From the Minister

From Rev. Alex McGee Oct 18, 2025

Dear Fellowship:
As we live out our values of caring, one way we show that is by caring for each other and our building in physical ways.  And part of that is to be prepared for events in which we might need to think quickly about safety.  

In the next month, several events will occur at UUFC to help us strengthen our preparedness muscles.  Next weekend, staff and leaders who are responsible for others will spend a morning to train in fire safety and evacuation skills.  Then, on Sunday, November 2, at the end of worship, all present will all have an opportunity to practice evacuating the building.  This will help us see all the great work that has already been done to keep a safe egress, communicate between parents and RE guides, and signage for where to gather after evacuation.  Also, practicing evacuation can help us learn ways we could improve even more.  Next, the week after, staff and leaders will receive a three-hour Know Your Rights training and Human Rights Observer training, so that we can respond quickly and effectively if ICE comes to the building.  

Finally, the Facilities Committee has been reviewing exterior locks and keys.  This is very important for the safety of those who work in the building — we need to provide a workplace that is as secure as possible, while still being welcoming.  Of course, the balance between having an open door and protecting against harm is a dynamic to hold with wise attention.   Toward that end, I ask that all members and friends remember to avoid propping the doors open, and if you must, to assign someone to watch the door.  Please give gentle reminders to those who have overlooked this.  

If you are entrusted with a key code, please hold that in a covenant of accountability.  People who know the key code are responsible for the safety and well-being of the building and people in our community.   Not everyone needs a keycode: we provide times of welcome when the office is staffed from 10 – 12 noon on Tuesday through Friday so someone is here to let you in. 

I invite all of us to reflect joyfully and thoughtfully about the many ways we steward this building and its safety.

In peace,
Rev. Alex

Dear Fellowship:

First: I am so grateful for all the work by Ginny, Joyce, and Bobbi to make meeting rooms in this Fellowship so hospitable.  I genuinely enjoy relaxing into meetings there and feel I can focus on our relationships and work.  The couches in room 7 are comfortable and the plants bring vitality.  The tablecloth in room 3 brings softness and the UU banners show heritage.  And this week the library carpet was cleaned!

Why does this matter?  Because when a community cares for its spaces, it is showing care for the people in it.  Hospitality and welcome are spiritual practices that often involve unseen work.  And this is just one example.  All over the Fellowship, people quietly, and sometimes alone, do work that makes a nicer space for all of us.  Although I have named three people specifically in this note, there are so many more!  Hurray.

Second: On Sunday I plan to read a poem by a poet named Robert Monson.  I think some of you might like to learn more about his perspectives, so I am including a link to an article here:  https://sojo.net/articles/interview/reconstruct/theologian-robert-monson-wants-softer-social-justice.

The article discusses “masculinity and softness, Blackness and disability, crying, and why you should love yourself.”  I have a hunch that taps into things that some of you have on your minds and hearts!  If you read it and have insights that you want to share with me, I would love to hear.  I can be reached at rev.alex.mcgee@uucorvallis.org.

Peace,
Rev. Alex

Dear Fellowship:

This week I wish you the peace of a pause to enjoy the beautiful images, music, and message in this video.  There is a love holding you.  Rest in that love.

With care,
Rev. Alex

Covenant is a Verb and a Noun

From the Interim Minister, Rev. Alex McGee

Dear Fellowship:

While many religions are hierarchical, Unitarian Universalism is not.  While many religions have a creed, Unitarian Universalism does not.  But what we do have that binds us together is covenant.  Covenant is not rules.  It is agreements. It is voluntary.  It allows risk and trust, because of setting an understanding of how we will be in relationship.  

The reason I love covenant is because I can explore with others when we feel tension but know we want to stick together.  I love covenant because it names the ways we want to be, and honors that sometimes we fall short, and gives us space for repair.  I love covenant because it creates a circle of intention that gives me happy chills of what is possible for love and courage in humanity.  

I have been reminded of covenants all summer.  At the Unitarian Universalist Minister Association national meeting in June, a thousand of us started our meeting by reading our covenant together.  When I arrived in Corvallis in July, I met with Rev. Jill and she and I discussed how we wanted to honor and act with one another in our unique roles related to UUFC; then we put it in writing as a covenant.  When I arrived at the UUFC building in August, I immediately noticed the congregational covenant printed on green sheets in the lobby.  This past Sunday, the staff brainstormed, laughed, and discerned together how we would like to show up together; we expect to finalize our Staff Covenant next week.  And on Tuesday night at the board meeting, the board read out loud a past covenant and agreed to covenant again to it for the coming year.  

Since I arrived there have been a handful times when I felt a tension or an “ouch” with someone, but then I chose to rally my courage and centeredness to check in with them so we could get aligned again.  I felt a building of trust when the other person welcomed the chance to see from each other’s perspective.  As a result, we can go forward to even deeper and stronger work together.

I see again and again that covenant is both a verb and a noun.  And it is a living document — reviewed and renewed.  I encourage you to look at the formal covenants you have with other Unitarian Universalists, and perhaps in other areas of your life.  May they allow courageous action and loving relationship interwoven.

In Peace,

Rev. Alex McGee

Alex is happy to meet with members and info on how to reach her is on her bio page.

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

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

Hi Fellowship!

Look at this photo of my office door in the fresh new Religious Exploration wing of the building!  How wonderful that all the effort for renovations and fix-up have borne fruit and are ready to welcome youth on September 7.  I am grateful to the crew who worked on signage so I have a bulletin board outside the door of the office I use.  Perhaps in the photo you can see it is Room 1 – right inside the doors of the RE wing, which are to the right of the parking lot door.

Most important, this photo shows that on my door I have taped a copy of the congregational covenant.  Can you see that green piece of paper? The Fellowship covenanted to this in May 2023, and it reminds us of love, respect, listening, celebrating differences, clarifying misunderstandings, and returning to covenant.  I have it on the door of my office to remind myself and all who enter here of how we agree to relate together. 

One of the reasons I am attracted to Interim Ministry is because it is journeying with people during times of change.  And change has so many aspects:  excitement, uncertainty, grief, creativity, exhaustion and many more feelings.  In fact, there are as many feelings as there are people reading this message.  My goal is to honor all those truths, offer compassion for the discomfort, and help you stay true to your deepest values as you navigate this time.  Please offer yourself and others spacious compassion and curiosity as this new chapter in the life of the Fellowship is unfolding. 

In peace,

Rev. Alex

Dear Members and Friends of the Fellowship:

The contract I signed to serve you includes an agreement that the Board and I will work to support the congregation in multicultural understanding.  I am so excited that Skyla, the Fellowship’s Director of Religious Education, has arranged for you to be able to participate in Mosaic, which is a new UUA program inviting us to reflect on anti-racism, UU culture, and how to transform our best intentions into better understanding.  This is core to the congregation’s acknowledgement (published at the bottom of the order of service each week), saying that we are committed to dismantling oppression and continually learning more.  I look forward to seeing you there on Monday nights in the fall: https://uucorvallis.org/mosaic-antiracism-workshop-for-adults-register-by-9-1/.

I said in last week’s sermon that I would give you the links to creative campaigns that are working to stop deportations.  Even if this isn’t how you will choose to take action, please read about them so you can learn from their strategies.  Perhaps you would like to commit to share the links with three other people?

Ground Avelo is a campaign to stop and disincentivize this airline from secretly deporting people using tax dollars.

Signs of Solidarity provides a toolkit to talk to local business owners about worker safety in case of ICE presence. 

I want to offer you a spiritual music video from time to time in this weekly email.  So, here is one related to this coming Sunday’s sermon on “Dignity of Labor.”  During the sermon I will describe a group of Christian songwriters who felt that more songs were needed to honor not just Sundays, but also the workweek.  Therefore, a few years ago they created an album.  One song particularly moves me, as it describes feelings of never being able to get ahead despite hard work.  The YouTube video of the song is embedded below.  If you listen to it, I hope you will tell me how it made you feel.  If you don’t see the video, click this link to watch it: https://youtu.be/IsoCkFqai8k.

This week included my first board meeting.  I admire the Board’s ability to handle both the macro and micro.  The board members bring a rich variety of skills and insight.  I am excited about how they are tending to the justice work, spiritual work, and financial stability of the congregation.  

As I come into the end of my third week with you, I continue to observe your hospitality, sense of community, and service work.  I loved being outside in the fresh air together on Sunday evening at the grounds work party and enjoying Joyce’s peach rhubarb crisp!  And thank you to everyone who answered the survey that greeted me when I came.  I have already used those tips to make an appointment for an oil change in my car, to find great gluten free food and local produce, and to slip away for quiet time in nature.  And thank you to everyone who helped me get the office set up here for my use.

In a few weeks, college students will be returning.  Please look for ways to reach out, tell them why you value this Fellowship, and offer them a ride, or offer to bike or walk together.

May you find moments of beauty each day,

Rev. Alex McGee
(she/her)
rev.alex.mcgee@uucorvallis.org

Hello dear congregants at UUFC:  What a week it has been in this world, with the extreme heat and more painful political news.  But that discomfort and pain is not the whole picture.  As we continue in our spiritual growth and grounding together, we have opportunities to find a soothing balm as well as deep courage.  Please continue to make time for the things that nourish you spiritually and connect you to others.  I was grateful for the coincidence that my sister was travelling through Oregon this week and I got to go hiking with her as we explored the mountains and waterfalls together.  Here is a photo!

In my second week at the Fellowship, I continue to observe generosity of time, talent, and treasure.  I see so many members getting great joy from doing their part in sustaining this spiritual community.  I was inspired to see the nearly 30 people who came on Wednesday evening to the training coordinated by the Democracy Action Team.  Folks left energized with ideas of the many ways to resist autocracy with focus on what is unique to this location in Oregon, to their unique abilities, and to this spiritual community.  

Next week will be my first board meeting and I will begin working with the board as they provide leadership to you all during this interim time. I will be leading worship with you here for the first time this coming Sunday, and I look forward to being with you there.

In joy and patience,

Rev. Alex McGee, Interim Minister

Rev. Alex McGee began on August 1, 2025 serving as Interim Minister as our Fellowship enters our interim time, following the retirement of Rev. Jill McAllister. 

Greetings UUFC!

What a joy and honor it has been to spend the first week with you.  Thank you for your thoughtful welcomes in so many ways.  I see warmth and enthusiasm here.  Just in a few days I have observed the lovely shared worship leadership on Aug 3; the thoughtful caring of the Coordinating Council; the many hands painting, fixing, carrying, and beautifying the renovated wing.  I have met with the staff and am learning their talents.  

As I look ahead, I am excited to undertake the five tasks of interim ministry with you.  These five areas are a professional standard nationwide, across faith groups, for congregations during a transition time.  They are:

• Reviewing history
• Clarifying identity
• Bolstering leadership
• Strengthening connections locally and nationally
• Looking to the future together

You will be seeing these show up in many opportunities throughout the life of the Fellowship.

What is moving in me in my daily prayer as I journey with you at this moment are three themes from our Universalist heritage:  Faith, Hope and Love.  These enhearten me as I honor the unknowns of this new-to-me place, the heartache of the national and international news, and the stories that each of you are holding.  Faith is something I understand from both my Christian and Yoga experience, as something that comes from beyond us to help us trust there is a wider meaning we cannot yet see.  Hope is something we choose so we can step forward.  And Love is a current that flows through us connecting us to others with compassion and joy.  I look forward to hearing from you all what is moving in you spiritually at this time.

—Namaste, Rev. Alex McGee

August 7, 2025