david

Classroom Wing Renovation Progress Update

by

The architect and engineers have told us that they would have permit-ready plans by July 15th. At that point the plans will be sent to the City of Corvallis Building Dept. for review, which takes 3-4 weeks. Simultaneously the plans will be sent to our contractor, Gerding Construction Co., where they will begin their subcontractor bidding, planning and scheduling process. If all goes well construction may start sometime in September. Meanwhile UU volunteers will be cleaning out the classroom wing in preparation for demolition and construction. We hope to have all items removed from the construction area by end of July. Then we will begin our own efforts at demolition work with completion of that work by the end of August.

How can you help? Here is a preliminary list of needs: We need sturdy boxes or reusable plastic bins to store books and other items. They can be left outside the foyer doors near the bench.

We need storage space in garages, basements or spare rooms (contact Jill) We need volunteers for packing, storage and demolition. Later we will need volunteers for painting and moving everything back in. Wolfgang Dengler will have volunteer signup sheets available soon.

We do not yet know how long the construction process will be but the building facilities team will provide regular schedule updates throughout the process.

Thank you for your patience,

Brian Egan

Living Without Shelter: Myths and Realities, 7/17

by

Wed, July 17, 7-8:30 pm.

First Congregational church, 4515 SW West Hills Road, Corvallis.

A Unity Shelter panel discusses the root causes of houselessness, the crisis of housing in Corvallis, the unique work of Unity Shelter and how we might engage in advocacy. Event promoted by Secure Food and Housing Social Justice Team, UUFC.

UUFC Fiscal Insights – Fulfilling Your 2024-25 Pledge

by

First, our thanks to all who have committed to the ongoing success and growth of the UUFC through a pledge for its 2024-25 fiscal year. Together we are doing great things! It is not too late to make a pledge if you have not yet had the chance to do so. To make your pledge, visit the annual pledge drive page.

For those who have made a pledge, now is the time to ponder how you intend to fulfill your pledge. Some of you will have seen a version of this information via a direct email:

Pay By Check

Drop checks at church or mail to UUFC, 2945 NW Circle, Corvallis OR 97330. No need to read further.

Use Your Bank Bill Pay System

Be sure that the donation amount and beginning and end dates for these contributions are correct. Have checks mailed to UUFC, 2945 NW Circle Blvd, Corvallis OR 97330. No need to read further.

Pay Through an IRA

If you have an IRA and need to take a minimum required distribution, you can make such directly to the UUFC with tax advantage. Talk with your financial advisor about options.

Stock Donations

Some people make stock donations. If you need information about making stock donations, please ask Russ Karow.

Breeze Automatic Payment System

If you would like to pay using the Breeze automatic payment system and have not already set that up, follow these steps:

  1. Log in to Breeze, using the link in the “Members Area” at the bottom right of any page on the website.
  2. Click on Manage Recurring Giving button at mid-screen or in the left-hand column
  3. Use the “Stop this recurring gift” button to stop your 2023-24 pledge
  4. Add a new pledge
  5. Enter dollar amount and if possible, agree to cover the processing fee
  6. Select 2024-25 operation budget from drop down menu.
  7. Select frequency of the gift – one time, weekly, every two weeks, etc.
  8. You should see an option for using an existing account or you can add a new debit/credit or bank account Please note that some people have said they see a different screen setup when they go to Breeze. If you have issues with the system, let us know.

Additional Thoughts

If you are currently using the Breeze payment system but are comfortable using bill pay through your bank, please consider this option for the UUFC payment. It saves processing fees – neither you nor the UUFC have to pay these fees

If dealing with the breeze system seems overwhelming, please let us know and UUFC staff will deal with the system for you. We are happy to do so.

If you have any questions, send an email to the address below or call Russ Karow at 541-760-4770 (leave a message if I don’t answer) and we will find answers for you.

Thanks for your many contributions to the success of the UUFC. You are appreciated.

May your summer be amazing.

Contact email – businessmgr@uucorvallis.org Russ Karow on behalf of your UUFC Board, Financial Oversight Council and Staff

Music Sharing Night, 8/7

by

Music Sharing Night! For the first time since before the pandemic, the UUFC will be hosting another Music Sharing Night! Bring your instruments and your voices to share music with the community, open-mic style. All musical acts are encouraged to participate. In the past we’ve had performers of all ages share a variety of styles and genres of music. You don’t have to be a professional musician. In fact, we’ve had people make their performance debut right here at UUFC. Perform as a solo act, or form a group. Original music is welcome and encouraged. Each act will have 10 minutes to perform.

More details about how to sign up to share your music coming in future weekly announcements. Hope to see you there!

David Servias

UUFC Director of Music

“Be Careful What You Worship” 6/30/24

by

It was Ralph Waldo Emerson who said “… it behooves us to be careful what we worship, for what we are worshipping, we are becoming.” This brings up the question of our “liturgical year”: What are the holidays / holy days we observe, or celebrate, and why? If we could choose, what would be the most important days or events or observances to include in our congregational life, as a way of helping to orient us to what is most important? Maybe we can choose! This is worth some discussion.

Between Us

by

Although the beginning of “Summer Services” is a little bit arbitrary, nevertheless we do make a change in our worship formats during most of the summer months. This year we’ll begin Summer Sunday Services on July 7 and end on September 1. Some of those services will be held outside, depending on temperature and weather — that part makes planning ahead a challenge. Just check the weekly announcements each week.

People have different approaches to Fellowship life in the summer. Some travel a lot, and take breaks from Sunday attendance. Others attend every week and don’t really distinguish between summer and other seasons when it comes to Sunday services. Whatever works for you, we look forward to seeing you at the Fellowship or online as often as you are able to come.

There are other ways to gather as well. For example, a concert this Sunday evening in support of our democracy action team stamp fund; a night at the ball park on July 28; a music sharing evening on August 7; seasonal Connect Up activities and more. And there will be furniture moving to share as we begin to empty out the classroom wing in preparation for renovations there.

Summer is a great time to invite others to get together – for walks, coffee/tea, gardening, movies, meals, etc. Find someone to share in a conversation about our Congregational Covenant of Right Relations, or about the newly updated UUA values (Article 2.) Or make an appointment to get together with your minister. If not now, when?

Whatever your approach to summer, may it be a time for building new connections and strengthening the bonds of community.

We hope to see you often.

Recurring Meetings Expiring! Check the Calendar to and Renew if Needed

by

If you have scheduled recurring events, many of them will expire at the end of June, so please double check and extend them if you need to.

Occasionally we find events on the calendar that have been recurring for a long time, but aren’t actually happening anymore. We are working to clean these off of the calendar.

To schedule new events, please visit the “Members Area” by scrolling to the bottom of any page on the website.

Here’s what it looks like:

Final Sunday for Supporting Flaming Chalice International

by

Our outreach offerings for the month of June are supporting Flaming Chalice International, the non-profit organization founded by Rev. Fulgence Ndagijimana to support both Burundian Unitarian refugees and Unitarians within Burundi. Our contributions help support job training, scholarships, housing and food for refugees, social justice projects focused on women’s health and dignity, and maintaining clean water supplies in remote villages. The Fellowship has been part of this international partnership for more than ten years. Our support makes a difference in lives of many Burundians and in the health and growth of global UUism.

PS – Rev. Fulgence has changed his name, to better reflect his Burundian identity instead of the colonial Catholicism he was raised with. His new name is Mwibutsawineza F. Ndagijimanayburundi. He goes by Mwibutsa.