WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS – text only
Sunday Services
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This Week:
April 5, 2026 – Easter: The Story of an Ancient Teacher through Our Current Values
Easter comes from the Christian tradition, which is part of the UU heritage. The story of the famous teacher, Jesus, contains all the elements of our shared JETPIG values, if we know where to look. This All Ages service, designed by our Director of Religious Exploration, will engage us in surprising ways. Easter Egg hunt after the Service!
Led by DRE Skyla King-Christison and others
Services This Month
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April 5, 2026 – Easter: The Story of an Ancient Teacher through Our Current Values
Easter comes from the Christian tradition, which is part of the UU heritage. The story of the famous teacher, Jesus, contains all the elements of our shared JETPIG values, if we know where to look. This All Ages service, designed by our Director of Religious Exploration, will engage us in surprising ways. Easter Egg hunt after the Service!
Led by DRE Skyla King-Christison and others
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 – TBD
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.
Rev. Mitra Rahnema will preach
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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Community Music Circle, 3/30
March 30th, 7:00 to 8:30 PM in the Sanctuary
Do you like singing with others? Do you play an instrument? Come join us for a relaxed evening of making music together.
Guitars, ukuleles, piccolos, tubas, hand drums, recorders, hammered dulcimers…all instruments are welcome!
Sing along, try something new, or just listen and enjoy.
We’re building community through shared music-making—no experience needed, no pressure, just music, connection and fun.
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Justice Theatre presents: 12 Angry Jurors, 3/27 & 28
Justice Theatre presents: 12 Angry Jurors—Friday, March 27 and Saturday, March 28 at 7:30pm at the Fellowship.
Once per year, the Justice Theatre Team transforms the Sanctuary into a theatre for two exciting days! This year’s show explores our country’s troubled relationship with its justice system. Twelve strangers on a jury are tasked with the burden of determining a young man’s guilt when the death penalty is on the line. Eleven of them take the testimonies and evidence at face value; one, however, does not. This dissenting opinion sets off a fierce and hotly debated standoff, which raises some terribly timely questions: why do we believe in what we are told? Can we truly trust the justice system when we allow our own biases, doubts, and fears to influence our judgment? What is the value of one human life compared to any other? All proceeds from this pay-what-you-can production will go to support legal aid through The Lawyers Campaign for Equal Justice. You can reserve tickets and donate online at buytickets.at/uufc or just come to a show and donate at the door! We hope to 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.
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Our fellow spiritual communities in Corvallis are inviting us to join them …
Rev. Alex is grateful to pass along this invitation from Rev. Gordon at the First Christian Church here in Corvallis. Getting together with our neighbors in such a time as this strengthens us as neighbors for the future. Rev. Alex looks forward to seeing you there at 11 AM on Saturday, March 28 to share in Fellowship.
No Kings: Faith Communities Gather the Day Before Palm Sunday
On the day before Palm Sunday, Corvallis faith communities are walking together to make the network of beloved community strong — connected, rooted, and unafraid. Join us for the No Kings rally as we march as one ecumenical body to the courthouse.
Signs & Songs Prep — Sunday, March 22, 2:00–3:00 PM
Join us at the First Christian Church dining room to make signs and learn the songs we’ll carry together on the march. All sign-making supplies will be provided.The March — Saturday, March 28
11:00 AM — Gather at First Christian Church for music practice and sign-making. Coffee and light refreshments provided.
11:50 AM — Walk together as an ecumenical group to the Courthouse. Gathering spot: in front of the Arts Center.First Christian Church will be open from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM as a rest station with coffee refills and restrooms available.
Our Songs
“Everybody Ought To Know” — Listen & Learn
“It’s okay to change your mind / And you can join us / Join us here anytime.” — Listen & LearnWe walk because we belong to each other. Come add your voice.
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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.
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Help with the No Kings III protest, 3/28
The Democracy Action Team seeks to help fill Corvallis streets with the largest crowd ever at No Kings III, March 28th.
Indivisible’s plan for March 28th, is compelling and it urgently requests that citizens partner with them to build what is needed from OSU to Central Park and the Courthouse. So our request is that our Democracy Team join in by each of us signing up for the tasks we can do. Some work can be done at home.
No Kings III will be a peaceful demonstration, starting at OSU at noon with speeches and songs, then marching along Madison Ave. to Central City Park, and ending at the Courthouse. At Central Park, there will be art and activities for the kids, as well as music at the gazebo. And at the Courthouse, back by popular demand, another Dance of Defiance. Of course, 4th St. will be filled with people waving signs the entire time.
Remember, every protest is a food drive!
To pull this off, the organizers will need 100 safety/peacekeeping volunteers, plus dozens of people to set up tables, art, and sound equipment; staff information and first aid tables; and clean and pack up afterwards. To volunteer for the day of the event, please email indivisible.bc.or@gmail.com with the subject “No Kings volunteer” and indicate which of the above you are willing to do.
The organizers also need help with a variety of tasks ahead of time, To be added to the “Put me to work” email list, email indivisible.bc.or@gmail.com with the subject “No Kings Worker Bee”. Once or twice a week, you’ll get a list of possible tasks you can volunteer for. Or ask to join the Signal group for more frequent requests (and the opportunity to select the best ones before others take them)!
Read more about the updated tasks for volunteering for No Kings III here: https://indivisiblebc.org/no-kings-iii-volunteers/.
This Sunday, March 15, please join us at our daytme Meeting, 11:45 am in the Library. We will discuss the most urgent messages sent out by Ezra and Leah of Indivisible National, the most up-to-date folks I know to listen to, and we’ll look at getting signed up to Volunteer.
We have two more Democracy Team gatherings in March, before the Protest.
- TUESDAY March 17th 5 pm in the Social Hall: Sign Making Event
- CANCELLED: De-Escalation training.
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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In-home Memorial for Susan Straight
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.
RSVP by contacting Elona Meyer.
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Lessons Learned Thus Far in our 2026-27 Stewardship Drive
Thanks to you all for pondering your commitment to the UUFC as part of our 2026-27 Stewardship Drive and to those who have already completed your stewardship forms. You are appreciated!
As with any activity like this, we are learning new things and reinforcing old lessons as we go. These are some of our discoveries thus far:- We all have stories about how the UUFC and its members have had sometimes profound impacts on our lives. We have heard some of these stories as part of our town halls. The next time you have a chance, ask another UUFC member or friend about their favorite Fellowship memories. Community building is part of who we are.
- We are in the transition time between settled ministers. This is a time to remember the past, explore the present and ponder the future. How have you been, how are you now, and how will you be a UUFC member or friend?
- Personal information is a concern in today’s world. Your UUFC leadership and staff are aware of the need to keep personal information secure and have instituted new policies and procedures to aid in such.
- If you want to just have your current year pledge and pledge payment method “rolled” into the coming year, this can be done for you, but you need to give specific permission to have this happen. Talk with Michael Hughes (our treasurer), Scott Bruslind (our Financial Oversight Council Chair) or Stephanie Haines (our operations and business manager) about such.
- Yes, you can make a pledge by simply writing a check today and including it along with a note that it is your 2026-27 pledge in an envelope that is put in the donation basket on Sunday, in the donation box outside the fellowship hall or mailed to the UUFC. We can deal with prepaid pledges.
- There is great joy in being part of the UUFC as we face our ever-worrisome world together with those of similar mind. Together we can accomplish great things that none of us can accomplish alone.
If you have any questions at all, please reach out to me or Michael Hughes and we will answer your question or pass you on to someone else on the Stewardship Team.
Scott Bruslind, FOC Chair -
An “Opening to Opportunity” Update
UUFC members and friends,
As you likely know, our 2026-27 stewardship drive has formally launched. Our thanks to the many who have already responded.Some reminders on how to complete a pledge form or have someone set up a pledge for you:
- The stewardship form can be directly accessed at https://uufc.breezechms.com/form/a8cc2728459812
- Paper copies of the form are available on Sundays during services. Stewardship team members will also be present to answer your questions.
- You can email office@uucorvallis.org or call 541-752-5218 and provide your name, the dollar amount of your pledge, how you plan to pay and contact information. Fellowship staff will enter your pledge for you into the form.
- Our drive will be in full swing through mid-April. We will have a “soft” close on Sunday April 19. After that date stewardship team members will reach out to those from whom we have not heard for follow-up.
If you have questions and are comfortable in working in the electronic world, click here and you’ll find Rev Alex’s stewardship “sermon” (~17 minutes long), a FAQs listing, and at the very bottom of the FAQs, a link to the Power Point that was used in our town hall meetings.
Any other questions – send an email to finance@uucorvallis.org.
Thanks for your financial and volunteer time support of the UUFC! -
UUFC Family 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 and Nancy by filling out this form.
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UUFC Auction Donations Needed
Our annual Services and Silent Auction is coming up 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.
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Outreach Offerings for March
Our March Justice Outreach offering will support our Partner Congregations in Bozod Korispatak, Transylvania, which is in Romania and our Partner Congregation in Burundi, Africa. Our partnerships are 30 and 10 years old, respectively. In that time, we primarily supported the educational pursuits of students in both locations. The UUFC has inherited a commitment to global faith partners. As we consider the uneven local, national and worldwide terrain, it is incumbent upon us to evolve, to engage in collaborations of affection, respect, and trust with others, and to learn, support where asked, and innovate for our sake and for our children. The Global Partners Team is the group through which the UUFC can advance our UU principles of love and justice in the world.
Information about the Monthly Outreach Offering, as well as about UUFC Justice Teams, is posted on the bulletin board at the northeast corner of the Social Hall. Learn more about our Global Partners Team there.
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!
Plan Ahead
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ETC Exercise for mobility and flexibility, 4/8
Elders Thriving in Community (ETC) will present 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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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 Location TBDThe 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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POSTPONED: UUFC History Town Hall
The UUFC History Presentation by the Transitions Team, originally scheduled for March 29 after the service, is being rescheduled to a later date. We look forward to bringing you the meaningful story of the founders, commitment, idealism, and hard work that makes the UUFC what it is today. If you were planning to come on March 29 after the service, please cancel that on your calendar.
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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.