The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Corvallis
We have added a new page to the Fellowship website that describes the ministerial transition process that we are currently undertaking. You can find the new page at https://uucorvallis.org/ministerial-transition/. Please read through it!
If you have questions about the ministerial transition process that are not answered by the new page, please send them to comms@uucorvallis.org.
Things are moving quickly in the classroom wing and it’s time for us to do our part:
Here’s the general plan, organized in Phases:
Phase One – April 18-27 Interior painting. walls ceilings pipes
Phase Two – May Stain external plywood siding
Phase Three – June-July Replace doors, blinds, cabinets, final painting, install molding, update Room 7
Phase Four – July-August Move in! Return items from storage locations
PHASE ONE HELP NEEDED : Painting ceilings, walls, and pipes using roller and brush, some of which will require using ladders and a rolling scaffold. Please sign up for a 3 hour shift on the clipboards under the bulletin board in the Foyer. Friday April 18 to Sunday April 27 Mornings 9 AM – noon. Afternoons 1 – 4 PM.
Wolfgang Dengler
Volunteer Co-ordinator
Contact here
SAVE THE DATE! UUFC Women’s Retreat October 17-18 at the UUFC. Theme: Right Here, Right Now: Peace through Practice. We’ll gather to strengthen our center, strengthen our connections, strengthen our community. Volunteers, suggestions, and questions are welcome at womensretreat@uucorvallis.org. Team facilitators are Heather Thomas, Kimi Mayo, and Priscilla Galasso.
Last Sunday I mentioned the need to “practice practicing practices” – which means to cultivate small rituals to help keep ourselves steady amidst the daily tumult of our lives, our times. Three years ago, at just this time of year, I was also pondering the need for steadiness, as part of the Daily Practice ritual we shared. Here is what I wrote:
Good morning friends – A month of days comes to an end – an arbitrary designation like all the rest – yet a way to mark what we call time, part of our constant need to understand. (So often, by giving something a name, we think we understand what it is). Everything moves – breath, wind, cells, clouds, sun, moon, water, thoughts, everything is in motion. Perhaps this daily practice – this being present to breath as it releases and returns – is a small way to momentarily exist beyond names, beyond descriptions – many of which are more imagination than approximation.
I look again at the candle flickering beside me, and feel my breath again. My mother is ailing – first news of the day. My granddaughter was up early, in full conversation with the morning light. Spring continues to unfold. War continues to pound and destroy. All women – across a huge continuum of bodies – have in common the dangers of patriarchy. What we call March has been full of these constantly moving and intertwining currents and truths and moments.
I return again to the candle, and let myself feel the calming breath. I have been carrying a question from yesterday, or it has been carrying me? It asked me “how much joy am I allowed?” Today I have a sense that though it appeared as a question, it was more of a reminder, for joy is essential. It is not the same as pleasure – for pleasure can come at the expense of others. It is not the same as happiness. It is not found in denial or aversion or in trying to forget. Maybe it comes mostly in gratitude, or perhaps always in the presence of gratitude. Likely, joy is always present, beyond naming and expectations. Not to be achieved or attained by certain ways of living, but the living itself.
This candle is still beside me. In its light I pause again and let myself be breathed. A day, a month of days, a moment, joy and gratitude – Life, moving. And I’m sending love to you all — Jill
Laughter is very important, perhaps even necessary, for human well-being, for the health of relationships and communities. When times are hard it can be hard to laugh. And, laughter can have an edge – it can be used in ways which demean and hurt people. In times like these, how can we laugh well? If by chance you have a good joke to share, please bring it!
With Rev. Jill McAllister
All are invited to stay for the final pre-stewardship pledge drive gathering after the service in the Sanctuary, if you have not already attended one.
FILM SCREENING & DISCUSSION: Soldiers of Conscience, open to all adults, April 10th at6:30 PM in the sanctuary
Informational Session & Q&A: Nuts and Bolts Look at Conscientious Objection for Families, open to all, April 24th at 6:30PM in the sanctuary
YOUTH WORKSHOP: Open to parents and youth with parent’s permission, May 8th at 7 PM in the sanctuary
REGISTER HERE by 4/4!
Questions about conscientious objection, what it is, and what role it plays in Unitarian Universalism are bubbling up more often as the world feels increasingly destabilized. In an effort to address this interest and support our families during uncertain times, a small team has formed to offer resources. Our aim with these offerings is not to convince anyone that Unitarian Universalism has a definitive stance on military service (it does not!) but to help parents and young people collectively explore how their deeply held values and religious beliefs may inform their decisions in the future, and what steps they can take now to safeguard their right to choose should the time ever come when they are compelled into service.
The first 2 offerings in this series are open to any interested adults, with parents strongly encouraged to attend. The film contains graphic footage from war zones and is not suitable for young children. The presentation and Q&A does not contain graphic images or descriptions, but the very reality of having to register for selective service is one that many find disturbing, so please monitor your own and your child’s readiness for those conversations when making decisions about attendance. And finally, the third offering is a workshop to assist youth and their parents in the practical steps of documentation. This session is ONLY open to parents and/or youth who have the written consent of a parent to participate.
If you have any questions or are interested in joining the CO Awareness Team of the RE Council, please contact Skyla King-Christison at dre@uucorvallis.org.
Play to Your Values Summer Camp
June 23-27, 8:30-11:30, Fellowship Lawn
Join veteran professional puppeteer, Linda Zittel, for 5 days of using puppetry and folktales to explore our shared values. Children will create puppets, props and sets, learn performance skills, and put on an original puppet show at the end of the week.
Camp is for children in grades K-5. Space is limited.
Register HERE by May 5th.
Direct questions to Skyla King-Christison at dre@uucorvallis.org
Come and join in fun and fellowship while camping at Cascadia State Park June 19 – 22, 2025. Group Site ‘A’ has been reserved with a limit of 25 campers. Plans include group meals on Friday and Saturday evening, time for hiking, exploring, building community, games, and much more. Bring your own tent, personal gear, and food. Parking is very limited (6 cars and 2 RVs – no hook-ups) so carpools are encouraged. Come out for all or part of the event.
The registration fee for the whole weekend is $25 per person (a family with children rate will apply). A minimum of 12 adult registrations must be received by May 1st for this event to take place.
If you have specific questions, please contact Julie Halter and Nancy Gill using this Breeze form.
The Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion team invites you in exploring “Mountains Beyond Mountains” written by the award-winning literary journalist Tracy Kidder about the life and work of Dr. Paul Farmer. This is a not-to-be-missed story, especially for us today.
Join the conversation 7:15 PM, Monday, April 14th when we’ll share our reading experiences and responses. Contact Elona Meyer using the Breeze form below for more details and the Zoom link.
Join Joyce Marvel-Benoist for Laughter Yoga: inclusive and accessible simple exercises to increase endorphins, connect with others, breathe more deeply and lighten up! This is not traditional yoga, but was named yoga by Dr. Madan Kataria of Mumbai, India. Joyce was trained and certified by Dr. Kataria. All ages welcome. Adaptations will be made for physical abilities. Wear comfy clothing, bring your water bottle ~ come as you are!
Saturday, April 26, 2025 9:00 – 10:30 AM in the Sanctuary. RSVP using the Breeze form below.