Vendors spots available for Holiday Fair, 12/6

by

It’s that time of year again to start thinking about the Holiday Fair!  This year’s fair will be on December 6th from 9AM to 3PM.  All are welcome – UUFC members, friends, and the larger community.  This event builds connections between UUFC and the larger community, plus it’s a ton of fun!

This event commemorates the start of the holiday season featuring handmade goods from vendors and artisans, gently used children’s items, greenery swags, and baked goods.  The café will also be open selling delicious soup, bread, fruit, and drinks.  There will be live music and activities for kids.

Are you interested in being an artisan vendor for this event?  If so, please email holiday.fair@uucorvallis.org.  There are spaces available, and we would love to have you.  We will also be posting volunteer sign-ups closer to the event.

Weekly Announcement from Rev. Alex McGee for September 12, 2025

by

Connections to UUs Near and Far

from Rev. Alex McGee September 12, 2025: 

On Sunday, please help welcome Sam Pearl, who will travel from the Bay Area to be with us.  In addition to participating in the opening of worship, Sam will share some of Sam’s stories of growing up UU with our teens during their Religious Exploration time, and then Sam will give a workshop for the Board and Staff in the afternoon.  Sam serves on the Regional Staff of the Pacific Northwest Region of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA).  

Pacific Western regional staff practice the four Cs:  (1) challenge congregational leaders to help their congregations become the most vital congregations each can become, (2) coach congregational leaders through consultation and trainings, (3) companion congregations through times of difficulty and times of celebration, and (4) connect congregational leaders to one another, to other institutional partners, and to resources.  Learn more here: https://www.uua.org/pacific-western

And the region is not the only place UUs are reaching out to us!  Our connections to UUs across the country are shown in this video from the UUA President, Dr. Sofia Betancourt, as she welcomes in a new year of programming.  I find the voices in the video give me a sense of calm and courage.  I hope you will, too. Read the letter that accompanies this video by clicking this link.

Finally, right here at home in the Fellowship, please know that I am open for meeting with you about what is on your heart and mind.  I have set aside Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays for meetings, but can also be flexible.  You can suggest a time by writing rev.alex.mcgee@uucorvallis.org, or sign up outside the door of my office.  Plus, the contact info for all the staff is at this page.  Please know that we on staff are all learning together and striving to serve the congregation as it lives into its values.

Sincerely,
Rev. Alex McGee

Aging Successfully in Community Program Kick Off, 9/17

by
Aging Successfully in community
Aging Successfully in community

Join the Aging Successfully in Community team for our kick off event for this year. Wednesday, September 17 at 3 PM in the Social Hall.

Think about what YOU are doing to stay connected, engaged and thriving in this time of your life. We’ll provide some questions to prompt discussions in small groups. We’ll also review last year’s topics and discuss what you’d like to see in the coming year. Look forward to a fun announcement, too!

Secure Housing and Food for All meeting, 9/21

by

The Secure Housing and Food for All team meets on September 21 in Room 7 @ 11:30 AM.

We’ll discuss what is happening for unhoused folks. Join us to share what you know, ask questions and determine how you/we can support the unhoused in Corvallis. We’ll also have information for supporting school needs for students. 

Currently the Room at The Inn at First Methodist is housing 50 men and 50 women considered most vulnerable to living outside. Volunteers are needed at ‘The Inn’. 

In November separate night housing could open at the Men’s shelter. You can sign up online and get training for the kinds of support needed. 

Men’s Retreat – Last Week to Register!

by

This is the LAST WEEK TO REGISTER for the Men’s Retreat, Friday-Sunday, Oct. 3 – 5. It’s a great opportunity for men at the Fellowship to get to know each other better and build connections. Camp Harlow near Eugene (only an hour’s drive from Corvallis) offers space for pickle ball, mini-golf, disc golf, bocce ball, and creative activities. We’ll also meet in large and small groups to reflect on our theme: “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.

“What can I do?” Resource Fair 9/13 at 2pm

by

These are challenging times. As Universalist Unitarians, we covenant, in part, to inspire each other to be our best selves by clarifying misunderstandings and embodying healthy relationships as a living practice of our faith and beliefs. We will honor everyone’s gifts, with the intention of learning from diverse perspectives. Recognizing the interdependent web of all existence, together we will build a better world.

These values demand that when we are faced with intolerance and injustice, we cannot sit idle. Yet, it is difficult to know where to start, how to help, what will be enough. Nevertheless, we must start somewhere.

We invite your to start with asking the question, “What can I do?”

Join the Immigrant and Refugee Support, Democracy Action, Secure Food and Housing For All, Climate Action, and Sexuality and Gender Diversity Justice Teams on Saturday, 9/13 from 2-4pm at Episcopal Church of the Good Samaritan, 333 NW 35th St, Corvallis for a Resource Fair. This event brings together Mid-Valley community organizations working for peace, justice, democracy, human dignity and rights, a clean environment, mutual aid and more. This event aims to build bridges and weave ever more tightly the bonds of fellowship, belonging, and care that our Community will need to face the days to come.

We invite you to take this small step and once again: accept our shared responsibility to commit, again and again, to lovingly return to this, our sacred covenant.

Bringing Back Drop-In Choir! , 10/12

by

Sunday Morning, October 12th. Rehearsal at 9 AM

Come be a part of the music on Sunday morning!

Help lead the congregation in singing!

Learn a piece to sing with the choir during the service in one rehearsal!

All voices and skill levels welcome!

Please sign up if you plan to come:

Sign Up

If you forgot to sign up and still want to sing, just drop in anyway!

Questions? Email David at music@uucorvallis.org

Grounds Work Parties

by

There is lots to do outside at the UU and happily, cooler weather is at hand!  Here are 3 opportunities to help get the UU grounds looking good and the pollinator garden off the ground (well, in the ground). Come help! Contact Joyce F. with questions.

Saturday, Sept 6, 3 – 5 PM
Friday, Sept 12, 9 AM – 12 PM
Sunday, Sept 21, 3 – 5 PM   

September 7, 2025

by

Dear Friends:
I look forward to sharing the Gathering Water Ceremony this coming Sunday—whether you are on Zoom or in person. Each of us pouring water together is a very meaningful time to reflect on how each of us matter in the Fellowship and bring unique qualities. I continue to honor the many different ways that people are experiencing current shifts in Fellowship life. And so today I offer you this reading, which will be the opening words this coming Sunday. I hope you can take a moment now to savor them and feel how they land with you.
In peace,
Rev. Alex

River Call

Between rocking the boat
and sitting down;
between stirring things up,
and peaceably going along,

We find ourselves
here,
in community.

Each called
from many different
journeys,
many different
life paths,
onto this river road.

Some are here
because the rocking of
the boat
has been too much:
too much tumult,
too much uncertainty,
too much pain.

Some are here with questions
about where the boat is going;
how best to steer it;
where this journey ends.

Others are here
as lovers of the journey,
lovers of life itself.

Here in front
beside
behind

each a passenger;
each a Captain;
doing the best we can.

“Rest here, in your boat,
with me,” the river calls;
“Listen to how I flow,
the sound of life coursing all around you.”

Let the current
hold you,
let the current
guide you;
the river that gently flows
through your soul,
whispers:
“Come, let us worship.”

—Manish K. Mishra-Marzetti