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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** Sunday Worship Service Information
November 2, 2025
10:30 am
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That which we practice over and over again becomes natural and easy for us, it can become a habit. Practice holds true for playing a musical instrument, for learning a language, and even for a mindset. It is possible to make patterns of action and thought by repetition. Let’s practice some gratitude in order to nurture the feeling throughout our lives.
Join us this Sunday when we welcome Rev. Andrew Weber and his sermon, “Practice Makes Permanent.”
Rev. Andrew Weber is a lifelong Unitarian Universalist who currently serves Thomas Paine Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Collegeville, PA. He lives in Newark with his wife and two children, who regularly attend Mill Creek. Andrew’s ministry is one of helping people and communities live into their best selves. He reflects on living a faith-informed life in an online blog called “How to Drive Like a Minister (https://drivelikeaminister.tumblr.com/) .”
Music for this service will be offered by Kevin J. Cope. Kevin is a University of Delaware graduate and currently teaches at the UD Community Music School. He has been a recipient of several Individual Artist Fellowships from the Delaware Division of the Arts, was featured on the cover of Soundboard Magazine in their 40th Anniversary Edition, and has been featured in Classical Guitar Magazine. Kevin’s compositions, performances, and info on various projects (including his Megadeth tribute band and progressive metal band Nil Lumen) can be found at www.kevinjcope.com (https://www.kevinjcope.com/) .
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
** Time to Turn the Clocks Back
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Daylight Saving Time ends at 2:00 am on Sunday, November 2 when clocks are set back 1 hour (“fall back”). Sunrise and sunset will be about 1 hour earlier than the day before, but there will be more light in the morning. Since the time changes at 2:00 am, people generally turn their clocks back before bed on Saturday night. Enjoy your extra hour of sleep!
** Help the Faith Exploration Kids with their Outreach Project
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“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!
** Share Our Warmth
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The Social Justice Committee 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 hats, gloves, scarves, and coats of all sizes (men’s, women’s and children’s sizes and styles) from Sunday, November 2 through Sunday, November 30. Look for the collection bin in the gathering space. For more information about St. Michael’s, visit stmichaelsde.org (https://www.stmichaelsde.org/) .
See or contact Becky Varlas (mailto:rebeccavarlas@gmail.com) with any questions about this project.
** Fall Tree Planting Day
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Go Native! Bring your tree-hugging friends and all those kids who like to play in the dirt to our tree planting day next 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, dress for the weather, and join the crew! We’ll show you how to best plant the tree so it can thrive. See Amy White or Jamie Kegerise with questions.
** Yoga Continues with Additional Classes Added
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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, October 31; 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
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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
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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 the whole congregation with 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!
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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
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CONCERT:
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, (701 S. College Avenue in Newark, Delaware) cordially invites everyone to attend an All Saints Concert on Sunday, November 2 at 4:00 pm.
This concert features the Sanctuary Choir, along with guest vocalists and instrumentalists, who will present Faure’s exceptional masterwork “Requiem,” as edited by John Rutter to represent what was originally intended when it was composed in 1893. The handbell ensemble will also perform, as well as organ and harp. There will also be opportunity for the audience to sing with the full complement of musicians.
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. 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
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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)
** Fall Craft Fair this Month
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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
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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
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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
** Featured in UUWorld Magazine
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“We Are Called to Justice”
Multifaith presence offers religious response to immigration crackdown actions at ICE detention center in Broadview, Illinois.
Read the story HERE (https://www.uuworld.org/articles/chicago-immigration-protests-unitarian-universalists?_gl=1*1obeyj3*_ga*MTM0MDU1NTQxMy4xNzYwOTcxMzgx*_ga_CN7F7RET4F*czE3NjE1ODQyODIkbzgkZzEkdDE3NjE1ODQ3OTckajYwJGwwJGgw)
** Opportunities for Connection: Central East Region Update
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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)
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