Roy Zimmerman Concert, 10/13

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Tickets On Sale Now! Join us on SUNDAY EVENING, Oct. 13, at the UUFC to welcome singer /songwriter Roy Zimmerman back to Corvallis and the Fellowship.

Especially in these pre-election weeks, we need his wit and wisdom to strengthen and encourage us.

Buy Tickets Now

~Roy Zimmerman writes funny, socially conscious songs. He’s sung these songs on stages, screens and airwaves for over thirty years, bringing laughter and encouragement to progressive-minded people across the nation.

~Roy’s songs, at turns heartfelt and hilarious, turn our hearts, minds and ears toward the social justice battles yet to be won. His motto: “Sing. Laugh. Defend Democracy.”

~He’s putting the finishing touches on a new album – his 11th as a solo artist. ROADMAP is a collection of classic social justice songs re-imagined for this fraught moment in our history.

~“He simultaneously inspires me and makes me laugh my ass off,” said Paul Krassner. ~”Roy’s lyrics move beyond poetry and achieve perfection,” said Joni Mitchell.

Harvest Festival, 10/13

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Get your pumpkins, jams, jellies, salsa and more! Sunday, October 13 after the service in the parking lot. Proceeds to benefit the Perla family’s quest for asylum. Brought to you by the Immigrant and Refugee Support Team.

If You Know What an RMD on an IRA Is, Read On

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For those among us with a traditional IRA and a need to take a required minimum distribution, please read on. There may be an easy and tax savvy way to support programs you cherish such as the UFFC.

Through a qualified charitable distribution (QCD), you can transfer funds directly from your IRA to a qualified charity like the UUFC. The gift may count against your required minimum distribution, and you won’t pay income tax on the amount transferred. Be sure to check with your advisor to learn if you are eligible, and if a QCD is a good fit for your financial goals.

Now is the perfect time to start planning, as QCD gifts must be received by December 31 to count against your required minimum distribution for 2024.

  • You must be at least 70 ½ to use the QCD, and you may transfer up to $100,000 annually, per account holder.
  • You get to choose where your support goes: UUFC operations (funds can be applied to your current year pledge), building expansion fund, justice outreach fund, minister emergency fund, democracy action team or other.
  • QCDs may be made from traditional IRAs only. Gifts from a 401(k), SEP IRA or other account types do not qualify.
  • Simply ask your IRA provider to make a qualified charitable distribution to the UUFC with your name included. If you let us know your QCD is on the way, we will ensure it supports exactly what you wish.

Thanks for your consideration.
Your UUFC Financial Oversight Council

(Our thanks to Jennifer Milburn and the OSU Foundation from whom we have “borrowed” much of this message wording.)

“My Unitarianism” 9/29/25

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Our visiting Partner Church minister, Rev. Katalin Szasz-Cserey has served two village congregations in Transylvania – Bozod Korispatak and Firtosmartonos – for 23 years. She also teaches religion in a Unitarian High School in a nearby city. She’ll preach from her tradition on what it means to be a Transylvanian Unitarian. Following the service, all are invited to share in the ceremonial moving of our Memorial Garden. We’ll gather around the current garden, to remember those came before us, then we’ll move some of that soil around the building to the new Memorial Garden. Rev. Szazs-Cserey will help us dedicate the new garden and the Corvallis version of a traditional Transylvanian Szekely Gate we are building there, in honor of our long congregational partnership.

A Cheat Sheet for Connecting with RE Kids!

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Sunday morning Religious Exploration for children and youth is off to a great start this year. Have a look at what they’ve been up to so you’ll have an easier time striking up an intergenerational conversation in the social hall. Every adult in the building has a part to play in the religious education of our children, making them feel seen and valued, so take the time to meet them and let them know you!

This past Sunday, the Chalice Children toured the building and got to look behind every locked door and dig around in every closet. Ginny Gibson showed them all the cool things in the kitchen, Scott Bruslind showed them Jill’s stole collection and then walked them through the service to see if she was really wearing one (she was!) and then they got to pick out a book to read together from the library. If you see a preschool-aged kiddo in the social hall, ask them what their favorite space in the Fellowship is and tell them yours.

The Spirit Play kiddos learned a hand jive to help them remember that Love is at the center of all of our values, and made jetpacks out of silver-painted cereal boxes to start trying to remember the JETPIG values acronym. With the power of rhymes and perhaps a bit of chocolate bribery, we hope that all of the Spirit Play kids will be able to list the 6 values by heart by the end of the year. Can you list them yet? Consider inviting one of the kids into a contest to see which of you can list the most Article 2 values from memory, or share with them why you think Love is at the center.

The YRUU youth hosted Mate, all the way from our partner congregation in Transilvania! They discussed what justice really means, why it made the cut for our new set of highest shared values, and laid the groundwork for starting the Harvard Justice course next Sunday. When I popped in to snap a picture with our guest, they were discussing the challenges of having a death penalty in the context of our very fallible legal system. Next week they’ll be encountering the trolley dilemma and the moral theory of utilitarianism. Do you think the rightness of every action is determined by its consequences? Share your views with the middle and high schoolers on the deck after the service, and ask to hear theirs!

“Our Transylvanian Roots” 9/22/24

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‘Transylvania’ generally conjures images of werewolves and campy movies, but it’s a real and beautiful place with an incredible history, especially for Unitarians around the world. For it was in Transylvania (now part of Romania) that the concept of religious freedom made a bold and courageous entry into European Christianity, and helped inform ideas about freedom that seem obvious to us today. We welcome our partner church minister, Rev. Katalin Szasz-Cserey to Corvallis, and begin her visit by learning more about our Transylvanian roots.

Daily Practice – A Weekly Reminder

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Did you have a chance to see the Harvest Moon this week, as it rises on the eastern horizon huge, and orange, in the dark sky? These are the days of the Fall equinox – the trees beginning to turn, the air cooling, days of rain and sun, clouds and color. Changing times, again, as always. Always a chance to begin again.

Here are some centering thoughts about the Fall Equinox, adapted from UU Lori Gorgas Hlaban:

“Pause. Balanced in the center between the longest and shortest days. Equinox. The wheel of the year turns, and turns again. The air cools, days shorten…

This is our opportunity, now, to pause. Balanced, breathing in, breathing out, knowing this present moment. This present moment is all we’re guaranteed. Like the sun moving toward the shortest day, each moment arises—and is gone before we know it…

This is the time to pause, and consider. As we enter the season of contemplation, of increasing darkness, of lying fallow, of dormancy. This is the season of letting go, of lightening burdens, of preparing for the long period of being still, going deep…

Today we mark the midpoint between Summer and Winter Solstice, a time to seek balance and be free. Blessed Be. Amen.”

Sip & Snack at Broadley Vineyards, 9/27

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Join UU friends for an afternoon at Broadley Vineyards on Friday September 27, 2024. The tasting room opens at 1:00.
The vineyard features Pinot Noirs, Gamay Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris.

We will leave from the UU parking lot at 12:30 for the 30-minute drive down to 265 S 5th St in Monroe (take Hwy 99W south toward Monroe, look for the Dari-Mart on your right; Broadley will be on the left). We typically stay a couple hours.

No outside food is permitted. They serve prepared cheese/charcuterie plates. You might want to bring water.

If you plan to attend, please send Heather E. a message by Wednesday 9/25. Those with the “Visit Corvallis WINE PASSPORT,” you will have a free tasting flight.

It’s a fun, relaxed way to get to know some UU’s better. Hope you can join us and then end the day with a wonderful Hungarian Dinner at the UU.


Great social day!

Connect Up Hike, 9/28

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This month’s hike will explore the deep forest on the east side of Marys Peak. There are no grand vistas, here, just the subtle calm of a mature fir and spruce forest. We will start at Connors Camp, a trailhead about midway up the Marys Peak road (from Highway 34). Our hike is on the East Ridge Trail to its junction with Tie Trail, turning around at that point. Total round trip is about 5 miles and the elevation gain is about 1200′ on a good trail with an easy tread. If we are lucky, we will be in the middle of the spruce cone harvest by the squirrels. Anyone who comes and does not want to do the full distance is welcome to do just part of the hike. Children and trail savvy pets are welcome.

The date is Saturday, September 28. We will meet up for ride sharing at UUFC. Details will depend on weather. Details will go to the hiking email list (and be posted on https://groups.io/g/UUFC-hikes) on Tuesday, Sept 24 with meeting time and driving information. Email Jim Wagner for more information.