Here’s what’s happening at Mill Creek:
** Congregational Life
————————————————————
** Upcoming events, meetings and news to know
————————————————————
** Souper Bowl Potluck Party
this Saturday
————————————————————
Join us this Saturday, February 7 at 5:00 pm for our Souper Bowl Saturday Potluck Dinner – all are welcome!
Bring a pot of soup, a loaf of bread, salad, or a dessert to share. We will provide soft drinks. Join in our 50/50 fundraiser by bringing some cash with you.
We encourage everyone to participate in our canned food collection to benefit the Food Bank of Delaware – bring a can (or more) of soup.
Click the button below to RSVP to and let us know you are interested in attending and how many are coming. Children are welcome, however childcare will not be available.
Looking forward to sharing a warm and spirited Saturday evening together!
RSVP HERE (mailto:reynoldschristine0@gmail.com)
** Reminder: Church Cancellation Procedures & Notification Methods
————————————————————
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.
Once the decision is made to cancel Sunday service we will: send an email blast – if possible and time allows (will come from news@uusmc.org), post notice on Facebook (both the public and private UUSMC pages), and report closure information to the local SnoWatch system.
SnoWatch reports are available online:
wdel.com (https://www.wdel.com/features/wdel-stormwatch/)
(https://www.wdel.com/features/wdel-stormwatch/)
and
wstw.com (https://www.wstw.com/snowatch-weather-center/)
(https://www.wstw.com/snowatch-weather-center/)
NOTE: we will use the SnoWatch notification method for building closures pertaining to all scheduled meetings and classes held during the week. This includes chalice circles, committee meetings, art classes, music rehearsals, etc.
If the weather calls for any kind of dangerous weather, please check your inbox and/or the above media PRIOR TO any meeting, class, event, or worship service. We want everyone to be safe this winter!
** How You Can Experience Black History Month
————————————————————
* Educate yourself about the month-long observance from trusted sources: blackhistorymonth.gov (https://www.blackhistorymonth.gov/index.html) , blackpast.org (https://blackpast.org/) , and nmaahc.si.edu (https://nmaahc.si.edu/) (National Museum for African American History & Culture)
* View Black films and documentaries; invite a friend and have a discussion
* Visit a Black History or civil rights museum or historical site; consider virtual tours
* Attend a Black culture event
* Mentor a Black child in your community
* Support Black-owned businesses and creators
* Talk with Black elders about their past experiences
* Learn about an unsung hero of Black History
* Donate to organizations led by and for Black communities
* Host a Black-authored book discussion group
* Prepare food inspired by African or African American cuisine – make it a dinner party
Click HERE to learn about events in our local area as featured in Delaware Today (https://delawaretoday.com/things-to-do/black-history-month-events/)
** A Great Start on the Diaper Drive
————————————————————
The Social Justice Committee’s Diaper Drive, supporting Catholic Charities Diaper Bank, got off to a great start with 663 diapers of all sizes plus supplies have been received so far!
Catholic Charities Diaper Bank – an affiliate of the National Diaper Bank Network – helps low-income families keep their young children clean, dry, and healthy by providing much needed supplies at their monthly diaper distributions in Wilmington.
We are collecting the following items & supplies:
* Diapers, all infant sizes; especially toddler sizes (4, 5 & 6 and pullup styles)
* Wipes
* Bath Wash
* Bath Cloths
Donations accepted through Sunday, March 1.
Did you know…?
* Babies need 10-12 diapers a day; toddlers need about 8 per day.
* Disposable diapers, depending on brand, can cost up to $120 per month.
* 1 in 3 families struggle to provide an adequate supply of diapers for their children.
* Working families must provide an additional supply of disposable diapers to their child care provider.
* Cloth diapers are not accepted at most child care centers.
** Mill Creek Welcomes Muslim Group
————————————————————
We have a new rental agreement with a group of Muslims from our local area who will be using the church building for their evening prayers.
Their prayer times are based on the natural movement of day and night. Between now and February 15, the group will convene in the MacArtor Library for prayers in Arabic every evening around 7pm and will last about 15-20 minutes, preceded and followed by brief times for set up and clean up.
Ramadan begins on the evening of Tuesday, February 17 when the group will be focused on spending time at their mosque on Salem Church Road through Thursday, March 19. We expect them to return to our facility to resume daily prayer gatherings each evening on or about Friday, March 20.
Between now and February 15, we ask everyone to be mindful of their presence in the building.
** Sunday Worship Service Information
February 8, 2026
10:30 am
————————————————————
What does it mean to prepare—not just for a moment, but for the long haul?
Many of us sense that we are being called into sustained courage, care, and action. That kind of faithfulness asks more than urgency alone. It asks us to tend our bodies as well as our spirits, to strengthen our resilience, and to root ourselves—emotionally, ethically, and practically—for what lies ahead. This Sunday’s service invites us to reflect on how we get ready: how we keep our hearts open without burning out, how we ready our bodies to show up again and again, and how clarity—about our values, our responsibilities, and even our rights—can become spiritual grounding. Come as you are. Come weary, ready, or unsure. Together, we will practice what it means to get ready—faithfully, in solidarity, and in deep love. Join us for Rev. Christe Lunsford’s sermon, “We the People Get Ready.”
Music for this service will be offered by Rob Sylvester. Rob, a Queens Village native born to Trinidadian parents, discovered his musical calling early, playing organ and piano for his Caribbean Seventh-day Adventist church by age eight. Drawn to the power of gospel, spirituals, and classical traditions, he later stepped beyond denominational boundaries in search of communities that uplift the human spirit and champion social action. After a decade focused on classical, jazz, and opera, he returned to his roots with a renewed commitment to inspirational music and music therapy.
Rob has toured the East Coast and now resides in New Castle, Delaware. He currently serves as Minister of Music at Voice of Truth SDA Church in Newark and as pianist for the historic First African Baptist Church of Philadelphia. His work is driven by a passion for inclusive, justice‑minded communities devoted to creating a more loving world. Wherever music can inspire action, you’ll find him.
Plan to remain with us after this service for our mid-year congregational meeting. Learn about the 2026 Generosity Campaign, the church budget, what church committees are doing, and more.
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://uusmc.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8c80a09d53a8aec43de675d26&id=7e2744c3f8&e=9e32ea5753) (https://www.uusmc.org/news/calendar (https://uusmc.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8c80a09d53a8aec43de675d26&id=938e123965&e=9e32ea5753) )
Sunday Livestream – CLICK HERE (https://zoom.us/j/97806427419)
Meeting ID: 978 0642 7419
** State of the Vote
Panel Discussion
————————————————————
Tuesday, February 17
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
All are welcome to attend a State of the Vote Panel Discussion in partnership with the ACLU of Delaware and the Delaware Voting Rights Coalition. This FREE event brings together local experts for a timely conversation about where our state stands on voting protections, including the Every Vote Counts (EVC) amendments and potential updates to the Voting Rights Act.
Guest panelists include:
* Andrew Walchuk, Policy Director of Counsel, Voting and Fair Representation, Common Cause
* Dr. Marlene Saunders, DSW, MSW, Retired DSU Chair of Social Work, DSU Board of Trustees, Vice-Chair of Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice (SDARJ), Vice-Chair of Women’s March Sussex, Divine 9 Member
* Tiffany Lydon, President, League of Women Voters of Delaware (LWVDE)
We hope you will join us in the church sanctuary as we explore these issues, what they could mean for voters across Delaware, and why civic engagement continues to matter.
Click HERE to RSVP for this event. (https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/bvqksnw)
** Charm Junction Returns to Mill Creek
————————————————————
Friday, February 20
7:30 pm
Brandywine Friends of Old Time Music brings back Baltimore-based Charm City Junction for their second performance at Mill Creek.
This award-winning acoustic roots quartet weaves together a tapestry of tones spawned in the rolling hills of Ireland through the hollers of Appalachia. They play with an intensity and sensitivity only close friends can have. Since forming in the winter of 2014, the band has rocketed to prominence through their engaging live performances and innovative approach. The band is comprised of four of the most talented roots musicians in the country: Patrick McAvinue on fiddle, Brad Kolodner on clawhammer banjo, Sean McComiskey on button accordion and Alex Lacquement on upright bass.
Tickets online:
Click HERE (https://uusmc.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8c80a09d53a8aec43de675d26&id=f6b6c62a0f&e=9e32ea5753)
Tickets at the door:
Public $25
Seniors $20
Students with ID $15
Ages 17 & under FREE!
More info: concerts@brandywinefriends.org (mailto:concerts@brandywinefriends.org) , or (302) 321-6466
Learn more about the group and take a listen to their music HERE (https://www.charmcityjunction.com/)
** Composting & Plastic Recycling Event
————————————————————
* Are you considering composting?
* Do you have questions about plastic recycling?
* Already a composter and/or recycler but want to be sure you’re doing it right?
All are welcome to attend a virtual composting and plastic recycling informational session on Monday, February 23 at 7pm:
Click HERE for the Zoom link (https://udel.zoom.us/j/98738432433)
** Yoga is Back
————————————————————
Join Margaret in the library, 8:30am-10am, for gentle yoga & meditation.
Fridays: February 6, 13 & 20; March 6, 13 & 20. To register or with questions, contact Margaret HERE (mailto:margaret_bodine@comcast.net) .
** Book Discussion Group
————————————————————
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. The discussions, led by Tracey Crook, occur on the last Wednesday of the month, January through April, and will last approximately 60-90 minutes.
Discussion 2 of 4:
Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption
by Bryan Stevenson
Wednesday, February 25
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
Each book discussion is available in the following formats:
Afternoon: 2:00 pm in the conference room
OR
Evening: 7:00 pm via Zoom
Click HERE to participate in one or more discussions, and indicate your attendance option (afternoon in-person or evening via Zoom) for the session you’re interested in. (mailto:tacrook@swbell.net)
** Wilmington Community Orchestra Concert this Friday Night
————————————————————
This concert, originally scheduled for Sunday, January 18, was cancelled due to inclement weather. It has been rescheduled:
For anyone who likes classical music, come see The Wilmington Community Orchestra’s performance of “Viva L’Italia!” Friday, February 6 at 7:30pm in the Wilmington Concert Hall at the Music School of Delaware (4101 Washington St., Wilmington, DE). Enjoy music from Carmen and more with guest opera singers, as well as symphonies by Mendelssohn and Rossini. Tickets: $15 for adults and $5 for students. See Diana Saunders for more info, or click HERE (https://www.musicschoolofdelaware.org/tickets.html) .
** Volunteers Still Needed
————————————————————
(Yes, that might mean YOU)
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
Thank you for considering your involvement in this important ministry. Please see Margaret with your interest, or email dre@uusmc.org (mailto:dre@uusmc.org) .
Children are great imitators. So give them something great to imitate.
— Anonymous
** Current Share Our Plate Recipient
————————————————————
We regularly donate a half of our undesignated plate collection to a local charity or non-profit organization. For the months of January & February we are supporting:
ACLU of Delaware
For nearly 100 years, the American Civil Liberties Union – ACLU – has worked in courts, legislatures and communities to protect the constitutional rights of all people with a nationwide network of offices and millions of members and supporters. The mission of the ACLU of Delaware is to preserve and advance civil liberties and civil rights in the State of Delaware as enshrined in the United States and Delaware Constitutions through education and advocacy without consideration of political association.
Learn more about ACLU of Delaware HERE (https://www.aclu-de.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
————————————————————
Sundays, February 15; March 1, 15 & 29
(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)
** Connect with the UUA, Central East Region, and Delmarva Cluster
————————————————————
** Unitarian Universalists Join ‘ICE Out’ Demonstrations in Minneapolis
————————————————————
Hundreds of UU clergy and laypeople from across the nation joined The Day of Truth and Freedom (https://www.iceoutnowmn.com/) , a nonviolent moral action and reflection calling for the end of ICE operations in Minnesota. Organized by labor unions, community leaders, and faith groups, The Day of Truth and Freedom included a rally and march in downtown Minneapolis.
Read the UUworld.org article HERE (https://www.uuworld.org/articles/minneapolis-clergy-march-ice-resistance-unitarian-universalism?_gl=1*12lj19d*_ga*MjA1ODA4Mzk0MC4xNzYzMDU5ODE2*_ga_CN7F7RET4F*czE3Njk2OTkzNDkkbzIyJGcwJHQxNzY5Njk5MzQ5JGo2MCRsMCRoMA..)
** Central East Region News Update
————————————————————
February 2026
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.
Central East Region Update – click HERE (https://www.uua.org/central-east/blog/news/cer-news-0226)
============================================================
** Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/UUSMC)
** Website (https://www.uusmc.org)
** Instagram (http://instagram.com/millcreekuu)
Copyright © *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*, All rights reserved.
*|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* *|LIST:DESCRIPTION|*
Our mailing address is:
*|LIST_ADDRESS|* *|END:IF|*
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences (*|UPDATE_PROFILE|*)
or ** unsubscribe from this list (*|UNSUB|*)
.
*|IF:REWARDS|* *|REWARDS_TEXT|* *|END:IF|*