Gratitude Letter from Minister Emerita Rev. Jill McAllister

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At the Annual Meeting of UUFC membership on May 17, 2026, the congregation voted to offer Emerita status to Jill McAllister.  The letter of agreement is here.  Jill retired from the role of minister at UUFC in Summer 2025.  Below is a note from Jill expressing her gratitude and well wishes to the Fellowship.  

Dear Friends – I’m writing with thanks for your decision to confer upon me the status of Minister Emerita of the Fellowship. Thank-you! I take on this new status with gratitude and appreciation for our many years of shared ministry in challenging times, and for all we learned and accomplished together.  I’m grateful every day for your support for my decision to retire – it was definitely the right time for me.  I am still “settling in.”  And, as Life has its own ways, I am exploring new horizons.  A sibling with cancer – now I can visit often.  And an upcoming move: due to a quite unexpected (and beautiful) job opportunity for Walter, my spouse, we’re moving to Germany for at least a couple of years, leaving at the end of June.  And I know that you, the members and friends of the Fellowship are exploring new horizons and moving ahead too! Thank-you to all who are dedicating yourselves to this work.  I look forward to what emerges between you. You will be in my thoughts, as ever, and I’m sending love to you all.

Jill McA

Men’s Retreat, Save the Date! 10/16-18

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Our theme for this year is Playing the Game of Life: How Do We Roll? What have been the biggest shapers of our lives? People, places, work, play, our highs, our lows… experiences of all kinds! We’ll explore this broad question (with many answers) at the 2026 Men’s Retreat. But wait, it’s a retreat, for heaven’s sake! You know – relax, put your feet up, fun and games! YES, it’s that too! And good food! Sharing meaningful experiences and having fun together – it’s all about building deeper connections with one another in our UU community.

Sound good? Then MARK YOUR CALENDAR for October 16-18 (Friday late afternoon through Sunday lunchtime). The retreat will be at Camp Harlow outside of Eugene, barely an hour’s drive from Corvallis. Watch for details and registration information in August. For more information: mensretreat@uucorvallis.org.

New art in the Sanctuary

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Out with the old and in with the new. On June 2nd the abstract art by the Willamette Abstract Group will be removed and on June 3rd our new exhibit will be installed. Our featured artist for June, July and August will be Carol Chapel, longtime local resident and creator. Carol’s paintings usually focus on nature and our environment. When asked about her style, Carol said “I recently saw some drawings done by a young man who is non-verbal. The way he processes and reacts to information is through drawing. I realize that we share common ground. I certainly am not nonverbal, but I too react and process information through my artwork. It helps my understanding of the subject. I do not necessarily strive to make an accurate reproduction of what I see, but I do want to bring the viewer into my understanding of it.“

I hope you find Carol’s work thought provoking and inspirational. If you are interested in helping to choose art for future exhibits, please contact Brian E.

Café Justo coffee is available!

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Enjoy some delicious, aromatic Café Justo coffee. When you order Café Justo coffee, a part of your purchase will be used to provide Café Justo to migrant shelters in Agua Prieta, Nogales, Sasabe, Sonoita, Tapachula, Gomez Palacio, and Matamoros in Mexico, as well as shelters in Columbus, Ohio, and in Silver City and Deming in New Mexico — through our “Love Mercy, Do Justice” ministry. That’s the “compassion” part of the “coffee and compassion.” Café Justo makes a great cup for you and me. Many hands go into the processing of your coffee before it ever reaches your cup. Coffee is one of the most labor intensive crops. Your purchase here helps communities in Mexico thrive.
(We regret that DECAF is not available until further notice.)

One More Community Music Circle before Summer Hiatus, 6/1

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The last Community Music Circle before we take a break for the Summer will be Monday, June 1st at 7-8:30 PM in the sanctuary. Hope you can make it!

What’s that you say?

Did I hear someone ask “what is a community music circle?”

So glad you asked: The community music circle is when a group of really great people from the Fellowship come together to play and sing together. You can sing or bring your instruments. All skill levels are welcome. It’s a fun time and there are usually surprises – most of them unplanned!

If you’ve never come to one, give it a try! If you’re a regular, we have a new songbook with a bunch of familiar songs to try out.

Hope to see you there!

Know Your Rights Cards

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Citizens and non-citizens have rights guaranteed by the 4th and 5th amendments of the U.S. Constitution. I.C.E. agents may not enter or search a person’s place of residence without a signed warrant and individuals have the right to not answer their questions. Spanish-English Know Your Rights cards are available on the table on the left outside the Sanctuary door. Feel free to pick one up for yourself or a friend who may need one.