weekly announcements

Between Us, 7/28/24

Are you interested in stories about the Fellowship? About who first gathered, who built our buildings, how RE and justice work and music have been part of this congregation’s life? Do you ever try to imagine folks who came here before you – what brought them, what commitments they made, how they were supported in times of challenge and change? Do you know some of these stories because you are in them? Because the Fellowship has been part of your life, and you part of its life, for many years? I’m looking for a few people who’d like to help with a UUFC history project in the coming year. We have many stories to tell and to save, to pass on for those who come after us. We are making stories now, for the future.

The project may include recording oral histories, interviewing folks, writing down memories, creating a journal, and more.

Our theme for the coming year will be about past, present and future – ancestors, descendants and us. It will give us a chance to know more about our connectedness – what holds us together, what nurtures and strengthens us.

In the midst of the stories of our lives, being created every day, it may inspire us to know more about where we come from and where we aim to be going. I look forward to talking with you.

News from the Board of Directors

Greetings from the Board of Directors! The Board met July 16, 2024 and made great progress in adopting policies related to the accounting and distribution of our financial resources. Small revisions were made to the Reserves and Justice Outreach funds, and we established an Endowment fund to support the long-term vitality of the Fellowship. The principal of the Endowment will not be spent, and annual distributions from the Endowment fund will not exceed 90% of earned interest. If there is a negative return, no funds will be spent until the principal level of the year just prior to a negative return is reestablished. At least $600 of earnings will be drawn upon each year for the benefit of youth through the Ozretich memorial fund and remaining funds will be allocated by the Board in collaboration with the Endowment Team of the Financial Oversight Council. As of June 30, 2024, the Endowment fund totaled approximately $90,000.

In other work, the Board continued to discuss a new fundraising policy and adopted a revised 2024-2025 budget that reflects lower income from pledges than hoped for. Rather than hiring additional administrative help for 2024-2025, staff duties will be rearranged, and volunteers will be recruited to fill the administrative role. If you are new or are a procrastinator and have not pledged, it is never too late.

To donate or find out more, visit the “donate” page uucorvallis.org/donate.
Find out more about Board activities through our approved minutes, as well as the latest policies in our Governing Documents, visit the UUFC Filing Cabinet page.

Jackson Street Youth Services – School Supplies Needed

The Jackson Street Youth Services has a School Supply Drive for at-risk and homeless youth ages 10 and up.

Wish List:
Backpacks
Calculators
Notebooks
Flash drives
Planners (dated/undated
Sketchbooks
Headphones

Drive ends August 9. You can place in basket in Foyer marked Clothing or Staples in Albany during open hours, or Corvallis Tue-Wed, 10a-1p at 225 SW 4th St.

Questions: Ben email (ben.martens@jacksonstreet.org) or 541-760-5825 UUFC Secure Housing and Food for All team.

Sip & Snack – West Hills Vineyard, 7/28

We will leave after the service on Sunday, July 28th, about 11:45. Carpooling at your discretion. Drive time is about 40 minutes.

Based on participant input, we’re adding West Hills Vineyards to our schedule this month (Thanks Suzanne & Carolyn)!

West Hills Vineyard is an historical gathering place on the grounds of the 1858 home of Governor Ike. L. Patterson (18th governor). The website states, “as long-time locals, when the opportunity to acquire a piece of Polk County history presented itself, we couldn’t pass it by. As we embark on this historic landscape’s next chapter, our mission is to grow grapes with regenerative practices that restore and breathe new life into fields that were once over-farmed and left neglected for many years.”

The vineyard features a tasting room with classic wines and a chef prepared seasonal menu (no outside food). Those with the wine passport will get a tasting flight of 4 wines. The menu is very appealing for lunch with salads, sandwiches, etc. West Hills offers an array of red, white and rose wines with prices ranging from $28 to $70.

Please RSVP to Heather E if you want to attend. Heather will send a confirmation email to participants on Saturday.

Nice, relaxed way to get to know other UU’s.

Pop-up Parking Lot Rummage Sale – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, 8/28

Clean out your closets and garage and bring your unwanted items to our UUFC parking lot rummage sale on Saturday, August 31 — 10 AM to 1 PM. We supply tables and a cashier. You clean your stuff, price it, display it, and stay and “sell” it. All proceeds benefit UUFC.

Questions? Contact Bonnie Morihara

Fellowship Planning – Buildings and Grounds, 8/28 and 9/14

In August we’ll begin a process of planning for the Fellowship — a visioning and prioritizing process, beginning with our grounds and buildings. Conversations around climate change, trees, energy use, building expansion and upkeep, the sustainability of the Fellowship as a community resource and more have led to a need for such a process, which will aim to help us prepare a 3-5 year comprehensive plan. If you are interested in this project – focusing first on our buildings and grounds – please plan now to join in one of two gatherings to share ideas – on either August 24, 9 – 11 AM or on September 14, 9-11 AM.

Beautiful Bouquet Sale, 7/28

7/28, 8/4, and 8/11

UUFC Parking Lot

Proceeds to benefit the Perla family from El Salvador. Brought to you by the Immigrant and Refugee Support Team. Sundays July 28, August 4 and 11 after the service in the parking lot.

Condolences

With sadness we share the news of the death of Fellowhip member Beany Kunis on Wednesday, July 17. We send good wishes to Melodie and the rest of Beany’s family.

And our condolences also go to Tricia Bowlby and her family on the recent death of her father, in Maryland.

Sip & Snack FULLERTON WINES, 7/26

Step up your “chic quotient” with a visit to Fullerton, the most spendy of venues this season. We will meet at the tasting room at noon on Friday July 26th. The address is 804 NW Buchanan Ave in Corvallis. Look for the signs! This is a Wine Passport eligible venue and is another “buy one, get one” (BOGO) location. The Signature Flight is $30 for five wines. For $20 more, you can opt for the AVA Flight of six Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs.

No outside food permitted. Plan to spend ~ $10.00 -18.00 for individual plates, or 2-4 people could split a cheese board. It’s possible to reserve a cheese and charcuterie buffet at $15.00 per person. These logistics are more difficult than carpooling, so BE SURE to let Heather know if you’re coming and your preference.

PLEASE email Heather at hvephd@gmail.com BY WEDNESDAY 7/24 so she knows you plan to participate. If we exceed 6 people, a reservation will be needed. Heather will send driving directions and particulars to those attending before Friday.

Hope to see you there!

This is a “Connect Up” activity.

Classroom Wing Volunteer Update

We do not need any more boxes, Thanks to all who donated . The 4 brown upholstered individual chairs from Room 7 are also available to UUFC members, in addition to two couches and two loveseats .

Contact Wolfgang if you are interested.

We really need offsite storage , if you have attic, garage , or shed space for 4-6 months. Please sign up on the clipboards in the foyer for future help in August .

Wolfgang