Cameron

Holiday Trees For Sale

by

Holiday Trees (small, live, native conifers) provide holiday cheer and make a modest financial contribution to the UUFC while supporting local tree planting.  The Climate Action and Fundraising teams are again collaborating to offer these trees for sale and, after the holidays, to take them back for planting.  Doug fir and Willamette Valley Ponderosa pine, both in 3 gal containers (slightly bigger than last year’s 2-gal), will be available.  Trees will cost $25.

This year, Holiday Trees has expanded to include two other faith communities and a service club.  As a result, the total number of trees is up, at 102 trees, but our UUFC allocation is down, at 36, limited by logistics and our planting partners.

With a limited number of trees, we are taking reservations and asking for payment in advance to confirm reservations.  To reserve one or more trees and indicate preference for Doug fir v. Willamette Valley Ponderosa pine, please use the Order Form.   Your reservation will be confirmed once payment is received and recorded.  Payment can made be via Breeze to “Unpledged Donation” with note “Holiday Trees,” by check to UUFC with memo “Holiday Trees,” or by cash in an envelope marked with your name and “Holiday Trees.”  The Breeze option is recommended because checks and cash will not be recorded until the Monday following receipt, and your tree will not be reserved until payment is recorded. The form will be updated daily to show trees still available.  Unreserved trees to be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Holiday Trees will have the best chance to thrive once planted if (a) their time in a heated in-door environment is kept as low as possible and (b) they are watered, but not over watered.  

Trees will be available for pick up at UUFC on Sun. 30 Nov. and Sun. 7 Dec., and can be returned to UUFC for planting on Sundays 11 Jan. and 18 Jan.  Help will be available to load trees for pick up and unload for return.

Questions: <treasurer@uucorvallis.org>

Helpers Needed for Holiday Fair, 12/6

by

If you are a musician, consider joining the fun of the Holiday Fair by volunteering to play seasonal music during the fair for an hour between 9 am and 3 pm on Saturday, December 6. One of the highlights of last year’s Holiday Fair was the live music in the lobby during this beloved annual event.

The Holiday Fair team is looking for volunteers to help prepare for and run the event.  We need help with various tasks leading up to the event, including baking goodies to donate to the event, posting flyers, and collected donated children’s items.  On the day of the event, we will need help with things like greeting, cashiering, and providing vendor relief.  If you are interested in helping out with one or more of these roles, please use the links below to sign up.

Volunteering Before the Holiday Fair

Volunteering During the Event

A document describing the different volunteering positions can be found here.  Please reach out to holiday.fair@uucorvallis.org with questions.

4th Quarter Birthday Celebration, 10/12

by

Gather in the Social Hall after the service on 10/12 to celebrate 4th quarter birthdays: October, November, December. We all deserve to be celebrated.

Also, if you’re willing consider joining the UUFC Birthday Club where you make an annual donation on your birthday equivalent to your years. Sign up near the cake table.

From Rev. Alex McGee for Oct 12, 2025

by

Dear Fellowship:

First: I am so grateful for all the work by Ginny, Joyce, and Bobbi to make meeting rooms in this Fellowship so hospitable.  I genuinely enjoy relaxing into meetings there and feel I can focus on our relationships and work.  The couches in room 7 are comfortable and the plants bring vitality.  The tablecloth in room 3 brings softness and the UU banners show heritage.  And this week the library carpet was cleaned!

Why does this matter?  Because when a community cares for its spaces, it is showing care for the people in it.  Hospitality and welcome are spiritual practices that often involve unseen work.  And this is just one example.  All over the Fellowship, people quietly, and sometimes alone, do work that makes a nicer space for all of us.  Although I have named three people specifically in this note, there are so many more!  Hurray.

Second: On Sunday I plan to read a poem by a poet named Robert Monson.  I think some of you might like to learn more about his perspectives, so I am including a link to an article here:  https://sojo.net/articles/interview/reconstruct/theologian-robert-monson-wants-softer-social-justice.

The article discusses “masculinity and softness, Blackness and disability, crying, and why you should love yourself.”  I have a hunch that taps into things that some of you have on your minds and hearts!  If you read it and have insights that you want to share with me, I would love to hear.  I can be reached at rev.alex.mcgee@uucorvallis.org.

Peace,
Rev. Alex

October 12, 2025 – Joy as an Improbable Friend

by

In these political times, joy may seem an impossible thing.  But world religions throughout time have named joy as a human experience that wells up again and again.  Let us explore how to honor it.

Rev. Alex McGee will preach and the drop-in choir welcomes all.

Last Chance for Chalice Circle Popups!

by

There are two more chances for participating in a Chalice Circle experience this October: on Thursday, October 9 and/or Sunday, October 12. Signups are online via this Google Form (https://bit.ly/fall25chalice)

Want to find out more about chalice circles? Attend the next Inquirers Series featuring them on October 5, or read the FAQ at: https://uucorvallis.org/chalice-circles/.

Email: chalicecircles@uucorvallis.org

UUFC Women’s Retreat 2025 – deadline to register is 10/5

by

Please register by Oct. 5 for the Women’s Retreat –
“Right Here, Right Now: Peace through Practice” – We will share practices that may help you find peace in your center, peace in your connections, and peace in your community. At this time, Peace through Protest is a way to be in balance, even if we’re wobbly.

The Women’s Retreat will be held at the UUFC on Friday night Oct. 17 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm and from 9:00 am – 7:00 pm on Saturday, Oct. 18. On Saturday, lunch will be served at noon, and there will be program options that include participating at the No Kings protest at the county courthouse. The $55 fee for the retreat includes two meals on Saturday catered by Forks and Corks.

Please register using this form. https://uufc.breezechms.com/form/wr2025.
Payment can be made online or by check to the UUFC with “Women’s Retreat” in the memo line.
Volunteers, suggestions, and questions are welcome at womensretreat@uucorvallis.org.

LEGATO potluck, 10/8

by

Everyone is welcome to join the choir and band for a meal of laughter, goodwill and perhaps song! The Fall weather beckons a warm, cozy meal shared with others. The LEGATO potluck is Wednesday, October 8 at 6:30 PM. Come early if you can help set up tables. This is followed by rehearsal at 7:00 PM.

Bring a dish to share (please identify all ingredients), a serving utensil (if needed) AND YOUR OWN PLACE SETTING & WATER BOTTLE – this is a low-impact meal.

This is a Connect Up Event with the purpose of building community within the UUFC congregation.

Kirtan with Gina Sala and Friends, 10/10

by

Featuring Jeanette Kangas (tabla), Johanna Beekman (vox), David Campbell (trumpet) & friends.

Come feel your mind, body and heart relax and reconnect Friday, October 10, 7-8:30 PM in the UUFC’s Sanctuary as we immerse in world chants, meditative manra, groove and story with life-long chanter and long-term teacher and sound yogni Gina Salā and her wonderful band.

Let’s raise the vibration!