weekly announcements

Faith Based Climate Action 9/30/23

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Interior announces $40M in funding for orphaned oil wells on tribal lands

LA’s Largest-Ever Land Back an ‘Important Step’ in the Movement

Oregon awarded more than $58M to reduce extreme heat risks with trees

Biden uses executive power to create a New Deal-style American Climate Corps

As Africa Loses Forest, Its Small Farmers Are Bringing Back Trees

80% More U.S. Wind Energy Potential This Decade From Tech Innovation 

EASA To Require 70% SAF Usage By 2050

Can EVs and solar save the world? The IEA thinks so 

Renewable energy boom may help us limit warming this century to 1.5 ̊C

Airlines Ready To Embrace Higher Sustainable Aviation Fuel Costs

Danone Institute North America Awards $250,000 to Five Teams to Advance Stronger and More Sustainable Food Systems

USGC corn program attains sustainability mark

Global use of oil could peak this decade: IEA

Indonesia’s largest floating solar plant to expand to 500 MW

Climate change and the shift to cleaner energy push Southeast Asia to finally start sharing power

Making Air Conditioning More Sustainable

Citizens’ Climate Lobby

Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act: The Act will (a) push us toward our goal of net zero emissions by 2050, (b) drive energy innovation, giving every American community access to affordable clean energy, (c) help low and middle income Americans afford this transition with a carbon cashback, and (d) keep Americans healthier and living longer by reducing air pollution. We need as many co-sponsors as possible to show support for a carbon fee and dividend. Email your House Representative 

Nature Conservancy

Conservation funding: Tell Congress and the White House how much you care about our natural world. Tell them how critical it is to rely on science to guide conservation efforts. Tell them you’re counting on them to address urgent challenges like energy use, sustaining endangered landscapes, and protecting critically imperiled species. Protect our nation’s natural heritage and the health of people and our planet.  Speak out now

Stop the Money Pipeline

Fund clean energy, not fossil fuels. Banks, insurers and asset managers are driving the climate crisis by financing and insuring new fossil fuel projects. Send Wall Street CEOs a message 

Tue 10 Oct, 6:30 – 8:15 PM, Corvallis Community Center, 2601 NW Tyler Ave

How Landfills Pollute Our Future and What We Can do About It:  Landfills are silent sources of greenhouse gasses, groundwater pollution, and microplastics pollution. Beyond Toxics is hosting a community education event on the long term risks of landfill pollution and ways to make Oregon a leader in holistic waste management.  Katherine Blauvelt, the circular economy director of Industrious Labs, will speak about the climate change impacts from landfills, and Anja Brandon, director of US plastics policy at the Ocean Conservancy, will discuss microplastic pollution impacts on rivers and oceans.

Wed 18 Oct, 7:00 – 8:30 AM, online

Eco-municipality Webinar 2:  Virtually visit the eco-municipality of Karlskrona in the south of Sweden. Learn about the science-based framework of the Swedish network of ecomunicpalities, SEKOM, and the Karlskrona eco-municipality.  Register

Sat 28 Oct, Doors open 6:30 PM, UUFC

Live Music, Fundraiser for Maui fire relief. $20 donation at door suggested. Suz Doyle & Julie Williams with friends in concert, featuring Absolute Harmony.  https://suznjules.bpt.me/

Questions: juliewawilliams@gmail.com

The Sum of Us Book Discussion 10/9, 10/23

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October 9th, 7-8:30 pm on Zoom

and October 23, 7- 8:30 pm on Zoom

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Justice Team

Join us for a lively conversation as we explore The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together, by Heather McGhee, a book that invites us to engage in constructive, shared solutions to some of the greatest challenges we face. Contact Elona Meyer to receive additional materials.  We are happy to address any questions you may have, as well. If 289 pages seem daunting, and you missed the Random Review of The Sum of Us, offered by the Benton County Library, featuring Dr. Dwaine Plaza, OSU Sociology professor, here is the link to that review: https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/DK7C0b9ruC-37ob5954jnUCNZ5wI7V_DAtzDxG8Jdg2JSy-ZOHROfYEI2Yzvzxk-.EUQ0OiyjELjeiUYP.  This review summarizes many of the key concepts presented by the author.

The second meeting on October 23rd will concentrate on “The Solidarity Dividend,” the book’s inspirational final chapter. 

Contact Elona Meyer to obtain the Zoom link for these events.

Holiday Fair 12/2

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Saturday December 2, 2023

9:00 am to 2:00 pm

2945 NW Circle Blvd, Corvallis, Oregon 97330

Arts and crafts, home decor, jewelry, greenery, baked goods, and so much more! With over 20 local artisans, you’ll find beautiful hand made items for everyone on your list.

An interactive children’s craft table will be available for little ones to enjoy and take home a project!

Lunch is available for purchase from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Do you have a couple of hours to help make the Holiday Fair a success? See below for sign up links for greenery makers, furniture movers, greeters and cashiers.

Vendors

All vendor spots are full! Check back next year.

Featuring over 20 local artisans, including fiber artists, ceramicists, painters and more!

Volunteers on Dec 1st and 2nd

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! If you are a member of UUFC, we need you! Volunteer to help with set up, clean up, cashiering, or many other roles. We have a job for everyone. Contact Bonnie Morihara with questions.

Sign up to Volunteer at Fair

Kitchen Work Parties!

Thursday, Nov. 30th, & Friday Dec. 1, 9:30 am to 1:00 pm

Love to cook? We’re going to have a fun time in the UU kitchen on Thursday and Friday leading up to the Holiday Fair! Volunteers are needed to help with preparing food and baking items for the “Cafe”. The food will be sold during the Holiday Fair on Dec 2. Please contact Reverend Jill with questions. Sign up below.

Sign up for Kitchen Work Party

At-home Bakers

Do you have some wonderful breads, cookies, brownies, candies, etc. you’d like to donate for the Baked Goods table? Sign up here with your name, contact info, and what you will make. Contact Elaine Kahn about our requirements for selling to the public (list of ingredients, nothing that requires refrigeration, more). Your donations need to be delivered to the Social Hall by 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 1.

Sign Up for At Home Baking

Greenery Work Parties

Weds, Nov. 29th, Thurs, Nov. 30th

11/29, 9:00-10:30 am, Bow Making, no experience necessary. Indoors. 3-5 people needed.

11/29, 10:00 – 12:00, 12:00 – 3:00 Greenery making swag and centerpieces in Laura’s unheated garage. 3-6 people needed

11/30, 12:00 – 3:00 Greenery making swag centerpieces in Laura’s unheated garage. 3-6 people needed.

Making greenery will be held at the home of Laura Uhler. The projects will be created in Laura’s unheated garage, so wear a coat! Please sign up below to be notified of the address.

Sign up for Greenery making

Roy Zimmerman Returns to the Fellowship – Sept 30

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Advance tickets $23 – on sale at UUFC Sept. 17 and 24 (cash or checks only), $25 at the door ($26 for credit cards.) Roy Zimmerman’s signature blend of heart and hilarity has never been more necessary. In a career spanning more than thirty years, Roy’s songs have been heard on HBO and Showtime, and his videos have garnered hundreds of millions of views.

Joni Mitchell says, “Roy’s lyrics move beyond poetry and achieve perfection.”

No Depression Magazine says, “Without a doubt, Roy Zimmerman is among the most important political commentators of the last few decades, and in the end, it’s the music that unites and disarms.  With music this good and humor this insightful, there is good reason to be optimistic.”

The L.A. Times says, “Zimmerman displays a lacerating wit and keen awareness of society’s foibles that bring to mind a latter-day Tom Lehrer.”

Tom Lehrer himself says, “I congratulate Roy Zimmerman on reintroducing literacy to comedy songs.”

Check out his YouTube videos — Roy has garnered hundreds of millions of views.
Here are a couple of our favorites (co-written by Roy and his wife Melanie Harber):

For more about Roy Zimmerman: https://www.royzimmerman.com/

Concert sponsored by the UUFC.

Side With Love, September 24

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~What is love calling you to do? The world needs Unitarian Universalists to show up for justice with spiritual grounding, generosity, humility, courage, and concrete skills. It is a spiritual practice to choose love over fear, to be brave, to show up when we’re called, to occupy space with loving resistance rather than fearful retreat. We are most powerful when we understand that all the issues we care most deeply about are fundamentally interlinked, and that each of us has a role to play in building a world in which all people can be free and thrive. When we bring our best selves to our justice work, whichever specific issue or campaign it might be, we are choosing to Side with Love.

The work that we do together to build a world in which all of us are free and thriving is interrelated. When we ground our spirits, grow our skills, and act strategically for justice in deep relationship with each other and our Movements, we choose to Side With Love.

Action Center is a place where we unite in work towards a world where we all thrive. Together we take action, Side With Love, and make deep impacts in this critical moment. Side with Love Action Center

Harvest UU-Pick

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Pick fruits and vegetables at our mini farm for your dinner table & join us in a glass of wine or home made peach or grape juice.

The Biegel’s mini farm and orchard, 33073 SE Peoria Road. (.2 miles past Peoria market)

Come visit any day you like, until harvest ends… Call Craig to schedule your visit!

Faith Based Climate Action 9/20/23

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In Roraima, Indigenous communities forge sustainable solutions amid threats

Researchers make surprising discovery about lifespan of EV batteries

New Consortium To Make Batteries For Electric Vehicles More Sustainable

A bright spot at the intersection of farming, electric vehicles and solar energy

US Crosses the Electric-Car Tipping Point for Mass Adoption

Research: Consumers’ Sustainability Demands Are Rising

Discovery Education and Leading Corporate and Nonprofit Partners Launch

            First-of-Its-Kind Initiative Supporting Sustainability

EPA emissions report shows ag advancements in sustainability

Florida is now adding more solar power than any other state

Renewable power expected to grow as Louisiana marks clean energy transition

How rural southwest Utah is proving the potential of renewable geothermal Landmark Wave Energy Legislation Heads to California Governor Newsom’s Desk after 

           Unanimously Passing California Legislature

Germany to Surpass 50 Percent Renewable Power This Year, Official SaysEurope’s Europe’s largest solar thermal energy plant opens in BelgiumSolid-state and sodium-ion batteries spark hope amidst the lithium supply crunch

Minesto preps seabed connection system for 1.2MW tidal energy device

There is no more important climate work than the influencing of legislation and policy, whether at the national, state, or local level. Climate Action Opportunities, refreshed weekly on Saturdays, provides three or four curated, quick opportunities to do just that.

To help assess the engagement of UUFC members and friends in faith-based climate action and to encourage such action, please anonymously  <Share> the number of the actions below you take this week. Optionally, you may  anonymously also share other recent climate action. 

The organizations whose calls to action we amplify, and the number from each organization, are listed <here>

Sat 23 Sep

Climate Action Team

  • Sign up for the Climate Action Team’s Influence and Towards Net Zero Projects 
  • City of Corvallis, Prioritize Climate Action: Some City councilors and some senior City staff consistently show by their decisions that they do not prioritize action to respond to the climate emergency.  For example, the work of the Climate Action Advisory Board  has been hamstrung and will apparently go into hiatus due to lack of required staff support. Please email your City Councilor, copying the Mayor and all Councilors, to call on them to prioritize climate action.

Citizens’ Climate Lobby

A carbon fee and dividend will drive energy innovation, giving every American community access to abundant, affordable clean energy at a predictable price. With a price on carbon, polluters pay, and people get a carbon cashback. It will (a) help low and middle income people afford higher energy prices, (b) keep Americans healthier by reducing air pollution, & (c)  help reduce America’s carbon pollution 50% by 2030, putting us on track to reach net zero by 2050. Do your members of Congress know these benefits? Email your members of Congress

Native Organizers Alliance

Remove Snake River Dams: Indigenous peoples throughout the Northwest have depended on their relationship with Snake River salmon since the beginning of time. But against the wishes of Tribal communities, dams were constructed in the Snake River that threaten endangered salmon.

Native communities along the Snake River are calling on the Biden administration and members of Congress to honor legally-binding commitments that the federal government made to Northwest Tribes by removing the lower Snake River dams in order to restore abundant salmon. Sign & send

Native Organizers Alliance

Remove Snake River Dams: Indigenous peoples throughout the Northwest have depended on their relationship with Snake River salmon since the beginning of time. But against the wishes of Tribal communities, dams were constructed in the Snake River that threaten endangered salmon.

Native communities along the Snake River are calling on the Biden administration and members of Congress to honor legally-binding commitments that the federal government made to Northwest Tribes by removing the lower Snake River dams in order to restore abundant salmon. Sign & send

Of Note This Week is a source for current climate-change information at the local, state, and national levels.  It is refreshed weekly on Saturday.

Sat 23 Sep

Care.org

Climate change & the floods in Libya

Citizens’ Climate Lobby

Africa Climate Summit calls for global carbon tax

Native News Online

Reasons to be Cheerful

Getting the Soil Right: How Carbon Farming Combats Climate Change

We’re asking the wrong question about EVs and grid resiliency

Wed 18 Oct, 7:00 – 8:30 AM, online

Eco-municipality Webinar 2:  Virtually visit the eco-municipality of Karlskrona in the south of Sweden. Learn about the science-based framework of the Swedish network of ecomunicpalities, SEKOM, and the Karlskrona eco-municipality.  Register

Silent Supper 10/29

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Sunday, October 29th

6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Around the time of Samhain, or All-Hallow’s-Eve, we take time to remember those who have died. We honor our ancestors through a ritual supper, eaten in silence. A time for conversation and reflection will follow.

RSVP required, so we have enough place settings! Register here: https://uufc.breezechms.com/form/5fd6ba

Participants should bring:
1. an item for the altar; such as a photograph or small token that reminds you of someone who has died
2. food to share; can be homemade using a recipe from your ancestors, or it can be store bought, such as your grandpa’s favorite brand of potato chips.

An event in collaboration with the Wheel of the Year Samhain service.

Family Faith Formation Toolkit

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Maybe you’ve got an awesome minister (If you’re at UUFC, you do! ☑️), and a caring Religious Exploration team (Lucky you! You’ve got that too!☑️), and excellent friends and family support (I sure hope you do! ?). Did you know that even with all that, parents and grandparents are still a child’s first and most influential spiritual guides? Yes, YOU! You’re the biggest factor in your child’s spiritual growth and development. How cool (and maybe scary) is that?

In an effort to support families as they raise faithful and spiritually grounded children, we offer you the Family Faith Formation Toolkit with you! On the 4th Sunday of each month, I’ll be adding a new tool to our toolkit below. Each tool will come with resources and practical ideas for how to explore matters of the spirit with your family, and grow in confidence as a spiritual leader. As always, if you have immediate needs relating to your family’s faith formation, I’m available to chat. Just reach out to dre@uucorvallis.org to set up a time.

  1. Discussing the G-word (answering questions about God when you’re not sure yourself)
  2. Prayer as a Family Practice
  3. Meditation with the Kiddos
  4. Service with the Family
  5. Gratitude with the Kiddos
  6. Building a Family Lectionary
  7. A Family Sabbath Plan
  8. UP NEXT: Retreat

Videos from GA 2023

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~Public Videos from the UUA General Assembly in June 2023
Whether you attended or not, whether in person or online, everyone can now view and share the Public Videos from GA 2023. Public Videos include all General Sessions, plus three mainstage worship services: Service of the Living Tradition, Synergy Bridging Service, and Sunday Worship.

~Recommended for Families with young children: “The Tending Years” by J.L. Shattuck
Every day you meet your child’s spiritual and emotional needs—you just don’t know it. In this accessible and comforting book, J.L. Shattuck provides insight into your child’s earliest rituals. Unlike parenting books that ask you to change the way you interact with your child, this easy-to-read volume details the ways in which you’re already tending to your child’s needs and offers inspiration and support to help you throught he preschool years and beyond. Available for pre-order from the UUA Bookstore (InSpirit, at
UUA.org).