weekly announcements

Coming of Age is Back!

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We’re delighted to announce that the beloved Coming of Age program is back in 2024!

This is a program that asks our youth to explore what it means to become an adult in a Unitarian Universalist context. A lot of cultures have this kind of event in the life of their congregation or community. Close to home, our Jewish neighbors have bat and bar mitzvahs where young people are asked to learn a language and be able to reflect on a text. In other cultures there are walkabouts, solo experiences in the wilderness, or even rounds of combat. In each of these examples, the community is expressing what is important to it. In Judaism, the importance is put on being religiously literate in the language of the Torah. Walkabouts emphasize the importance of survival in nature, while hand to hand combat points toward the importance of defending the group or surviving a conflict.

In our faith, we ask our teenagers to reflect deeply on who they are as spiritual people, to be able to think metaphorically, and to express themselves as soulful, connected beings, capable of experiencing a spiritual passion and transforming that passion into service and dedication to a common good. These are the attributes we seek in our adults, and therefore the ones that we assist our youth in developing.

Because of the programming losses we experienced during the pandemic years, this year’s Coming of Age will be open to all youth in grades 7-12. Space is limited, so don’t delay in registering.

For the safety of our youth, additional information about dates and times is available by request only. Please contact Skyla King-Christison at dre@uucorvallis.org if you’d like more details.

New Resources for Caregivers of Teens

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Our film screening of What I Wish My Parents Knew served as an excellent conversation starter! Thanks for everyone who participated! Lots of ideas were generated about how we can sharpen our skills as compassionate listeners and be more present to the needs of the members of our community. We want to keep this conversation going!

To follow up, I’d like to share a few resources that are immediately available to parents, grandparents, and caregivers in our community.

As a member of the UU Mental Health Network’s GA proposal team, I was gifted with a set of the Tell My Story card game that is designed to help initiate connection and communication between teens and their caregivers. You are most welcome to check this card deck out from the RE office for 2 weeks at a time and use it at the dinner table, at bed time, on car rides, or whenever you feel like there’s time for sharing, but maybe you don’t know where to start.

Additionally, the UU Mental Health Network spent a large part of this past year working with religious educators across the country to compile a list of mental health resources specifically relevant to children and youth. You can find the newly completed Mental Health Toolkit for Children and Youth by clicking HERE!

I hope these resources can help us keep expanding our capacities to be the kind of community where our children and youth can show up authentically and receive the support they need to thrive and connect.

Soulful Home Pancake Breakfast, 5/11

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Monthly, Second Saturdays

9:00 am in the children’s classroom 6C

Gather with other UU families for a time of songs, fun and food. Pancakes, milk, and juice will be provided. Bring a favorite topping to share!

Please note that families of all configurations are welcome here! If your child isn’t with you on pancake weekend and you have the desire to connect with other parents in our community, you are most welcome to come join the fun in the absence of your kiddos. 

Please RSVP

TYPICAL AGENDA:

Chalice lighting & Music time (bring your instruments!)

Pancakes (bring your favorite topping!)

Playground time

Adopt A Highway, 3/30

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UUFC has been participating in the Adopt-A-Highway litter pick up program for over 30 years! The Adopt-A-Highway program provides an opportunity for volunteers to clean up litter and remove noxious weeds along state highways. Activities may also include graffiti removal and maintenance of existing landscaped areas.

Questions: contact Scott Bruslind

Bob Oz’s Brigade- UUFC Litter Pickup

Join other enthusiastic volunteers on Saturday, March 30th 2024, from 9:00 – 12:00. Meet in the parking lot of Bimart on 53rd st.

Please RSVP at the link below.

Register for March event

Invitation from EDI, 2/29

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Have you seen Origin, the new Ava DuVernay film, now showing in theaters near us? This outstanding movie centers on Pulitzer Prize winning author, Isabel Wilkerson. EDI, your Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion team invites you to join us, 7-8:30 PM, Thursday, February 29th, when we’ll explore our responses to Origin and the work of Isabel Wilkerson. Contact Elona Meyer for more information and the Zoom link.

An Opportunity to view a Documentary, 2/20

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Don’t miss out! The First Unitarian Church of Portland is offering a Zoom link for viewing the Academy Award nominated documentary, “A Stranger at the Gate,” to be shown 7-8:30 PM, Tuesday, February 20th. RSVP to First Unitarian Church and let them know you are a UUFC congregant requesting the link to register for “A Stranger at the Gate:” arjag@firstunitarianportland.org. If you would like to be included in a view and discuss activity, contact Elona Meyer and we will fill you in on dates, times, and the Zoom link.

A Friend Seeking Housing

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I am a friend of Steve Strauss and am looking for a one- or two-bedroom rental property in or near Corvallis (space to garden is a plus!). I work from home as an editor for an educational publisher. I have one sweet kitty and am hoping to move in March. I can pay up to $1,800/month. Thanks so much for any tips you might have! Contact DeeDee Hughes

Art Wall : Beautiful Animal Photographs

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With thanks to Art Wall team coordinator Isabel Prusinski, the Sanctuary is currently hosting a collection of pictures from local amateur (!) photographers Larry and Sharon Rosenkoetter. Both are retired from OSU; photographing wildlife is one of their loves. About their photos they say: ” The US and Canada are richly blessed with public spaces where wildlife can thrive, thanks to our ancestors who had the foresight to save lands for wildlife as well a for nature-loving people. We emphatically believe that in this time of climate change our generation must continue to combat forces that would destroy the essential habitats for vunerable creatures.” The photographs are for sale for $150 each. From more information about purchasing, see the information posted in the Sanctuary just inside the door from the foyer.