Help care for and nurture the wonderful sacred green space that is our UUFC campus.
We need folks to take responsibility for particular areas, big or small.
For more info, talk to me after service or via Michael Hughes.
Sacred Green Space
Tending our Grief Circle June 1
Saturday, June 1, 10-12:30 p.m. Sanctuary
“Joy is the transformation of our suffering, not the escape of all we have to face.” – Mark Nepo
We gather once more before the summer break to tend to our grief. The grief you hold may be for personal losses, transitions, or the sorrows of the world – all are equally welcome and worthy of attention.
Our time together will include gentle movement, poetry, writing, sharing and a simple ritual. Please join us.
Facilitators Anna Coffman and Susan Sanford
For information, contact Anna, email: anna.cupoftea@gmail.com, phone/text: 979-760-0910
5/5 CINCO DE MAYO Dinner & Train, 5-8pm
5/5/24 CINCO DE MAYO Dinner & Train , 5-8 pm, UUFC Social Hall Join this adult POP-UP PARTY just for fun.
Bring a Mexican-themed potluck item to share and your own beverage, plate and utensils (the UU kitchen will not be accessed for this event).
This is a no-frills event.
Please bring $5 as a donation to UUFC Minister’s Discretionary Fund – it’s somebody’s birthday week, after all.
We will gather, eat, drink and enjoy each others’ company while we play this fun and easy to learn tile game.
And please be mindful that everyone cannot bring chips and dip.
Need alternative ideas, see Mexican party food ideas.
If you have a Mexican Train dominos set, please let me know when you RSVP to hvephd@gmail.com by Saturday 5/4/24.
Seating may be limited. Hope to see you!
Hosted by Heather Emberson This is a Connect Up event! Members can offer to host a Connect Up event with the purpose of gathering together and building relationships.
Spring Cleaning UUFC Community Work Day, 5/25
Saturday May 25, 2024
anytime from 9 AM – 1 PM
OUTDOOR TASKS
- clean out the rain gutters and install gutter guard
- string-trim the parking lot and sidewalks
- weed and cleanup patio area
- pressure wash playground equipment
- washing windows
INDOOR TASKS
- clean sanctuary red chairs
- clean social hall green folding chairs
- clean upholstery in Classroom Wing Rooms 7,9,10
- clean sanctuary fluorescent lights and mobiles
Please bring your own gloves, kneeling pads, and eye protection. Work side by side with new friends!
We would like to borrow 1 to 3 ten-foot ladders. Contact Wolfgang if you can help. Snacks and drinks provided. Please RSVP that you plan to come, so we can organize the day’s work. Thanks!
Questions? Wolfgang Dengler wolfdengler1 at gmail.com
Family Picnic 5/26
Nursery, Spirit Play, and YRUU families are invited to a hike and picnic with Rev. Jill and Skyla after the service on May 26th. Please REGISTER HERE!
We’ll depart from UUFC at 11:45 and meet at the Fitton Green trailhead (parking is limited, so carpooling is encouraged) and make the short hike out to the viewpoint to eat together. This is a great chance for parents and siblings to get to know one another.
Bring your own picnic lunch, sunscreen, and water bottle. The hike is short, the view is great, and the company will be greater!
If we have fewer than 3 families register, we will cancel the event and notify registered participants via email.
Direct questions to Skyla at dre@uucorvallis.org
Guest Speaker Jen Shattuck 5/12
Have you ever thought about what selves do you bring into spiritual community with you? Well, you’re about to! Join us for a special sermon and post-sermon discussion with author and religious educator, Jen Shattuck.
J.L. (Jen) Shattuck is a lifelong Unitarian Universalist and longtime early childhood professional turned religious educator. She’s passionate about helping UU churches welcome and support their very youngest congregants and currently serves on staff at both the Unitarian Church of Barnstable on Cape Cod and at Sanctuary Boston. She is the author of The Tending Years, a book for those caring for preschool-age children, and is also the creator of Ellery Churchmouse, a video series for UU kids and their families.
Rev. Jill has copies of Jen’s book, the Tending Years, available for purchase!
Between Us, 4/21/2024
Some decades ago, a well-known and seasoned UU minister wrote a sermon about joining a UU congregation. His summary was this: There is only one reason to join a UU congregation; you join in order to support it! That perspective has fostered lots of conversation over many years, and the longer I consider it, the more I agree with it. Since our approach to religion is both liberal and free, since there is no prescribed creed or test of belief, our highest goals are about creating true community. Learning to not only live together and be together, but to be good with and for each other and for all living things (for all the Earth!).
This is a very high aim, and often we lose sight of it. Support includes many things. For example our presence, our participation, our time and money. Our care and concern for specific people and programs and for the congregation as a whole (which is what shared ministry means). Our willingness to seek more than personal satisfaction, more than mere comfort, more than confirmation of our biases. All of these are why we engage in religious learning and growth, spiritual practices, shared ceremonies and rituals – we do these things to help us support the constant creation and care of a community. (And not just “community” as an abstract idea; this very real and very specific community, with all its unique and particular characters and characteristics.)
The annual stewardship pledge drive is one specific way we support the Fellowship – by making a pledge of annual financial support. This week the stewardship team is still waiting to hear from most members of the Fellowship – are you one of them? Our annual meeting is another important way we support the Fellowship, by taking part in the annual discussion of Fellowship business, by being an active part of this specific democratic process which belongs wholly to us.
The Fellowship has been a vibrant, welcoming and consequential religious congregation for nearly 70 years because of the support of so many people who have shared a commitment to its wellbeing. All of us who are here now a recipients of that long and beautiful tradition. Though our support, may we do our best to keep it healthy, moving and growing, for ourselves, for each other and for all those who will come after us.
“To Live With Integrity” 4/21/2024
In this year of building new ways, our Earth Day Sunday will focus on needed and possible changes in habits and assumptions about our relationships with ourselves, others and the Earth. Members of our Climate Action Team will share insights and facilitate conversations among us beginning with this perspective: that our actions affect our own health, the health of those we love, and the health of Earth.
Following the service, all are encouraged to attend the preparation Town Hall for our May 19 Annual Meeting.
UUFC Library Has a New Coordinator
Christine Robins is our new Coordinator for the UUFC Library. Please contact her with any questions, suggestions, requests, or complaints about the Library.
Checking out children’s’ books can be done electronically, using a scanned QR code, or physically, using the yellow check-out book in the southeast corner. Adult books can only be checked out via the physical check-out book.
We welcome donations. We’re focusing on books which may not be in the public library, and which support the congregation’s missions.
Sip & Snack Wine Tasting, Apr-Nov
A way to get to know each other in a smaller group.
Twice per month – April through November – join UUFC friends for an afternoon of sharing food, building relationships, and tasting wines*.
A calendar of outings will be emailed to those who are interested. Leave UUFC Parking lot at 11:45 on Sundays; leave from your home on Fridays.** Visits are ~ 12 to about 2 p.m. depending on drive time.
Please contact Heather E for more information.
*Note – Many people purchased the Heart of Willamette Valley Wine Passport. For $45 you get either a free wine flight, a “buy 1 get 1” (BOGO) flight, or some % off wines. Not all Sip & Snack destinations are passport eligible.
**Carpooling is arranged by individuals, not by UUFC nor this organizer.