Our condolences to the Shilaos / McCoy family, on the news that Terry McCoy unexpectedly passed away on June 19th surrounded by his daughters. Per his request, there will not be a memorial service. His ashes will be scattered on Saddle Mountain where he and his wife, Viki Shilaos, first met.
Furniture Give-Away for Donation
FURNITURE FRENZY AT THE FELLOWSHIP ! !
The following furniture items are available right now to UUFC Fellowship members for a donation, YOU CHOOSE THE AMOUNT !
two 3-seat Brown memory-foam couches
two 2-seat Brown memory-foam loveseats
two 2-seat Red memory-foam loveseats
two 2-seater couches, average condition beige, some stains
one blond wood corner desk/ work station
(can be viewed in Rooms 7 and 10)
Call now ! First come, first served. Two week UUFC special, then open to the public.
Contact: Wolfgang Dengler
Transportation Assistance available
Classroom Wing Renovation Progress Update
The architect and engineers have told us that they would have permit-ready plans by July 15th. At that point the plans will be sent to the City of Corvallis Building Dept. for review, which takes 3-4 weeks. Simultaneously the plans will be sent to our contractor, Gerding Construction Co., where they will begin their subcontractor bidding, planning and scheduling process. If all goes well construction may start sometime in September. Meanwhile UU volunteers will be cleaning out the classroom wing in preparation for demolition and construction. We hope to have all items removed from the construction area by end of July. Then we will begin our own efforts at demolition work with completion of that work by the end of August.
How can you help? Here is a preliminary list of needs: We need sturdy boxes or reusable plastic bins to store books and other items. They can be left outside the foyer doors near the bench.
We need storage space in garages, basements or spare rooms (contact Jill) We need volunteers for packing, storage and demolition. Later we will need volunteers for painting and moving everything back in. Wolfgang Dengler will have volunteer signup sheets available soon.
We do not yet know how long the construction process will be but the building facilities team will provide regular schedule updates throughout the process.
Thank you for your patience,
Brian Egan
Living Without Shelter: Myths and Realities, 7/17
Wed, July 17, 7-8:30 pm.
First Congregational church, 4515 SW West Hills Road, Corvallis.
A Unity Shelter panel discusses the root causes of houselessness, the crisis of housing in Corvallis, the unique work of Unity Shelter and how we might engage in advocacy. Event promoted by Secure Food and Housing Social Justice Team, UUFC.
UUFC Fiscal Insights – Fulfilling Your 2024-25 Pledge
First, our thanks to all who have committed to the ongoing success and growth of the UUFC through a pledge for its 2024-25 fiscal year. Together we are doing great things! It is not too late to make a pledge if you have not yet had the chance to do so. To make your pledge, visit the annual pledge drive page.
For those who have made a pledge, now is the time to ponder how you intend to fulfill your pledge. Some of you will have seen a version of this information via a direct email:
Pay By Check
Drop checks at church or mail to UUFC, 2945 NW Circle, Corvallis OR 97330. No need to read further.
Use Your Bank Bill Pay System
Be sure that the donation amount and beginning and end dates for these contributions are correct. Have checks mailed to UUFC, 2945 NW Circle Blvd, Corvallis OR 97330. No need to read further.
Pay Through an IRA
If you have an IRA and need to take a minimum required distribution, you can make such directly to the UUFC with tax advantage. Talk with your financial advisor about options.
Stock Donations
Some people make stock donations. If you need information about making stock donations, please ask Russ Karow.
Breeze Automatic Payment System
If you would like to pay using the Breeze automatic payment system and have not already set that up, follow these steps:
- Log in to Breeze, using the link in the “Members Area” at the bottom right of any page on the website.
- Click on Manage Recurring Giving button at mid-screen or in the left-hand column
- Use the “Stop this recurring gift” button to stop your 2023-24 pledge
- Add a new pledge
- Enter dollar amount and if possible, agree to cover the processing fee
- Select 2024-25 operation budget from drop down menu.
- Select frequency of the gift – one time, weekly, every two weeks, etc.
- You should see an option for using an existing account or you can add a new debit/credit or bank account Please note that some people have said they see a different screen setup when they go to Breeze. If you have issues with the system, let us know.
Additional Thoughts
If you are currently using the Breeze payment system but are comfortable using bill pay through your bank, please consider this option for the UUFC payment. It saves processing fees – neither you nor the UUFC have to pay these fees
If dealing with the breeze system seems overwhelming, please let us know and UUFC staff will deal with the system for you. We are happy to do so.
If you have any questions, send an email to the address below or call Russ Karow at 541-760-4770 (leave a message if I don’t answer) and we will find answers for you.
Thanks for your many contributions to the success of the UUFC. You are appreciated.
May your summer be amazing.
Contact email – businessmgr@uucorvallis.org Russ Karow on behalf of your UUFC Board, Financial Oversight Council and Staff
Music Sharing Night, 8/7
Music Sharing Night! For the first time since before the pandemic, the UUFC will be hosting another Music Sharing Night! Bring your instruments and your voices to share music with the community, open-mic style. All musical acts are encouraged to participate. In the past we’ve had performers of all ages share a variety of styles and genres of music. You don’t have to be a professional musician. In fact, we’ve had people make their performance debut right here at UUFC. Perform as a solo act, or form a group. Original music is welcome and encouraged. Each act will have 10 minutes to perform.
More details about how to sign up to share your music coming in future weekly announcements. Hope to see you there!
David Servias
UUFC Director of Music
“Be Careful What You Worship” 6/30/24
It was Ralph Waldo Emerson who said “… it behooves us to be careful what we worship, for what we are worshipping, we are becoming.” This brings up the question of our “liturgical year”: What are the holidays / holy days we observe, or celebrate, and why? If we could choose, what would be the most important days or events or observances to include in our congregational life, as a way of helping to orient us to what is most important? Maybe we can choose! This is worth some discussion.
Between Us
Although the beginning of “Summer Services” is a little bit arbitrary, nevertheless we do make a change in our worship formats during most of the summer months. This year we’ll begin Summer Sunday Services on July 7 and end on September 1. Some of those services will be held outside, depending on temperature and weather — that part makes planning ahead a challenge. Just check the weekly announcements each week.
People have different approaches to Fellowship life in the summer. Some travel a lot, and take breaks from Sunday attendance. Others attend every week and don’t really distinguish between summer and other seasons when it comes to Sunday services. Whatever works for you, we look forward to seeing you at the Fellowship or online as often as you are able to come.
There are other ways to gather as well. For example, a concert this Sunday evening in support of our democracy action team stamp fund; a night at the ball park on July 28; a music sharing evening on August 7; seasonal Connect Up activities and more. And there will be furniture moving to share as we begin to empty out the classroom wing in preparation for renovations there.
Summer is a great time to invite others to get together – for walks, coffee/tea, gardening, movies, meals, etc. Find someone to share in a conversation about our Congregational Covenant of Right Relations, or about the newly updated UUA values (Article 2.) Or make an appointment to get together with your minister. If not now, when?
Whatever your approach to summer, may it be a time for building new connections and strengthening the bonds of community.
We hope to see you often.