weekly announcements

Jack’s advice on getting to No Kings III

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The NO KINGS demonstration rally is TOMORROW, March 28, noon to 3 pm.  We obviously have a national crisis and this is our chance as regular citizens to do something about it.  How many people from UUFC will be there?  Let’s help make Corvallis contribute in a big way to making the nationwide attendance far exceed the 7 million that were at the previous NO KINGS in October.

As for transportation to the demonstration, which begins at noon, I recommend taking the bus to avoid hunting for parking near the courthouse.  If you just go to the rally at the courthouse, all the bus routes end at the transit station just a block away from there.  If you want to join the march, which starts at noon at 11th and Monroe, several of the bus routes go right by that intersection.  Check the route maps on the Corvallis Transit System website to find the route that applies to you.  

The march will include songs of resistance, other music, and speeches, not only at the beginning but also at a second half-hour stop at Central Park.  It is scheduled to arrive at the 4th-street rally at 2 pm, just 1 hour before the rally ends.  Personally, I think the rally is the most important part, so I intend to skip the march, or at least part of it, and spend most of my time on 4th Street.  Either way, I strongly encourage everyone one to participate.

Jack Elder

Lessons Learned Thus Far in our 2026-27 Stewardship Drive

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Thanks to you all for pondering your commitment to the UUFC as part of our 2026-27 Stewardship Drive and to those who have already completed your stewardship forms. You are appreciated!
As with any activity like this, we are learning new things and reinforcing old lessons as we go. These are some of our discoveries thus far:

  • We all have stories about how the UUFC and its members have had sometimes profound impacts on our lives. We have heard some of these stories as part of our town halls. The next time you have a chance, ask another UUFC member or friend about their favorite Fellowship memories. Community building is part of who we are.
  • We are in the transition time between settled ministers. This is a time to remember the past, explore the present and ponder the future. How have you been, how are you now, and how will you be a UUFC member or friend?
  • Personal information is a concern in today’s world. Your UUFC leadership and staff are aware of the need to keep personal information secure and have instituted new policies and procedures to aid in such.
  • If you want to just have your current year pledge and pledge payment method “rolled” into the coming year, this can be done for you, but you need to give specific permission to have this happen. Talk with Michael Hughes (our treasurer), Scott Bruslind (our Financial Oversight Council Chair) or Stephanie Haines (our operations and business manager) about such.
  • Yes, you can make a pledge by simply writing a check today and including it along with a note that it is your 2026-27 pledge in an envelope that is put in the donation basket on Sunday, in the donation box outside the fellowship hall or mailed to the UUFC. We can deal with prepaid pledges.
  • There is great joy in being part of the UUFC as we face our ever-worrisome world together with those of similar mind. Together we can accomplish great things that none of us can accomplish alone.

If you have any questions at all, please reach out to me or Michael Hughes and we will answer your question or pass you on to someone else on the Stewardship Team.
Scott Bruslind, FOC Chair

An “Opening to Opportunity” Update

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UUFC members and friends,
As you likely know, our 2026-27 stewardship drive has formally launched. Our thanks to the many who have already responded.

Some reminders on how to complete a pledge form or have someone set up a pledge for you:

  • The stewardship form can be directly accessed at https://uufc.breezechms.com/form/a8cc2728459812
  • Paper copies of the form are available on Sundays during services. Stewardship team members will also be present to answer your questions.
  • You can email office@uucorvallis.org or call 541-752-5218 and provide your name, the dollar amount of your pledge, how you plan to pay and contact information. Fellowship staff will enter your pledge for you into the form.
  • Our drive will be in full swing through mid-April. We will have a “soft” close on Sunday April 19. After that date stewardship team members will reach out to those from whom we have not heard for follow-up.

If you have questions and are comfortable in working in the electronic world, click here and you’ll find Rev Alex’s stewardship “sermon” (~17 minutes long), a FAQs listing, and at the very bottom of the FAQs, a link to the Power Point that was used in our town hall meetings.

Any other questions – send an email to finance@uucorvallis.org.
Thanks for your financial and volunteer time support of the UUFC!

ETC Exercise for mobility and flexibility, 4/8

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Elders Thriving in Community (ETC) will present suggested exercises that support mobility, balance and flexibility as we age. Plan to practice activities that can be done both sitting on or holding onto a chair, as well as options for standing or floor activities. Wear comfortable clothing & suitable shoes. Join us in the Sanctuary on Wednesday, April 8, 3-4:30 PM.

Childcare is available!

Free childcare can usually be arranged for any Fellowship event by using this link 1-2 weeks prior to the event.

Community Music Circle, 3/30

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March 30th, 7:00 to 8:30 PM in the Sanctuary

Do you like singing with others? Do you play an instrument? Come join us for a relaxed evening of making music together.

Guitars, ukuleles, piccolos, tubas, hand drums, recorders, hammered dulcimers…all instruments are welcome!

Sing along, try something new, or just listen and enjoy.

We’re building community through shared music-making—no experience needed, no pressure, just music, connection and fun.

Minister Emerita Listening Sessions

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The Board of Directors has formed a task force to inform the congregation about Rev. Jill McAllister’s nomination for Minister Emerita in preparation for a vote at the UUFC Annual Meeting on May 17. This task force is conducting a number of listening sessions in which to discuss this process and answer any potential questions.  They will also set up a table in the Social Hall or Foyer after worship services to answer questions and share information.

Here are the currently-scheduled listening sessions:

Sunday, March 22  7 – 8:30 PM         Listening Session in the Sanctuary
Thursday, March 26  7 – 8:30 PM      Listening Session in Room 3
Sunday, April 12    11:45 AM            Listening Session Location TBD

The task force has written a list of frequently-asked questions about Ministers Emerit, which you can read here.

Childcare is available!

Free childcare can usually be arranged for any Fellowship event by using this link 1-2 weeks prior to the event.

Know Your Rights training, 3/23

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Prepare for the upcoming No Kings III protest by taking this Know Your Rights training on March 23!

From the organizers:

In this ACLU-led training, participants will learn about the Constitutional right to peacefully protest and about best practices for reducing risks when attending protests like the upcoming No Kings mobilization on March 28.

Monday, March 23, 6 – 7 PM. Register here. This training is offered virtually, so you don’t even need to get off your couch or put on pants!

UUFC Family Camping Opportunities

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group camping at cascadia
group camping at cascadia

Save the Dates: Cascadia County Park, June 25 – 28, 2026
Moonshine Park (near Siletz), September 10 – 13, 2026

Come and join in fun and fellowship while camping with fellow UUFC members and friends! Plans include time for hiking, exploring, crafts, building community, happy hour, and much more. Bring your own tent, personal gear, and food. Parking is very limited (6 cars and 2 RVs – no hook-ups) at Cascadia and 8 vehicles (including RVs) at Moonshine Park, so carpools are encouraged. Come out for all or part of the event.

Links to the camps:
Cascadia County Park: https://www.linncountyor.gov/parksrec/park/cascadia-county-park
Moonshine Park: https://www.co.lincoln.or.us/1060/Moonshine-Park

Registration fees: $30 per person for each weekend (4days/3nights); family rates are available and will be detailed on the registration form

More information and a link for reservations will be sent out soon. If you have specific questions, please contact Julie and Nancy by filling out this form.

Info on 2026 Pilgrimage to Transylvania, 4/12

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Explore Our UU Roots – Castles, Cathedrals, Dungeons, Villages!

You’re invited to join other members of the UUFC who have expressed interest in the September 8-19, 2026 trip to the Transylvania region of Romania.

This is where Unitarianism started as an organized religion. The trip will be led by the Hungarian Unitarian Church and will be guided by local English-speaking Unitarian ministers. Included will be a weekend visit with our partner congregation in Kőrispatak.

We will meet on SUNDAY April 12 in the UUFC Library at 11:30 a.m. to discuss particulars.

Contact Heather at this link ASAP if interested in joining the conversation or is you want more information. Deadline to sign up: April 20, 2026