Connect Up Hike, 4/26

Join us for the monthly Connect Up Hike on Saturday, April 26 at 10:45 AM from the UUFC parking lot. This later time allows you to participate in Laughter Yoga first, if you like (and I like!). We will hike to Witham Hill Natural Area and do the Upper Loop trail (.9 miles), then walk back to the UUFC. This loop will be on some paved trails and sidewalks, and on some muddy trails in the Natural Area. Total distance: 2.5 miles; elevation gain: 300 ft.

Please RSVP using this Breeze form: https://uufc.breezechms.com/form/18156221.

LEGATO potluck, 4/9

Come to the LEGATO potluck and lend your voices to table talk about justice in our society. You might share song titles the choir and band could include in its repetoire. The potluck is Wednesday April 9 at 5:45 PM. Come early if you can help set up tables.

Bring a dish to share (please identify all ingredients).

This is a Connect Up Event with the purpose of building community within the UUFC congregation.

UUFC Family Camping at Cascadia State Park, 6/19 – 6/22

group camping at cascadia

Come and join in fun and fellowship while camping at Cascadia State Park June 19 – 22, 2025. Group Site ‘A’ has been reserved with a limit of 25 campers. Plans include group meals on Friday and Saturday evening, time for hiking, exploring, building community, games, and much more. Bring your own tent, personal gear, and food. Parking is very limited (6 cars and 2 RVs – no hook-ups) so carpools are encouraged. Come out for all or part of the event.

The registration fee for the whole weekend is $25 per person (a family with children rate will apply). A minimum of 12 adult registrations must be received by May 1st for this event to take place.

If you have specific questions, please contact Julie Halter and Nancy Gill using this Breeze form.

Connect Up: Laughter Yoga – Breathe Deeply and Have Fun, 4/26

Join Joyce Marvel-Benoist for Laughter Yoga: inclusive and accessible simple exercises to increase endorphins, connect with others, breathe more deeply and lighten up! This is not traditional yoga, but was named yoga by Dr. Madan Kataria of Mumbai, India. Joyce was trained and certified by Dr. Kataria. All ages welcome. Adaptations will be made for physical abilities. Wear comfy clothing, bring your water bottle ~ come as you are!

Saturday, April 26, 2025 9:00 – 10:30 AM in the Sanctuary. RSVP using the Breeze form below.

Connect Up Hike 3/29

We will meet @9:45 AM in the Beazell parking lot and start hiking @10:00 AM. If you would like to carpool from the UUFC parking lot, meet there at 9:15 AM.

We will hike the Plunkett Creek Trail up to the South Meadow and back down. We’ll be on the lookout for trillium and other early spring wildflowers. There is a flat loop option as well. Please choose your own adventure to suit your ability. The distance of this up-and-back hike is approximately 2.5 miles. Elevation gain is approx. 650 feet. Dress for the weather and bring poles if you like.


To reach Beazell Memorial Forest, head west from Philomath on Hwy 20. In 4 miles, at Wren, turn right on Hwy 223N to Kings Valley. Beazell is 5 miles north on the right.

November Connect Up Hike, 11/30

Meet Saturday, Nov. 30 at 9:45 am at the Midge Cramer trailhead to Bald Hill at the west end of the Fairgrounds parking lot. We’ll start hiking at 10:00 am. This will be a “lollipop” trail with different ability options. Join us for all or part of the journey. We’ll head west on the paved path, then north to the barn, and around the west trail to the top of the hill. Then we’ll make our way back downhill to the barn via whatever trail is less like a mudslide. Then back to the parking lot via the paved path. This is an easy to moderate hike of about 4 miles with about 300 ft. elevation gain. Dress for the weather, bring water, shoes with traction, poles if you like, but NO DOGS PLEASE.

Connect Up Sip & Snack at NAMASTE, 10/25

Come Friday, October 25, it may be a foggy and/or drizzly day for a drive up the valley, but with the company of UUFC friends, we should all feel warm and happy.

This time we’ll go to NAMASTE Vineyard at 5600 Van Well Road in Dallas, OR. If you haven’t been before, they have a large, lovingly-restored barn with a huge fireplace.

They’re open from 11 – 5 daily and have a FIVE WINE FLIGHT ($25). They also offer wine by the glass, ciders, beer and non-alcoholic drinks. They offer small plates (fruit & cheese, meat & cheese, or large charcuterie board) and they’re fine with us bringing our own food.

Wine Passport holders have a BOGO wine flight option. For everyone else, the tasting cost is waived with the purchase of a $50 bottle of wine.

We’ll meet at 11:30 at the UU parking lot to begin our Friday foray. Try to be arrive timely so we can hit the road promptly.

Let Heather E know by WEDNESDAY Oct 23rd. If our party is 8+, she will give them a call.

Hope to see you then!

Monthly Vegan Potluck, 10/27

Monthly Vegan Potluck – 4th Sunday, 5:30 in UUFC Social Hall.
Everyone Welcome! Bring a dish to share with others who are learning to eat in a healthy, climate-friendly way.


Include: grains, beans, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, herbs & spices.
Leave out: animal flesh, fluids, and unborn young.

Try it! You’ll like it!

For more info:

Making Sauerkraut Workshop 4.21.24

Sunday, April 21st at 3:00 pm

at John Larsen’s home. Register to be notified of address.

The Home Craft group will be hosting its inaugural meeting to learn how to make Sauerkraut! Sauerkraut is a simple method of fermenting cabbage to create a tasty product. You can come as you are to participate. If you would like to participate you can bring a fermenting jar and cabbage. Your fermenting jar needs to include a fermenting lid and weights. 

Hosted by John Larsen and the Home Craft group. This is a Connect Up activity!