October Services

by

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

Celebration for Jamie Petts, 4/13

by

Jamie Petts has been part of the Fellowship staff since 2016, helping to grow our “center” into a professional administrative structure. Her calm and friendly demeanor, her kindness and compassion, her steadiness, generosity, creativity, flexibility, expertise, good humor and much more have helped and supported us in so many ways. Now she is leaving the Fellowship staff to take a new job. (She’ll still be a member of the Fellowship, so she’s not completely leaving.) Join us on Sunday, April 13, during and following the service, to thank Jamie and share our gratitude, and to celebrate with her and for her.

“Samurai in the Oregon Sky” Film Showing, 5/17

by

SATURDAY MAY 17, 10 AM

Friendship Force of Oregon’s Mid-Willamette Valley (https://www.fforegon.org/) and the UUFC Immigrant And Refugee Support Team (IRST) bring you the film “Samurai in the Oregon Sky.” This is an award winning film whose details can be found at https://www.samuraiintheoregonsky.com/.

The film tells the little-known story of Japanese pilot Nobuo Fujita who conducted the only manned aerial bombings of the U.S. mainland during WWII, on the southern Oregon coast. Years later, he would meet and peacefully reconcile with the American civilians who lived in the area. It’s a testament to the power of face-to-face meetings.

The film maker Ilana Sol will be present and talk with audience members. Attendees can make donations. Any extra funds beyond those needed to cover Director Sol’s expenses will be donated for use by the IRST.

This film will be shown in the Sanctuary of the UUFC – 2945 NW Circle Blvd, Corvallis OR 97330. All are welcomed.

Queerly Beloved April – Journaling, 4/13

by

Queerly Beloved April 13, 2025
4:00 – 6:00 PM – UUFC

A creative and exciting time led by Molly Curry and Bobbi Bailey using the 6 minute journal technique from writer and cartoonist Lynda Barry.
About Lynda Barry “What it is”
Video of the 6 minute Journal technique
You are encouraged to bring a favorite pen or pencil from home that might get the “writing juices” engaged! Hopefully with the time, we will also bind a simple journal, with craft paper.

🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈
Queerly Beloved meets every Second Sunday! Join LGBTQ+ folx and allies for social gatherings centered on queer issues and themes. We understand the importance of queer community, and our goal is to provide a safe space where people can find that sense of belonging right here in Corvallis.
If you need childcare for smaller children, please contact the Grandfolks Squad here: https://uufc.breezechms.com/form/8c8211

New Web Page Describing Ministerial Transition

by

We have added a new page to the Fellowship website that describes the ministerial transition process that we are currently undertaking. You can find the new page at https://uucorvallis.org/ministerial-transition/. Please read through it!

If you have questions about the ministerial transition process that are not answered by the new page, please send them to comms@uucorvallis.org.

Painting Help Needed, 4/18 – 4/27

by

Things are moving quickly in the classroom wing and it’s time for us to do our part:
Here’s the general plan, organized in Phases:
Phase One – April 18-27 Interior painting. walls ceilings pipes
Phase Two – May Stain external plywood siding
Phase Three – June-July Replace doors, blinds, cabinets, final painting, install molding, update Room 7
Phase Four – July-August Move in! Return items from storage locations

PHASE ONE HELP NEEDED : Painting ceilings, walls, and pipes using roller and brush, some of which will require using ladders and a rolling scaffold. Please sign up for a 3 hour shift on the clipboards under the bulletin board in the Foyer. Friday April 18 to Sunday April 27 Mornings 9 AM – noon. Afternoons 1 – 4 PM.

Wolfgang Dengler
Volunteer Co-ordinator
Contact here

by

Last Sunday I mentioned the need to “practice practicing practices” – which means to cultivate small rituals to help keep ourselves steady amidst the daily tumult of our lives, our times.  Three years ago, at just this time of year, I was also pondering the need for steadiness, as part of the Daily Practice ritual we shared.  Here is what I wrote: 

Good morning friends – A month of days comes to an end – an arbitrary designation like all the rest – yet a way to mark what we call time, part of our constant need to understand.  (So often, by giving something a name, we think we understand what it is).  Everything moves – breath, wind, cells, clouds, sun, moon, water, thoughts, everything is in motion.  Perhaps this daily practice – this being present to breath as it releases and returns – is a small way to momentarily exist beyond names, beyond descriptions – many of which are more imagination than approximation.  

I look again at the candle flickering beside me, and feel my breath again.  My mother is ailing – first news of the day. My granddaughter was up early, in full conversation with the morning light.  Spring continues to unfold.  War continues to pound and destroy.  All women – across a huge continuum of bodies – have in common the dangers of patriarchy. What we call March has been full of these constantly moving and intertwining currents and truths and moments. 

I return again to the candle, and let myself feel the calming breath. I have been carrying a question from yesterday, or it has been carrying me? It asked me “how much joy am I allowed?”  Today I have a sense that though it appeared as a question, it was more of a reminder, for joy is essential.  It is not the same as pleasure – for pleasure can come at the expense of others.  It is not the same as happiness.  It is not found in denial or aversion or in trying to forget. Maybe it comes mostly in gratitude, or perhaps always in the presence of gratitude.  Likely, joy is always present, beyond naming and expectations. Not to be achieved or attained by certain ways of living, but the living itself.  

This candle is still beside me.  In its light I pause again and let myself be breathed. A day, a month of days, a moment, joy and gratitude – Life, moving.    And I’m sending love to you all —  Jill