Here’s what’s happening at Mill Creek:
** Congregational Life
————————————————————
** Upcoming events, meetings and news to know
————————————————————
** Sunday Worship Service Information
November 9, 2025
10:30 am
————————————————————
Meeting the Moment Together
Join us for a service centered on gratitude, vision, and the shared work of sustaining our community. As we begin our annual stewardship season, we’ll reflect on what it means to belong to a congregation that offers meaning, purpose, and hope in a time of great need.
Rev. Christe will invite us to imagine what’s possible when we give from the heart—when our collective generosity becomes an act of faith in one another and in the future we are building together.
Come, be part of the story we’re still writing—one of courage, care, and commitment to the life we share.
Music for this service will be offered by Maria Rusu. Born in Brasov, Romania, Maria Rusu attended a music school there for twelve years before coming to the U.S. to continue her musical studies. She is currently on staff as Core Faculty at the Music School of Delaware in Wilmington, serving as Senior Student Services Manager, teaching violin, viola, and jazz voice, as well as string coaching, and serves as the assistant conductor of the Delaware Youth Symphony Orchestra. Maria is also a member of the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra and Newark Symphony Orchestra, playing in both the violin and viola sections. She will be performing this Sunday, 4pm – 7pm, at the Music School’s 100-year celebration.
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
** Fall Tree Planting Day this Saturday
————————————————————
Go Native! Bring your tree-hugging friends and all those kids who like to play in the dirt to our tree planting day this Saturday, November 8 at 9am.
We have 15 native trees to plant and the holes are already dug so you get to do all the fun work – so bring a pair of gloves and a shovel if you have one, dress for the weather, and join the crew! We’ll show you how to best plant the trees so they will thrive. See Amy White or Jamie Kegerise with questions.
** November 9 is Potluck Sunday
————————————————————
This Sunday, plan to remain with us after the service and enjoy food and fellowship at our potluck lunch. Bring a main or side dish, appetizer or salad, dessert or beverages to share if you wish.
** Land Stewards Meeting this Sunday
————————————————————
Grab a plate of food after the service this Sunday and join the stewards in the conference room for an informative meeting.
** Help the Faith Exploration Kids with their Outreach Project
————————————————————
“Blessing Bags”
The Faith Exploration Kids, led by Margaret Borror, are working on an outreach project and need your help. They will be assembling blessing bags filled with warm hats, gloves and socks, plus personal care items and small snack foods.
The bags will be assembled on Sunday, November 9 and made available after service that day for anyone wishing to deliver one or more to those in need. You can help the kids fill the bags by contributing to the wish list – click the red button to view and shop.
Blessing Bag Wish List (https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3EEE8OIK6KLO7?ref_=wl_share)
Remember – the deadline is November 9!
Margaret is open to suggestions for organizations that may benefit from this project. Reach out to Margaret at dre@uusmc.org (mailto:dre@uusmc.org) .
Thank you for your generosity!
** Social Justice Projects
————————————————————
The Mill Creek Social Justice Committee is offering ways you can help our neighbors get warm and fed. Check out the opportunities below, and see or contact Becky Varlas (mailto:rebeccavarlas@gmail.com) with any questions.
Winter Coat Drive
The SJC is sponsoring a Share Our Warmth winter coat drive for the month of November to benefit the children and parents of St. Michael’s School & Nursery, 700 N. Walnut St. in Wilmington.
We are collecting new or gently used coats, hats, scarves, gloves and mittens of all sizes (men’s, women’s and children’s sizes and styles) now through Sunday, November 30. Look for the collection bin in the gathering space. For more information about St. Michael’s, click HERE (https://www.stmichaelsde.org/) .
Bagged Lunches
The SJC is looking for 6 to 8 volunteers to help prepare and assemble 150 bagged lunches after service on Sunday, November 23; they will be donated to the Ministry of Caring to help alleviate the immediate need of those experiencing food insecurity. Look for the sign-up sheet in the gathering space. For more information about the Ministry of Caring, click HERE (https://www.ministryofcaring.org/) .
** Yoga Continues with Additional Classes Added
————————————————————
Join Margaret for a gentle yoga practice to relax and renew. We’ll explore asanas (held postures) and kriya (flowing through postures) using breath as our guide. We will end with mindfulness meditation practice.
When: Fridays, November 7, 14 & 21 (no 28); December 5, 12, & 19 (no 26), 8:30 am – 10:00 am
Where: Church Sanctuary
Bring: Yoga mat, a small firm pillow, water
Requirement: Must be able to get down to and up from the floor
Registration: Required! Space is limited to 6 participants – click the button below if you have questions or to register.
Click HERE to register or with questions (mailto:margaret_bodine@comcast.net)
** Volunteer Greeters Needed
————————————————————
We are looking for volunteer greeters to help implement our congregation’s new Radical Welcome initiative, a program that seeks to make every person who visits Mill Creek feel welcome, seen, and valued. Embracing all visitors will ensure that our community continues to change, grow and serve. Thank you to all who have already agreed to participate.
Volunteer Greeters will be trained and will serve in groups of four every four to six weeks (approximately). Extending a warm welcome is critical to a visitor’s first experience of our community and service as a greeter is a fun way to get involved. Interested? Contact Kathy Stamm (mailto:jstamm09@comcast.net) or Stephen Janick (mailto:sjanick@udel.edu) .
** Winter Wonderland Party
————————————————————
The Fellowship & Fun Committee is delighted to sponsor our second annual Winter Wonderland Party!
Mark your calendar now: Saturday, December 13, 5:00 pm
Share in the fun with church members and friends and enjoy appetizers/charcuterie boards, desserts, winter-themed music, trivia, ugly sweaters, photobooth, white elephant, and even MORE. A full announcement with all the details will be coming soon.
** Artificial Christmas Trees Still Wanted!
————————————————————
Yes – we are *still* collecting unwanted artificial Christmas trees: any size, any variety, any condition.
Planning to replace your tree this year? Are you downsizing? Upsizing? Have a Charlie Brown tree you’d like to get rid of? We’ll take any tree — no questions asked! We’re also looking for an artificial Ficus tree.
Drop off your donations to the church office at any time – thank you!
** Local Interfaith Events
————————————————————
CONCERT:
The First State Flute Choir welcomes everyone to their Fall Concert at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (701 S. College Avenue in Newark, Delaware) on Sunday, November 16 at 4:00 pm.
Come and hear 18 flutists, including piccolo, flute, alto flute, bass flute and contra-bass flute. Learn more about the Flute Choir on their Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/firststateflutechoir) page, or contact Diana Saunders (mailto:diana.h.saunders@gmail.com) with any questions about this event.
WORSHIP SERVICE:
All are welcome to attend the 37th annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service at Temple Beth El (301 Possum Park Road in Newark, Delaware) on Tuesday, November 25 at 7:00 pm.
The service will include reflections from representatives of diverse faith traditions along with music and readings, and features our own Rev. Christe Lunsford as guest speaker.
A freewill offering will be collected for the benefit of Friendship House of Delaware, which in June announced a new strategic partnership with Limen Recovery & Wellness. Singers are invited to join a combined choir which will rehearse at 6:00 pm. The music to be performed can be viewed HERE (https://www.uusmc.org/wp-content/uploads/Interfaith.ThanksgivingChoral.pdf) . Learn more – view the Facebook post HERE (https://www.facebook.com/events/1196557562300897/?acontext=%7B%22action_history%22%3A%22null%22%7D&ref_source=newsfeed&ref_mechanism=feed_attachment) .
This service will be livestreamed – click HERE (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/100614900#success) .
** 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 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)
Share Our Plate:
September & October
For the months of September and October we supported Kennett Area Community Service with our donation of $1683. This organization provides essential life-sustaining services to people living in Southern Chester County, Pennsylvania. Learn more about this organization and the work they do HERE (https://kacsimpact.org/) .
** Fall Craft Fair this Month
————————————————————
The International Women’s Club (https://iwcdelaware.org/) (IWC) of Delaware is hosting a Crafts, Desserts, and White Elephant Fair on Thursday, November 20, 2025, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. Everyone is welcome! Get a jump on your holiday shopping with a wide assortment of handmade crafts, original artworks, and more. Reach out to club members Debby Huertas, Anita Srignoli, or Diana Saunders with questions, or if you would like to join this fun club!
Calling all crafters! The club is still in need of crafters to sell their wares for this event. The cost for a table is $35 – deadline to register and pay is Friday, November 7 – contact Sarah Collins (mailto:sarahleecollins@gmail.com) . If you would like to donate a gently used decorative item or book, reach out to Sheridan Kingsberry (mailto:sqkingsberry1@verizon.net) .
Craft Sale Location:
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
1314 Foulk Road, Wilmington
(next to Brandywine High School)
** Thinking Ahead:
SERVICE AUCTION 2026
————————————————————
We’ve reserved Saturday, April 11 for our annual fundraiser. This date is two weeks earlier than last year so NOW is the time to begin the planning!
We need a new lead to replace Janice Buckwalter (who chaired this event over the past several years – thank you, Janice!), as well as a team of willing volunteers who are committed to making the auction another grand success.
Reach out to the board (board@uusmc.org (mailto:board@uusmc.org) , or click the button below) if you are interested in participating in any capacity.
Save the date NOW on your calendar!
I can help! (mailto:board@uusmc.org)
** Dungeons & Dragons
A Recurring Event
————————————————————
Sundays, November 9 & 23
(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, Delmarva Cluster, and Central East Region
** How UU’s are Helping During the SNAP Crisis
————————————————————
UU congregations across the country are meeting the moment by responding to this crisis in their communities, and living up to the shared value of generosity by operating food pantries and mutual aid, coordinating food drives, planning meal-packing events, and more.
Read the story HERE (https://www.uua.org/pressroom/ingoodfaith/uus-snap-crisis)
** Opportunities for Connection: Central East Region Update
————————————————————
NOVEMBER 2025
Featured Resource:
UU Institute
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 (https://www.uua.org/central-east/blog/opportunities-1125)
============================================================
** 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|*