UUFC Group Camping Opportunities

by
group camping at cascadia
group camping at cascadia

Save the Dates: Cascadia County Park, June 25 – 28, 2026
Moonshine Park (near Siletz), September 10 – 13, 2026

Come and join in fun and fellowship while camping with fellow UUFC members and friends! Plans include time for hiking, exploring, crafts, building community, happy hour, and much more. Bring your own tent, personal gear, and food. Parking is very limited (6 cars and 2 RVs – no hook-ups) at Cascadia and 8 vehicles (including RVs) at Moonshine Park, so carpools are encouraged. Come out for all or part of the event.

Links to the camps:
Cascadia County Park: https://www.linncountyor.gov/parksrec/park/cascadia-county-park
Moonshine Park: https://www.co.lincoln.or.us/1060/Moonshine-Park

Registration fees: $30 per person for each weekend (4days/3nights); family rates are available and will be detailed on the registration form

More information and a link for reservations will be sent out soon. If you have specific questions, please contact Julie Halter and Nancy Gill by filling out this form.

Info on 2026 Pilgrimage to Transylvania, 4/12

by

Explore Our UU Roots – Castles, Cathedrals, Dungeons, Villages!

You’re invited to join other members of the UUFC who have expressed interest in the September 8-19, 2026 trip to the Transylvania region of Romania.

This is where Unitarianism started as an organized religion. The trip will be led by the Hungarian Unitarian Church and will be guided by local English-speaking Unitarian ministers. Included will be a weekend visit with our partner congregation in Kőrispatak.

We will meet on SUNDAY April 12 in the UUFC Library at 11:30 a.m. to discuss particulars.

Contact Heather at this link ASAP if interested in joining the conversation or is you want more information. Deadline to sign up: April 20, 2026

Justice Theatre presents: 12 Angry Jurors, 3/27 & 28

by

Justice Theatre presents: 12 Angry Jurors—Friday, March 27 and Saturday, March 28 at 7:30pm at the Fellowship.

Once per year, the Justice Theatre Team transforms the Sanctuary into a theatre for two exciting days! This year’s show explores our country’s troubled relationship with its justice system. Twelve strangers on a jury are tasked with the burden of determining a young man’s guilt when the death penalty is on the line. Eleven of them take the testimonies and evidence at face value; one, however, does not. This dissenting opinion sets off a fierce and hotly debated standoff, which raises some terribly timely questions: why do we believe in what we are told? Can we truly trust the justice system when we allow our own biases, doubts, and fears to influence our judgment? What is the value of one human life compared to any other? All proceeds from this pay-what-you-can production will go to support legal aid through The Lawyers Campaign for Equal Justice. You can reserve tickets and donate online at buytickets.at/uufc or just come to a show and donate at the door! We hope to see you there!

Childcare is available!

Free childcare can usually be arranged for any Fellowship event by using this link 1-2 weeks prior to the event.

by

April 19, 2026 – Caring for Moral Health

As people of conscience, how can we relate to the people who serve in our military, knowing the complex moral issues that they face? Guest speaker Logan Isaac brings his background as a veteran, theologian, and ethicist.

Logan Isaac will speak

April 26, 2026 – What’s Your Agenda

Having a personal or professional agenda is often considered a negative thing in Unitarian Universalism. Yet, not having purpose can cause anguish. We begin wonder what we are doing here. Today we unwrap our agendas in a life well lived.

Guest speaker Rev. Mitra Rahnema is a lifelong Unitarian Universalist and graduate of Starr King School for the Ministry. She has offered ministry to congregations in Missouri, Michigan, and California. Mitra is editor of the 2017 book and UUA Common Read, “Centering: Navigating Race, Authenticity, and Power in Ministry.” She is dedicated to building vibrant and engaged anti-oppressive communities. Mitra lives in Portland, OR.

March 22, 2026 – Justice and Songs

by

What is your earliest memory of singing in a group? When was a time when you felt more power and peace because of singing with others? Today’s service will explore justice songs from our UU hymnal, and we will learn two songs chosen by local Corvallis churches to learn together for those attending the March 28 march.

Led by Robin Lancaster (member lay leader) and David Servias (Music Director)

POSTPONED: UUFC History Town Hall

by

The UUFC History Presentation by the Transitions Team, originally scheduled for March 29 after the service, is being rescheduled to a later date.  We look forward to bringing you the meaningful story of the founders, commitment, idealism, and hard work that makes the UUFC what it is today.  If you were planning to come on March 29 after the service, please cancel that on your calendar.

Women’s Retreat 2025 Recap

by

The theme for the 2025 Women’s Retreat was Right Here, Right Now; Peace through Practice.

Priscilla Galasso wrote this retrospective. It was originally published in the November 2025 edition of the UUFC Journal.

“If ever there were a time for a candle in the darkness,
this would be it.
Using a spark of hope,
kindle the flame of love,
ignite the light of peace,
and feed the flame of justice.”

Melanie Davis

The Women’s Retreat Team lit the Chalice in the Social Hall before 40 UUFC women crossed over the threshold into the Sanctuary, a sacred and safe space for creating connection and practicing peace. Two wheelchairs slid through the portal, a teenager, several octogenarians, a mother and daughter who had only just moved to Corvallis and gone to one Sunday service, the weary, the hopeful, the angry, the lonely, the wise. We gathered to share strategies for creating peace in our center, peace in our connections, and peace in our community. 

The Friday night program centered on the Byron Katie model called “The Work”, presented by Susan Grace Beekman and Nancy Sowdon. On Saturday morning, we dove into best practices in relationships, outlined by the Gottman Institute, with Heather Thomas and Linda Marten (or was that Miss Stern?). Through interactive small and large group discussions, we connected deeply to the material and to each other. Workshop presenters offered sessions on yoga, art, laughter, gardening, and self-discovery. We enjoyed a delicious catered lunch from Forks & Corks. And then we balanced peace with PROTEST!

The planning team had no way of knowing that the No Kings II protest would fall on our retreat weekend, and we quickly adapted the schedule so that those who wanted to participate could do so. One key advantage to having an onsite retreat is that it allows for greater flexibility and inclusion. We made it a priority to have low barriers, providing scholarships and “drop in” registration to fit lives that are often full of care-taking and serving others. Our “choose your own adventure” schedule was not constrained by an outside venue operation, and our campus is in the heart of our own Corvallis community, making travel and transportation easiest. 

During Saturday afternoon’s session, we worked with representatives from organizations who strive to create peace and build community through Religious Exploration, the Arts, and Education. Skyla King-Christison, Anya Ballinger, Thea Hart, and Laura Blackwell (of the Majestic Theater and Corvallis Parks & Recreation) gave us great insight into the philosophy of peace-making among cultures and great examples of Corvallis programs available to us all. 

During our final meal together, the bright Fall day became a quiet, dark evening. Our table conversations included shared stories of protest thoughts, workshop discoveries, and determination to carry on as instruments of peace in this troubled and beautiful world.  

Thank you to all the Team members: Heather Thomas, Ann Marchant, Linda Marten, Sandy Piper, and Kimi Mayo. Thank you to all the Workshop leaders: Kris Egan, Diana Titus, Joyce Standing, Joyce Marvel-Benoist, Joyce Federiuk, Heather Thomas, Linda Marten, Gwen Ellen, and Kayla Garcia. Thank you Ginny Gibson and all the others who volunteered their time making our gathering nourishing and comfortable. 

Thank you to those who have signed up to make next year’s Retreat a reality! 

Dona nobis pacem. Go now, women, in Peace.

March 15, 2026 – Stewardship

by

All of our efforts, time, and money blend together to make the UUFC community what it is and what it can be. Let us reflect on what it means to steward the gifts of the earth, to live in a capitalist economy with a household budget, and to thoughtfully discern a pledge for the coming year. 

Rev. Alex McGee will preach

Please plan to stay after worship for a one hour Town Hall on the pledge drive.  Learn about how you are part of our financial planning and get your questions answered.  Abundant snacks provided!  All are welcome whether you sign up or not, but if you fill out this form, you can request childcare and we can better plan for food.

Inquirers Series New Offering: Interim and Search!

by

Beginning this Sunday, March 8th, the 3rd session of the Inquirers Series, formerly the Liturgical Year session, will be a session focused on interim ministry and our upcoming search for a settled minister. Sheryl Stuart and Robin Lancaster, members of our transitions team, will be on hand to share some of the basics and answer your questions about this unique time congregational life. If you have already taken session three, you are still most welcome to come and have your questions answered. These sessions are open to all interested participants!