Our annual Parking Lot Rummage Sale is Saturday, September 12 from 9:00 am to 1:00. We need your donations. Sales of all items benefit the UUFC. We also need volunteers to post flyers in Corvallis, Albany, and Philomath, work at the cashiers table, and set up and take down the tables and chairs. Fill out the Sign Up Genius form to volunteer.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0444AEA72DA7F4CE9-64895823-uufc
This year we will have a Sunday worship service on September 6, the day before Labor Day. We have traditionally not held a worship service the day before Labor Day, but this year we’re trying something new!
by Rev. Alex McGee
August 7, 2026
Dear Congregation:
This month the Board and I sat down and reviewed how the interim time is going. Among the many observations, here is one that some people might not know about: One of the emerging leadership groups in the congregation is the Coordinating Council. This Council has always existed, but since I am new to the congregation, I have turned to them with curiosity about what they see as the best way to coordinate teams and procedures. They are living into responsibility in a fresh way.
These five Council Chairs are Finance, Religious Exploration, Facilities, Connections, and Justice (Worship Council currently doesn’t have a Chair). Once a month, they have rich discussions about use of space, how to make calendaring accessible, sharing information about budgets, lines of information flow, how to coordinate efforts across teams, and other issues. I am excited and endeared every month to see them grapple with things that are not clear at first but can find new ways.
Each Team is part of a Council. Each Team lead has a link to a Council Chair. When the Team Leads communicate concerns and opportunities to the Council Chair, those can be passed along for creative solutions at the Coordinating Council. I love seeing how the many perspectives in the room all enrich the Fellowship.
I hope you will connect with your Team Lead about connecting with your Council Chair so that the lines of communication can flow as well as possible. If you want to learn more, take a look here: https://uucorvallis.org/about/#organizational_structure.
Shared ministry means that not everyone gets what they want all the time, but that we all try to help each other create the Fellowship for the highest good of all.
With care,
Rev. Alex
“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” – Mother Teresa
Together, we at the UUFC can make the ripples that touch many lives. It is through the Justice Council’s Global Partners Team that we take actions that can have a positive, worldwide effect. Come be a part. This month we will discuss a social event for the UUFC with an eye toward October.
The Global Partner Team will meet on Sunday 8/9 26 at 11:30 in the UUFC Library. Contact Team Lead, Heather E, for more information.
Registration for the 2026 UUFC Women’s Retreat is open! Please register by filling out the form at forms.gle/SJmvcftrZVraLS23A.
This year’s retreat will be at Camp Harlow in Eugene, OR from Oct. 2 – 4. Due to generous donations from prior participants, UUFC is able to subsidize the cost to attend. Please understand that prices may change in future years.
Early bird pricing is $150 (until August 17th). Regular pricing is $175, and Saturday Only pricing is $100. Partial and full scholarships are available.
Registration will close on September 7th – please register before then. Reach out to womensretreat@uucorvallis.org with questions.
Carpooling is encouraged, however, the Women’s Retreat team will not be organizing carpool assignments.
The organizers of the Women’s Retreat are looking for women to lead 50 minute workshops during the Women’s Retreat either Friday (Oct 2) or Saturday (Oct 3). We hope to be able to provide a variety of workshops for attendees. Please submit a proposal by filling out the form at forms.gle/kcuWysH9vXmwJk1q6. Submissions will be collected until August 24th.
Reach out to womensretreat@uucorvallis.org with questions.
Our August Monthly Outreach Offering will support Side with Love.
Side With Love is the organizing strategy team of the Unitarian Universalist Association.
They harness the power of love to confront oppression and build a world where all people can thrive.
Through organizing, leadership development, political education, and collective action, they equip Unitarian Universalists and aligned communities to take spiritually grounded, justice-driven action in this decisive moment.
Read more at sidewithlove.org.
The children and youth will be hosting their annual lemonade stand, once again benefitting the Heartland Humane Society!
WHEN? THIS Sunday August 2nd, directly after the service
WHERE? At the sheltered bench between the parking lot and the sanctuary
WHY? Because finding ways to support the orgs that support our town is important and fun!
HOW MUCH? However much you would like to contribute to the cause. No one will go home thirsty due to lack of funds.
HOW? Cash is preferred, though we hope to have the ability to receive donations by card this year. 🤞
Service learning is a valuable part of our RE program, and we appreciate your support! During our Easter egg hunt in the spring, participants voted on this year’s lemonade stand beneficiary, and the Humane Society was, unsurprisingly, chosen for a third year in a row. Our youth group has served there in-person many times, cleaning cages, feeding animals, sorting donations, and socializing the animals who call Heartland home. Our connection to their mission is strong and clear. We love to support those who support our fluffy neighbors!
Hello UUFC:
As we have made it through Spring and into Summer, I have been focusing energy on supporting new lay leaders and planning for Fall events. The Fall will be a time for the congregation to offer input to the Search Committee. Also, classes and workshops will give opportunity to reflect on how we share in community together. My encouragement to you is to continue to find a balance between working for what you love about UUFC while also making space for what others love about UUFC, also.
Some of you have asked about songs or books I quoted in my sermon on Sunday July 19, so here they are:
“Hints of our next right thing can usually be found in our last right thing. … The sacred things we mark from the ending will be brought forth into our beginnings, not necessarily because of an external thing we bring with us but because of the person we have become. … We would do well to take some time to pay attention to those changes, to mark them, to honor them, and see how they might lead us forward.”
– p. 308 from book How to Walk into a Room by Emily Freeman
Give away the things you don’t need
Let it all go and you’ll soon see
And you’ll wash your spirit clean
Wash your spirit clean
Go and pray upon a mountain
Go and pray beside the ocean
And you’ll wash your spirit clean
Wash Your spirit clean
Be grateful for the struggle
Be thankful for the lessons
And you’ll wash your spirit clean
Wash your spirit clean
Give away the things you don’t need
Let it all go and you’ll soon see
And you’ll wash your spirit clean
Wash your spirit clean
You can listen to the song here:
https://youtu.be/vZKcNGEWI9w?si=U4bqWy8uB–84iYd
With care and peace,
Rev. Alex McGee
Interim Minister
July 19, 2026
Friday August 21 we will be offering International Flavors in the Social Hall. Two immigrant families will be offering meals typical of their home countries for you to purchase. You will pay the families directly. You can dine here or take the food to go. It’s an opportunity to try new foods, gather in community, and meet new neighbors.
If you can help with setup or cleanup, contact Nancy Kyle.
Friday, August 21, 2026 at 5:30 PM, on the Social Hall Porch and Patio.