October Services

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October 1 – “Love As Spaciousness” with Rev. Jill McAllister. A new generation of UUs suggests articulating our values in new ways, beginning with Love at the Center  

October 8  – “Not So Like-Minded After All” with Rev. Jill McAllister. We’re learning a lot about the real differences in how brains work – neurodiversity. Turns out we’re more different than we imagine.

October 15  – “What is Transformation?” with Rev. Jill McAllister. Have you ever experienced transformation? How is it part of religious and spiritual growth?

October 22  – “God Is Not One, Neither are We” with Rev. Jill McAllister. One of the unique characteristics of our religious movement is pluralism – the willingness to be different and be  together at the same time.

October 29  – Wheel of the Year – All Ages – Samhain / Halloween

Women’s Retreat 2025 Recap

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The theme for the 2025 Women’s Retreat was Right Here, Right Now; Peace through Practice.

Priscilla Galasso wrote this retrospective. It was originally published in the November 2025 edition of the UUFC Journal.

“If ever there were a time for a candle in the darkness,
this would be it.
Using a spark of hope,
kindle the flame of love,
ignite the light of peace,
and feed the flame of justice.”

Melanie Davis

The Women’s Retreat Team lit the Chalice in the Social Hall before 40 UUFC women crossed over the threshold into the Sanctuary, a sacred and safe space for creating connection and practicing peace. Two wheelchairs slid through the portal, a teenager, several octogenarians, a mother and daughter who had only just moved to Corvallis and gone to one Sunday service, the weary, the hopeful, the angry, the lonely, the wise. We gathered to share strategies for creating peace in our center, peace in our connections, and peace in our community. 

The Friday night program centered on the Byron Katie model called “The Work”, presented by Susan Grace Beekman and Nancy Sowdon. On Saturday morning, we dove into best practices in relationships, outlined by the Gottman Institute, with Heather Thomas and Linda Marten (or was that Miss Stern?). Through interactive small and large group discussions, we connected deeply to the material and to each other. Workshop presenters offered sessions on yoga, art, laughter, gardening, and self-discovery. We enjoyed a delicious catered lunch from Forks & Corks. And then we balanced peace with PROTEST!

The planning team had no way of knowing that the No Kings II protest would fall on our retreat weekend, and we quickly adapted the schedule so that those who wanted to participate could do so. One key advantage to having an onsite retreat is that it allows for greater flexibility and inclusion. We made it a priority to have low barriers, providing scholarships and “drop in” registration to fit lives that are often full of care-taking and serving others. Our “choose your own adventure” schedule was not constrained by an outside venue operation, and our campus is in the heart of our own Corvallis community, making travel and transportation easiest. 

During Saturday afternoon’s session, we worked with representatives from organizations who strive to create peace and build community through Religious Exploration, the Arts, and Education. Skyla King-Christison, Anya Ballinger, Thea Hart, and Laura Blackwell (of the Majestic Theater and Corvallis Parks & Recreation) gave us great insight into the philosophy of peace-making among cultures and great examples of Corvallis programs available to us all. 

During our final meal together, the bright Fall day became a quiet, dark evening. Our table conversations included shared stories of protest thoughts, workshop discoveries, and determination to carry on as instruments of peace in this troubled and beautiful world.  

Thank you to all the Team members: Heather Thomas, Ann Marchant, Linda Marten, Sandy Piper, and Kimi Mayo. Thank you to all the Workshop leaders: Kris Egan, Diana Titus, Joyce Standing, Joyce Marvel-Benoist, Joyce Federiuk, Heather Thomas, Linda Marten, Gwen Ellen, and Kayla Garcia. Thank you Ginny Gibson and all the others who volunteered their time making our gathering nourishing and comfortable. 

Thank you to those who have signed up to make next year’s Retreat a reality! 

Dona nobis pacem. Go now, women, in Peace.

March 15, 2026 – Stewardship

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All of our efforts, time, and money blend together to make the UUFC community what it is and what it can be. Let us reflect on what it means to steward the gifts of the earth, to live in a capitalist economy with a household budget, and to thoughtfully discern a pledge for the coming year. 

Rev. Alex McGee will preach

Please plan to stay after worship for a one hour Town Hall on the pledge drive.  Learn about how you are part of our financial planning and get your questions answered.  Abundant snacks provided!  All are welcome whether you sign up or not, but if you fill out this form, you can request childcare and we can better plan for food.

Inquirers Series New Offering: Interim and Search!

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Beginning this Sunday, Mach 8th, the 3rd session of the Inquirers Series, formerly the Liturgical Year session, will be a session focused on interim ministry and our upcoming search for a settled minister. Sheryl Steward and Robin Lancaster, members of our transitions team, will be on hand to share some of the basics and answer your questions about this unique time congregational life. If you have already taken session three, you are still most welcome to come and have your questions answered. These sessions are open to all interested participants!

Our fellow spiritual communities in Corvallis are inviting us to join them …

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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 & Learn

We walk because we belong to each other. Come add your voice.

UUFC Auction Donations Needed

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Our annual Services and Silent Auction is Saturday, May 16 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.  Thank you!

Kirtan with Kavita Kat Macmillan and Friends, 3/13

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We are thrilled to welcome Kavita Kat Macmillan back to Corvallis to share a night of Kirtan and Sacred Chant!

This gathering offers a chance to arrive, ground, and release what no longer serves, while welcoming what is new and emerging through sound, breath, and voice. Through call-and-response and unison chanting, you’ll experience the healing vibration of mantra, the warmth of your own voice rising among others, and the steady presence of community around you.

Kirtan is a uniquely powerful way to sing in community — it lifts the collective vibration, opens the heart, and creates a palpable field of resonance and coherence among everyone present.

Friday, March 13 at 7 PM in the Sanctuary. Purchase tickets ahead of time at https://ticketstripe.com/corvallismarch2026.

Childcare is available!

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

Join the Makita Team

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Your UUFC lawn mowing team still needs one more person to complete our eight-person team for 2026. We have relatively quiet, state-of-the-art electric Makita lawn mowers and associated lawn trimmers and blowers. While mowing takes time (1-2 hours, once per month on your own schedule), it is a pleasant workout experience (1.5 to 2 mi of walking). The UUFC lawns are divided into front and back sections. We need a mower for the front section – less lawn but more maneuvering. If you have interest, please contact the team lead by filling out this form or talk with Russ Karow at the “Opportunity Awaits” event on Sunday. He may be at the Financial Oversight Council table with his money hat on but will answer grass questions as well. The grass will grow greener at the UUFC (or at least be tamed) with your participation on our mowing team. May the Makitas be with us all!

Opening to Opportunity – Stewardship Drive is Off and Running

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As announced in the March UUFC journal, our 2026 Stewardship Drive has begun. All Sundays in March will provide opportunities to learn about the many contributions of both time and money that make the UUFC the resoundingly successful organization that it is and that will be needed to carry us into the future. March 8 will be “Opportunity Awaits” – an opportunity to celebrate and learn more about the many involvements of time available at the UUFC. March 15 will be a soft-launch of the pledge drive – information shared with member and friends encouraged to consider how they will be involved in Fellowship life in the coming year. March 22 will be the formal launch with the stewardship website “live” as well as in-person assistance for those desiring such. March 29 will be a history lesson on the UUFC – learn more about our past so we can plan our future together. Click here to view the stewardship drive announcement letter that contains more detail. Click here to sign up for one of the town halls on March 15, 16 or 22. Childcare is available for those making a request at least a week in advance. Opportunities await. Open yourself to them!

Global Partners 3/8

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The Global Partners team is meeting this Sunday, March 8 at 1 PM in Room 3.

Our Global Partners Team meeting will de-brief the March 1, 2026 sermon, discuss the September 8, 2026 pilgrimage to Transylvania, consider other engagement with partners, and address our normal team agenda. Come join us as we build and strengthen our many relationships.

The Global Partners team promotes international understanding, social justice, global ethics, and liberal religion through partner church relationships between UUFC and the Unitarian congregation in Körispatak, Transylvania, Romania, the Community Center in Burundi, Africa, and elsewhere.

Contact Team lead Heather E for more information.

Childcare is available!

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