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WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS

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Sunday Service

  • This Week:

    January 25, 2026 – Why Church?

    “Why Church?” Community, exploration, redemption, forgiveness, exchange, justice – what the heck is church for? Let’s talk about why church matters.

    Guest speaker Rev. Mitra Rahnema is a lifelong Unitarian Universalist and graduate of Starr King School for the Ministry. She has offered ministry to congregations in Missouri, Michigan, and California. Mitra is editor of the 2017 book and UUA Common Read, “Centering: Navigating Race, Authenticity, and Power in Ministry.” She is dedicated to building vibrant and engaged anti-oppressive communities. Mitra lives in Portland, OR.

Upcoming Services

  • January 25: Why Church?

    “Why Church?” Community, exploration, redemption, forgiveness, exchange, justice – what the heck is church for? Let’s talk about why church matters.

    Guest speaker Rev. Mitra Rahnema is a lifelong Unitarian Universalist and graduate of Starr King School for the Ministry. She has offered ministry to congregations in Missouri, Michigan, and California. Mitra is editor of the 2017 book and UUA Common Read, “Centering: Navigating Race, Authenticity, and Power in Ministry.” She is dedicated to building vibrant and engaged anti-oppressive communities. Mitra lives in Portland, OR.

    February 1: Forgiveness

    Forgiveness can sometimes feel elusive or confusing. But humans throughout the ages continue to grapple with forgiveness. Let us consider what is ready to be heard in our hearts and put into action now.

    Rev. Alex McGee will preach

    February 8: Reconciliation

    Cheap forgiveness may be falsely labeled as reconciliation — but the risks are great. So, today, let us consider the many steps of accountability that are often necessary before true reconciliation is possible. Because around the world and in the home, true reconciliation allows fresh possibilities in life.

    Rev. Alex McGee will preach

    February 15: Love

    What do we need to talk about in our Unitarian Universalist Fellowship on the day after Valentine’s Day? Come find out!

    Rev. Alex McGee will preach

    February 22: Shelter and Community Care

    For several decades, Corvallis has grappled with challenges of what it means to have safe housing for all and shelter accessible to those in need. This UU Fellowship has played a role in many ways. Come reflect on the history of the congregation’s collaboration with Unity Shelter, current local issues, and what might be possible in the future.

    Shawn Collins, Executive Director of Unity Shelter, will be our guest speaker. Shawn got his first look at the realities of homelessness and poverty in the Willamette Valley through his volunteer experiences at the South Corvallis Food Bank. After leaving HP in 2016, Shawn worked at United Way of Benton & Lincoln Counties, as the Program Manager for the Housing Opportunities Action Council (HOAC) through 2019. He was instrumental in securing the site that would become the Corvallis Men’s Shelter in 2017.

    March 1: Inspiration from our Partner Church in Transylvania

    Last Fall, several members of UUFC went to visit our Partner Church in Transylvania. Today they will share information, illumination, and inspiration: history of partner churches at UUFC; how they observed resilience in action; how Unitarianism there reflects Christian roots; and rituals that were transformative.

    Janet Throop, Linda Bruslind, Scott Bruslind, and Patricia Parcells will speak.

From the Minister

  • Responding to Painful Times

    Dear Friends:

    What painful times we are living in. What has prepared us to respond to this?  Perhaps we are ill prepared in some ways, but in other ways, we can learn. Our Unitarian siblings in Romania lived under a dictator and learned to be sly in preserving their heritage and to teach their children carefully and quietly. We can do that, too. 

    Those among us who are accustomed to living with oppression know about keeping humor close at hand and not letting an oppressor take away one’s inner dignity, even while confined.  Let us follow that model. When the pressure is on, hate is too easy.  Those who have lived in a police state remind us to be kind to those living through this horror alongside us.  

    Build up the songs that uplift you so you can lead the singing in the prison cell.

    Memorize the words that strengthen you so you can silently recite them while others would torment you.

    Like many black people in this country, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. navigated a government that sought to dehumanize his people. Let us learn from his life experience and others who are not famous, yet whose steady non-violent training gave them great influence.

    On Monday, in honor of that struggle and hope, may you find a way to deepen your spiritual muscles for our justice work, and for sustaining neighborly care. 

    With respect and tenderness,
    Rev. Alex

    Somewhere we must come to see that human progress never rolls in on the wheels of inevitability. It comes through the tireless efforts and the persistent work of dedicated individuals who are willing to be co-workers with God.

    From “Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution” By Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Delivered at the National Cathedral, Washington, D.C., on 31 March 1968.

This Week at UUFC

Announcements

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See past weekly announcements.

R.E. COUNCIL NEWS

Current Events

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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.

  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. Parenting Through Crisis

From the DRE

  • Parenting Resources for Challenging Times

    With all that is escalating in the world around us, I want to provide a few resources that families have found helpful as they navigate the highly personal decisions about how to talk to their children and youth about the terrible things happening in the world. If you have others to add that you feel would be useful to our Fellowship families, please send them to dre@uucorvallis.org

    A primary skill we can all develop and use as our children’s first and primary spiritual leaders is developing our capacity for self-regulation. Whatever it is we need to talk to our children about, whether it’s the news or their chores, the potential for positive outcomes is higher when we enter into it with awareness of our own emotions and how they’re participating in the way we are showing up with our children. Without realizing it, the stress we carry in our own bodies can easily spill into our interactions, word choices, patience levels, and more. Dr. Amber Thornton has loads of resources on self-regulation for parents. Below is just one of her many offerings on the topic.

    The Fred Rogers Institute has offered a great PDF about talking with children about difficult things in the news. You can access the full 2-page guide by clicking HERE.

    “When children bring up
    something frightening, it’s
    helpful right away to ask them
    what they know about it. We
    often find that their fantasies
    are very different from the
    actual truth. What children
    probably need to hear most
    from us adults, is that they can
    talk with us about anything
    and that we will do all we
    can to keep them safe
    in any scary time.

    For an at-a-glance list of things to keep in mind for developmentally appropriate conversations at every age and stage, check out this one-sheet from the Children’s Network and Early Risers.

    And finally, the National Child Traumatic Stress Network has offered a guide to Talking to Children About the Shooting, which can be accessed HERE.

    My door is always open if you find yourself in need of additional resources or thought partnership through this moment in history. I also encourage all of our parents to take advantage of the Parent Connection Dinner on the second Thursday of each month. Strengthening your connections to the village and having a designated place to talk about what’s hard with people who are fielding similar questions and facing similar challenges can make a world of difference!

More from the DRE

JUSTICE COUNCIL NEWS

  • Secure Housing and Food for All team, 1/18

    The Secure Housing and Food for All team will meet for 15 minutes after the end of the service on Sunday, January 18 in Room 3. This will be a short meeting to enable everyone… full post

    Secure Housing and Food for All team, 1/18

  • Tamales for a Cause, 1/30

    Join us for an evening of community and learning! Discover how to make your own tamales! Materials and instruction provided. Participants will leave with ready-to-cook tamales. Suggested donation to support our immigrant neighbors $20-$50. Friday,… full post

    Tamales for a Cause, 1/30

  • ICE Out For Good Rally, 1/10

    Indivisible and a broad coalition of national partners are banding together for the nationwide weekend of action! ICE Out For Good Weekend of ActionThis Saturday (tomorrow), January 10, Noon – 2 PM.At the Benton County… full post

    ICE Out For Good Rally, 1/10

  • Jaclyn Moyer Reading, 1/18

    Corvallis resident Jaclyn Moyer will read excerpts from her book On Gold Hill, a 2025 Oregon Book Award winner. Moyer’s story combines food and culture. In raising wheat and vegetables on a 10-acre California farm,… full post

    Jaclyn Moyer Reading, 1/18

  • Justice Theatre Auditions, 1/26-1/27

    The Justice Theatre Team is gearing up for its 8th annual production! This year’s show will take place on Friday and Saturday, March 27th and 28th, and the team will be staging 12 Angry Jurors,… full post

    Justice Theatre Auditions, 1/26-1/27

  • First day of Postcard Writing to Voters, 1/4

    Get your pens ready! Join the Democracy Action Team in writing to prospective 2026 election year voters. Sunday, Jan 4th is the first day of our first writing project in 2026. WHAT: News Boosting Postcards… full post

    First day of Postcard Writing to Voters, 1/4

  • Visibility Brigade Bannering Event, 1/2

    Visibility Brigade Bannering for Women’s Basketball Pre-game Traffic Friday, January 2, 20265 – 6pm PST Gill Coliseum at OSU660 SW 26th StCorvallis, OR 97331 Join us to deploy our first banner of the New Year… full post

    Visibility Brigade Bannering Event, 1/2

  • Justice Theater – 12 Angry Jurors

    The Justice Theatre Team is gearing up for its 8th annual production! This year’s show will take place on Friday and Saturday, March 27th and 28th, and the team will be staging 12 Angry Jurors,… full post

    Justice Theater – 12 Angry Jurors

  • Community Readiness Training (ICE / Migra Watch and Know Your Rights), 12/14

    Join the Democracy Action Team on Sunday, December 14 from  12 – 2 p.m. in the UUFC Sanctuary for a practical ICE‑Watch/Human‑Rights Observer training led by local attorney Lorena  Reynolds. The session will equip you with clear, actionable steps for responding if… full post

    Community Readiness Training (ICE / Migra Watch and Know Your Rights), 12/14

  • Fifth Annual Street-Tree Planting, 1/10

    On the morning of Sat. 10 Jan., UUFC, through the Climate Action Team, will do our fifth annual collaboration with the City of Corvallis to plant street trees. In the past, we have twice planted… full post

    Fifth Annual Street-Tree Planting, 1/10

  • Microshelter at the museum

    The Corvallis Museum is hosting an exhibit on homelessness. Step inside our Microshelter Exhibit for a rare opportunity to see what life is like in a tiny, transitional home. In partnership with Unity Shelter, this… full post

    Microshelter at the museum

  • UUFC observing Transgender Remembrance Day

    UUFC joins our Unitarian Universalist Association in honoring Transgender Remembrance Day on November 20, and a reading will be included in our service this Sunday. May we continue to do the work for safety and… full post

    UUFC observing Transgender Remembrance Day

  • Rescheduling Street-Tree Planting

    Due to the conflict with the Holiday Fair, we are rescheduling the Fifth Annual Tree Planting with the City to a Saturday in January. Look for more info to come. full post

    Rescheduling Street-Tree Planting

  • Partner Church team meeting, 11/9

    Change Your Perspective with the Partner Church Team. We are a standing committee of the UUFC Justice Council and our mission is to enhance and deepen the relationship between our congregation and our partner churches.… full post

    Partner Church team meeting, 11/9

  • 🐦Trick-or-Treat CAT Prize Winners🐦

    Those who visited the Climate Action Team table at the UUFC Trick-or-Treat last Sunday and answered a bird question received a chance to win a bird suet feeder + 2 suet cakes.The winning ticket number… full post

    🐦Trick-or-Treat CAT Prize Winners🐦

  • Help The UU Provide Turkey For The Tables Of Families In Need

    South Corvallis Food Bank is running a Special Thanksgiving Food Drive called “Turkey For The Table”. With an unprecedented number of families loosing access to Food assistance this November, let’s step up and make their… full post

    Help The UU Provide Turkey For The Tables Of Families In Need

  • Join the Visibility Brigade, 11/8 and 11/11

    Saturday, Nov. 8: Bannering on the East side of the Highway 34 bridge to catch people coming into town for the OSU home football game, from 3:30 – 5:00 PM. RSVP to visibilitybrigadebc@gmail.com for a… full post

    Join the Visibility Brigade, 11/8 and 11/11

  • Fifth Annual Street-Tree Planting, 12/6

    On the morning of Sat. 6 Dec., UUFC, through the Climate Action Team, will do our fifth annual collaboration with the City of Corvallis to plant street trees. In the past, we have twice planted… full post

    Fifth Annual Street-Tree Planting, 12/6

  • 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

    Democracy Action Team, Tuesdays & Thursdays

  • 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

    Join Rep. Val Hoyle’s Town Hall by Zoom, 10/7

Justice Outreach Offering

  • Our January Justice Outreach Offering will support We Care. We Care is a local coalition of faith communities, businesses, foundations and other non-profit organizations which provides emergency assistance for Benton County residents. Each week, We Care helps people pay for rent, utilities, and other expenses to prevent evictions and homelessness or the shut-off of water or electricity. The Fellowship has long been a supporting partner.

    To learn more about their work, visit the We Care website.

    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 contribute to this month’s offering in a few ways:

    1. Give to the Sunday collection basket
    2. Donate online
    3. Donate to the refreshments during the social hour

    The Kitchen team donates an assortment of sweet and savory refreshments, including gluten-free and vegan choices, for our enjoyment at the social hour following Sunday worship. These items are purchased and prepared by the team to encourage donations to the Outreach Offering. Collection baskets are always found at the ends of the refreshments table. The next time you’re eyeing something tasty on the table, consider putting a donation in the basket first to show how much you appreciate having that treat ready and waiting for you!

Donations can be made in person on Sundays, or through the online collection basket.

WORSHIP COUNCIL NEWS

  • January 25, 2026 – Why Church?

    “Why Church?” Community, exploration, redemption, forgiveness, exchange, justice – what the heck is church for? Let’s talk about why church matters. Guest speaker Rev. Mitra Rahnema is a lifelong Unitarian Universalist and graduate of Starr… full post

  • January 18, 2026 – Can I Let You Have Your Story?

    In anticipation of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, let us consider whose version of his story we know. Widening the lens, let us consider what versions of someone else’s story we are willing to hear.… full post

  • January 11, 2026 – How Do You Tell Your Story?

    Each of us has a spiritual autobiography. When we stand back and look at the arc, what seasons do we see? What narrative do you want to claim today to carry you forward? Rev. Alex… full post

  • Kirtan With Jaya Lakshmi, 1/16

    Join Jaya Lakshmi and her band for an uplifting evening of mantra, kirtan and original sacred music. Friday, January 16, 2026, 7:00 – 8:30 PM at the Fellowship. Tickets $25 in advance, $30 at the… full post

    Kirtan With Jaya Lakshmi, 1/16

  • January 4, 2026 – What’s Your Leadership Story?

    Come hear our Council Chairs share their story of leadership at UUFC. Each of us can reflect on what motivates and informs our roles in the congregation. What puts fuel in your tank for leadership?… full post

  • January 25: Why Church? “Why Church?” Community, exploration, redemption, forgiveness, exchange, justice – what the heck is church for? Let’s talk about why church matters. Guest speaker Rev. Mitra Rahnema is a lifelong Unitarian Universalist… full post

  • December 28, 2025 – Beginnings and Endings – Through the Lens of Poetry

    Come enjoy inspiration from poetry as we acknowledge the end of a calendar year and anticipate the beginning of a new year. Thea Hart is coordinating this service and many members and friends will be… full post

  • December 24, 2025 – Christmas Eve (Wednesday, 7 PM)

    Invite friends and family to this gentle, reflective service in which we honor the gifts in the age-old message of people travelling with hope. We will enjoy the lighting of candles, with appropriate candle options… full post

  • Special Christmas Eve Service, 12/24

    Invite friends and family to this gentle, reflective service in which we honor the gifts in the age-old message of people travelling with hope. We will enjoy the lighting of candles, with appropriate candle options… full post

    Special Christmas Eve Service, 12/24

  • December 21, 2025 – Solstice Pageant (all ages)

    In this all-ages Sunday service, the gifts of children and youth in our congregation will shine as we reflect on Solstice together. Be ready for deep reflection and getting to know your neighbor a little… full post

  • Kirtan With Johanna Beekman and Friends, 12/12

    Kirtan with Johanna Beekman and Friends: Guitar – Jerry Swanson. Harmonium – 🌈 Rainbow. Drums – George Beekman✨! $20 in advance, $25 at the door. No one turned away for lack of funds. Come experience… full post

    Kirtan With Johanna Beekman and Friends, 12/12

  • December 14, 2025 – Presence

    “Being present” has many layers. What does it mean for us during these winter days? Rev. Alex McGee will preach full post

  • December 7, 2025 – Mental Health During the Holidays

    Guest speaker Hilary Hughes brings the wisdom from her Masters of Divinity and compassion from her Masters of Social Work to help us reflect on mental health during the holidays. Rev. Hilary Hughes will preach full post

  • November 30, 2025 – The Many Meanings of Home and Food

    Gathering around the hearth and table this time of year may be in the picture books, and may be real for some of us. But what else is true about the how people in our… full post

  • Poems and Readers needed for Worship – Register by 11/30

    Calling for poetry recommendations, submissions of original poetry, and readers for a poetry-centered Sunday worship service at the UU Fellowship of Corvallis. Readers will be reading aloud in front of the congregation during service. You… full post

    Poems and Readers needed for Worship – Register by 11/30

  • November 23, 2025 – Spiritual Tools for Centering and Compassion

    There has never been a better time for us to dig into our spiritual toolbox to center our souls, engage in a practice of self love and self compassion, and connect to our souls so… full post

  • November 16, 2025 – Desire in the Spiritual Life

    Throughout history, humans have expressed a sensual desire for the divine in such texts as Song of Solomon and the Bhagavad Gita. And, many spiritual autobiographies record longings of the heart. How can we be… full post

  • Kirtan with Bhakti Heart, 11/14

    What happens when two inspiring, award-winning singer-songwriters and multi-instrumentalists join together to share their love of devotional music? The answer is the uplifting, joy-inducing duo Bhakti Heart, a collaboration between Laura Kemp and Len Seligman.… full post

    Kirtan with Bhakti Heart, 11/14

  • November 9, 2025 – Why It Matters to Come Together

    While Unitarian Universalism welcomes many ways of believing, we have agreements about membership in this congregation. The sermon will explore how commitment to a religious community can be rewarding and what mutual relationship looks like.… full post

  • November 2, 2025 – Wheel of the Year:  Samhain/Halloween

    Remember! November 2 is the end of Daylight Savings; set your clocks back one hour on Saturday night so you’ll make it to service on time! Because of the power outage on Oct 26, we… full post

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