Cameron

Chalice Circle Sampler Pop-up this Fall

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Want to experience what a Chalice Circle session is like? We’re trying a different format this year that will hopefully lower the barrier to make it easier for YOU to check out if joining a Chalice Circle is for you.

Chalice Circles are an opportunity to deepen your ties to others in this community. We do this by meeting on a regular basis with the same small group of people to share how we each navigate the journey of being human. This is done via thoughtfully designed “topics” that offer ideas and questions for reflection. Through authentic sharing and listening, we learn how to voice what deeply matters to us.

Never been in a chalice group? “Test the waters” by signing up for a Chalice Circle Pop-up Session offered this Fall. If you want to continue, we’ll help set up new groups that will continue through the upcoming liturgical year (through June). You’re also welcome to sign up if you’ve been in a group in the past or even if you’re already in a group! Come see what’s changed or just experience chalice with a different group of people.

Three sessions will be offered (2 hours each), and you can choose to attend 1, 2 or all 3 (different topic, different people but same format). Sign-ups are online via this Google Form (https://bit.ly/fall25chalice). The dates of each session are specified in the form.

Have more questions about chalice circles? Attend the next Inquirer Series featuring them on October 5, or read our FAQ at: https://uucorvallis.org/connection/#chalice_circle_groups.

Questions? Email: chalicecircles@uucorvallis.org

Shuttle to the “Workers Over Billionaires” Rally, 9/1

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Consider attending the “Workers Over Billionaires” protest rally on 4th street, taking place from noon to 3 PM on September 1. Just before our Tuna Roast!

Traveling to and from the protest (and parking nearby) is an obstacle for many people. To alleviate that problem some kind people at the Fellowship are offering a shuttle service to the protest. Those who would like to use this service should show up at the UUFC parking lot to get rides to and from the front of the Corvallis Library. We will be available, as needed, to pick up at half-hour intervals, leaving UUFC at 12:00, 12:30, 1:00, 1:30, and 2:00; and doing return trips from the Library at 1:00, 1:30, 2:00, 2:30, and 3:00.

Another good option is to take advantage of the CTS buses if one of their routes runs close to your home. All routes start and stop from the Downtown Transit Center, which is just a block from 4th Street. Check their routes and schedules at: https://www.corvallisoregon.gov/cts/page/bus-routes, or plan your personal route at: https://apps.corvallisoregon.gov/cts/tripplanner.html.

For any who are interested in using the shuttle service, please contact Jack Elder by email, phone, or text, and give him your name and the times you would like get rides in both directions.

We could also use a few more volunteer drivers. With more drivers, each individual will need to drive fewer trips, and can spend more time at the protest!

Kirtan with Eugene’s Sitaram Das, 9/5

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Through chanting Sanskrit mantra, music, teachings, Q&A, and storytelling, this kirtan intends to awaken the Heart of Love. Sitaram Dass will be joined by Jeannette Kangas (tabla) and Clark Stacer (bass). Friday, September 5 at 7 PM in Room 7.

Sitaram Dass (he/him) spent several years serving his beloved teacher Ram Dass on Maui, where he was shown the path of Bhakti, the yoga of service and devotion to God. He is an author, teacher, kirtan singer, spiritual therapist, and lover of God. As the director of the Sacred Community Project, he works to lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices.

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September 7: Gathering the Waters and Beginning a New Congregational Year

Bring water to pour into the common bowl as you name the qualities and commitments you bring for the year ahead.  We will commission the board and Interim Minister.  We will offer blessings to the guides who will work with children and youth this year and the sermon will reflect on the urgency of helping the world by raising the next generation with UU values.  

Choir will be back, and Rev. Alex will preach.

September 14:  What’s Wrong and Is It Me? 

This sermon will be an exploration of times in life we are trying to fix something…but the best change will come from looking at a bigger picture.  Special reflections on the exciting new Mosaic curriculum this year.  

Rev. Alex preaching.  

September 21:  Jackson Street Youth Services

Our guest speaker is Ben Martens, who serves as Community Engagement Coordinator at Jackson Street Youth Services, which offers youth a safe place to live and resources to work through crises and towards a brighter, more stable future. Founded to fill a gap in housing for homeless youth, they now serve youth throughout Linn and Benton Counties.

September 28:  Balance and Loving Embrace of Imbalance.

As the days and nights are nearly equal in length this week, we have a chance to reflect on the many meanings of balance.

Rev. Alex preaching and the band will play.

August 31, 2025

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Hi Fellowship!

Look at this photo of my office door in the fresh new Religious Exploration wing of the building!  How wonderful that all the effort for renovations and fix-up have borne fruit and are ready to welcome youth on September 7.  I am grateful to the crew who worked on signage so I have a bulletin board outside the door of the office I use.  Perhaps in the photo you can see it is Room 1 – right inside the doors of the RE wing, which are to the right of the parking lot door.

Most important, this photo shows that on my door I have taped a copy of the congregational covenant.  Can you see that green piece of paper? The Fellowship covenanted to this in May 2023, and it reminds us of love, respect, listening, celebrating differences, clarifying misunderstandings, and returning to covenant.  I have it on the door of my office to remind myself and all who enter here of how we agree to relate together. 

One of the reasons I am attracted to Interim Ministry is because it is journeying with people during times of change.  And change has so many aspects:  excitement, uncertainty, grief, creativity, exhaustion and many more feelings.  In fact, there are as many feelings as there are people reading this message.  My goal is to honor all those truths, offer compassion for the discomfort, and help you stay true to your deepest values as you navigate this time.  Please offer yourself and others spacious compassion and curiosity as this new chapter in the life of the Fellowship is unfolding. 

In peace,

Rev. Alex

New Foot-Operated Doorstops

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There are new doorstops on the entry doors. Use your foot to lower the doorstop in position. To release it, step on the metal tab and the doorstop pops back into the open position. No more bending to unlock the hook latch!

There are also new window blinds in the classroom wing rooms which are operated by lifting up slowly from the bottom with two hands. This stacks the blind as you open it (no cords to pull). To close these blinds, pull down gently/firmly/evenly. A plastic rod on the left can be rotated to tilt the blinds into varying degrees of light entering.

Sign Up Now! – Men’s Retreat, 10/3-5

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Time to register for the annual Men’s Retreat, this year at Camp Harlow near Eugene (only an hour’s drive from Corvallis). The retreat will be held from 5 PM Friday October 3 to 2 PM Sunday October 5. For those who identify as men, this is an opportunity to get to know each other and build connections with other men at UUFC. Our theme this year is “Sharing the Story of Your Life Journey.” Check out the flyer with details at this link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1f6YJIxzCbjXZdWaI45a5bDxtDZsJoCsv/view?usp=sharing

Register ONLINE at https://uufc.breezechms.com/form/mensretreatregistration2025.

More information: contact Alan Kirk.

Greeters are Lemonaders!

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Looking to increase your resilience during trying times?

OSU research suggests that cultivating a sense of openness and fun even though things may be challenging (lemonading) helps. There is no greater place to create a moment of joy than serving on the Greeter Team.

Don’t wait! Join the Greeter Team and experience the joy of providing valuable human connection to those seeking reassurance (especially newcomers).

Speak with anyone at the Greeter desk or contact the Team lead via this form for more information. Cheers!

Volunteers needed to hang art

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The art hanging team needs some additional hands for our next art installation.  The artist and his wife will also be on hand with Isabel Prusinski to hang their art on Friday, August 29 at 1 pm.  One volunteer is needed.  Ability to climb up and down a ladder is a must. This is a great opportunity to get a sneak peak at the art which will enhance our space AND talk with the presenting artist. Please contact Isabel Prusinski if you are interested.