WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sunday Service
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This Week:
October 5, 2025 – Learning to be a Neighbor in the Land of the People of the River
Dave Eckert of the Canoe Family Project and the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition will speak about his experience building relationships with landcestral cultures, and how that has helped him to better understand and act in ways that bridge cultural divides. Like many of us, Dave grapples with avoiding cultural appropriation and cultural guilt. UUFC has been able to contribute to the Canoe Project through our Justice Outreach Fund.
Services This Month
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October 5: Learning to be a Neighbor in the Land of the People of the River
Dave Eckert of the Canoe Family Project and the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition will speak about his experience building relationships with landcestral cultures, and how that has helped him to better understand and act in ways that bridge cultural divides. Like many of us, Dave grapples with avoiding cultural appropriation and cultural guilt. UUFC has been able to contribute to the Canoe Project through our Justice Outreach Fund.
Rev. Leslie Chartier will hold the worship space.
October 12: Joy as an Improbable Friend
In these political times, joy may seem an impossible thing. But world religions throughout time have named joy as a human experience that wells up again and again. Let us explore how to honor it.
Rev. Alex McGee will preach and the drop-in choir welcomes all.
October 19: Compassion as an Open Door
Anger and indignation may well up for us as we read the news. But spiritual teachers such as Howard Thurman have convincing arguments for why love is better for us and for everyone. Can we perhaps have compassion for our own anger?
Rev. Alex will preach and the choir will sing.
October 26: Wheel of the Year: Samhain/Halloween
Samhain shares the ancient spiritual practice of remembering and paying respects to the ancestors who have died.
Diana Titus will coordinate this service and the band will play.
From the Minister
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October 5, 2025
Dear Fellowship:
This week I wish you the peace of a pause to enjoy the beautiful images, music, and message in this video. There is a love holding you. Rest in that love.
With care,
Rev. Alex
This Week at UUFC
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UUFC Women’s Retreat 2025 – deadline to register is 10/5
Please register by Oct. 5 for the Women’s Retreat –“Right Here, Right Now: Peace through Practice” – We…
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LEGATO potluck, 10/8
Everyone is welcome to join the choir and band for a meal of laughter, goodwill and perhaps song!…
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Kirtan with Gina Sala and Friends, 10/10
Featuring Jeanette Kangas (tabla), Johanna Beekman (vox), David Campbell (trumpet) & friends. Come feel your mind, body and…
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Mantra/Raga/Voice Workshop with Gina Sala, 10/11
Come rest in loving vibrations and learn useful tools in voice, chant, refined mantra, raga and breath that…
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Democracy Action Team, Tuesdays & Thursdays
The DAT is proud to announce that letter writing is officially back! Join us in person on Tuesdays (in the UUFC library)…
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Join Rep. Val Hoyle’s Town Hall by Zoom, 10/7
The Democracy Action Team will be watching the town hall with Rep. Hoyle at 5:30 PM on Tuesday,…
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Information Session on Being a Sunday Service Reader, 10/11
Have you ever felt a calling to serve as a reader during Sunday Service? Please come learn more…
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Elders Thriving in Community, 10/8
Listen to a panel of UUFC members hosted by the Elders Thriving in Community team on Wednesday, October…
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Speaking of Democracy Online Discussion Series (Sept 16 – Oct 21)
The Statewide UU Advocacy organization, Oregon UU Voices for Justice is sponsoring weekly online gatherings for UUs to…
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Celebrating the Wonders of Faith, 10/5
The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, the Corvallis Interfaith Network and the Interfaith Kirtan Band are hosting the event “Celebrating…
Announcements
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Last Chance for Chalice Circle Popups!
There are two more chances for participating in a Chalice Circle experience this October: on Thursday, October 9…
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How to donate to the monthly Outreach Offering
Each month, the Fellowship gathers donations for a certain charitable cause. These are our Outreach Offerings. You can…
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Teams & Councils Trick or Treat Resource Fair (register by 10/15)
“By their groups shall ye know them.” ~James Luther Adams Let your group be known! It’s time to…
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RE Newsletter for October
“October, baptize me with leaves! Swaddle me in corduroy and nurse me with split pea soup. October, tuck…
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Outreach Offerings for October
Our Outreach offerings in October support South Corvallis Food Bank, which is a shopping-style food pantry offering a…
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Join the Choir
The UUFC Choir meets every Wednesday at 7:00 PM in the Sanctuary and is open to anyone –…
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Join the Signs of Solidarity team
Members of the Democracy Action Team are collaborating with Benton County Indivisible and Standing Up for Racial Justice…
Plan Ahead
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UUFC Harvest Festival, 10/12
Come and get your pumpkins, preserves, and tie dyed T-shirts, all while supporting the Perla family and the…
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No Kings Protest, 10/18
Join us on Saturday, October 18 at 12 PM at the Benton County Courthouse for the No Kings…
R.E. COUNCIL NEWS
Current Events
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Teams & Councils Trick or Treat Resource Fair (register by 10/15)
“By their groups shall ye know them.” ~James Luther Adams Let your group be known! It’s time to get registered…
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Inquirers Series Room Change!
We are delighted to announce that the Inquirers Series is finally moving home to Room 7! If you’ve been attending,…
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Register for Fall RE!
Parents and guardians, it’s to register your children for the new year of Sunday morning Religious Exploration! CHILDREN WHO WERE…
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Mosaic Antiracism Workshop for Adults! Register by 9/1
Registration is requested HERE. WHAT: A fun and connecting communal exploration of radical inclusion through the lens of race and…
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Please Register for the Ice Cream Social, 8/24
Registration is requested HERE WHAT: Free ice cream, games, and quiet tables WHEN: Sunday, August 24th at 7PM WHERE: Fellowship…
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You’re Invited to a Puppet Show! 6/27 @ 10:45
Puppet Camp is coming soon, and there will be an end-of-camp puppet show that is open to all Fellowship members.…
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UUFC Night at the Corvallis Knights! 6/29 @ 5
Buy your ticket and meet us in section 2 of Goss Stadium on June 29th for a night of scream…
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Creative Lament Workshop, 7/7
“Welcoming our sorrow eases the hardened places within us, allowing them to open and freeing us to once more feel…
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Crossing Thresholds Group
Register for this 9-month group HERE by September 8th. One of the sacred tasks of being human is making meaning…
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Parent Peer Support Group
THIS GROUP IS ON SUMMER HIATUS! PLEASE JOIN US IN SEPTEMBER. Come find support and understanding in the context of…
Faith Formation Toolkit

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.
From the DRE
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RE Newsletter for October
“October, baptize me with leaves! Swaddle me in corduroy and nurse me with split pea soup. October, tuck tiny candy bars in my pockets and carve my smile into a thousand pumpkins. O autumn! O teakettle! O grace!” ― Rainbow Rowell , Attachments
Greetings, Families!
The soggy, foggy season of all things cozy is finally upon us! Between sipping soup and reading Pumpkinheads to the kids, please take a moment to catch up on your Religious Exploration news and add some events to your calendar.
Please note that this is the last month that this newsletter will be sent to last year’s registered families. If you are not sure whether you have registered your child for this new year in RE, please reach out to me, and I’ll help get you all squared away so that you don’t miss any of the fun!
UPCOMING EVENTS:
10/12 Monthly Family Breakfast is Back! register HERE
10/16 Parent Peer Support Group is Back! Register HERE
10/25 Youth Overnight: registration information was sent home and to parents’ inboxes.
10/26 Teams and Councils Trick or Treat (wear your costumes to service!)
More information about our events can be found below, and info for all events can be found at uucorvallis.org by clicking “News” in the menu bar and then selecting “RE Council” from the drop-down menu.
You want to know what’s going on at the Fellowship and what different groups there are to be a part of. Your kids want to have some fun and wear their costumes. Okay, let’s face it. You want to have fun too! That’s why we’re hosting the annual Teams and Councils Trick-or-Treat event after the service on October 26th.
Wear your costumes to the service and plan to hang out after to wander around and check out the information, goodies, and games presented by many of the wonderful groups, teams, and councils that keep us up to good trouble at the Fellowship and beyond!
Registered OMG! youth and their friends are invited to this year’s Fall Overnight at UUFC! As always, we’ve invited youth from Eugene, Salem, and Willamette Falls congregations to join us, but it’s still unknown as to whether they have enough volunteer support to get their youth here this year.
Please ASAP, but no later than October 8th. Registration information went home with youth and was included in the email version of this newsletter. If you have not received it and are interested in registering yout youth please reach out to Skyla at dre@uucorvallis.org.
We will have a pizza dinner, and social hour, followed by a trip to the Melon Patch corn maze, and then come warm up with a candelight worship before bed. More details can be found in the Registration link!
By request, we took September off of our regular family gatherings, but it’s time to get back into the swing of things with the return of the Family Breakfast and the Parent Peer Support Group.
The Breakfast will be sticking with its 2nd Sunday Schedule this year, so please come join us on the 12th at 8:45. Registering each month helps us plan, but please come even if you forget to register.
The Parent Peer Support Group (with free childcare!) will start on the 3rd Thursday in October, and will be on 2nd Thursdays beginning in November. You don’t want to miss this first session back on October 16th! Register anew with this link to be kept up to date on changes regarding this group.
All of our Sunday morning groups for school-aged children are using the Mosaic antiracism curriculum this year. One of the upcoming lessons involves the use of candy. Because we don’t generally hand out candy in RE, I want to give our parents a heads up and a chance to share their family norms and concerns around sweets so that we can make sure all children are included and their dietary preferences are honored. These lessons will be taking place in Spirit Play on October 19th and in the Seeker Space on November 9th.
Kids will sanitize their hands and then sort and handle various candies throughout the lesson. Each child will be invited to taste 2 pieces of candy during class time, and the rest will be divvied up and sent home with consenting parents at pickup. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to me!
I’m so pleased to share that a new RE team has formed with the focus on safety! Below is a copy of what they shared in the monthly journal. Because there is information specifically for parents, I want to make sure you have a chance to encounter it, even if you aren’t in the habit of reading the journal.
We are fortunate to have a growing Religious Exploration program here at UUFC! To support this program, we have formed a Safe Congregations Support Team made up of parents and other members of our fellowship. Its purpose is to bolster the safety of all who engage with Religious Exploration programs by partnering with the Director of Religious Exploration to support uniform policy and procedure implementation and execution, consult on ambiguous background check results or interpersonal conflicts that have the potential to disrupt RE community-building efforts, and lovingly invite RE volunteers and participants back into covenant when our safety policies and procedures have been violated.
As part of our role of fostering the safest environment possible for our UUFC families, we would like to remind parents and guardians that RE staff and volunteers do not supervise children during the coffee hour after the service or at any time they are not engaged directly in RE programs. Please stay mindful of your children’s whereabouts and safety during social gatherings and bear in mind that, as an inclusive community that values transformation, we welcome strangers and individuals with diverse histories into our midst.
If you have a concern that needs to be addressed by our team, please contact Kyle Cupp, chairperson of the RE Safe Congregations Support team. Additionally, if you are passionate about safety and have skills and time to share, we’d love to hear from you!
If you have any unmet needs for support, unanswered questions about how or why we do what we do in RE, please reach out any time! Our offerings exist because families share their dreams and needs, and we rely on your partnership!
May we hold Love at the center of all we do together in this new RE and beyond!
JUSTICE COUNCIL NEWS
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Democracy Action Team, Tuesdays & Thursdays
The DAT is proud to announce that letter writing is officially back! Join us in person on Tuesdays (in the UUFC library) and on Zoom (link HERE) on Thursdays – both at 5:30 pm. We’ll write to voters in Pennsylvania asking them to retain State Supreme… full post
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Join Rep. Val Hoyle’s Town Hall by Zoom, 10/7
The Democracy Action Team will be watching the town hall with Rep. Hoyle at 5:30 PM on Tuesday, October 7 in the UUFC Library. The town hall will be followed by the regularly-scheduled Speaking of… full post
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No Kings Protest, 10/18
Join us on Saturday, October 18 at 12 PM at the Benton County Courthouse for the No Kings protest! A little worried about recent developments? What we know is that the only way out of… full post
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Join the Signs of Solidarity team
Members of the Democracy Action Team are collaborating with Benton County Indivisible and Standing Up for Racial Justice to place signs of solidarity supporting immigrants around Corvallis. If you would like to join this effort,… full post
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Secure Housing and Food for All meeting, 9/21
The Secure Housing and Food for All team meets on September 21 in Room 7 @ 11:30 AM. We’ll discuss what is happening for unhoused folks. Join us to share what you know, ask questions and… full post
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Join the Freeway Banner Brigade!
A small group of highly motivated UUs, spawned from the Democracy Action Team, are organizing to create the Freeway Banner Brigade. We will make large banners to display on I-5 overpasses in the Albany area,… full post
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Shuttle to the “Workers Over Billionaires” Rally, 9/1
Consider attending the “Workers Over Billionaires” protest rally on 4th street, taking place from noon to 3 PM on September 1. Just before our Tuna Roast! Traveling to and from the protest (and parking nearby)… full post
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Watch Party: One Million Rising Trainings, 8/13
During the justice renewal earlier this year and the Democracy Action team meeting in June, many voices were raised in support of more opportunities for training. Created by the organizers of the “No Kings” protests,… full post
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Update on Needs in our Community – Secure Housing and Food For All Justice Team
The passage of the Big Beautiful Bill has had a profound—and deeply challenging—impact on local Corvallis shelters. With funding significantly reduced, these vital organizations are struggling to meet the basic needs of those they serve.… full post
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Tie-dye T-Shirts for Democracy, 8/3 & 8/10
Handmade tie-dye t-shirts made by Elaine Kahn will be available to purchase in the parking lot on August 3rd and 10th to raise funds for the Democracy Action Team’s work of letter and postcard writing… full post
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Movie night: “Milk”, the story of Harvey Milk, 7/13
Queerly Beloved July meet upSunday July 13, 2025 4:00-7:30 PM, UUFC Join the Sexuality and Gender Diversity Team for a viewing of the inspiring movie “Milk” starring Sean Penn, telling the story of gay rights… full post
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Know Your Rights Trainings, 4/28 and 5/6
More than ever it’s important to know what your rights are and how to keep yourself, your friends, family and neighbors safe. Join us at Westminster House, 101 NW 23rd St, on April 28 and… full post
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Hands Off Rally, 4/5
Hands Off RallySaturday, April 5, at noonBenton County Courthouse120 NW 4th St., Corvallis We want our government to govern democratically so let’s make our voices heard again and again. Our message: Defy Autocracy! Defend the… full post
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Sign-Making Party, 3/30
Sign-Making Party!Sunday, March 30, 1:30-3:00 PMWestminster House, McLean Room, 101 NW 23rd St, Corvallis. To make signs for the Hands Off Rally on April 5. We’ll make signs for the rally and for your yards… full post
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Health Care Delays, Denials, & Costs – Action Not Anger, 2/26
Come listen to a panel hosted by Mid-Valley Health Care Advocates on Wednesday, February 26, 7-8:30 PM at the Corvallis-Benton public library or online by Zoom at bit.ly/3DY0x22. Find out how we can ensure high… full post
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Queerly Beloved 5/19/24
Sunday, May 19th in the UUFC Social Hall 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm This month, we’ll have a casual potluck and some icebreaker games, hosted by Ginny and Linda! Come and get to know your… full post
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Film: Where Can We Live in Peace?, 5/18
Saturday, May 18, 3:00 – 4:30 pm in the UUFC Social Hall Award-winning Canadian film maker Judy Jackson brings the moving story of the ABBA House migrant shelter in Celaya, Mexico. Founded by Pastor Ignacio… full post
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Faith-based climate action this week, 3/3/2024
Good News Climate-action Opportunities Of Note Save the Date Democracy Action Team: > First week of March: Letters will be ready. VoteFwd.org. > Letter Writing: Sun 10 Mar, 1:45 PM, (after the Action Lunch), UUFC… full post
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Spring Luncheon 3/30 – Cancelled
This event has been cancelled. The Secure Housing and Food For All team and Ernest Cardona invite you to join us for a Spring Celebration Luncheon on Saturday, March 30th , 2024 at 1:00 p.m.… full post
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Justice Outreach for February
Our outreach offerings in February will support Unity Shelter, a local non-profit organization which provides emergency shelter and transitional housing, plus wrap around services for people who are without safe housing or shelter. Unity Shelter’s… full post
Justice Outreach Offering
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Our Outreach offerings in October support South Corvallis Food Bank, which is a shopping-style food pantry offering a 5-day supply of food to households every other week. Partnered with Linn-Benton Food Share & Oregon Food Bank, the Food Bank strives to increase food-security in our community through compassionate care.
Donations can be made in person on Sundays, or through the online collection basket.
WORSHIP COUNCIL NEWS
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Kirtan with Gina Sala and Friends, 10/10
Featuring Jeanette Kangas (tabla), Johanna Beekman (vox), David Campbell (trumpet) & friends. Come feel your mind, body and heart relax and reconnect Friday, October 10, 7-8:30 PM in the UUFC’s Sanctuary as we immerse in… full post
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Mantra/Raga/Voice Workshop with Gina Sala, 10/11
Come rest in loving vibrations and learn useful tools in voice, chant, refined mantra, raga and breath that will leave us feeling refreshed, renewed, grateful and filled within. We’ll be meeting in Room 7, 10… full post
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Information Session on Being a Sunday Service Reader, 10/11
Have you ever felt a calling to serve as a reader during Sunday Service? Please come learn more about this opportunity, October 11, Saturday, at 9:30 – 11 AM in the Sanctuary! You will have… full post
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October 5: Learning to be a Neighbor in the Land of the People of the River Dave Eckert of the Canoe Family Project and the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition will speak about his experience building relationships… full post
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October 5, 2025 – Learning to be a Neighbor in the Land of the People of the River
Dave Eckert of the Canoe Family Project and the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition will speak about his experience building relationships with landcestral cultures, and how that has helped him to better understand and act in ways… full post
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September 28, 2025 – Balance and Loving Embrace of Imbalance
As the days and nights are nearly equal in length this week, we have a chance to reflect on the many meanings of balance. Rev. Alex will preach and the band will play. full post
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Celebrating the Wonders of Faith, 10/5
The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, the Corvallis Interfaith Network and the Interfaith Kirtan Band are hosting the event “Celebrating the Wonders of Faith” on Sunday, October 5 at 3 PM in the Sanctuary and Social Hall.… full post
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September 21, 2025 – Jackson Street’s Continuum of Care for Homeless Youth
Our guest speaker is Ben Martens, who serves as Community Engagement Coordinator at Jackson Street Youth Services, which offers youth a safe place to live and resources to work through crises and towards a brighter,… full post
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September 14, 2025 – What’s Wrong and Is It Me?
This sermon will be an exploration of times in life we are trying to fix something…but the best change will come from looking at a bigger picture. Special reflections on the exciting new Mosaic curriculum… full post
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Dance Planet, 9/20
Dance Planet is back! Move in your own way to a rhythmic flow of music from around the world and across the decades. We’ll start with live warmup music from harpist Laura Zaerr and cellist… full post
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September 7, 2025 – Gathering the Waters and Beginning a New Congregational Year
Bring water to pour into the common bowl as you name the qualities and commitments you bring for the year ahead. We will commission the board and Interim Minister. We will offer blessings to the… full post
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No Service – August 31, 2025
There is no worship service on Sunday, August 31, 2025. Instead, come join us at our annual Tuna Roast in Avery Park on Monday, September 1. full post
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Kirtan with Eugene’s Sitaram Das, 9/5
Through chanting Sanskrit mantra, music, teachings, Q&A, and storytelling, this kirtan intends to awaken the Heart of Love. Sitaram Dass will be joined by Jeannette Kangas (tabla) and Clark Stacer (bass). Friday, September 5 at… full post
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September 7: Gathering the Waters and Beginning a New Congregational Year Bring water to pour into the common bowl as you name the qualities and commitments you bring for the year ahead. We will commission… full post
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Dignity of Work – August 24, 2025
As we look ahead to Labor Day next week, let’s explore the many meanings of work and labor. What do various spiritual traditions have to say? What does our Unitarian Universalism have to do with… full post
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Adjusting to the Moment, August 17, 2025
Habits help a person get through life with ease, but sometimes those habits don’t serve us when we encounter new situations. Many people are experiencing new situations in public safety, national economy, and also right… full post
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2025-08-10 “Community Wealth Sharing has Positive Impact!”
With the support of individuals, the City of Corvallis, the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition, and the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Corvallis, Seeds for the Sol has helped over 450 households experiencing low income to reduce their… full post
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August 3 – “Lughnasadh, AKA: Lammas” – Diana Titus and the Wheel of the Year Team August 10 – “Community Wealth Sharing has Positive Impact!” – Julie Williams August 17 – “Adjusting to the Moment” – Rev. Alex McGee August 24 – “Dignity… full post
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2025-08-03 “Lammas – A Ritual of Ripening and Release”
Join us as we gather at the sacred threshold of Lammas, the festival of first harvest. In this season of fullness and change, we’ll pause to honor the fruits of our lives—what is ripening, what… full post
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2025-07-27 “Navigating These Waters”
As we near the end of a year filled with threshold moments, cultural upheaval, and deep transformation, we gather to reflect on the journeys we’ve taken. Through brief stories offered by members of our community,… full post
Our Mission
Explore. Love. Act.
We gather as an inclusive religious community to search for meaning, build deep connections, and inspire action toward a better world for all.

Quick Links
This Week
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UUFC Women’s Retreat 2025 – deadline to register is 10/5
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LEGATO potluck, 10/8
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Kirtan with Gina Sala and Friends, 10/10
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Mantra/Raga/Voice Workshop with Gina Sala, 10/11
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Democracy Action Team, Tuesdays & Thursdays
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Join Rep. Val Hoyle’s Town Hall by Zoom, 10/7
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Information Session on Being a Sunday Service Reader, 10/11
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Elders Thriving in Community, 10/8
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Speaking of Democracy Online Discussion Series (Sept 16 – Oct 21)
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Celebrating the Wonders of Faith, 10/5