“A Time For Girding” 4/13/25

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As a foundational story, the Exodus, in the Hebrew Bible, remains one of the most essential for us. It is part of “where we come from.”  Our current, modern understandings of social justice and right relations emerged from this story and it has been interpreted again and again in American history.  The telling of the Exodus story is at the center of Passover (Pesach) in the Jewish community, which begins this year on Saturday April 12 at sundown.  Let’s tell it again, and listen for the wisdom and courage it offers us for the these days we live in now. 

With Rev. Jill McAllister

Stay after the service to meet and greet Jamie Petts and share appreciation for her years of service to the Fellowship as our Operations Manager, and to wish her well in her new endeavors. 

Easter Sunday Values Egg-stravaganza 4/20

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WHAT: UU Values Egg Hunt

WHEN: 4/20 at 11:45

WHERE: Fellowship Lawn, rain or shine!

WHO: children and youth, toddler through 18 year

Friends, hundreds of plastic eggs were found when we moved out of the classroom wing, and we’re excited to put them to good use with a UU Values Egg-stravaganza on Easter Sunday. This is a cooperative rather than competitive hunt, so our youngest kiddos will not risk being overtaken by longer legs. Parents are most welcome to help, as well.

Bring your baskets or use our paper bags. I will give instructions all at once at 11:55 — because this isn’t your ordinary egg hunt! — and set them free to gather and eggs-change on the dot at noon. The hunt will take place, rain or shine, so please dress your children accordingly!

I could still use a couple more volunteers to staff tables and monitor eggs-changes, so if you’ve got some time to give after the service, please contact me at dre@uucorvallis.org! I will set up market tents for volunteers, so don’t let the rain keep you from helping!

Behind the Music: Golden Slumbers

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As I heard Jill speak about the roles and impact that poetry holds in today’s world, a very faint memory arose in my mind, growing stronger as she continued describing how poetry can touch, comfort, and inspire us. My daughter has been watching the delightful animated film “Sing” recently, which opens with a soulful rendition of “Golden Slumbers” sung by a grand old diva, voiced by singer Jennifer Hudson. Anyone with children knows how a favorite movie will be played on repeat again and again, and will understand why this song would be floating around my head! But until this morning’s poetry “sermon”, I had forgotten that the lyrics of this wonderful work by Paul McCartney have roots in a very old poem by Elizabethan dramatist and writer Thomas Dekker. In his youth, Paul found the above poem set to music sitting on his father’s piano; unable to read music notation at the time, Paul sat down and created his own melody for the poem, adjusting the text to fit his tune.

“I liked the words so much. I thought it was very restful, a very beautiful lullaby, so I just sat at the piano and started playing with it.”

—Paul McCartney (from Many Years From Now, Barry Miles, 1997)

Such a universal and timeless sentiment, wanting to soothe and urge rest for those we love, especially in times of trouble and discord. Upon recalling this memory, I couldn’t not play this piece of music with poetic origins for the offertory, especially when it paired so beautifully with our choir anthem, Billy Joel’s “Lullabye”.

LEGATO potluck, 4/9

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Come to the LEGATO potluck and lend your voices to table talk about justice in our society. You might share song titles the choir and band could include in its repetoire. The potluck is Wednesday April 9 at 5:45 PM. Come early if you can help set up tables.

Bring a dish to share (please identify all ingredients).

This is a Connect Up Event with the purpose of building community within the UUFC congregation.

Join the Greeter Team and Greet with Gusto!

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Come join the Greeter Team and welcome people to the UUFC by saying “mucho gusto” with enthusiasm and zest!

It is our pleasure to meet you and help you navigate your way into the building and into our hearts. We encourage you to sign up for the announcement mailing list and to become more fully connected.

Speak to anyone at the Greeters’ desk for more information.

Welcoming New Members of our Admin Team

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We’re very happy to announce the addition of two new members to the Fellowship Administrative Staff. Sonia Chapman is our new Operations Manager: she’ll be in charge of office operations, data base management, supporting councils and teams, building use, records and more. Stephanie Haines is our new Business Manager: she’ll be doing the banking, bill pay and payroll, supporting the Financial Oversight Council, Stewardship team, budget management and more. They join Cameron McGrath, the Communication coordinator, to cover our administrative needs. We are so lucky! Please join in welcoming these new staff members. Look for more information about each in the April Monthly Journal, and on the Staff Page on the website.

Sonia Chapman
Stephanie Haines

Yoga for UUFCers, 4/13

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Three UU staff members with long interest and experience in yoga offer a workshop on the aims and benefits of yoga practice for these times. 2 – 4 PM, Sunday April 13, in the Sanctuary. Experience not required. Bring a mat if you have one, chairs are available, wear comfortable clothes. We’ll do some gentle poses, talk about yoga wisdom and philosophy and how yoga is for the mind most of all. With Jill McAllister, Jamie Petts, and Skyla King-Christison. RSVP to minister@uucorvallis.org.

Monthly “Transition Talk”, 4/6

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The Committee on Ministry invites all to our next “Transitions Talk” on April 6. We’ll touch base on as many questions as come up, such as “How are you taking care of yourself in these challenging times? How are you feeling about this ministerial transition? What do you need to know or understand better? How do we say goodbye – both minister and congregation members – as well as we can? What will help us stay strong and vital in our ministries during the transition time?

11:45 AM, in the Sanctuary.