Weekly News - December 25, 2025 - Unitarian Universalist Society of Mill Creek

Posted on December 25, 2025 Posted By: Office Administrator Categories: News

Here’s what’s happening at Mill Creek:

** Sunday Worship Service Information
December 28, 2025
10:30 am
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Join us this Sunday as we gather for a lively celebration of Kwanzaa.
Kwanzaa is not simply a holiday or a cultural moment. It is a practice, a way of moving through the world with intention, dignity, and hope. When the world feels dimly lit – when uncertainty, injustice, or hardship casts shadows – we are called not to retreat, but to shine.

There will be a special musical performance offered by Mookamilli Entertainment, a multifaceted company that manages groups of musicians, composers, writers, dancers, and educators from different parts of the world. Each individual member of the company presents a vibrant and unique perspective of the arts as a result of decades of experience in teaching and performing. Fusing various styles of music, such as West African drumming, Calypso, Jazz, and Hip-Hop with Pop Culture as a way to communicate to audiences that all people are connected no matter their place of origin, race, or creed. The group believes that through music, peace is possible throughout the world.
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

** Office Closure
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The church office is closed now through Friday, January 2, and will reopen on Monday, January 5.

** Kwanzaa: Honor and Commitment
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Photo courtesy of Takiyah Amin

In the current issue of Braver/Wiser, Dr. Takiyah Nur Amin reflects on living her entire life with the gift and brilliance of the Kwanzaa holiday, and the responsibility of teaching the tradition to others. The featured photo shows the author’s mother and their family Kwanzaa table.

As a Black UU from a multi-religious family, having a celebration that focused on our shared history, heritage, and culture grounded and guided me, ethically and culturally. I am grateful for the tradition of Kwanzaa and hopeful that others will continue to embrace its depth and beauty. –Takiyah Amin
Read the message HERE (https://www.uua.org/braverwiser/honor-and-commitment)
Braver/Wiser (https://www.uua.org/braverwiser) is a weekly message of courage and compassion found on the UUA’s Worship Web and features an original reflection and brief prayer grounded in Unitarian Universalism. Click HERE (https://www.uua.org/braverwiser/subscribe) to subscribe.

** Volunteers Needed!
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With the increased attendance in the Faith Exploration classroom on Sunday mornings, (while very encouraging), comes the very real need for volunteers.

Help is needed on Sunday mornings:
* supervising play in the nursery (no diapering required!)
* engaging with the kids and helping out with simple projects in the classroom

Please see Margaret with your interest, or email dre@uusmc.org (mailto:dre@uusmc.org) .
Thank you for considering your involvement in this important ministry.
Volunteerism: Giving time, spreading love.

** Book Discussion Begins in January
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Join us as we explore four powerful books that shed light on racism in America and how we can work toward achieving equity and justice. Together, these books (see below for the list) reveal how racism shapes our society through denial, injustice, economic harm, and backlash, and invite us to imagine and work toward a more just and equitable future as we uphold our Unitarian Universalist values. Tracey Crook will facilitate these book discussions. The discussions will start in January 2026. We will meet on the last Wednesday of the month at 2 pm in the conference room. Sessions will last approximately 60-90 minutes.

January 28
Nice Racism: How Progressive White People Perpetuate Racial Harm by Robin DiAngelo
February 25
Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson
March 25
The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together by Heather McGhee
April 29
White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide by Carol Anderson
Sign up HERE to participate on one or more discussions. (mailto:tacrook@swbell.net)

** Church Cancelation Procedures & Notification Methods
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Board policy leaves the decision to cancel church service with the minster and the board president. We always endeavor to make such decisions in a timely fashion.

If the decision to cancel is made we will: send out an email to all congregants (if possible and time allows), and post notice on Facebook (both the public and private UUSMC pages).

We are also linked with the local SnoWatch system. SnoWatch reports are broadcast on 1150 AM WDEL and 93.7 FM WSTW and are available online at wdel.com (https://www.wdel.com/features/wdel-stormwatch/) and wstw.com (https://www.wstw.com/wstw-stormwatch/) . These links will also be available on the church website, uusmc.org.

So, particularly now through March, if the weather calls for any kind of dangerous precipitation, please check your inbox and/or the above media or call the church before heading out. We want everyone to be safe this winter!

** 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 November & December we are supporting:

YWCA Delaware
The YWCA is proud to be one of the oldest and largest organizations supporting women in the United States, providing services for women and their families in our community.

This organization is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. This is done through:

* Community housing program which provides supportive services in a safe and stable environment for unhoused individuals with children and two-parent families. These services teach life skills and assist families in becoming gainfully employed, permanently housed, and completely self-sufficient.
* Client economic development through counseling, education and training in personal finance management, homeownership, work readiness, and self-employment.
* College and career preparation and diversity and leadership workshops for at-risk youth, gives students an opportunity for an accomplished future. The program challenges youth to become independent thinkers, advocate for their own success, and build self-esteem, social competence, and employability skills.
* Sexual Assault Response Center (SARC) provides comprehensive, free and confidential rape crisis services to sexual assault survivors and domestic violence survivors aged 12 and older and their non-offending family members, friends, and partners.

Learn more about YWCA Delaware HERE (https://www.ywcade.org/)
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, January 4 & 18
(every 2 weeks)
12:00 pm, Classroom 4
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 classroom 4. Occurs every 2 weeks 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
Sundays, when preaching: 9am – 3pm
Monday & Tuesday, 10am – 4pm
Thursday by appointment only, click HERE (https://calendar.google.com/calendar/appointments/schedules/AcZssZ08wOXSmX5fNN_vySxfpLP9VL2QqSZF5spIx5_9rxZm3e25LNywCGk4WoIlyFMvdn84osyy8XZl)
Or email minister@uusmc.org (mailto:minister@uusmc.org)
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
dre@uusmc.org (mailto:dre@uusmc.org)

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Weekly News – December 25, 2025

Weekly News – December 25, 2025