Cameron

October 2, 2026

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from Rev. Alex McGee, Interim Minister

Dear Congregation:

We have just passed a Full Moon week, and the days are getting shorter, and the nights cooler.  I took a retreat last weekend and reflected on the arc of a whole life, and what it means to live authentically.  This coming weekend, the Women’s Retreat will happen, with over 30 women sharing a weekend at a retreat center an hour away.  In a few weekends, the Men’s Retreat will take place.  So, I ask you…what do you need in your life for a pause and reflection moment?

This week I encourage you to try a three-step daily practice at the end of the day:  “Thank you, Sorry, Please.”  First, reflect for a few moments on what made you grateful during your day.  Then, second, reflect on moments when you weren’t acting from your highest wisdom (that’s the Sorry).  And for the third step, notice what you are longing for in your heart and name those as a “please.”  After trying this practice for a week, notice the impact. 

I also want to share a resource because some people tell me that they wish they had not had a miss a certain Sunday Service.  Here is the link to past Sunday services.  You may find nourishing nuggets there, or you may choose to share them with someone far away who is needing nourishment. 

With care,
Alex

Democracy Action Team Letter Writing Gathering, Monday, October 5, 5pm – 7pm

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Gather together to Protect Free and Fair Elections

Last push to reach out to potential voters – less than 5 weeks until the midterm election! We will gather on Monday Oct. 5, 5-7pm in Room 3 to write:

  • Down Ballot Election Integrity Letters to voters in Nevada, North Carolina, Colorado, and Montana where important down ballot elections are occurring.
  • Letters and postcards to potential voters in states where elections are likely to be close.

We’ll supply materials, info, addresses, and food. Let’s join together to protect our sacred right to have our votes counted! For information, contact Claire Montgomery.

We will also gather on:

Happy writing! Let’s hope for the best – safe and fair elections – in November.

Claire Montgomery, Linda Zittel, Karen Josephson
UUFC Democracy Action Team

Telling Your own Story,10/8

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Thursday, October 8, 2026 at 3:00 PM in the Sanctuary
Please join Elders Thriving in Community for a story-telling workshop with Ann Marchant.
One of the most powerful things we can offer one another is story – and only you can tell yours.

This workshop is not a repeat of the program with Ann last spring, but it will follow nicely with the same topic. Whether you attended the previous one or not, this workshop will be fun & valuable to all participants. No writing experience needed!

Ann will lead us in exploring the value of sharing simple, true stories across generations. Storytelling is how we pass along humor, resilience, wisdom, and the values that shape who we are.

Register Now: Power, Visibility, and Belonging

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Registration is required HERE by October 27th, 2026.

This four-session series for congregational leaders takes an honest look at the gap between the community we aspire to be (or believe we already are) and the one some people actually experience. This is an invitation to see more clearly, and to lead differently as a result.

Those who took the Harvest the Power Leadership workshop last year are highly encouraged to attend, as a deepening of that work AND anyone interested in exploring community dynamics around power and belonging are very welcome.

Meetings will be on November 3rd, 10th, December 1st, and 8th – all Tuesdays – at 6 PM in Room 7.

PLEASE NOTE: The group will not meet on November 17th or 24th.

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Dear Congregation:

Fall Equinox is upon us, and the colors of the leaves show us that Mother Nature is shifting her energies.  

Here at the Fellowship, I am observing groups gather together in shared spiritual nourishment:  the Women’s Retreat and the Men’s Retreat planners are reaping the harvest of long summer planning and sharing it with others.  The Coordinators of Elders Thriving in Community are offering wonderful programs monthly.  I love seeing the foyer bubble with people arriving for those programs, and buzz with warm conversation as they leave informed and inspired.

I admire the hard work of the new Safety Team over the past six months.  They have been meeting monthly and doing “homework” outside of meetings.  As a result, this weekend there will be a training for lay leaders who have a role in streamlining a Sunday morning evacuation, if one were needed in case of emergency.  Wolfgang Dengler has achieved that great feat of leadership: making sure that a role does not depend on just one person.

As the days get shorter, some people may find themselves beginning to have hints of the Winter blues.  Please check on each other, and fire up your own self care tools.  Tune in to a healthy Fall routine for your body and mind.

Please remember that generous donations create the Minister’s Discretionary Fund.  This means that the minister has leeway to offer funds to members and friends who are going through a difficult time and would benefit from monies to help them bridge to a more stable place.  Pastoral care takes many forms, and this is one. 

With care,
Rev. Alex
Rev. Alex McGee is serving the Fellowship as Interim Minister and can be reached at rev.alex.mcgee@uucorvallis.org.

September 25, 2026

Soul-Nourishing Kirtan: A Night of Inner Peace, Healing, Music, and Community Song w/ Jordan Loder, 10/2

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Soul-Nourishing Kirtan: A Night of Inner Peace, Healing, Music, and Community Song w/ Touring Sadhaka Jordan Loder ~ Breathe, Heal, Laugh, Cry, Sing, Release, Connect.

Jordan is a touring bhakti artist who has devoted his life to spreading the joy of inner peace through the power of music. After nearly a decade on the road supporting beloved artists Snatam Kaur, Deva Premal & Miten, Ajeet, Simrit, & Adam Bauer in roles as tour manager or sound engineer, he now carries on that living tradition in a unique style that is all his own.
Buy tickets here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/jordanloder/2428927

Annual UUFC Holiday Fair, 12/5

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Our Annual UUFC Holiday Fair is Saturday, December 5 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

CALLING ALL ARTISANS: Are you an artist or craftsperson who would like to sell your art at our Holiday Fair? We would love to feature more UUFC crafts people. Start working now to have enough items ready for sale on 12/5.

PUT 12/5 ON YOUR CALENDAR: The Holiday Fair features locally made, unique items available for gift giving or personal collections – paintings, prints, jewelry, carvings, wooden art, greeting cards, paper goods, home decor, clothing items, holiday decorations, and more. You can also purchase live evergreen trees, holiday swags for your door or table, baked goods, preserves, candy, snacks, or a light lunch. There will also be a re-giftables section of less expensive items so that children can buy small gifts for relatives and friends.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: We will need folks to post flyers around town, bakers, kitchen workers, greeters, cashiers, people to make evergreen swags, folks to set up and take down tables, and people to help the artisans. The Holiday Fair is one of our major fundraisers for the Fellowship. You can be a part of it. Come join the fun.

Contact: Bonnie Morihara