history? What resources can our denomination provide? And what does the collective wisdom of our congregations bring to the table when they are in conversation and community together?
Music for this service will be offered by The Nearly Valentines: Jeanmarie Braddock, violin and voice, and Chris Braddock, guitar and ukulele. 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. Jeanmarie is active as a violinist throughout Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. 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. Chris and Jeanmarie have performed together since 2002.
Connect with Us In-Person
* Service begins at 10:30 am
* Children’s Faith Exploration programming is available for ages 4 and up (see below for what’s coming up)
* Child Care available (infant/toddler, ages birth to 3)
Connect with Us Virtually
* Click the link below: ‘Sunday Livestream’ (bookmark it on your preferred device for quick and easy access on Sunday morning).
Sunday Livestream – CLICK HERE (https://zoom.us/j/97806427419)
Meeting ID: 978 0642 7419
** Hoe Down at Mill Creek
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Members of Independence Squares dance club returned to Mill Creek for a fifth year to enjoy their “Summer Splash” on Saturday, August 15. Independence Squares is Philadelphia’s only square dance club teaching and supporting modern western square dancing for the LGBTQ+ community, their friends and advocates.
The club enjoys the welcoming space we offer and they have booked their event for 2027, returning for their sixth year. You can learn more about the club HERE (https://independencesquares.org/wp/) .
** Yoga Continues this Fall
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Join Margaret in the MacArtor Library, 8:30-10am, for gentle yoga and meditation on the following Fridays this fall:
September 18
September 25
October 2
October 9
October 16
October 23
Contact Margaret HERE (mailto:margaret_bodine@comcast.net) with any questions.
** 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 July & August we are supporting:
Meals on Wheels – Newark, Delaware
Coordinated by the Newark Senior Center and operated by volunteers, this program provides dependable weekday meal delivery so older adults can continue living at home with support. With a focus on consistency, dignity, and community connection, this program helps ensure no one is left without a proper meal.
Learn more about Meals on Wheels, Newark HERE (https://www.newarkseniorcenter.com/transportation-services)
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)
** Dungeons & Dragons
A Recurring Event
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Sundays: August 30; September 13 & 27
(every other week)
12:00 pm, Conference Room
D&D is a role-playing game about storytelling in worlds of swords and sorcery. 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. No registration required – just drop in. All are welcome to join the group in the Conference Room. Occurs every other week on Sundays.
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. Christe Lunsford, Minister
* Mondays & Tuesdays: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm in the office; calls and by email after 2pm.
* Thursdays: by appointment
* Sundays (when I preach): 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
* My regular days off are Friday and Saturday, unless I am scheduled for special congregational duties. I answer calls and emails Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. Any non-emergency calls or emails outside of those hours will be answered during the next work day.
* Other times may be arranged by mutual agreement via email: minister@uusmc.org (mailto:minister@uusmc.org) or click HERE (https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/appointments/schedules/AcZssZ08wOXSmX5fNN_vySxfpLP9VL2QqSZF5spIx5_9rxZm3e25LNywCGk4WoIlyFMvdn84osyy8XZl) .
* I joyfully participate in committee meetings when I am able, with particular focus on the Board, Finance, and Worship teams.
Debra Damiani, Congregational Administrator
Monday-Thursday 9 am to 2 pm
administrator@uusmc.org (mailto:administrator@uusmc.org)
302-369-2712
Margaret Borror, Faith Exploration Teacher
Sundays, and by appointment
dfe@uusmc.org (mailto:dfe@uusmc.org)
Rob Sylvester, Collaborative Accompanist
Sundays, and by appointment
** Connect with the UUA, Central East Region, and Delmarva Cluster
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** Unitarian Universalist Association Responds to Allegations of State-Sponsored Surveillance of at Least One Unitarian Universalist Church
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Free societies protect houses of worship; they do not spy on them. The UUA remains committed to working to create a just, equitable, and pluralistic society and protecting our congregations from state-sponsored efforts to intimidate them.
Read the official UUA statement: click HERE (https://www.uua.org/pressroom/press-releases/surveillance-uu-churches)
** Central East Region News Update
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To Be Disciples of Love
Rev. Bryon Tyler Coles, CER Regional Lead, Welcomes All to the 2026 – 2027 Church Year!
Read Bryon’s message, “To Be Disciples of Love” – click HERE (https://www.uua.org/central-east/blog/better-together/be-disciples-love)
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** Website (https://www.uusmc.org)
** Instagram (http://instagram.com/millcreekuu)
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