weekly announcements

UUFC has a new fire management tool for kitchen stove fires, a Fire Blanket. The red bag with black release straps will be prominently mounted in both kitchens for use with any flaming fire. This 3-layer laminated fiberglass Fire Blanket will smother the flames within 15 seconds. Also a person can wrap it around themselves to protect against flames. This method is faster and much less messy than chemical fire extinguisher foam., which is another option especially if flames are wider than the 3 foot by 3 foot blanket Never spray water on such a fire. Please look for the red bag next time you are in the kitchens.

The UUFC Board of Directors held its regular monthly meeting on January 16th via Zoom following the amazing ice storm from the previous weekend. Discussions focused on three main topics:
1) Planning for our upcoming Board Retreat on February 23-24, when we’ll participate in training together, work on current goals, and generally get to know each other better to facilitate our work;
2) Disaster Response Evacuation Plan – training for leaders is scheduled for February 10th, and the Board approved a request for the associated purchase of emergency supplies/materials for our buildings;
3) Green Sanctuary Status – the Climate Action Team is planning to re-engage that UUA process since our status has expired;
4) We adjusted the current (2023-24) Fellowship budget based on new, mid-year information and year-end giving, ensuring that the Fellowship remains in a strong financial position for the second half of the year; and
5) The Committee on Ministry is fully staffed to support Jill’s ministry to us and our ministry to each other – shared ministry – a topic that will form a core part of the upcoming retreat and church year. Committee on Ministry members are: Mark Aron, Gary Barnes, Nancy Kyle, Virgil Agnew, Alice Lyman.

Mon 29 Jan, 10:00 AM – Noon. Help steward our beautiful, sacred UUFC grounds. The forecast shows temp in the low 50s with the possibility of light rain.

Each year we review our database of UUFC members in order to report our official membership to the UUA in February. About membership, our bylaws state: “A member may voluntarily resign membership by officially notifying the Board Secretary or the Fellowship office or by no longer participating in the fellowship for the period of 12 consecutive months.” Evidence of participation includes attendance at Sunday services or other Fellowship activities, and/or participation on a team or task force, and/or making and fulfilling a pledge of financial support. If your membership status has changed please contact Operations Manager Jamie Petts at office@uucorvallis.org.

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED DUE TO THE ICE STORM!

The Religious Exploration Staff is aware that our children, youth, and young adults are facing an unprecedented mental health crisis and we acknowledge the lack of mental health resources available to families in our community. As such, we are elevating our commitment to educating ourselves and expanding our program’s capacity to hold space for children, parents, and caregivers to connect with one another in mutual support.

One of the first offerings we present in this a screening of What I Wish My Parents Knew, a film by Tell My Story, designed as a mental wellness tool to help parents better understand how to support the mental health of their children.

The event will be a two-part, 90-minute experience with a group viewing followed by a discussion facilitated by a licensed mental health professional. Pre-registration is requested.

This film is not available for general public streaming, but this event is open to the public. We ask that viewers be over 18. On-site childcare will be provided free of charge by a team of experienced and background-checked adults.

If you plan to attend, we recommend watching this talk by the creator of the film to prepare. PLEASE NOTE: themes of self-harm and suicide are present in both the talk and the film.

Direct questions to DRE@dreuucorvallis-org

In this 2-part workshop, Kathy Kopczynski and Skyla King-Christison will help you begin to write suggestions for your own Celebration of Life program as a means of support for those you will leave behind and a meditation on your own life well lived. 

This workshop is open to adults of all ages. Pre-registration is requested.