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San Miguel Social Justice Foundation, 6/23

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Many of us know a little about the UU congregation of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, because of our connections there through Nora Cohen and Donn Zellet, who are members of that congregation as well as the UUFC. The San Miguel congregation supports a Social Justice Foundation which is involved in a wide variety of justice projects in and around San Miguel. Would you like to know more about this work? Donn Zellet will present a video about it on Sunday, June 23, after the Sunday service, with time for questions and discussion. All are welcome.

“She, They And Me” 6/23/24

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“In the places and times of my growing up, definitions of and attitudes toward gender and sexuality were highly circumscribed, biased, narrow-minded, and I realized later, oppressive. My introduction to broader views and my evolving understandings of gender, sexuality and myself have been deeply intertwined with my life in the Fellowship and within Unitarian Universalism. This is one of the reasons that I appreciate Pride Month, which at the very least reminds me to keep learning.”

With Rev. Jill McAllister

Between Us

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The 63rd UUA General Assembly will take place virtually this week, from Thursday June 20 to Sunday June 24. GA is the annual meeting of the Unitarian Universalist Association in which participants worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy for the Association through democratic process. It is also an opportunity to explore the theological underpinnings of our faith, and lean into our mission and principles. Anyone may register to attend; all certified congregations also send delegates to vote on Association business.

Representing UUFC as delegates this year are: Susan Christie, Karishma Gottfried, Diane Conrad, John Bailey, Mary Craven and Priscilla Galasso, plus Skyla King-Christison and Rev. Jill McAllister. As voting delegates, we will attend the General Sessions (the business sessions) and we’ll “spread out” virtually to attend a wide variety of workshops, presentations, discussions and worship services along with several thousand other UUs from congregations across the country.

I attended my first General Assembly as a young member of this Fellowship almost forty years ago (!) – when it was held on a college campus. I took my 9 month old baby, and shared a room (in a dormitory) with a beloved elder from the congregation, who helped me navigate the meetings and the parenting. The feeling of being part of a huge community of religious liberals while being supported by my own congregation was a new and exhilarating experience, and was a big part of the inspiration I gathered as I began to consider the UU ministry. Looking back now over the more than thirty GA’s I’ve attended, I am so grateful for this living, changing tradition and for the several generations of UUs who have continually inspired me.

For anyone interested, the General Sessions and the Sunday Worship will be live-streamed publicly. Find out more at uua.org / General Assembly.

Protect Yourself Against Phishing Scams

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There has been a recent uptick again in phishing scams across the United States, particularly targeting churches. This is a reminder that the UUFC (and our leadership/members) WILL NEVER ASK FOR YOU TO BUY GIFT CARDS OR SEND MONEY IN AN EMAIL OR IN A TEXT. We only encourage donations sent directly to the Fellowship address or contributed via our https://uucorvallis.org/donate/ page.

We encourage you to double-check with us if you are unsure of a request. Please visit this helpful website from another congregation to familiarize yourself with how these scams work and how to protect yourself!

More Info About Email Scams

April Social Concerns Collection

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In April, Earth Month, members and friends donated $2,441 to the social concerns collection. Thank you! This will provide $250 each to Seeds for the Sol, the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition, UU Ministry for Earth, and UUA Side with Love. The remaining $1,441 will go to the UUFC Carbon Reduction and Responsibility Fund, adding to the proposed $4,000 allocation in the 2024-25 budget. For 2024-25, the Fund will be used to help pay to switch from gas heat to heat pumps in the renovation of the classroom wing.

Bring Your Used Plastic Plant Pots, 6/16

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Catherine Whiting will collect your used plastic plant pots (any size) this Sunday 6/16/24. I will place black garbage bags by the bench shelter by the parking lot. Please knock off most soil. I will disinfect and reuse them at the Master Gardener Greenhouse. I will do this once a month, so keep collecting them.

“Summer Solstice: Considering the Sun” 6/16/2024

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The longest day of the year is almost here. We think of it as the advent of summer — the season of sun and heat and growth. As summers here lengthen and intensify, as we feel so many changes on the earth, how shall we consider the sun – both the spark of life and the fire of destruction?