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Star Trek and UU

Star Trek and UU
The UU Seven Principals align well with the values of the imagined future of the Star Trek Universe. Star
Trek has a long tradition of producing shows that address challenging topics of our contemporary life
using the guise of science fiction and alien civilizations to tell allegorical stories. The shows are not just
entertaining (though they totally are); some of them dig into some really difficult issues that are worth
sharing with others and starting some conversations around.
We shared a curated list of relevant episodes from multiple Star Trek series’ dealing with racism, war, the
nature of individuality and ones inherent rights, gender identity, the environment, homelessness and
genocide. Each episode was briefly introduced, then watched, followed by some great discussion. We also
had snacks.
We met for 10 sessions on the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month from February through June. At our first
session two people came. At our last 16 people came. Over 20 people participated at least once. The ages
of the participants ranged from mid 20’s to mid 70’s.
We hope to resume this Connect Up activity in October 2023. Anyone can attend, you do not need to have prior
knowledge of Star Trek or be a Trekkie to participate in this activity.
Star Trek and UU was organized by Amy Ayers with the help of Tyson Bryant.

Save the Date for the Men’s Retreat

2023 UUFC Men’s Retreat

Save the Date:

November 3-5, 2023

All whose primary identification is male are welcome to the beautiful Menucha Conference Center on the Columbia Gorge in early November.   Car pools will be available to aid in transport and reduce carbon impacts, and scholarships will help to defray the cost of attendance.  Our theme is still under development, but is likely to involve reflection on when and why we choose to tune-in vs. to tune-out in our personal and public lives.  Your ideas are welcome. As usual, we will hold an open-mic session for sharing poems, songs, jokes, and more Saturday evening.   

For more information, contact planning committee members:

Steve Strauss – 541-760-7357, steve.strauss@oregonstate.edu

Jed Irvine – 541-740-5633, irvine@eecs.oregonstate.edu

Gary Barnes – 541-752-9826, gary32640@gmail.com

Nick Houtman – 541-829-3442, nickhoutman8@aol.com

Lloyd Wagenschutz – 541-753-9071, lpwz124@comcast.net 

Building Expansion Project: One More Step and Moving Forward

Save the Date: March 6th

The Building Expansion Team and the Board are in agreement: we can move forward to expand the social hall and make the whole building more energy efficient and safe. We have already invested in this process and we’ll still be able to accomplish a lot. First, the Corvallis City Council needs to vote to let us rescind our request for a new conditional use permit. That meeting will be on March 6. Once we have that assurance, we’ll schedule an open meeting for all who are interested to talk about the next steps and what the project can include now.

More Ways to Connect

Covid Update

Covid protocols follow the CDC guidelines depending on our community level, show at the top of this page. Here is a guide to what the community levels mean:

Men’s Retreat 2022

The theme will be “Belonging.” It will focus on our feelings of belonging, especially in this pandemic and politically fractious time. Where and to whom do we belong? What does that mean as we age, change employers, or move our home from one community to another? How have our increasingly diverse gender, sexual, ethnic, racial, and political identities affected our sense of belonging? When have we felt excluded from groups or organizations, and when have we excluded others? How do we build a community together where we feel like we belong? We will of course adhere to all COVID protocols in place at the time to provide a very low-risk experience. Please mark your calendars, and pass this notice along to friends and especially any newer members whose primary identity is as a male.

“Sample Sermon,” 12-15-2019

This is my sermon. There are others like it, but this one is mine.

https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=chicken%20joke