Celebration for Jamie Petts, 4/13

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Jamie Petts has been part of the Fellowship staff since 2016, helping to grow our “center” into a professional administrative structure. Her calm and friendly demeanor, her kindness and compassion, her steadiness, generosity, creativity, flexibility, expertise, good humor and much more have helped and supported us in so many ways. Now she is leaving the Fellowship staff to take a new job. (She’ll still be a member of the Fellowship, so she’s not completely leaving.) Join us on Sunday, April 13, during and following the service, to thank Jamie and share our gratitude, and to celebrate with her and for her.

“Samurai in the Oregon Sky” Film Showing, 5/17

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SATURDAY MAY 17, 10 AM

Friendship Force of Oregon’s Mid-Willamette Valley (https://www.fforegon.org/) and the UUFC Immigrant And Refugee Support Team (IRST) bring you the film “Samurai in the Oregon Sky.” This is an award winning film whose details can be found at https://www.samuraiintheoregonsky.com/.

The film tells the little-known story of Japanese pilot Nobuo Fujita who conducted the only manned aerial bombings of the U.S. mainland during WWII, on the southern Oregon coast. Years later, he would meet and peacefully reconcile with the American civilians who lived in the area. It’s a testament to the power of face-to-face meetings.

The film maker Ilana Sol will be present and talk with audience members. Attendees can make donations. Any extra funds beyond those needed to cover Director Sol’s expenses will be donated for use by the IRST.

This film will be shown in the Sanctuary of the UUFC – 2945 NW Circle Blvd, Corvallis OR 97330. All are welcomed.

Queerly Beloved April – Journaling, 4/13

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Queerly Beloved April 13, 2025
4:00 – 6:00 PM – UUFC

A creative and exciting time led by Molly Curry and Bobbi Bailey using the 6 minute journal technique from writer and cartoonist Lynda Barry.
About Lynda Barry “What it is”
Video of the 6 minute Journal technique
You are encouraged to bring a favorite pen or pencil from home that might get the “writing juices” engaged! Hopefully with the time, we will also bind a simple journal, with craft paper.

🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈
Queerly Beloved meets every Second Sunday! Join LGBTQ+ folx and allies for social gatherings centered on queer issues and themes. We understand the importance of queer community, and our goal is to provide a safe space where people can find that sense of belonging right here in Corvallis.
If you need childcare for smaller children, please contact the Grandfolks Squad here: https://uufc.breezechms.com/form/8c8211

Painting Help Needed, 4/18 – 4/27

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Things are moving quickly in the classroom wing and it’s time for us to do our part:
Here’s the general plan, organized in Phases:
Phase One – April 18-27 Interior painting. walls ceilings pipes
Phase Two – May Stain external plywood siding
Phase Three – June-July Replace doors, blinds, cabinets, final painting, install molding, update Room 7
Phase Four – July-August Move in! Return items from storage locations

PHASE ONE HELP NEEDED : Painting ceilings, walls, and pipes using roller and brush, some of which will require using ladders and a rolling scaffold. Please sign up for a 3 hour shift on the clipboards under the bulletin board in the Foyer. Friday April 18 to Sunday April 27 Mornings 9 AM – noon. Afternoons 1 – 4 PM.

Wolfgang Dengler
Volunteer Co-ordinator
Contact here

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Last Sunday I mentioned the need to “practice practicing practices” – which means to cultivate small rituals to help keep ourselves steady amidst the daily tumult of our lives, our times.  Three years ago, at just this time of year, I was also pondering the need for steadiness, as part of the Daily Practice ritual we shared.  Here is what I wrote: 

Good morning friends – A month of days comes to an end – an arbitrary designation like all the rest – yet a way to mark what we call time, part of our constant need to understand.  (So often, by giving something a name, we think we understand what it is).  Everything moves – breath, wind, cells, clouds, sun, moon, water, thoughts, everything is in motion.  Perhaps this daily practice – this being present to breath as it releases and returns – is a small way to momentarily exist beyond names, beyond descriptions – many of which are more imagination than approximation.  

I look again at the candle flickering beside me, and feel my breath again.  My mother is ailing – first news of the day. My granddaughter was up early, in full conversation with the morning light.  Spring continues to unfold.  War continues to pound and destroy.  All women – across a huge continuum of bodies – have in common the dangers of patriarchy. What we call March has been full of these constantly moving and intertwining currents and truths and moments. 

I return again to the candle, and let myself feel the calming breath. I have been carrying a question from yesterday, or it has been carrying me? It asked me “how much joy am I allowed?”  Today I have a sense that though it appeared as a question, it was more of a reminder, for joy is essential.  It is not the same as pleasure – for pleasure can come at the expense of others.  It is not the same as happiness.  It is not found in denial or aversion or in trying to forget. Maybe it comes mostly in gratitude, or perhaps always in the presence of gratitude.  Likely, joy is always present, beyond naming and expectations. Not to be achieved or attained by certain ways of living, but the living itself.  

This candle is still beside me.  In its light I pause again and let myself be breathed. A day, a month of days, a moment, joy and gratitude – Life, moving.    And I’m sending love to you all —  Jill

Can We Still Laugh? 3/30/25

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Laughter is very important, perhaps even necessary, for human well-being, for the health of relationships and communities.  When times are hard it can be hard to laugh. And, laughter can have an edge – it can be used in ways which demean and hurt people.   In times like these, how can we laugh well?  If by chance you have a good joke to share, please bring it!

With Rev. Jill McAllister

All are invited to stay for the final pre-stewardship pledge drive gathering after the service in the Sanctuary, if you have not already attended one.

CANCELLED: Event Series: Conscientious Objection 4/10, 4/24, 5/8

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FILM SCREENING & DISCUSSION: Soldiers of Conscience, open to all adults, April 10th at6:30 PM in the sanctuary

Informational Session & Q&A: Nuts and Bolts Look at Conscientious Objection for Families, open to all, April 24th at 6:30PM in the sanctuary

YOUTH WORKSHOP: Open to parents and youth with parent’s permission, May 8th at 7 PM in the sanctuary

REGISTER HERE by 4/4!

Questions about conscientious objection, what it is, and what role it plays in Unitarian Universalism are bubbling up more often as the world feels increasingly destabilized. In an effort to address this interest and support our families during uncertain times, a small team has formed to offer resources. Our aim with these offerings is not to convince anyone that Unitarian Universalism has a definitive stance on military service (it does not!) but to help parents and young people collectively explore how their deeply held values and religious beliefs may inform their decisions in the future, and what steps they can take now to safeguard their right to choose should the time ever come when they are compelled into service.

The first 2 offerings in this series are open to any interested adults, with parents strongly encouraged to attend. The film contains graphic footage from war zones and is not suitable for young children. The presentation and Q&A does not contain graphic images or descriptions, but the very reality of having to register for selective service is one that many find disturbing, so please monitor your own and your child’s readiness for those conversations when making decisions about attendance. And finally, the third offering is a workshop to assist youth and their parents in the practical steps of documentation. This session is ONLY open to parents and/or youth who have the written consent of a parent to participate.

If you have any questions or are interested in joining the CO Awareness Team of the RE Council, please contact Skyla King-Christison at dre@uucorvallis.org.