Good news! The Perla family finally got their apartment. After over 2 months of staying first with Jean Townes and Tom Smith, and then with another generous friend, they were approved for a low income unit at Rivergreen Landing.

Their journey began when they left their home in El Salvador to escape gang violence. Then a long trek through Guatemala and Mexico, and 2 years in Tijuana waiting for permission to enter the US. They were fortunate enough to be found by One Story at a Time, the foundation founded by Linda Carroll of our congregation. Linda reached out to our Immigrant and Refugee Support Team looking for a sponsor for the family. Nancy Kyle agreed to be that person and they arrived in Corvallis in March 2021, but decided this June to join Aracely’s sister in Texas because the cost of living is so high here. Turns out rent is high there, too and wages much lower, so they came back here, and are trying to get reestablished.

As the first residents of Rivergreen Landing, they moved into their new apartment Thursday with the help of Mike Jager and Rich Brainerd and donations of household goods by many people.

Funds are still needed for legal fees and their asylum hearing which is scheduled for 2027.

To donate, click the button below and choose the fund “IRST (the Immigrant and Refugee Support Team)”.

We are blessed to have this warm and loving family in our community.

It’s so gratifying to come together to make our annual fundraising Holiday Fair a success! Do you have 2 hours to help out our UUFC Holiday Fair? Our biggest need is for furniture movers before and after, bakers, and café servers. Click on the “Sign Up” button below and add your name to the task you can help with.

Four generations of winemaking tradition, commencing in Germany and culminating in Oregon, yields a nice collection varietals that include Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Marechal Foch, Chardonnay, and some limited-production specialty products.

We will travel up the valley on Sunday November 10th and visit Wetzel Estate Winery’s tasting room, open seven days a week, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Bring finger-food snacks to share with the group as we enjoy a glass of wine and get to know one another! If you are a wine passport holder, this is a BOGO event (half off). Wetzel Estate’s flight menu rotates every month ($15.00 for 5 wines; one tasting fee will be waived with a 3-bottle purchase). We will leave the UUFC after the Sunday service at 11:45; you might consider carpooling.

RSVP to Heather by Friday 11/8 so she can alert Wetzel of our numbers. Heather will send participants a confirmation email and driving directions on Saturday.

Members and friends with November birthdays, you are invited & encouraged to join the UUFC Birthday Club by making a donation in the amount of their age. Ex. On turning 74, make a $74 donation. Please donate via check to UUFC with memo “Birthday Club.” At the end of the financial year, contributions to the Birthday Club are split 50% Operations, 20% Endowment, 20% Reserves, and 10% Justice Outreach.

Questions: Michael Hughes

Join us for an election evening gathering at the Fellowship beginning at 5 PM on Tuesday Nov. 5. Bring snacks to share if you can. We’ll listen to incoming election reports and mull it over together as we begin to get an idea of where things are heading.

Two gatherings are also planned for Wednesday, Nov. 6. From 10am – 1PM come for a drop-in open house gathering in the Social Hall. Bring finger foods to share if you can, or bring your own lunch if you like. Or, join others for a potluck supper beginning at 6 PM in the Social Hall. Bring a dish to share.

Other gatherings remain tentative, until we know a little bit more about how the week is unfolding, except for Sunday, Nov. 10 after the service, when the Democracy Action Team plans to host a gathering to celebrate and strategize. All are welcome to any and all of these gatherings.