weekly announcements

As we navigate this season of doing more gathering in less space at the Fellowship, it is important that each of us takes seriously the reality that sensitive and vulnerable sharing happens when our small groups gather. If you happen across a closed gathering that you are not a part of, please honor the sacred nature of the work that happens here by not entering unless there is a genuine emergency. 

We understand that you may need time to set up or want to check on a detail of the space before your gathering, but that cannot reasonably happen during another group’s meeting. Additionally, it is no longer possible for teams to store supplies in a space for days or even hours prior to their scheduled room use. We kindly ask that all facilitators communicate with the members of their group and make sure we have a shared understanding of how to show care for one another during this time. 

(This is the first of what will likely be many opportunities for Fellowship members and friends to raise voices and be present in the service of love and our highest values. A rapid response team is needed, for prioritizing the many opportunities. Contact Rev. Jill McAllister if you are interested in helping with this work.)

Recently the Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde gave a beautiful sermon, asking the President to be kind to all people in America, including undocumented immigrants and trans people. Because of this she is under attack by the President and others. A postcard campaign is underway to offer support to Reverend Budde. See the sermon link below and the address for sending postcards .

Asbestos testing procedures were carried out and results showed asbestos in several rooms, so work will be done this week to remove the asbestos before other demolition work can begin.

The walls of the rooms at the south end of the building have been taken down to studs. A discovery – no insulation in those walls! Insulation will be added in the renovation. The necessary removal of our phone and internet hardware from a closet (the wall they are attached to will be removed) will require much new wiring to re-locate those hubs to a different part of the building.

We’ve been billed for the building permits – so it looks like we have a green light to keep going.

Here’s an easy way to benefit the Fellowship. Link your Fred Meyers Rewards Card to the Fellowship and Fred Meyers donates back to the Fellowship. It’s easy and doesn’t cost you anything.

Instructions for how to link your card can be found at the link below:

Fred Meyer Community Rewards

We earned $20 last month. Let’s see what we can do next month!

We will meet at the Finley Wildlife Refuge office/Nature Store parking lot @ 9:45 AM and start hiking @10:00 AM. (26208 Finley Refuge Road, Corvallis.)

This hike features two loops: the Woodpecker Loop Trail AND the Mill Hill Loop Trail at Finley Wildlife Refuge, with the Tie Trail connecting them. As always, you can choose your own adventure and do what works for you. The Woodpecker Loop Trail is ADA accessible. Total hiking distance is approx. 5 miles. Total elevation gain is approx. 500 feet.

Directions: From Corvallis, drive south on 99W and turn right onto Finley Road. Go 3.8 miles to the Office/Nature Store parking lot. Or go south on Bellfountain Road to the west entrance of Finley Road, turn left and follow the signs to the Office/Nature Store.

NO DOGS allowed at the Refuge.
CARPOOLING IS ENCOURAGED.
BRING WATER.

(Priscilla Galasso will be at the UUFC parking lot at 9:00)

Local non-profit “Faith, Hope and Charity” will find evening sleeping rooms for unhoused singles, couples, and families in the local Corvallis area. Sign-up at 1st Christian Church (corner of Madison and 6th) between 4pm and 6pm for a warm place to sleep for the night.

Questions: Contact UUFC Secure Housing and Food for All team.

As of January 17, building permits had not been issued by the city. Demolition and asbestos abatement can proceed without permits, so the first step began last week with asbestos abatement of some flooring and drywall.

Demolition is expected to begin as early as January 22. Specific parts of floors, walls, and ceilings will be removed to install brackets, metal strapping and plywood panels. New concrete footings will be installed in one part of the foundation. Structural improvements for earthquake safety will proceed once permits have been issued. In addition, a fire safety water line will be installed, to supply a ceiling mounted sprinkler system, which will eventually be extended throughout our facilities. We will also have the two gas furnaces in that wing replaced with heat pumps. The gas water heater, which began leaking in early January, will be replaced as well. The project is expected to take 27 weeks followed by painting and moving furniture and other supplies back into the building by UUFC volunteers.

To return your holiday tree for us to plant, please do so as soon as possible, and definitely by Sun 18 Jan. Please leave your tree at the “bus stop” covered bench in the UUFC parking lot.