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January 11: How Do You Tell Your Story?

Each of us has a spiritual autobiography. When we stand back and look at the arc, what seasons do we see? What narrative do you want to claim today to carry you forward?

Rev. Alex McGee will preach

January 18: Can I Let You Have Your Story?

In anticipation of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, let us consider whose version of his story we know. Widening the lens, let us consider what versions of someone else’s story we are willing to hear. If we truly live our inclusive values, what discomfort comes with accepting a person’s whole story?

Rev. Alex McGee will preach

January 25: Why Church?

“Why Church?” Community, exploration, redemption, forgiveness, exchange, justice – what the heck is church for? Let’s talk about why church matters.

Guest speaker Rev. Mitra Rahnema is a lifelong Unitarian Universalist and graduate of Starr King School for the Ministry. She has offered ministry to congregations in Missouri, Michigan, and California. Mitra is editor of the 2017 book and UUA Common Read, “Centering: Navigating Race, Authenticity, and Power in Ministry.” She is dedicated to building vibrant and engaged anti-oppressive communities. Mitra lives in Portland, OR.

February 1: Forgiveness

Forgiveness can sometimes feel elusive or confusing. But humans throughout the ages continue to grapple with forgiveness. Let us consider what is ready to be heard in our hearts and put into action now.

Rev. Alex McGee will preach

February 8: Reconciliation

Cheap forgiveness may be falsely labeled as reconciliation — but the risks are great. So, today, let us consider the many steps of accountability that are often necessary before true reconciliation is possible. Because around the world and in the home, true reconciliation allows fresh possibilities in life.

Rev. Alex McGee will preach

February 15: Love

What do we need to talk about in our Unitarian Universalist Fellowship on the day after Valentine’s Day? Come find out!

Rev. Alex McGee will preach

February 22: Shelter and Community Care

For several decades, Corvallis has grappled with challenges of what it means to have safe housing for all and shelter accessible to those in need. This UU Fellowship has played a role in many ways. Come reflect on the history of the congregation’s collaboration with Unity Shelter, current local issues, and what might be possible in the future.

Shawn Collins, Executive Director of Unity Shelter, will be our guest speaker. Shawn got his first look at the realities of homelessness and poverty in the Willamette Valley through his volunteer experiences at the South Corvallis Food Bank. After leaving HP in 2016, Shawn worked at United Way of Benton & Lincoln Counties, as the Program Manager for the Housing Opportunities Action Council (HOAC) through 2019. He was instrumental in securing the site that would become the Corvallis Men’s Shelter in 2017.

March 1: Inspiration from our Partner Church in Transylvania

Last Fall, several members of UUFC went to visit our Partner Church in Transylvania. Today they will share information, illumination, and inspiration: history of partner churches at UUFC; how they observed resilience in action; how Unitarianism there reflects Christian roots; and rituals that were transformative.

Janet Throop, Linda Bruslind, Scott Bruslind, and Patricia Parcells will speak.

Behind the Music: Light is returning, even though this is the darkest hour

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Today marks a moment in time of stillness and reflection, the longest night of the year before the gradual return of light. There is a wealth of music about winter, night, darkness, and light, and I tried to select pieces that captured the ideas of cold December nights, the knowledge that the sun and warmth will return, and the small lights that both sustain us in the meantime, as well as the small lights that we put forth to try to sustain others.

The prelude opened with “Once Upon a December”, which comes from the 1997 movie Anastasia, a beautiful animated fairy tale loosely based upon the legend of Russia’s Grand Duchess Anastasia. Written by Broadway veterans Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (who also penned “Ragtime” and “Once on this Island”), the protagonist’s words are full of wistful nostalgia:

Far away, long ago
Glowing dim as an ember
Things my heart used to know
Things it yearns to remember

And a song someone sings

Once upon a December

The well-known and beloved Clair de lune followed, by French Impressionist composer Claude Debussy. Clair de lune – which translates to “the light of the moon” – is a luminous musical portrait of moonlight spilling over a quiet landscape. In the context of a Winter Solstice service, Debussy’s shimmering harmonies suggest the reflection of the winter moon on snow or ice, as well as a sense of calm, wonder, and the peaceful magic of a winter night.

I was originally planning to play Don McLean’s “Vincent“, which is so wonderful and a personal favorite…or Eric Whitacre’s less-known but exquisite “Glow“. But after the youth performance and the activities that Skyla King-Christison had planned, it felt like the service called for the quiet warmth and intimacy of Jim Brickman’s arrangement of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” instead. The gentle piano lines and soothing childhood melody evoke the comforting glow of starlight on a dark, quiet evening. Even in the depths of winter, small points of light – hope, love, and connection – persist and guide us forward.

For today’s postlude, I played Charles Murphy’s “Light Is Returning”, a song we’ve sung at past solstice services. This musical celebration of the light’s return couldn’t be more fitting for the longest night of the year, and the lyrics serve as a promise of new beginnings:

Light is returning
Even though this is the darkest hour.
No one can hold back the dawn.

Let’s keep it burning;
Let’s keep the light of hope alive!
Make safe our journey through the storm.

One planet is turning
Circle on her path around the Sun.
Earth Mother is calling her children home. 

December 24, 2025 – Christmas Eve (Wednesday, 7 PM)

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Invite friends and family to this gentle, reflective service in which we honor the gifts in the age-old message of people travelling with hope. We will enjoy the lighting of candles, with appropriate candle options for all ages!

Rev. Alex McGee will preach

This service will be broadcast on Zoom using the same link as the Sunday Worship Services.

2025-2026 Pledge Drive Feedback Survey

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We are collecting feedback on the 2025-2026 pledge drive! Fill out the survey to share your thoughts by clicking the button below.

Survey

Your feedback will used to make improvements in how we communicate about pledging, record key pledging information, and share the importance of pledging with the congregation. Survey responses are anonymous so please share what is on your mind and how we can make this process better in the coming years. Contact Rachel McGrath (who is helping to support the stewardship team) with any questions regarding the survey.

Special Christmas Eve Service, 12/24

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Invite friends and family to this gentle, reflective service in which we honor the gifts in the age-old message of people travelling with hope. We will enjoy the lighting of candles, with appropriate candle options for all ages!

Rev. Alex McGee will preach

This service will be broadcast on Zoom using the same link as the Sunday Worship Services.

UUA Scholarships for College

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Do you know any UUs attending or considering college? The UUA offers scholarships to help fund college degrees in certain fields! You can read about the available scholarships and their requirements here: https://www.uua.org/lifespan/re-sources/college-scholarships/legal-art.

Finding available scholarships can be a daunting task for students. If you think someone may benefit from knowing about these options, please share this with them!

Join a Friendly Team: The Greeters!

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No matter what season, the Greeter Team is there to welcome you to the Fellowship. We are a hearty group of people who enjoy getting to know new people and spreading the cheer no matter the time of year.

If you would like to be part of this friendly Team, drop by the Greeter Team desk and let your wishes be know to a team member or send Heather E an email using this link. You won’t regret it. Happy Holiday to you from all of us!

Harvest the Power, Leadership Enrichment Workshop 2/5-4/16, register by 1/25

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WHAT: Workshop series to help current and future Fellowship leaders step more fully and successfully into their roles.

WHEN: 1st and 3rd Thursdays in February, March, and April, from 6:30-8:30 PM

WHERE: Social Hall

WHO: Anyone with an interest in leadership in any area of the Fellowship. From small groups or single events to joining the Board of Directors, if you think you might ever like to be one of the people who shape the direction of this congregation, this workshop is for you!

REGISTER: HERE by 1/25. Free childcare is available! When filling out the registration form, indicate if you will need childcare.

This offering will be co-facilitated by Michael Hughes (Treasurer) and Skyla King-Christison (Director of Religious Exploration). Please contact either of us with questions.

This program will:

  • Affirm the spiritual and emotional gifts and the skills that each person brings to a leadership position
  • Encourage understanding that holding a leadership position is an opportunity to enrich and deepen one’s own faith
  • Strengthen understanding of covenant and the practice of keeping covenant within the leadership team and in the congregation
  • Guide leaders to center relationships as a faithful practice, thinking of the congregation as a “we” rather than a collection of individuals
  • Lead participants to develop an understanding of the importance of personal spiritual practice and integrity to healthy leadership
  • Guide participants to consider which voices and perspectives were marginalized in the past and need to be part of congregational or leadership decision-making
  • Introduce systems thinking, and provide some practice with exploring congregational issues through a systems lens
  • Encourage participants to consider that conflict can indicate questions needing attention in the larger congregational system and invite them to respond accordingly
  • Deepen and enrich the experience of congregational leaders and, by extension, the ability of congregations to live out their missions and values, both in congregational life and in the wider world

If any of the ideas above spark your interest and make your heart go, “Oh!” you should register and join us! What we learn together today will help ensure a healthy and vibrant Fellowship for generations to come!

December 21, 2025 – Solstice Pageant (all ages)

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In this all-ages Sunday service, the gifts of children and youth in our congregation will shine as we reflect on Solstice together. Be ready for deep reflection and getting to know your neighbor a little better.

Skyla King-Christison, Director of Religious Exploration, has designed this service and will lead along with children, youth, and Rev. Alex McGee