david

At our November 2023 meeting, the UUFC Board of Directors reviewed Fellowship finances, as always. Also discussed were proposed policies for managing the Reserves Fund and the Endowment Fund. The Financial Oversight Council is reviewing all of our investments, and re-organizing the way we report both financial trends and current status.

We are discussing ways to make the Committee on Ministry more visible and sustainable, including possibly adding it to the bylaws. The Committee on Ministry is responsible for supporting the minister(s) and evaluating shared ministry at the Fellowship.

We received a report on the Building Enhancement Project, which is progressing toward the planned renovation of the classroom wing. A very preliminary estimate of the costs of the work came in high – which was not unexpected due to the much greater scope of needed renovations than previously understood (especially to make the buildings safe in case of earthquake). Conversations with the builders are ongoing to finalize the details of the work and arrive at the Maximum Estimated Cost. The project is tentatively scheduled to begin in May 2024.

Minutes of Board meetings are posted at uucorvallis.org/archives/Board minutes.

from Board member Jema Patterson

On Tuesday, November 28, we ask you to consider making a donation, large or small, to the UUFC Emergency Aid Fund. Requests for aid from this fund are managed by our minister and a review team. Its idea is simple – if there are UUFC members or others related to the Fellowship who are in need of emergency assistance with housing, utilities, medical costs, auto and transportation costs, etc., they can make a request to the Emergency Aid Fund, through Jill. In the past several years, we have granted many requests from members of the trans community, who are often in danger of losing housing and employment. We have also used emergency aid funds to support refugees and immigrants seeking safety and asylum in the United States, including Burundians and Salvadorans fleeing violence in their homes.

By policy, grants from this fund are limited to once each year and at this time, no more than $500. Your UUFC board may consider increasing this dollar limit given what we all know about living in today’s world. More than $2500 in aid allocations were made last year. This fund is not part of the UUFC general operating budget. It is funded solely by donations from members and friends.

To give, you can go to the online collection basket – then in the white box in the middle of that page use the top option button to select “Give to Giving Tuesday.” You then enter your donation amount, whether the gift is recurring or one-time, and then choose debit/credit or ACH payment. Alternatively, you can mail a check to the UUFC (2945 NW Circle Blvd, Corvallis OR 97330) or drop a check in the Sunday collection basket. Please write “Giving Tuesday” on the memo line of all checks.

Your gift can make a real difference in the lives of other UUFC members. Please ponder this affirmation we make each Sunday – together we can do more than any of us can accomplish alone – and give generously.

Just in time for holiday gift-giving, we introduce the official UUFC Merch Shop! This virtual storefront offers a wide assortment of apparel and accessories to show your UUFC pride. The family-owned, PNW-based company gives a percentage of every sale back to the Fellowship! Delivery time is 2-3 weeks, so give yourself a lot of lead time, but know that you’re getting a better, more durable product for the wait. Want your group or special event at the Fellowship to have merch? Contact Skyla (DRE@uucorvallis.org) to get your team’s logo set up in our shop!

Join RE Associate Rachel Kohler and other younge(er) adults of the Fellowship (ages 18-35 more or less) for pizza and conversation this Sunday, November 26th at 11:30am in Room 7 for Young Adult Pizza Hour! If you’re new to the Fellowship, this is a great opportunity to meet other young adults. This month, we will be exploring the topic of “Growth and Change.” (Vegetarian/GF/Vegan options available.)

~Thanks to all for your contributions to the South Corvallis Food Bank as our Justice Outreach Offering in October. Together we raised $2339.69!

-Thank-you to our Sunday morning greeters, and coordinator Bobbi Bailey, and our Sunday morning coffee crews, and coordinator Ginny Gibson — we appreciate all you do!

A memorial service for Kim Johansen will be Saturday, December 9 at 1:00. If you would like to contribute finger food for the reception, please contact Sandy Piper (718-650-0204 or skaypiper73@gmail.com). Kim’s family has requested that we include one or two plates of cheese and crackers with our typical treats. You can bring food to the service or leave it with Sandy ahead of time. Thank you.

We send condolences to the family and friends of Josie Silver Alcorn, upon the news of her recent death. 

Saturday, December 2 from 9 AM to 2 PM

Don’t miss our UUFC Holiday Fair on December 2, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm at the Fellowship. Twenty local artisans will offer their art & crafts for sale, including jewelry, paper goods, home décor, and more. A beautiful way to shop local for winter holiday gifts, supporting both artists and the Fellowship.

In addition, Fellowship volunteers will once again provide wreaths and swags, and homemade holiday baked goods. The cafe will be open, serving coffee/tea, scones and muffins from 9-11 am, adding light lunch options from 11 am – 2 PM. Aracely Munro Perla will provide her signature pupas.

STILL NEEDED:

• More home-made holiday goodies – cookies, pies, breads, etc. Calling all artisan bread makers – can you provide a few of your beautiful loaves?
• A few more folks to help with the cleaning up and putting the Sanctuary and social hall back in order for the Sunday service.

Sign up at: https://uucorvallis.org/holiday-fair/

It’s a beautiful time for meeting and greeting, for welcoming the winter holiday season, for enjoying time with old friends and new. Invite your neighbors and friends to join us!