Daily Practice – A Weekly Reminder

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I wrote this piece two years ago, at this exact time of year. It is helpful to me to re-read it. May it be helpful to you as well, in these early days of January 2025.

Years ago, I always started the morning listening to news. It seemed then the most prudent thing to do –- to know what was happening. It helped me feel secure in some way, and smart, and capable, as if it was a necessity for navigating the world, and for being recognized as an adult. Somewhere along the way, I stopped listening – I don’t remember exactly when or why. In some way I realized that “the news” was always the same – it was a very very small representation of what humans were doing from day to day. It was never the whole story.

Slowly I came to understand that there is news beyond the news – news before the news – that is much more important for me. It is the daily recognition of being alive and of being part of an infinite web of life. It is the daily presence of awareness, and an awareness of presence, which coincide with gratitude.

The news of the day in early January often begins with this: the tops of the hills are appearing and disappearing as clouds and fog slowly drift. There is a pink tinge above and suddenly a huge flock of geese in several interchanging “V”s moving across. Small patches of blue sky, and the bare branches of trees in clear and intricate detail. The tops of the hills appear again and both gold and pink light emerge in the fog around them. The air is cold and clean and heavily moist. It is within me and around me, in constant life-giving motion. I am breathing, being breathed, and amazed again to be both here and now.

Thomas Merton once wrote “You do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith and hope.” Embrace is the appropriate word for me this morning – and there is too much for my small embrace, but I open my arms wide nonetheless. With courage, faith and hope comes joy. And that’s more than enough news.

Magic Flute Pre-School Moves Into Social Hall January 6

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With the classroom wing renovation about to begin in a couple of weeks, the Magic Flute Pre-School will move into their temporary home in our Social Hall and Kitchen, on weekdays from 7:30 AM to 5 PM, beginning Monday January 6. During these hours, the pre-school has priority use of these spaces. Fellowship individuals, groups and meetings will not have access to the Social Hall or to the kitchen during these times. If you are part of a group that likes to use the coffee/tea supplies, please now plan to bring your own drinks / containers to meetings.
If you are part of a group that plans to use the Sanctuary or Foyer during these hours, please be aware that we will do all we can to not disturb the pre-school. All of this sharing is temporary, for the duration of the work in the classroom wing. Please do your part to help make the sharing time successful!

Classroom Wing Move-out Continues

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The first moving day was Jan. 4; much of the classroom wing furniture and packed boxes were moved to storage at a commercial facility and in the homes /sheds of Fellowship members and friends. Help is still welcomed – the second and final moving day is Saturday Jan. 11. Some demolition projects are still also underway. Sign up on the volunteer sheets in the Foyer if you haven’ t already done so, or find Wolfgang Dengler or Brian Egan.

Lost and Found – Check It Out!

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Things accumulate at the Fellowship – jackets and water bottles, dishes and containers, books, shoes (?), jewelry and more. Every other month or so, we pull out the Lost and Found for all to see, with hope that some of the lost items are reclaimed. What isn’t claimed is usually donated. Please check the tables this Sunday in the foyer.

Leadership Supper, 1/30

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Thursday Jan. 30, 6:30 PM
All leaders of teams, councils, committees, events, task forces, plus Board members and all others who are interested in leadership at the Fellowship, are invited by the Committee on Ministry to join once again for a Leadership Supper. A simple supper is provided and we’ll spend time connecting with each other about our shared ministry, especially emerging needs due to the state of the country and the world. Please plan now to join us!

“Why Religion Matters, Now” 1/5/25

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Though arbitrary in many ways – calendars are human creations- the beginning of this new year feels momentous. Certainly we are called to continue to be present to the world in ever more careful and effective ways. As always, this kind of presence requires strengths and courage which come from being grounded and centered.

This first Sunday in January is a good time to remind ourselves of the meanings of religion, spirituality, grounded-ness, and centering.

With Rev. Jill McAllister

January in RE!

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Religious Exploration Newsletter
Religious Exploration Newsletter Here's what's new in January...
What's happening here? Shows photos about what's going on in the RE rooms.

It’s finally happening! The classroom wing is really, truly, actually closing this time. The doors are off most of the rooms, and Brian Egan has transformed the RE office into command central for the construction project. We are a go, people. This is not a drill. I repeat, this is not a drill.

Parents, we ask that you keep a close eye on your children while areas that feel familiar and welcoming to them are no longer safe for entry. 

Starting Now Our Younglings are Going to New Spaces!

If you’re the parent of preschool or elementary aged kiddos, I encourage you to arrive early on Sunday to help your littles get familiar with the new setup. 

STARTING THIS SUNDAY:

~Infants, toddlers, and preschool children will remain in the sanctuary. Additional toys have been added to the gallery, and I and several volunteers are more than happy to walk/distract willing wee ones during the service if you indicate an openness to that variety of support. We’re all in this together! Please communicate your needs!

 ~Grades K-5 will meet in the back of the social hall, behind the accordion doors.

~Middle and high school students will meet in the library.

Construction can’t keep us down! We have lots of great reasons to gather in the coming months, so pull out your phones and mark your calendars.

JANUARY EVENTS for FAMILIES

1/12   Family Breakfast, 8:45-9:45 

1/16   Parent Peer Support Group, 6:30-8PM  

UPCOMING EVENTS for YOUTH

1/18 -19   OWL kickoff overnight

2/15-16    Eugene Aromantic Ball and overnight

3/14-16    Coast Retreat

More information for all family events can be found at uucorvallis.org by clicking “News” in the menu bar and then selecting “RE Council” from the drop down menu. Registration and event details for youth gatherings will arrive in parent inboxes 2-4 weeks prior to the event. 

With the Our Whole Lives program (OWL) for middle schoolers returning for the first time since 2019, many Fellowship parents are seriously reflecting on how best to discuss matters of sex, sexuality, body changes, and identity with their kids. 

Even if your child is not old enough for the OWL program, we have plenty of resources to offer you!

  • Free copies of It’s Perfectly Normal are available to any Fellowship family that requests one by emailing dre@uucorvallis.org.
  • A limited supply of smaller resources like the Askable Parent pamphlet will be available in the library.
  • Beyond reading materials, now you are able to check out a set of anatomically correct dolls that are complete with pubic hair, working wombs, and more.

We want our parents to feel well supported, not just with peer groups and pastoral care, but with concrete resources that you can access as the need arises. If you have questions about the check out process, or ideas about other supportive resources we should add to our library, email me or find me on a Sunday morning so we can chat.

Thank you, Wolfgang, for your tireless efforts on the classroom wing!

I cannot remember the last time I ventured into the classroom wing and did not find Wolfgang hard at work hauling, boxing, or building custom storage shelves to fit our exact needs. Talk about love in action! If you see him around, give that man a big thank you! 

YOU CAN HELP!

Once the construction company is done, there will be some finishing touches to make as a community before we can move back in. This means opportunities to bring the whole family to help revitalize our newly secured building. How exciting is it that you’ll have a chance to leave your fingerprints on this piece of Fellowship history? From painting and trim work to unboxing, I’m sure the needs will be great. Please let me or Wolfgang know if you have hidden talents to share, a desire to build new skills, or just a strong back and energy to give. Moving this project across the finish line will surely take the whole village! 

As always, if you have any needs or big ideas to share, I’m here for you. Just send an email, text, or carrier pigeon. And if you’re not interested in receiving updates for children and families conveniently in your inbox, say the word and I’ll remove you from our mailing list.

Thanks for being one of the many reasons this community is so fabulous!

Parent Peer Support Group

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Come find support and understanding in the context of a discussion topic and a light dinner with other parents.

WHEN:6:30 on the 3rd Thursday of each month.

WHERE: Parents meet in the gallery of the sanctuary, with free childcare provided in the social hall.

To help our facilitators with meal plans and to receive a reminder email, we ask that you consider registering HERE.