Weeklies – Text Only

WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS – text only

Sunday Services

  • This Week:

    February 8, 2026 – Reconciliation

    Cheap forgiveness may be falsely labeled as reconciliation — but the risks are great. So, today, let us consider the many steps of accountability that are often necessary before true reconciliation is possible. Because around the world and in the home, true reconciliation allows fresh possibilities in life.

    Rev. Alex McGee will preach

Services This Month

  • February 15: Love

    What do we need to talk about in our Unitarian Universalist Fellowship on the day after Valentine’s Day? Come find out!

    Rev. Alex McGee will preach

    February 22: Shelter and Community Care

    For several decades, Corvallis has grappled with challenges of what it means to have safe housing for all and shelter accessible to those in need. This UU Fellowship has played a role in many ways. Come reflect on the history of the congregation’s collaboration with Unity Shelter, current local issues, and what might be possible in the future.

    Shawn Collins, Executive Director of Unity Shelter, will be our guest speaker. Shawn got his first look at the realities of homelessness and poverty in the Willamette Valley through his volunteer experiences at the South Corvallis Food Bank. After leaving HP in 2016, Shawn worked at United Way of Benton & Lincoln Counties, as the Program Manager for the Housing Opportunities Action Council (HOAC) through 2019. He was instrumental in securing the site that would become the Corvallis Men’s Shelter in 2017.

    March 1: Inspiration from our Partner Church in Transylvania

    Last Fall, several members of UUFC went to visit our Partner Church in Transylvania. Today they will share information, illumination, and inspiration: history of partner churches at UUFC; how they observed resilience in action; how Unitarianism there reflects Christian roots; and rituals that were transformative.

    Janet Throop, Linda Bruslind, Scott Bruslind, and Patricia Parcells will speak.

From the Minister

  • Songs for Sustenance

    Dear Friends and Members of UU Fellowship of Corvallis:

    I am sharing lyrics and a video with you, below.  The phrases have nourished me all week, sliding in and out of my awareness, enveloping me like an occasional hug.  

    What I see in my mind’s eye with them is this memory from last Friday, January 23 in Minneapolis:  the tall, slender, long-brown-haired woman who is a rabbi, standing at the pulpit of a Lutheran church, with Swedish words in the stained glass above her, and Spanish posters on the altar.  

    What I sense in that environment in my memory are coats, more coats, hats, mittens, and backpacks all around me on wooden pews as tired clergy colleagues sing together.  The words sound muddy at first.  But with repetition, and the rabbi’s patient smile and steady voice, we get clearer about the lyrics.  The meaning begins to sink into my heart, and I feel relief and courage.  

    She taught us this song when we arrived at 9 am.  Later, at 11:30 am, after hearing that someone had been abducted three blocks away, she leads us again.  There is less space for horror to grab us when we sing this song together.   

    “We will not underestimate
    our power any longer—
    we know that together, we are strong.
    Like drops of water shape the rocks
    as they rush down the falls,
    we know that together,
    we are strong.”

    To give proper credit, I looked up the composer and share this background with you:  Rena Branson is a Jewish composer, ritual leader, and educator who uplifts personal and collective healing through song. Rena founded A Queer Nigun Project (aqueernigunproject.org), which organizes community singing events for LGBTQIA+ folks and sends Jewish spiritual audio content to people who are incarcerated in NYC jails.

    My wish for all of us at UUFC is that power of song continues to hold you in the coming days, weeks, months, and years.

    —Rev. Alex

This Week at UUFC

  • Democracy Action Team Gathering, 2/3

    The Democracy Action Team meets this Tuesday, February 3 in the Social Hall at 5 pm. We will watch part of “What’s the Plan”, a video by Ezra and Leah, the high-energy couple who reveal weekly their view of how American citizens are doing in our attempt to undo Project 25.

    We’ll see their interview of Erica Chenowith – acclaimed political scientist and author of Why Civil Resistance Works, and of the 3.5 threshold rule. Everyone is welcome.

  • Queerly Beloved Meeting, 2/1

    Our UUFC Queerly Beloved social group will meet in Room 6C on February 1 after the service beginning at 11:45. All are welcome. We will be crafting, bring something to mend, all restorative handicraft are welcome!

    We will be discussing important topics for the group, programming for the rest of the year, including revisiting our covenant, and the Sexuality and Gender Diversity justice team.

  • Gardening with Easy to Grow Native Plants, 2/1

    Native plants can add beauty to your yard, while attracting butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinators. They often need less water too. Come learn more about plants that are easy to grow and attractive to look at from Jessie Wilson, Master Gardener.

    Sunday, February 1, 2026 at 1:00 PM in the Social Hall.

    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

  • Outreach Offerings for February

    Our February Justice Outreach Offering will support the Linn Benton NAACP. The NAACP works to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination.

    Learn more at the Linn Benton NAACP Website.

    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!

  • Resources learned from Minnesota

    The recent woes in Minnesota have taught many lessons and opened many eyes. Those who have learned and seen have wisdom to share, and we have the luxury of learning – and offering our support – from relative comfort. Here are some resources worth looking at, learning from, and sharing.

    FreedomTrainers.net

    Information and training about Collective Noncooperation and preparing for action before it’s needed.

    Signal.org

    An encrypted, secure messaging application, available on iPhone and Android. Read about installing Signal at this article: https://support.signal.org/hc/en-us/articles/360008216551-Installing-Signal/.

    StandWithMinnesota.com

    A directory of charitable efforts and works in Minnesota that need financial support. Itself a passion project, “just two ladies running this thing as volunteers”.

    MARCH’s video from the Minneapolis clergy gathering

    Migra Whistle PDX

    Resources for 3D-printing whistles, information on how to use them, and instructions on building whistle packets to spread the information. If you decide to carry and use a whistle, please be sure you understand the patterns being used in your area. Blowing alarms no one understands won’t help!

    Indivisible Benton County

    Local information, training, and events for a wide range of justice concerns – including ICE Watch training!

  • Join the Chalice Circle Team

    Would you like to help start new Chalice Circles and meet fellow congregants? We are looking for volunteers to join the Chalice Circle Team. No experience required. Please contact us at ChaliceCircles@UUCorvallis.org.

  • The UUFC Board wants YOU!

    Interested in serving on the Board of Directors for the UUFC? The Board works as a group to manage the affairs, property, policies, and financial health of the Fellowship, maintaining the mission and vision over time. As a board member, your efforts and leadership can help to sustain and grow our community. We are looking for members who are excited about being part of the future of the UUFC and are inspired by Principles and Congregational Covenant of Right Relations. For more information talk to one of the members of the Nominating Committee – John Bailey, Kris Egan, Jim Good, Steve Strauss, Heather Thomas – or visit the Board information table in the Social Hall after the Sunday service.

  • Social Hall & Kitchen Improvement Questionnaire

    The Building Enhancement team asks that everyone fill out their questionnaire about the Social Hall & Kitchen Improvement project. The questionnaire asks about a variety of uses and perceptions of the Social Hall and Kitchen, now and in the future. Your answers will help the team understand the range of thoughts and feelings the congregation holds about this project.

    The questionnaire is available as a Google form here: https://forms.gle/VuRM1ug3bSRu5wM3A.

    This is the same questionnaire that was available on paper after worship service on Sunday, January 16.

  • Connect-Up Hiking Leader needed

    Greetings UUFC Walkers, Amblers, Plodders, and Hikers: Did you know that UUFC has a Connect-Up group for you? There is a little problem, though. It now lacks an organizer/leader. Jim Wagner started the most recent incarnation of this group at the start of the COVID epidemic and the varying group visited many area locations from Mary’s Peak to Mac Forest to Cascade Foothills. Jim is no longer able to lead hikes. Priscilla Galasso has done this nicely for a while but is also moving on. Jim is willing to help find and assist someone who can lead hikes. Organizing is just a matter of picking a location that fits likely weather and participants; Jim can particularly help with this. Your primary responsibility would then be a few hours, typically on the last Saturday of each month, enjoying both the personal connections and the marvelous places that are accessible by trail or path. If you, or several of you, can fill the role of hike leader and/or organizer, please contact Jim Wagner.

  • Side with Love!

    Side with Love is the Organizing Strategy Team of the Unitarian Universalist Association.

    30 Days of Love is their annual celebration that runs approximately from Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in January through Valentine’s Day in February with weekly offerings of spiritual nourishment, political grounding, and shared practices of faith and justice, including child and family activities. 

    Find out more here: https://sidewithlove.org/30daysoflove.

  • Adult Coming of Age (2/19-3/26 @ 3:00-4:30) Register by 2/5

    WHEN: Thursdays from 3-4:30 from February 19th through March 26th

    WHERE: Room 7

    WHAT: Adult Coming of Age is a program designed to help each participant examine who they are at this unique moment in time, look back at the people and events that have shaped them in meaningful ways, and clarify the values, priorities, sacrifices, and gifts that will shape this season of life.

    As spiritual beings evolving in a physical world, we are never done becoming who we mean to be, and the Coming of Age program for adults honors that at every age, we are crossing thresholds, seeking clarity, and held by circles of support.

    This year’s round of Adult Coming of Age is offered earlier in the day to accommodate those who cannot drive at night. Because this is a challenging time for many with full-time jobs, we will offer the next round in the evening.

    Registration is required for this gathering. 

  • 2025-2026 Pledge Drive Feedback Survey

    We are collecting feedback on the 2025-2026 pledge drive! Fill out the survey to share your thoughts by clicking the button below.

    Survey

    Your feedback will used to make improvements in how we communicate about pledging, record key pledging information, and share the importance of pledging with the congregation. Survey responses are anonymous so please share what is on your mind and how we can make this process better in the coming years. Contact Rachel McGrath (who is helping to support the stewardship team) with any questions regarding the survey.

Plan Ahead

  • UUFC Grounds Team Meeting, 2/22

    The UUFC Grounds Team is meeting on Sunday, February 22 at 11:45 AM in Room 3.

    The Grounds Team will meet to discuss the big picture for 2026. What is most needed now? What is our action plan? Discussion will include
    a) pollinator garden installation and care,
    b) care of the big trees on the property, and
    c) improvements to our public face on Circle Blvd.

    Whether your interest is in the doing or the planning, please make every effort to attend. Working together builds community as we care for our beautiful grounds!

    Childcare is available!

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

  • Eliot Summer Camp Information Session, 2/8

    The UUFC Endowment team is offering scholarships to help individuals and families attend an Eliot Institute summer camp this year. Attend this information session in the Sanctuary at 11:45 AM. There will be a short video, Q&A with camp attendees, and scholarship forms available. See the Eliot website https://www.eliotinstitute.org for more information, or contact Linda Hardison. The UUFC scholarship form is available to download below; deadline for submitting your application is Monday, March 9.

    Eliot scholarship appDownload

    Childcare is available!

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

  • Birdseed Winter Wreath Fundraiser, 2/8 & 2/15

    Elaine K. is making beautiful Birdseed Winter Wreaths as a fundraiser to buy stamps for the Democracy Action Team’s 2026 letter writing project. This project will educate voters who have fallen into disinformation and will get out the vote for this year’s primary and general election. Wreaths will be available in the Social Hall after Sunday Service, costing $15 for a small wreath and $30 for a large one; cash or check only.

    In the 2024 election 53 writers at the Fellowship wrote a total of 25,530 letters and postcards. Rigorous studies have shown handwritten letters to be an effective way to increase voting. We started writing educational postcards in early January. Eventually we will write by Zoom, in person, and on our own, and have fun doing it! Stop by the Democracy Action Table if you want packets of postcards for writing.

  • Digital Literacy & Online Safety, 3/11

    This workshop will focus on digital literacy and keeping yourself safe online. With the advances of technology in social media and AI, the scams being used have advanced with them and are more effective than ever. We’ll spend time talking about websites asking you to “agree” to things (and why you don’t actually need to), dealing with a variety of phone call scam tactics, and keeping your accounts and identity safe online. Feel free to bring your phones, laptops, and tablets if you’d like.

    Childcare is available!

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

  • UUFC Annual Meeting, 5/17

    Save The Date! The UUFC Annual Meeting will be Sunday May 17 at 12 noon after worship service. All members are needed to vote in our Fellowship elections for Board Officers, Directors, and Committee Chairs. All are invited to celebrate our accomplishments of the past year, review our financial health, and share in our future goals. (Last year’s meeting adjourned at 1:05 PM – short and sweet.) See you there!

    Childcare is available!

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

  • Red Cross Blood Drive, 2/13

    The UUFC is hosting a Red Cross Blood Drive in the afternoon of Friday, February 13 from Noon to 5 PM in the Social Hall. Sign up to donate at https://www.redcrossblood.org/ – search by ZIP code 97330 and date of February 13. For questions or to volunteer as a welcomer, email Tricia B.

Connect Up/Affinity Groups this Week