WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS – text only
Sunday Services
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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
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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
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March 27, 2026, by Rev. Alex McGee
Dear UUFC:
This coming Tuesday, March 31, is International Transgender Day of Visibility. Here at UU Fellowship of Corvallis, what can that mean? To begin to explore an answer, I offer these words from Nat Esparza, who serves on the staff of the Unitarian Universalist Association in the Southern Region:
If our communities are acts of creation—who are we imagining into them?
And who are we leaving out?If that question makes you uncomfortable—good. Discomfort is where change begins.
Whatever you do next, let it be real.
Let it be rooted in love.
Let it be imperfect, human, and ongoing.Because that’s what true community care looks like.
That’s what liberation demands.We’ve been visible. Now it’s time to be heard, to be trusted, and to shape what comes next.
In the end, we all want the same thing—
To feel less alone.
To be seen.
To know that our stories, our lives, and our futures truly matter.I encourage you to read Nat’s whole article here.
And let’s keep seeing, listening, feeling, living…together.
In peace,
Rev. Alex
This Week at UUFC
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Grounds Work Parties in April
Happy Spring! Time to get outdoors and get our grounds looking great. Joyce has scheduled 4 work parties for April, and will plan additional work parties weekly in May. Please come help out when you can – let Joyce know if you plan to attend.
April Work Parties
Mondays: April 6 and April 20 3-5pm
Saturdays: April 4 and April 18 3-5pmIf you can’t make those times and would prefer to come when you can, there are specific tasks you can work on individually or with a buddy (a potentially new friend?). Specific tasks include things like:
- cardboarding and mulching the areas adjacent to Firwood and Elmwood to get rid of the scraggly grass and weeds that are unsightly and difficult to mow.
- weeding a specific area (lots to choose from!)
- repotting potted plants
Our group efforts will involve completing work on the pollinator garden, which will mean planting annuals, mulching, setting up a watering system and woodchipping the path. And other misc. pruning and wood chipping the paths.
We are having the large oak trees pruned on April 16th by Peak Tree Care. After their work, we should have some high quality wood chips to use for the paths.
Childcare is available!
Free childcare can usually be arranged for any Fellowship event by using this link 1-2 weeks prior to the event.
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LEGATO potluck, 4/8
Come lend your voices to table talk about justice in our society. You might share song titles the choir and band could include in its repertoire. The potluck is Wednesday April 8 at 6:30 PM. Come early if you can help set up tables.
Bring a dish to share (please identify all ingredients), serving utensil (if needed), and your own plate, fork, and water. The kitchen will not be used. This is a low-impact meal.
This is a Connect Up Event with the purpose of building community within the UUFC congregation.
Childcare is available!
Free childcare can usually be arranged for any Fellowship event by using this link 1-2 weeks prior to the event.
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Sacred Chanting with Shantala and Friends, 4/11
Shantala, the kirtan duo of Benjy and Heather Wertheimer, has over two decades of experience leading kirtan (sacred chanting), and have captivated audiences worldwide. Their music is a beautiful tapestry of exquisite vocals, Indian instrumentation, and Western influences, creating a loving and reverent atmosphere.
Saturday, April 11 at 7 PM in the Sanctuary.
Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Get tickets here.
Childcare is available!
Free childcare can usually be arranged for any Fellowship event by using this link 1-2 weeks prior to the event.
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Corvallis Politics 101 Workshop, 4/4
Want to make local change happen? Considering running for office? Interested in learning more about how local politics works?
Join our Foundations of Corvallis Politics course on April 4th at 12pm at the UUFC.
No experience necessary. We’ll teach you how power and influence moves in the city, and how you can participate. This workshop will set the foundation for several tracks – whether you’re an advocate, potential candidate, or campaign support, this class is for you.
Tentative Schedule
- 12pm-1pm lunch
- 1pm-6pm workshops (with lots of breaks!)
- 6pm-7pm optional networking session (Downtown)
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Cooperative Egg Hunt
We know many egg hunts are all about gathering as many eggs as you can, as fast as you can. Ours is a little different, and that difference really matters for your child’s experience. Please take a moment to look over the plan so you can help them understand what to expect: a cooperative, shared activity where every child gets one of each color and leaves with a full set of meaningful treasures. When children know ahead of time that this isn’t about collecting as many eggs as possible, they are much more likely to relax, enjoy the process, and feel proud of what they’ve gathered. Your guidance helps make the experience joyful and fair for everyone.
🌈 The Plan
This is a cooperative hunt, not a race.
Everyone helps make sure all children can collect one egg of each of the 7 colors.
Each color corresponds with a value, and each value has a station at one of the tables.🥚 How It Works
- Find one egg of a new color
- Only take an egg if you haven’t already had that color.
- If you accidentally get one twice. It’s okay. Just put it back in the grass.
- Trade it in right away
- Bring the one egg to the table that matches its color/value.
- Trade the egg for a prize that helps you remember that value.
- Leave the egg behind
- Eggs stay at the tables. Only prizes go home.
- Repeat
- Go find a different color and trade it in, until you have visited all 7 value stations.
- If you’ve found all you need, look around and see who needs help!
🎯 Important Guidelines
- ✔️ One egg per color per child
- ✔️ Trade each egg before finding another
- ✔️ Collect one prize from each station (7 total)
- ✔️ Most tables have two values, one has one value
- ✔️ Things run more smoothly if everyone doesn’t go to the same table at the same time, so no need to go in order.
🚧 Safety & Boundaries
- Stay inside the cones at all times
- Parents, Guardians, and Grown-ups who brought participants are responsible for supervising their children
- Volunteers are here to staff tables and answer questions, but their focus is not on monitoring safety boundaries
💛 Remember
We are sharing, helping, and making sure everyone gets what they need.
Take your time. Help each other. Have lots of fun!
- Find one egg of a new color
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ETC Exercise for Elders, 4/8
Elders Thriving in Community (ETC) presents Vida Miwa from Fitness Over 50, with suggested exercises that support mobility, balance and flexibility as we age. Plan to practice activities that can be done both sitting on or holding onto a chair, as well as options for standing or floor activities. Wear comfortable clothing & suitable shoes. Join us in the Sanctuary on Wednesday, April 8, 3-4:30 PM.
Childcare is available!
Free childcare can usually be arranged for any Fellowship event by using this link 1-2 weeks prior to the event.
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Spring Celebration Luncheon 4/4
Join us for a Spring celebration luncheon at the Fellowship on Saturday, April 4th, 2026 beginning at 12:30 p.m. This year’s theme will be Exploring the Spanish Table, with tapas and other dishes.
This event is open to all, with a suggested donation of $15 per person, all proceeds after food costs are covered will be donated to our charitable activities involving food insecurity and related issues. Sign-up sheets will be provided in the Social Hall and Lobby each Sunday and you can also RSVP with this form directly to reserve a seat or for further information. Hope to see you there!
If you’d like to be a part of this and help out, you can volunteer to assist with food preparation or setup or food service or cleanup. If you help for at least an hour, you can dine with us for free as a thanks for your kind assistance. Use the RSVP form linked above to indicate your interest in volunteering.
Childcare is available!
Free childcare can usually be arranged for any Fellowship event by using this link 1-2 weeks prior to the event.
Announcements
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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:
- Give to the Sunday collection basket
- Donate online
- 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!
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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:
- Changing how people are thinking and talking about an issue.
- Engaging people and communities in civic action.
- 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.
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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.
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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:
- Membership 101: April 26
- Our Shared Values: May 3
- Transitions Q&A: May 10
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
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UUFC Group Camping Opportunities
Save the Dates: Cascadia County Park, June 25 – 28, 2026
Moonshine Park (near Siletz), September 10 – 13, 2026Come 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-ParkRegistration 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.
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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.
Plan Ahead
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Next Community Music Circle, 5/4
How was the Community Music Circle last week? It was great!
We had about 25-30 people attending, several who brought instruments. We sang all of your favorite UU hymns–some that you haven’t heard in a while. You can read more about it in this month’s Monthly Journal.
The next Community Music Circle is scheduled for May the 4th. You are invited to bring a song from childhood to teach to the group! More details coming in the Weekly Announcements.
Open to all ages and all levels of musical ability! Bring voices and instruments if you have them.
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Invitation from UU Salem: David Roth Concert, 4/15
Folk singer and songwriter David Roth will be offering a concert at the UU Congregation of Salem on April 15 at 7 PM. Rev. Monica has invited UUs from the region (like us!) to attend. Here’s the link to the announcement on the UU Salem website for a little more info and the option to purchase tickets: https://uusalem.org/2026/03/13/david-roth-at-uucs-april-15/.
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In-home Memorial for Susan Straight, 5/3
A celebration of Susan’s life will be held at the home of Elona Meyer & (previously) Susan Straight. Details provided to all who RSVP. Transportation available from the UUFC parking lot, as needed. Limited street parking. You are welcome to join us.
Sunday, May 3, at 3 PM.
RSVP by contacting Elona Meyer.
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Minister Emerita Listening Sessions
The Board of Directors has formed a task force to inform the congregation about Rev. Jill McAllister’s nomination for Minister Emerita in preparation for a vote at the UUFC Annual Meeting on May 17. This task force is conducting a number of listening sessions in which to discuss this process and answer any potential questions. They will also set up a table in the Social Hall or Foyer after worship services to answer questions and share information.
Here are the currently-scheduled listening sessions:
Sunday, March 22 7 – 8:30 PM Listening Session in the Sanctuary
Thursday, March 26 7 – 8:30 PM Listening Session in Room 3
Sunday, April 12 11:45 AM Listening Session in the SanctuaryThe task force has written a list of frequently-asked questions about Ministers Emerit, which you can read here.
Childcare is available!
Free childcare can usually be arranged for any Fellowship event by using this link 1-2 weeks prior to the event.
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Info on 2026 Pilgrimage to Transylvania, 4/12
Explore Our UU Roots – Castles, Cathedrals, Dungeons, Villages!
You’re invited to join other members of the UUFC who have expressed interest in the September 8-19, 2026 trip to the Transylvania region of Romania.
This is where Unitarianism started as an organized religion. The trip will be led by the Hungarian Unitarian Church and will be guided by local English-speaking Unitarian ministers. Included will be a weekend visit with our partner congregation in Kőrispatak.
We will meet on SUNDAY April 12 in the UUFC Library at 11:30 a.m. to discuss particulars.
Contact Heather at this link ASAP if interested in joining the conversation or is you want more information. Deadline to sign up: April 20, 2026
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Invitation to Ordination of Karishma Gottfried, 5/16
Fellowship member Karishma Gottfried invites you to attend her ordination to Unitarian Universalist ministry on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 2 PM (Eastern time) in New York City! Those willing to travel are welcome to attend in person. The service will also be streamed online. See more details and RSVP at this link: https://partiful.com/e/r8mVpRCktdr0daerWzIU?.
Karishma Neva Gottfried grew up in the Fellowship with her sister, Malika, and her parents, Shikha and Herky Gottfried, and was active throughout high school in religious exploration classes, district youth conferences, and denominational service. Although she moved away from Corvallis to Boston in 2019 to attend Wellesley College, and then to New York to study at Union Theological Seminary, she still considers UUFC her home congregation and visits whenever she is home.