The Fellowship’s usual open office hours are cancelled on Thursday, November 26 and Friday, November 27 in observance of Thanksgiving. Other events may still occur at the Fellowship, but the office will not be open. Normal office hours will resume on Tuesday, December 1.
weekly announcements
Member Directory Photo Day, 11/15
Immediately after Sunday service on November 15, Kris Egan will be in the Sanctuary taking photos of interested congregants for use in their Breeze member directory profiles. Anyone wishing to update their photo or add a new one to the Directory is encouraged to stay after the service. If you’ve ever tried to find someone in our directory but couldn’t because they don’t have a photo, encourage them to come get it taken!
Special Congregational Meeting, 11/22
Congregational Meeting: Sunday, November 22 • 1:00-3:00 p.m. • UUFC Sanctuary
All are invited to attend a congregational meeting called by petition of UUFC members to discuss recent resignations from our music program. We will share information about these changes, the concerns and ideas we heard in the Listening Circles, findings from an independent assessment of the staff work environment, and our plans for supporting the music program during this transition.
There will also be time for questions, concerns, and suggestions as we consider together how to move forward in a positive and healthy way. As always, we will be guided by our Covenant of Right Relations.
We hope you will join us.
– UUFC Board of Directors
Outreach Offerings for November
Our November Justice Outreach Offering will support We Care. We Care is a local coalition of faith communities, businesses, foundations and other non-profit organizations which provides emergency assistance for Benton County residents. Each week, We Care helps people pay for rent, utilities, and other expenses to prevent evictions and homelessness or the shut-off of water or electricity. The Fellowship has long been a supporting partner.
To learn more about their work, visit the We Care website.
How to donate to the monthly Outreach Offering
Each month, the Fellowship gathers donations for a certain charitable cause. These are our Outreach Offerings. You can contribute to this month’s offering in a few ways:
- Give to the Sunday collection basket
- Donate online
- Donate to the refreshments during the social hour
The Kitchen team donates an assortment of sweet and savory refreshments, including gluten-free and vegan choices, for our enjoyment at the social hour following Sunday worship. These items are purchased and prepared by the team to encourage donations to the Outreach Offering. Collection baskets are always found at the ends of the refreshments table. The next time you’re eyeing something tasty on the table, consider putting a donation in the basket first to show how much you appreciate having that treat ready and waiting for you!
UUFC Democracy Action Team Meeting, 11/1
This Sunday, November 1, at 11:30 AM we will meet in Room 3 for discussion, to discuss What to Expect on Election Day and Beyond. The National Task Force on Election Crises explained at their Wednesday briefing their focus is to help civil society and decision-makers prevent, prepare for, and mitigate a range of election crises. Can you meet a while on Sunday to discuss this? It’s quite good news!
Ministerial Search Committee wants to hear from you!
The Ministerial Search Committee has held lots of cottage meetings and focus group meetings to ask about hopes and ideas around our next settled minister and what our congregation is and needs, but we want to make sure that everyone in the congregation has felt invited and included. If you have not been able to attend a group meeting for whatever reason, please reach out to the Search Committee individually. We can be reached at search@uucorvallis.org. Every member of the committee will receive that email. We will get back to you and arrange a way to listen deeply to your ideas and concerns. Thank you!
Fifth Annual City-Tree Planting, 1/9
Please save the date, Sat 9 Jan, likely about 9:30 AM – noon, to help plant a dozen trees in our fifth annual tree-planting collaboration with the City. We buy, through the Climate Action Team budget, and plant the trees, and the City maintains them. Details to follow. Please email treasurer@uucorvallis.org, subject City Trees, if you are a likely volunteer.
CANCELLED: Sejiki at the Sangha Jewel Zen Center
Our neighbors at the Sangha Jewel Zen Center were planning a Sejiki event on Sunday, October 25, but have had to cancel it. They have asked that we share this cancellation with our congregation in case anyone here was planning to attend.
Costumes, Trick-or-Treat, and Voting! 10/25
This Sunday, October 25, we’re inviting kids AND grown-ups to come to church in costume for a morning of Halloween fun!
After the service, our fabulous UUFC teams will be waiting at their decorated tables with treats, activities, and opportunities to learn a little more about the people and groups who make our congregation such a wonderful place to get involved.
But this year, there’s a twist…
THE GOLDEN PUMPKIN IS BACK! 🎃
After a mysterious (okay, accidental) disappearance during the Great Building Clean-Out of 2024, our legendary Golden Pumpkin Award is making its triumphant return!
And this year, YOU get to decide who wins!
As you visit the tables, check out the decorations, enjoy the activities, collect your treats, and decide which team has earned your vote. Everyone, kids and grown-ups alike, will have the opportunity to cast a ballot for their favorite table!
The winning team will receive the coveted Golden Pumpkin trophy, a year of glorious bragging rights, and the extraordinary privilege of adding ONE RANDOM OBJECT to the trophy, where it will remain forever (or until the glue gives out).
We’re bringing back the dream of a ridiculous tradition, with a trophy that gets bigger, sillier, and more spectacular every year.
Here’s what you need to know:
When: Sunday, October 25, beginning 10 minutes after the service.
Where: On the back patio, weather permitting. (in the classroom wing if there’s rain)
What to wear: Costumes are enthusiastically encouraged for ALL AGES! Silly, spooky, spectacular, or simple. Come as you are, or as someone (or something!) else.
What to bring: Your Halloween spirit, something to collect treats in (paper bags will be available outside the RE office door in case you forget), and your very best voting judgment!
Whether you’re five or ninety-five, your vote counts in this supremely important congregational election.
We can’t wait to see your costumes, celebrate our teams, and discover who will claim the Golden Pumpkin!
Let the trick-or-treating (and democracy!) begin! 🎃
Settled Minister Search: Focus Groups
The Settled Minister Search Committee is hosting multiple focus groups! Read below to see what’s coming up.
We’d like to welcome anyone who identifies as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) to participate in a BIPOC centered Focus Group for our settled minister search process. This Focus Group is specifically aimed to amplify voices of those whose perspectives may not be as prevalent in this community. It’s also a unique opportunity to come together as BIPOC and gather! Shikha Ghosh Gottfried will be facilitating these discussions.
Please register at least 24 hours in advance so that we can plan accordingly: https://uufc.breezechms.com/form/search_bipoc
Tuesday 10/27 @ 7pm via Zoom
Sunday 11/1 @ 11:45am in UUFC Library
Focus Groups for folks in leadership roles – board members current and past, council leads and members, RE guides, affinity group leadership – are happening October 22 and 29 at 1:45 PM. To register, contact Molly Curry and Gary Barnes.
A Focus Group for RE parents is happening November 1 at 11:45 AM. To register, contact to Rachel Houtman.
A Focus Group for Care and Support is happening October 27 at 6:30 PM.