A series of 9 hour-long sessions designed especially for newcomers seeking more information about UUism and the Fellowship AND open to all others who are interested. Sessions take place every Sunday at 11:45 AM Room 8.
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“Disguised as our Life” 11/26/2023
As Unitarian Universalists, one of our primary “texts” for theological understanding is lived experience. In other words, we agree with Paula D’arcy’s insight that “God (or Meaning) comes to us disguised as our life.” From deeper questions about the history of Thanksgiving Day, and of indigenous ways of noticing how we are related, we’ll consider practices of observation that can help us search for meaning and sustain us.
Revs. Monica Jacobson-Tennessen and Jill McAllister
Post Holiday Break 12/28
This time of year can be a lot for the ritual keepers known as parents. To honor all you do, we’d like to offer you a break! Drop off school-aged children in the social hall from 1-4 on December 28th. We’ll have a thank you card writing workshop (with helpers for those who haven’t mastered the pen yet), make snacks, and settle in for a movie while you take a few hours to recover from the holiday hustle. To make the most of the thank you card workshop, please send your child with a list of specific people & gifts for which to offer thanks. Pre-registration is requested at bit.ly/postholidaybreak
UUFC Merch Shop!
Just in time for holiday gift-giving, we introduce the official UUFC Merch Shop! This virtual storefront allows you to customize a wide assortment of apparel and accessories to show your UUFC pride. We’ve tested the merch from a variety of providers, and this family-owned, PNW-based company has the highest quality custom merch that I’ve found AND gives a percentage of every sale back to the Fellowship! Their 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 to get your team’s logo set up in our shop!
Holiday Fair – December 2, 9 AM – 2 PM
Our UUFC Holiday Fair is Saturday, December 2 from 9:00–2:00. Exquisite gifts by 20 local artisans! Greenery swags and centerpieces, baked goods, and a cafe are also featured. Tell your friends and neighbors. Don’t miss it!
More helpers needed. Most shifts are just 2 hours. It’s so satisfying to work with others for this annual fundraiser. We especially need furniture movers (before & after), kitchen work party participants (before), and at-home bakers (before). Sign up for these and other volunteer activities at https://uucorvallis.org/holiday-fair/
Star Trek and UU
Canceled for Friday November 24. Will resume in December. Normally meets 2nd & 4th Fridays from 6:30 – 8 PM, Room 7. More Info
Thank You! Thank You! 11/18
Thank you to Laura Craig and Lynn Evans for their work clearing leaves off the Fellowship lawn. Thank you to Kathy Kopczynski for taking on a leadership role in Fellowship communications.
Daily Practice: A Weekly Reminder 11/19/2023
In March 2020, when the COVID pandemic required us to radically alter our family and community connections, at the Fellowship we undertook a daily practice of cultivating inner nobility and steadiness. The needs and aims were many: including to help decrease worry and anxiety, to increase our ability to acknowledge and accept new ways of doing things, to encourage ourselves and each other to recognize different ways of staying connected, to help ourselves and each other find courage and strength when we felt too fragile or unbalanced. Of course things have changed since March 2020 – at the very least we are no longer in the midst of the global pandemic. Yet in some ways things have not changed – we are certainly still in the midst of global change – physically, socially, emotionally, and more. To practice cultivating inner nobility and steadiness remains a high calling, and a daily opportunity. Is the world we are living in any less challenging than it was in 2020? It doesn’t feel that way. Inner nobility and steadiness have never been more important than now.
What is inner nobility? Here are some ideas: It is the ability to consider the well-being of others in the same way we consider our own well-being. Or, love your neighbor as yourself. It is a capacity to not take everything personally, and to understand ourselves as irrevocably part of a wide and deep network of relations. It is the ability to approach others with loving kindness first. And how do we practice steadiness? Remember what it feels like to be in a boat which rocks. The first instinct is not to tell someone to “stop rocking the boat!”; the first instinct is to add more hand-holds, or rearrange one’s body to move with the rocking. That is, to quickly see the way things are, and adjust in all possible ways.
May we continue to learn, may we continue to practice – may we continue to cultivate inner nobility and steadiness.
Inquirers Series 11/19
Sunday, 11/19 at 11:45 AM
A series of 9 hour-long sessions designed especially for newcomers seeking more information about UUism and the Fellowship AND open to all others who are interested. Sessions take place every Sunday at 11:45 AM Room 6C. This week: Campus Tour with John Bailey.
Democracy Action Team 11/19 at 11:45 AM
Sunday, 11/9 at 11:45am
All are invited. Help protect democracy! Meet or catch up with others who are doing this work. We’ll share information about: what we all have accomplished in the last few election cycles, how letter writing makes a difference, and key issue campaigns of the year: Ranked Choice Voting (on Oregon’s ballot) and the Freedom to Vote Act. Join us in the Sanctuary following the Sunday Service.