The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Corvallis
There has never been a better time for us to dig into our spiritual toolbox to center our souls, engage in a practice of self love and self compassion, and connect to our souls so that we can engage with each other from a space of love and joy. Dr. Bird will talk about storytelling as an act of persistence and how we can walk the good road to support our community.
Dr. Melissa Bird will preach
Ron Wrolstad was a long time member of UUFC. He and his wife Kathy raised their two daughters here. Ron was known for his steady attendance, he played the piano, was a longtime member of a book club here, and contributed in many other ways. Ron died here in Corvallis on Saturday, October 11th, 2025 from complications related to Alzheimers disease. Members of the Fellowship have described him as leading an exceedingly meaningful life as a husband, father, grandfather, scientist, teacher, colleague, student mentor, bicyclist, story-teller, and good friend.
The recording of the service can be viewed below, or on YouTube at https://youtu.be/Zly12v7-73g. It will stay available on our UUFC website and UUFC YouTube page for future viewing.
UUFC joins our Unitarian Universalist Association in honoring Transgender Remembrance Day on November 20, and a reading will be included in our service this Sunday. May we continue to do the work for safety and well-being of all people.
Read the press release from the UUA and 9 other faith groups here.
UUFC’s Giving Tuesday is an opportunity for us celebrate and put into practice our UU values of Generosity and Justice. For 2025, our contributions will benefit the South Corvallis Food Bank, where the need is greater than ever. Video: <https://kval.com/newsletter-daily/need-for-food-reaches-all-time-high-in-corvallis-food-bank-says>
You can contribute
Thank you.
Questions: treasurer@uucorvallis.org
Due to the conflict with the Holiday Fair, we are rescheduling the Fifth Annual Tree Planting with the City to a Saturday in January. Look for more info to come.
“The highest virtue among church greeters is their willingness to express human kindness… suggest, lead, guide, or do anything that is an extension of the human smile.” – Leslie Parrott, author
UU’s live out our faith through our service to others. True spiritual growth, in ourselves and in our Fellowship, arises, in part, through our connectedness with others. You are the smiling, welcoming face of the UUFC.
If you would like to join this Team, please contact anyone at the Greeter desk or contact the Heather E. at this link. We can all use a helping hand. See you Sunday!
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Evacuation Drill on November 2.
A number of issues were identified that need to be addressed to improve our overall plan.
Do you have expertise or interest in Emergency Preparedness at UUFC?
Please contact Wolfgang D. or Rev. Alex to join a team of 3-4 people to evaluate and revise the Evacuation Plan and address other important UUFC Safety Issues.
Dear congregation:
We are approaching holidays. This means different things to different people. But what it likely means for all of us is memories of years gone past.
The memories may take a very sensory form: the scents of special foods, the sights of special lights, the sounds of special songs.
But sometimes the holidays can be tender if things have changed in painful ways.
It likely means memories with people who may not be here anymore. That could be family members. Friends. A beloved clergy person.
Part of our spiritual life is to honor our grief. In the midst of holiday festivities, I hope you can find time for quiet moments, for tears, for talking about the people you are missing right now.
Surely this Fellowship itself will have a different tenor because the minister of 11 years is not here. People are finding new ways to do things and stepping into new roles. It will look different, feel different, sound different. This is all a natural part of a grief and change process. I honor that.
May all of us find wholeness as we live into the fullness of all our emotions in all the chapters of our lives.
In peace
Alex
Rev. Alex McGee is serving this Fellowship as Interim Minister and is available to be contacted at rev.alex.mcgee@uucorvallis.org.
Rev. Ralph Roberts created a UU version of an Advent calendar, with little factoids about the influence that Unitarians and Universalists in history had on the winter holidays. We will once again be converting these tidbits into a daily Advent email series to land in your inbox every morning from December 1st through the 24th. You can register to be on that limited-run mailing list HERE by November 27th. Please note that, due to technological limitations, we will not be able to add any recipients to the list after the 27th.
Worship Web offers the following disclaimer about the Advent series: “Due to its temporal nature, many of the historic milestones in this Advent calendar aren’t necessarily recognized on the precise day that they’re celebrated (for example, Kwanzaa is recognized here on December 2nd instead of December 26th, and the December 12 image recognizes Clara Barton’s birthday (December 25, 1821). More than perfect historic accuracy, then, this Advent calendar is offered in the spirit of holding up and delighting in the ways that our Unitarian and Universalist ancestors had a foundational role in many of the winter holidays and the innumerable ways they’re celebrated by people everywhere.”
Throughout history, humans have expressed a sensual desire for the divine in such texts as Song of Solomon and the Bhagavad Gita. And, many spiritual autobiographies record longings of the heart. How can we be alert to the role of desire in our spiritual lives?
Rev. Alex McGee will preach