Building Renovation Project Update

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As of January 17, building permits had not been issued by the city. Demolition and asbestos abatement can proceed without permits, so the first step began last week with asbestos abatement of some flooring and drywall.

Demolition is expected to begin as early as January 22. Specific parts of floors, walls, and ceilings will be removed to install brackets, metal strapping and plywood panels. New concrete footings will be installed in one part of the foundation. Structural improvements for earthquake safety will proceed once permits have been issued. In addition, a fire safety water line will be installed, to supply a ceiling mounted sprinkler system, which will eventually be extended throughout our facilities. We will also have the two gas furnaces in that wing replaced with heat pumps. The gas water heater, which began leaking in early January, will be replaced as well. The project is expected to take 27 weeks followed by painting and moving furniture and other supplies back into the building by UUFC volunteers.

“The Most Dangerous Man In America” 1/19/25

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The list of current choices for this label is long – where do we begin? Sadly, it was used for a person who was dedicated to freedom, equity, and love, who helped shine more light on the immoral foundations of so much of our society not so long ago. Those foundations remain strong, and seem to be being fortified as we speak. In those dangerous times he said: “There is an invisible book of life that faithfully records our vigilance or our neglect…. We still have a choice today.” We do still have choices today. How shall we live now? We’ll revisit some of the legacies and present wisdom of the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Following the service, all who are interested are invited to join in a first conversation about entering into a ministerial transition, with Jill and members of the Board and Committee on Ministry.

Return Holiday Trees

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To return your holiday tree for us to plant, please do so as soon as possible, and definitely by Sun 18 Jan. Please leave your tree at the “bus stop” covered bench in the UUFC parking lot.

Become a Greeter

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Do you feel compelled to do something helpful at the UUFC? Greeters are an integral part of Fellowship life as we help set the stage for this welcoming community.

If you would like to bring your authentic self onto this Team, please either speak to the staff at the Greeters Desk on Sunday or contact the Team lead via this announcement. Get on the volunteer list!

Man holding a clipboard, talking to a snowman says "You're doing great, but I don't see you on the greeter volunteer list."

Just Hire Some Help! How? 2/5

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Aging Successfully in community

Join us for the this program presented by the Aging Successfully Together in Community team, on Feb. 5. Two die-hard DIY seniors will share their journey of recognizing their need for home, yard and personal assistance, with results of their research into what it takes to hire help legally and ethically. Four approaches will be discussed: government programs, licensed firms, becoming an “accidental employer”, or paying cash and accepting risks.

Dance Planet, 1/18

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7 to 8:30PM
Dance Planet is a monthly opportunity to dance/move/listen together. This month’s Dance Planet will start with a special live-singing set by Johanna Beekman, flow into DJ’ed music from around the world and across the decades by DJ Geo, and end with more songs by Johanna. Admission to this family-friendly event is a suggested $5–$15 donation, but nobody is turned away for lack of funds. Proceeds go to local Earth-friendly causes.

Festival of Resistance, 1/20

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Mid-Valley Solidarity Coalition

Festival of Resistance

Rise, Resist, Love, Create

People’s Inauguration for Social Justice

Come to explore how we build community and find common ground across multiple social justice issues. What does rise, resist, love, and create mean to you in democracy?

Save the Date!

Monday, January 20th

Westminster House 101 NW 23rd Corvallis, 11 AM – 5 PM

UUFC became a member of Mid Valley Solidarity Coalition when it began soon after the 2017 Inauguration. It’s essential that we grow local community connections going forward into 2025. This is not just information. You and your input are needed, your thinking and experience, on how to respond, protect and thrive this year.


Thanks, Karen Josephson Democracy Action Team

Questions?

Email stearns_cm@yahoo.com

“Janus: Looking Back and Ahead ” 1/12/25

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One the Roman calendar, the foundation for the Gregorian calendar we now use, every January was a crossroads between past and future – the end of the old year and the beginning of the new. The month is named for Janus, the god of beginnings, gates, transitions, time, duality, doorways, passages, frames, and endings. (Wow – that’s a lot of responsibility!) The Fellowship is at a crossroads in this January; to begin with, with the rest of the country (and much of the world) we’re about see what new government leadership will mean for our lives. And we’re renewing part of our building in preparation for…. the future! Some of this will be hard, some of it will be nourishing. All of it will be change. What tools, practices and skills do we already have for navigating these changes, and what do we need to learn?

Magic Flute in the Social Hall and Kitchen

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The pre-school has moved into the Social Hall and Kitchen on weekdays. 7:30 AM – 5 PM. They also use the foyer for coming and going.

So far, they’re feeling comfortable about how the space works for their program. And together we are still figuring out some of the details. One big detail for us to be aware of: Fellowship groups do not have access to the kitchen on weekdays or evenings, EXCEPT for Fellowship events that make reservations to use the Social Hall and Kitchen on weeknights. For those events, moving of furniture and kitchen equipment is needed on both ends of the event, and that requires orientation and communication. Again, during this temporary change in building use, Fellowship events do not have access to the kitchen except by reservation and with orientation. Thanks for your help with this! Some permits are still under review for the work in the classroom wing, however work will begin on January 13, starting with asbestos abatement.