Please join us for an evening of devotional chanting with Seattle’s Rob & Melissa. Friday October 4 7-8:30 PM
“My Unitarianism” 9/29/25
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!
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
‘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
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
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
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.
Seeds for the Sol Energy Equity Fundraiser, 10/12
Elizabeth Wyatt, Julie Williams, and Micki Reaman accompanied by Stephanie Lynne Smith present a musical buffet to raise funds for the energy equity and economic justice projects that have direct human impact. We are the ones we have been waiting for! Saturday October 12th 7pm in the Sanctuary. Sliding scale entry (no one turned away for lack of funds), $20 donation suggested. Advance tickets also suggested.
Another Financial Oddity, 9/23-9/27
The people on your Financial Oversight Council are in the loop on a number of matters financial. If you will owe the State of Oregon tax money at the end of the year and want to support the film arts industry in Oregon, check out this offering from the Oregon Department of Revenue Oregon Film and Video Tax Credit Auction:
“We are holding an online tax credit auction with the Film and Video Office for 40,000 increments of $500 tax credit certificates. This auction runs Monday, September 23, 2024, through Friday, September 27, 2024, with funds going to the Oregon Production Investment Fund. Individuals and businesses with an Oregon income tax liability may bid on the certificates and claim the credits on 2024, Oregon tax returns. Any amount not used on your 2024, return can be carried forward up to three years. You can’t transfer the credits to anyone else. Bidding begins at 9 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), September 23, 2024 and ends at 5 p.m. PDT, September 27, 2024. We won’t accept online bids before or after these times.”
Auctions for other causes have been offered. Perhaps liberal religious organizations in Oregon?
Russ Karow from your UUFC Financial Oversight Council
First Aid Kit New Splints
First Aid Kits are located in the Classroom Wing hall closet Emergency Supply shelf, and in the top left side of the kitchen closet. Two new additions are padded aluminum splits for fall injuries with possible broken bones especially hand , wrist, or elbow injuries , or lower extremity injuries including an injured ankle. The splints can be bent and adjusted to shape before attaching to the injured part. Use the adhesive tape to hold in place. This helps with pain control and reduced risk of further injury during transport.