Connect Up Hike, 6/28

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Come join the Connect Up Hiking group on a Jackson Creek Lollipop Loop hike! Meet at the UUFC parking lot to carpool at 9:30 AM. We’ll gather at the Chip Ross Natural Area trailhead (west end of Lester Ave. in Corvallis) at 9:45 AM and begin hiking at 10:00 AM. We’ll take the Chip Ross Trail (named for one of our founding UUs, Charles Ross), the Lower Dan’s Trail and then loop around Jackson Creek on forest road 612 and back to those same two trails toward the trailhead. Total distance: about 2.5 miles; elevation gain: about 200 ft. An easy summer hike.

If you’ll be joining us, please fill out this RSVP form so we know you’re coming!

RSVP Here

Time to Set Up your ’25-’26 Pledge Fulfillment

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Thank you to all who pledged to support the UUFC in 2025-26. That support enables our Fellowship to pursue its 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.

Fiscal Year 2025-26 begins on July 1st, and it is now time for Step 2 in the stewardship process: updating your contribution payment method and assigning it to Pledge ‘25-’26. If you authorized us -– the UUFC treasurer or business manager – to update your pledge payment in Breeze, that is being done.

If you chose to do the update yourself, please do so by July 1, but wait until after your final pledge payment for ’24-’25 has completed. Instructions on how to do the update can be viewed by clicking the button below, but if you need additional help, email <treasurer@uucorvallis.org> or <businessmgr@uucorvallis.org>.

View pledge update instructions

A final ask: please email <treasurer@uucorvallis.org> once you have updated your pledge, saying that you have done so.

Thank you.
Michael Hughes <treasurer@uucorvallis.org>

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It has been a particularly horrifying week in the USA. I will be taking to the streets this weekend along with many of you, because I can, and because I need to be surrounded by a feeling of shared resistance.  

Often these days, I’m asked “what can UU’s do to counter the erosion of rights, the corruption, the misuses of power, and so many other things?”  Just like you, I wish I had an easy answer. If there were such an answer, we’d know it.  

For myself, I think about where we are this way:  First, I need to stay aware.  Not consumed by information, but also not in denial.  I need to be ready to move — to change, to help, to respond – in ways I may not be able to imagine. I need to be courageous. I need to be clear about what my values are and what I’m willing to risk to keep them alive.  I think this is what love means now. What I’m willing to risk, to give up, to lose.  When I say I try to live with love at the center, love as the guide, it’s a serious commitment, not at all sentimental.  I don’t know if I’m up to it or if I’m capable, but I know I have to try. 

And, we need to be helping, supporting and protecting those who are most at risk – especially refugees, immigrants, and trans people — in all the ways we can.  But you know all this as well as I do.  And knowing that helps me.  

“Trans Ancestors, Queer Descendants and a Liberating Present”   6/15/25

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UUFC’s Queerly Beloved group and Sexuality and Gender Diversity Justice Team host this Pride Month Sunday Service, and welcome guest preacher Rev. Lazarus Justice Jameson.  The service will include remembering some Fellowship history around LGBTQIA+ welcoming and justice work, and embodying our commitments to LBGTQIA+ welcoming and justice in these days of increased danger.  It will also include a blessing of chosen names and families.  Please join us!

UUFC Night at the Corvallis Knights! 6/29 @ 5

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Buy your ticket and meet us in section 2 of Goss Stadium on June 29th for a night of scream singing Sweet Caroline and cheering for the home team!

Opening pitch is at 5:00. Come a little early so we can all sit together! By registering HERE, you’ll help us know how many seats to try to save, but there’s no guaranteed seating in general admission. If enough people register to buy a discounted block of tickets together, I will let you know the week before.

Women’s Retreat 2024 Recap

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The theme of the 2024 Women’s Retreat at the UUFC was Resilience. More than 40 women participated in large and small group learning and workshops designed to expand our capacity for resilience in our selves, in our relationships, and in our community. Catering by Forks & Corks and a clothing exchange added to the joy of our connectedness. No woman who wishes to attend our retreats is turned away; scholarships are always available. 

UU-owned goody stand supports Linn-Benton Food Share

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Buy treats from a local UU-owned goody stand to support Linn-Benton Food Share (LBFS)! Holley Lantz, Donn Zellet and Nora Cohen operate a goody stand selling homemade jams, old-fashioned fudge, and scrumptious chewy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. This is the 17th year they have sold treats to benefit the food bank. They donate all proceeds to LBFS, and last year raised $1,024! Your purchases of jam, fudge, and cookies make a difference! LBFS is filling a critical need feeding more and more people who can’t stretch dollars far enough.

The goody stand is at 2921 NW Ashwood Drive – a small “C”-shaped street halfway between Circle and Walnut west off 29th – at the top of the driveway. It’s always open! Goodies are sold on the honor system. Leave cash or check (made out to LeoNora Cohen) in an envelope in the upper right cubbie. Take change if you need it.

Fudge and cookies cost $1 per piece, 6 for $5. Jam is $7 for one jar, or $6 per jar for multiples.

The fudge is made by Holley Lantz from a 1946 recipe. It is grainy like your grandma used to make and is deep, dark chocolatey goodness! Donn makes the most delicious, large chewy oatmeal cookies full or chocolate bits, cranberries and raisins. Cookies and fudge will be available June 8 or earlier. The jam is made in small batches by Nora Cohen in her kitchen. There are multiple flavors available:

Strawberry Mango (Shuksan U-pick strawberries, frozen mango)
Italian Plum (from Nora’s trees)
Apricot
Fig (from Nora’s tree) with toasted walnuts, honey, fresh ginger and cinnamon
Sweet Cherry and Mango
Strawberry-Red Currant
Blueberry

The selling season ends August 15!
And thank you for returning jars and rings.

Classroom Wing Status Update

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A giant THANK YOU! to all who have already volunteered painting time or signed up to do so on June 13, 14, or 20.

We have completed Phase One of interior painting, and 2/3 of the exterior siding staining. Everything looks clean and fresh!

Commercial painters will paint the new Fire Suppressant Sprinkler System pipes starting (tentatively) July 7. After that 3 – 4 day job, they will also paint the remaining 1/3 of the exterior siding in areas unsafe for volunteers.

We are re-scheduling the planned Move-Back-In weekend from June 28 – 29 to July 19 – 20. Requests and sign-up sheets will start in early July.

Painting Help
Phase Two Painting starts Friday June 13 and Saturday June 14 9 AM – 12 PM and 1 – 4 PM, and Saturday June 20 9 AM – 12 PM and 1 – 4 PM.

We especially need 2-3 people on the 14th 9 – 12 shift, and more help on June 20 both shifts.
(Please sign up on sheets on foyer table or contact Wolfgang)

General Help needed (time TBD)
Tasks include installing many shelves in the mezzanine storage room; installing blinds in windows in all the rooms; installing bulletin boards, fire extinguishers, signs, cabinets.

Contact Wolfgang Dengler in Breeze with questions.