weekly announcements

Resources learned from Minnesota

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The recent woes in Minnesota have taught many lessons and opened many eyes. Those who have learned and seen have wisdom to share, and we have the luxury of learning – and offering our support – from relative comfort. Here are some resources worth looking at, learning from, and sharing.

FreedomTrainers.net

Information and training about Collective Noncooperation and preparing for action before it’s needed.

Signal.org

An encrypted, secure messaging application, available on iPhone and Android. Read about installing Signal at this article: https://support.signal.org/hc/en-us/articles/360008216551-Installing-Signal/.

StandWithMinnesota.com

A directory of charitable efforts and works in Minnesota that need financial support. Itself a passion project, “just two ladies running this thing as volunteers”.

MARCH’s video from the Minneapolis clergy gathering

Migra Whistle PDX

Resources for 3D-printing whistles, information on how to use them, and instructions on building whistle packets to spread the information. If you decide to carry and use a whistle, please be sure you understand the patterns being used in your area. Blowing alarms no one understands won’t help!

Indivisible Benton County

Local information, training, and events for a wide range of justice concerns – including ICE Watch training!

UUFC Grounds Team Meeting, 2/22

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The UUFC Grounds Team is meeting on Sunday, February 22 at 11:45 AM in Room 3.

The Grounds Team will meet to discuss the big picture for 2026. What is most needed now? What is our action plan? Discussion will include
a) pollinator garden installation and care,
b) care of the big trees on the property, and
c) improvements to our public face on Circle Blvd.

Whether your interest is in the doing or the planning, please make every effort to attend. Working together builds community as we care for our beautiful grounds!

Childcare is available!

Free childcare can usually be arranged for any Fellowship event by using this link 1-2 weeks prior to the event.

Democracy Action Team Gathering, 2/3

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The Democracy Action Team meets this Tuesday, February 3 in the Social Hall at 5 pm. We will watch part of “What’s the Plan”, a video by Ezra and Leah, the high-energy couple who reveal weekly their view of how American citizens are doing in our attempt to undo Project 25.

We’ll see their interview of Erica Chenowith – acclaimed political scientist and author of Why Civil Resistance Works, and of the 3.5 threshold rule. Everyone is welcome.

Birdseed Winter Wreath Fundraiser, 2/8 & 2/15

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Elaine K. is making beautiful Birdseed Winter Wreaths as a fundraiser to buy stamps for the Democracy Action Team’s 2026 letter writing project. This project will educate voters who have fallen into disinformation and will get out the vote for this year’s primary and general election. Wreaths will be available in the Social Hall after Sunday Service, costing $15 for a small wreath and $30 for a large one; cash or check only.

In the 2024 election 53 writers at the Fellowship wrote a total of 25,530 letters and postcards. Rigorous studies have shown handwritten letters to be an effective way to increase voting. We started writing educational postcards in early January. Eventually we will write by Zoom, in person, and on our own, and have fun doing it! Stop by the Democracy Action Table if you want packets of postcards for writing.

Queerly Beloved Meeting, 2/1

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Our UUFC Queerly Beloved social group will meet in Room 6C on February 1 after the service beginning at 11:45. All are welcome. We will be crafting, bring something to mend, all restorative handicraft are welcome!

We will be discussing important topics for the group, programming for the rest of the year, including revisiting our covenant, and the Sexuality and Gender Diversity justice team.

The UUFC Board wants YOU!

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Interested in serving on the Board of Directors for the UUFC? The Board works as a group to manage the affairs, property, policies, and financial health of the Fellowship, maintaining the mission and vision over time. As a board member, your efforts and leadership can help to sustain and grow our community. We are looking for members who are excited about being part of the future of the UUFC and are inspired by Principles and Congregational Covenant of Right Relations. For more information talk to one of the members of the Nominating Committee – John Bailey, Kris Egan, Jim Good, Steve Strauss, Heather Thomas – or visit the Board information table in the Social Hall after the Sunday service.

Lessons from Minneapolis

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This Tuesday, January 27 at 6:30 PM at First United Methodist Church of Corvallis. Come hear Rev. Heather and Rev. Alex share what they learned from organizers in Minneapolis so we can start preparing here.  Courage, creativity, and flexibility are key.  Strengthening neighborly relations matters. The church’s parking lot is accessible from NW Jackson. Enter the church using the front steps.

Social Hall & Kitchen Improvement Questionnaire

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The Building Enhancement team asks that everyone fill out their questionnaire about the Social Hall & Kitchen Improvement project. The questionnaire asks about a variety of uses and perceptions of the Social Hall and Kitchen, now and in the future. Your answers will help the team understand the range of thoughts and feelings the congregation holds about this project.

The questionnaire is available as a Google form accessed by clicking the button below.

Access the Questionnaire

This is the same questionnaire that was available on paper after worship service on Sunday, January 16.

Connect-Up Hiking Leader needed

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Greetings UUFC Walkers, Amblers, Plodders, and Hikers: Did you know that UUFC has a Connect-Up group for you? There is a little problem, though. It now lacks an organizer/leader. Jim Wagner started the most recent incarnation of this group at the start of the COVID epidemic and the varying group visited many area locations from Mary’s Peak to Mac Forest to Cascade Foothills. Jim is no longer able to lead hikes. Priscilla Galasso has done this nicely for a while but is also moving on. Jim is willing to help find and assist someone who can lead hikes. Organizing is just a matter of picking a location that fits likely weather and participants; Jim can particularly help with this. Your primary responsibility would then be a few hours, typically on the last Saturday of each month, enjoying both the personal connections and the marvelous places that are accessible by trail or path. If you, or several of you, can fill the role of hike leader and/or organizer, please contact Jim Wagner.