Printable Weeklies

Weekly Announcements (Printable)

Sunday Services

  • This Week:

    April 12, 2026 – Restorative Justice and the Prison Complex

    What does Universalism–the notion that we are all saved by being reconciled with a love greater than our sins–mean in the 21st century? How do we live this part of our faith heritage? The national association of UUs has committed to studying how prisons cause harm, and what possibilities there are for hope.

    Rev. Alex McGee will preach

  • Services This Month:

    April 12, 2026 – Restorative Justice and the Prison Complex

    What does Universalism–the notion that we are all saved by being reconciled with a love greater than our sins–mean in the 21st century? How do we live this part of our faith heritage? The national association of UUs has committed to studying how prisons cause harm, and what possibilities there are for hope.

    Rev. Alex McGee will preach

    April 19, 2026 – Caring for Moral Health

    As people of conscience, how can we relate to the people who serve in our military, knowing the complex moral issues that they face? Guest speaker Logan Isaac brings his background as a veteran, theologian, and ethicist.

    Logan Isaac will speak

    April 26, 2026 – What’s Your Agenda

    Having a personal or professional agenda is often considered a negative thing in Unitarian Universalism. Yet, not having purpose can cause anguish. We begin wonder what we are doing here. Today we unwrap our agendas in a life well lived.

    Guest speaker Rev. Mitra Rahnema is a lifelong Unitarian Universalist and graduate of Starr King School for the Ministry. She has offered ministry to congregations in Missouri, Michigan, and California. Mitra is editor of the 2017 book and UUA Common Read, “Centering: Navigating Race, Authenticity, and Power in Ministry.” She is dedicated to building vibrant and engaged anti-oppressive communities. Mitra lives in Portland, OR.

From the Minister

  • Between Us (December 2023)

    December arrives, with its unique forms of busy-ness and expectations, and I invite you to give yourself time to contemplate this season from as many perspectives as you can. To contemplate means to observe deeply, with focused attention. Perhaps what I’m suggesting is something different – not merely to think about in order to categorize, but to feel – to know by feeling. Maybe ponder is a better word than contemplate. What is this season, for you? What makes a difference? Winter, darkness, lights, Christmas, Solstice, rain or snow, fog, solitude, celebrations, rest?

    It is a season of holidays / holy days – each with particular insights to offer – Hannukah, Solstice, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Divali, and others. It is a season on this particular part of the earth – of rain and fog, sometimes of cold and ice, of geese and owls, of bare trees and mud, of creeks full and running fast. It is sadly, still, a season of struggle and strife, here and in so many other places. Of all these insights and occurrences, what nurtures you? What is hard for you? What helps you remember what you are part of?

    There’s lots of talk about giving, of course – especially from those who depend on this season to make as much money as they can. “Give our things” they say, and we too easily believe that consumerism is a source of happiness. We know the limits of that habit. What if we could make this a season of generosity more than just of “giving”?

    Events and Activities

    News and Announcements

    • Outreach Offerings for April

      Our April Justice Outreach offering will support the Community Services Consortium Weatherization Program. The program targets lower income housing for basic energy efficiency repairs and upgrades.  These involve energy assessments, insulation, weather stripping, ducts, furnace safety, and more, in a planned, organized process by local workers.  This is free for qualified residents of Linn, Benton, and Lincoln counties.  The program relies heavily on Federal funding which has become more difficult, while the waitlist for program services lengthens.  Your donations will allow more local households to be served and help those with sub-marginal incomes to save on energy costs. For more information, visit https://communityservices.us/weatherization/.

      How to donate to the monthly Outreach Offering

      Each month, the Fellowship gathers donations for a certain charitable cause. These are our Outreach Offerings. You can contribute to this month’s offering in a few ways:

      1. Give to the Sunday collection basket
      2. Donate online
      3. Donate to the refreshments during the social hour

      The Kitchen team donates an assortment of sweet and savory refreshments, including gluten-free and vegan choices, for our enjoyment at the social hour following Sunday worship. These items are purchased and prepared by the team to encourage donations to the Outreach Offering. Collection baskets are always found at the ends of the refreshments table. The next time you’re eyeing something tasty on the table, consider putting a donation in the basket first to show how much you appreciate having that treat ready and waiting for you!

    • Justice Outreach Fund is Seeking Proposals

      The Justice Outreach Fund (JOF) created in 2015 supports our Unitarian Universalist Values with an emphasis on creating a just and diverse multicultural Beloved Community where all thrive. To do this, the Fund awards small and large grants up to $10,000 to projects that are aimed at seeding and/or achieving social, economic, racial, and environmental justice.

      The JOF Team is looking for projects that support one or more of the following three outcomes:

      1. Changing how people are thinking and talking about an issue.
      2. Engaging people and communities in civic action.
      3. Developing or changing public or corporate policy.

      For more information, the JOF Team encourages you to visit our table in the Social Hall on the first Sunday of each month, visit our newly revised webpage, or email us at jofund@uucorvallis.org for more information.

    • Join the Choir, Wednesdays at 7 PM

      Embroider your life with song! The UUFC Choir meets every Wednesday at 7:00 PM in the Sanctuary and is open to anyone – whether you have musical experience or not. There is no audition.

      We sing a variety of pieces – each with unique style, instrumentation, and cultural significance – which allows for diverse musical exploration and personal expression.

      The Choir is a great way to be of service to our Fellowship community… and have FUN! Contact Director Steven Evans-Renteria for more information at this link.

      Childcare is available!

      Free childcare can usually be arranged for any Fellowship event by using this link 1-2 weeks prior to the event.

    • Share Your Voice: Timeline for UUFC Elections and Annual Meeting 2026

      The UUFC Annual Meeting is coming up on Sunday, May 17, 2026 after worship service. Many things happen at our annual meeting, including voting on who will fill various leadership roles. For exact details, please read the UUFC Bylaws, shown at the bottom of this page.

      Here is the timeline of events leading up to this year’s annual meeting.

      • Friday, January 16, 2026: The date of the Annual Meeting is announced

      • Friday, April 17, 2026: Slate of candidates nominated by the Nominating Committee is published

      • Saturday, May 2, 2026: Deadline for any candidates to be nominated by petition (see Bylaws Article III Section 1)

      • Saturday, May 9, 2026: Finalized slate of all nominated candidates is published

      • Sunday, May 17, 2026: Annual Meeting!

      Matters Up For Vote

      Elected Fellowship Lay Leaders

      The Nominating Committee will present a slate of candidates to fill the following roles:

      • Members of the Board of Directors

      • Members of the Nominating Committee

      • Chair of the Personnel Committee

      • Chair of the Financial Oversight Council

      Note that the Chair of the Committee on Ministry would normally also be elected at the Annual Meeting, but the work of the Committee on Ministry is paused during our time of Interim Ministry.

      Ministerial Search Committee

      The Board of Directors will present a slate of candidates to serve as the Ministerial Search Committee, which will be tasked with conducting a search for our next settled minister.

      Ways of Voting

      Motions are passed by majority vote of those present, which is determined through a verbal Yea/Nay vote.

      Voting Members

      Voting at the Annual Meeting is only open to people who are signed, active members of the Fellowship. In other words, those who have signed the membership book and maintained active membership. See Bylaws Article II.

      There is still time for new members to join before the Annual Meeting! Prospective members are required to attend three of the Inquirers Series sessions before signing the book: #1 Our Shared Values, #2 Transitions Q&A, #8 Membership 101 (or #9 UU Roots). These sessions will be offered before the Annual Meeting, on these dates:

      • Transitions Q&A: April 19 (swapped dates with Care & Support, which is now on May 10)

      • Membership 101: April 26

      • Our Shared Values: May 3

      If you have already completed any of these sessions, you only need to attend the others. You do not need to repeat a session you’ve already attended, though you are welcome to!

      The membership book will be available for signing after the Inquirers Series on May 10, for those who have completed the prerequisites. This will be the last opportunity to sign the membership book before the Annual Meeting. To learn more about membership at the UUFC, see our Path to Membership page.

      UUFC Bylaws

    • UUFC Group Camping Opportunities

      group camping at cascadia

      Save the Dates: Cascadia County Park, June 25 – 28, 2026
      Moonshine Park (near Siletz), September 10 – 13, 2026

      Come and join in fun and fellowship while camping with fellow UUFC members and friends! Plans include time for hiking, exploring, crafts, building community, happy hour, and much more. Bring your own tent, personal gear, and food. Parking is very limited (6 cars and 2 RVs – no hook-ups) at Cascadia and 8 vehicles (including RVs) at Moonshine Park, so carpools are encouraged. Come out for all or part of the event.

      Links to the camps:
      Cascadia County Park: https://www.linncountyor.gov/parksrec/park/cascadia-county-park
      Moonshine Park: https://www.co.lincoln.or.us/1060/Moonshine-Park

      Registration fees: $30 per person for each weekend (4days/3nights); family rates are available and will be detailed on the registration form

      More information and a link for reservations will be sent out soon. If you have specific questions, please contact Julie Halter and Nancy Gill by filling out this form.

    • UUFC Auction Donations Needed

      Our annual Services and Silent Auction is on Saturday, June 6 at the Philomath Scout Lodge and the theme this year is a garden party. Please join in our largest fundraiser by offering a fun service, event, or item. Do you have access to a getaway at the beach, in the mountains, or other vacation spot? These prized offerings always earn lots for our Fellowship.

      Services are a wonderful and fun way to meet other UUFC members and build community. Do you have a skill, interest, or hobby that you would like to share with others? Some possibilities: bird watching; dance lessons; singing lessons; music performances; guitar or ukulele lessons; drawing or painting opportunities; clay crafting; knitting lessons; rafting on the river; dinner for 4-12; computer help; house or window cleaning; clutter reduction; woodlands hike; homemade dinners delivered; homemade artisan breads or preserves; custom scarf or journal; gift basket; wine tasting on your patio; camping; yard work; cooking classes; gardening help; trip to the beach; anything you love. 

      Did you downsize or maybe clean out your closets this year and have some special items that you no longer want or need, such as jewelry, furniture, or artwork that you would be willing to donate?  Bonus points if your donation coordinates with this year’s theme!

      The Services and Silent Auction is a fun party. You’ll definitely want to attend. Everything you donate and everything that’s purchased goes to help support the UUFC. Submit information about your donation(s) here, and the Fundraising Team will reach out.  Paper copies of the donation form will be available at the Fellowship after worship on Sundays. Thank you!

      If you have questions about donations, email servicesauction@uucorvallis.org.