Can We Still Laugh? 3/30/25

by

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.

Event Series: Conscientious Objection 4/10, 4/24, 5/8

by

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.

Summer Camp at UUFC! Register by 5/5

by

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

UUFC Family Camping at Cascadia State Park, 6/19 – 6/22

by
group camping at cascadia

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.

Cascadia Camping Reservation

If you have specific questions, please contact Julie Halter and Nancy Gill using this Breeze form.

Book Discussion, 4/14

by

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.

Contact Elona Meyer

Connect Up: Laughter Yoga – Breathe Deeply and Have Fun, 4/26

by

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.

Breeze RSVP Form

Affirmative Nondiscrimination Statement!

by

To update our Welcoming Congregation status, we need an affirmative nondiscrimination statement in our bylaws. The Sexuality and Gender Diversity Team proposed and the Board endorsed the following to the introduction to Article II. Membership:

Existing:
The Fellowship offers membership to all people who support its purposes, principles, and programs.

Proposed:
The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Corvallis is committed to establishing, supporting, and maintaining a welcoming congregation that lives up to its highest ideals, a place where all can thrive. We strive to be a congregation that affirms all persons, including but not limited to those embracing differences in racial and cultural identity or background, sexual orientation, gender and its expression, religious background, marital status, family structure, age, mental and physical health and ability, political affiliation, and educational and socioeconomic status. We welcome all who accept our Congregational Covenant to share in the leadership, ministry, fellowship, worship, responsibilities, blessings, and joys of our congregation’s life.

The Fellowship offers membership to all people who support its purposes, principles, values and programs.

——————————
Love it? Hate it? Somewhere in between? E-mail comments for the board’s consideration to secretary@uucorvallis.org by April 13, 2025, and plan to attend the annual meeting on May 18, 2025. A bylaw change requires a 3/4 majority vote of the members in attendance at the meeting.

Local Resources for Seniors, 4/2

by
Aging Successfully in community

Please join the Aging Successfully in Community team for a presentation on local resources for seniors and people with disabilities.
April 2, 3-4:30 PM
UUFC Sanctuary

Representatives from the Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments will share information about Aging & Disability Resource Connection, Rideline, Options Counseling, and volunteering.

They will provide a brief overview of services available, where to find more information, and share opportunities to volunteer.

Hands Off Rally, 4/5

by

Hands Off Rally
Saturday, April 5, at noon
Benton County Courthouse
120 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 rule of law! Oppose executive overreach! Many groups are collaborating to make this happen and make it BIG: Indivisible, 50501, Third Act, Women’s March, and more. Click HERE for the Corvallis event. This will be a peaceful protest.

For more information, contact Claire Montgomery and Karen Josephson using this Breeze form.

All are welcome. Bring signs!
Submitted by the Democracy Action Team