Town Halls for Annual Meeting Prep April 21, May 5 At the annual meeting on May 19, we’ll elect new board members and committee chairs, affirm an annual budget, discuss changes to the UUFC bylaws, and more. At the Fellowship, we think it makes sense to have discussions of all of these things BEFORE the meeting, as a form of participatory democracy where we speak and listen and improve our understanding of all the business. All are invited to stay for at least one of these meetings, after the Sunday services on April 21 and May 5, 11:45 AM in the Sanctuary. This also gives us more time for discussion about the proposed changes to the UUA Bylaws – Article II – which our delegates to the General Assembly will vote on in June. Please join us!
weekly announcements
Secure Housing and Food for All meeting 4/14
The Secure Housing and Food for All team will be meeting in the UUFC Library at 11:30 on Sunday 4/14. Please join us to learn how how you can be involved in helping our unhoused and hungry neighbors.
I/DD and You–Open Forum (Zoom) 4/22
Do you have, or do you care for someone, with intellectual or developmental challenges (I/DD)? Join us to learn more about advocacy for I/DD individuals, especially within the criminal justice system. A meaningful follow-up for those who attended the Sprout film Festival on March 29th. Missed the Festival? You’re welcome to join the conversation. Questions? Contact Elona Meyer: elonameyer@icloud.com for the Zoom link and additional information.
Mindful Awareness on a break
Mindful Awareness Practice will not meet April 17 or April 24 because Patti White will be traveling. Mindful Awareness Practice will resume with the regular meeting on May 1 at 7 p.m.
Coast Retreat Through the Eyes of Our Youth!
In March, members of our YRUU group, along with their advisors Dawn Dirks and Mark Aron, had a weekend of adventure at the annual youth coast retreat.
I asked our brilliant Edna if she would mind writing a few words about her experience so that we could imagine it from a youth perspective and she agreed. And without even being asked, the talented Gabe asked if he could send me some of his photography from the trip to share with you all. So please enjoy this look at the annual youth coast retreat through the eyes of two of our fabulous future leaders!
I remember feeling not excited to go on the cost trip at first. I was a bit nervous because I knew the people but wasn’t friends with any of them. but after a while I realized I had started to actually really enjoy it. I enjoyed going to the beach, and playing sardines, and the food and I felt like I kinda made friends and definitely learned more about everyone there. when I left I realized I missed it. From Edna <3
Justice Outreach for April
Our Sunday Outreach Offerings for the month of April will support several organizations our Climate Action Team partners with: the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition, Seeds for the Sol, UU Ministries for Earth, and UU Side with Love. We hope to contribute $250 to each with remaining funds going to UUFC’s own Carbon Reduction and Responsibility Fund. Your support is needed and welcome!
Donate an Activity or Item to the Services Auction, 6/8
The annual UUFC Services Auction is a wonderful way to build community while giving back to UUFC! Donate an Item or a Service! Most popular items have been things like yard work, childcare, social dinners, learning lessons and things that bring people together.
Dance Planet, 4/6
This Saturday we’re having a special Dance Planet at the UU. From 7:30 to about 8:45 we’ll move, each in our own way, to a rhythmic flow of music from around the world and across the decades. The mix will include some sun/moon music in appreciation of the upcoming solar eclipse. But starting at 7 we’ll have a special treat: a 30-minute musical journey with world percussionist Dave Chiller. Dave will explore with his hangs and ngoni African harp to create an auditory space for movement, stretching, or just listening.
Admission to this family-friendly event is a suggested donation of $5—15. One hundred percent of the proceeds will be donated to local environmental organizations.
Services Auction: Make Your Donations This Week
Online Silent Auction – Wednesday, May 29 – June 5 at 5:00 pm
Live Auction with Silent Auction Tables – Saturday, June 8
- Doors open at 5:30 – Registration, pick up your dinner salad, strawberry desserts, and drinks
- Socialize and bid on silent auction items 5:30 – 7:00
- Live auction begins – with HOOPLA! 7:00 p.m.
We want EVERYONE to have a chance to enjoy the camaraderie and excitement of our annual Goods & Services Auction, whether or not you are able to attend on June 8. So, the 2024 Auction Planning Team has split the Auction into three parts:
- The Online Silent Auction – Wednesday, May 29, 8:00 am through
Wednesday, June 5, 5:00 pm. Can’t come to UUFC on June 8? You’ll still be
able to bid online for some fine items and services, and help fund our
Fellowship at the same time. - The Silent Auction Tables – Saturday, June 8, 5:30-7:00. A limited number
of items will be available to bid on and take home that night, especially
items such as cakes, pies, plants, bouquets, gift baskets, and arts and crafts. - The Live Auction – Saturday, June 8, 7:00-8:30 pm. Our Auctioneer John
Bailey will entice you to bid high on 30 spectacular service items. Raise your
paddles and let the fun begin!
Request Childcare: In an effort to make the Services Auction a family friendly event, we want to offer childcare during the Live Auction. However, we need to know how many children to plan for and get some additional information about those youngsters from you. Please complete the short Google form before May 19 to allow time to recruit the appropriate, back-ground checked people to watch over your small humans.
Volunteer to Help
The annual UUFC Services Auction is a wonderful way to build community while giving back to UUFC. Many people are needed to make this event a success! We have a variety of jobs, something for everyone!
Donate Services or Goods
Will you donate a popular service item that we can enjoy haggling over in the Live Auction? Or perhaps you will bake a cake or pie, bring a plant, bouquet, gift basket, an art/craft item that some lucky person will win at the Silent Auction table. Or maybe you have a new or like-new item that someone else would love. Some donations will be split between the Online Auction (May 29 – June 5) and the Silent Auction tables (June 8) so that everyone has a chance to participate.
Suggested Auction events and services
Here are some possible services or events. Mix and match and consider your special interests and you will come up with something unique. Please donate. It’s fun, we build community, get to know others, and our work benefits the UUFC.
ESCAPES: Time at your vacation beach house or cottage
WORK FOR HIRE: Yard work. Handy-person tasks. Architectural or landscape
design. Garden planning. Help in organizing kitchen, closets, garage. Car washing, car detailing, carpentry, gift baskets
OUTINGS: Winery/brewery visits. Boat/kayak/canoe trips. Bird watching. A day at the coast.
PARTIES WITH THEMES: Mystery dinner. Academy awards party. Las Vegas night.
GET-TOGETHERS: Tea or wine tasting. Poetry and snacks. Hikes with picnic. Sing-alongs. Karaoke night. Walking tour. Mexican train dominos.
SHARED MEALS: Ethnic dinners. Vegan, Paleo, Keto dinners. Fondue party. Meal and movie night. Salad sampler luncheon.
DELIVERED MEALS: Dinner for 2-4 delivered. Quart of soup for X months. Dessert per month for X months. Home-baked bread.
LESSONS: “Play with clay” day. Cake decorating. Greeting card making. Computer lessons. Music lessons. Dance lessons/party (tango, salsa, line dancing, belly dancing).
PERSONAL SERVICES: Shopping or “taxi” service. Massage. Astrology. Ancestry help. Made-to-order socks, scarf, mittens, hat, jewelry. Personalized song, poem, or limerick.
FAMILY FRIENDLY IDEAS: Children’s sewing project. Cooking class. Pizza or pasta making party. Tie dye party. Scavenger hunt. Child’s birthday party. Kid’s dress up party. Outdoor movie night. Math tutoring.
Climate Action Lunch, 4/20
Saturday, 4/20 at 1:00 PM in the Social Hall
Plant-based foods may be good for the planet, but they are also tasty and easy to prepare. Join members of the UUFC’s Climate Action Team to enjoy a delicious meal prepared by Ernest Cardona — and celebrate upcoming Earth Day.
THE MENU
Appetizers
- Miso soup w/tofu
- Bruschetta with and without seaweed
Entrees
- Black bean, corn, and tomato casserole with cheese and vegan options
- Gandules (pigeon peas) and rice
- Mushroom sauce on pasta
Dessert
- Roasted plantains with coconut ice cream or sorbet
Childcare is available but must be requested by April 7.
Register by April 15 with Nick Houtman, nickhoutman8@aol.com or text to 541-829-3442 to reserve your place. We will cap registrations at 30.