Join us for a lively conversation as we explore The Sum of Us, by Heather McGhee. The book invites us to engage in constructive, shared solutions to some of the greatest challenges we face. If 289 pages seem daunting, please watch the video Random Review of The Sum of Us offered by the Benton County Library featuring Dr. Dwaine Plaza, OSU Sociology professor.
October 23rd we will be concentrating solely on the book’s inspirational final chapter – “The Solidarity Dividend”.
It’s raining, again, finally. I am relieved, again. It surprises me how much I worry about the change in our local climate (and everywhere else!). My worry is about the whole thing – here and everywhere else. My surprise has more to do with feelings and memories I have about this place – a temperate rain-forest in my mind and body. A place of nearly constant moisture – mist, drizzle, rain, rivers, oceans. (When I first moved here in the early 1980’s, I heard someone say that this climate was good for thinking, having something to do with negative ions generated by moving water….) I think this is a very common human trait: in our deep need to know and understand, we make assumptions about the way things are. We translate the way we think things are into the way things should be. Hot, dry summers in Oregon? No. And yet, over and over and over again, Life offers us the teaching that things change, and rarely meet our needs or expectations. If we are willing, we help ourselves to begin again everyday, to let go of our assumptions and meet the world anew.
That’s the work and the journey we share as members of the Fellowship – to help each other be able to grow and change as everything changes. And yes, to support and comfort each other when that work is hard – which is most of the time! We do that best by continually meeting each other, by listening, and conversing, and sharing time and activities. Everything we do is for the aim of helping each other grow and change as everything changes. As October arrives, I am grateful again to be part of this learning, helping community. I am wondering what this new season will bring – including what the trees will look like – so many have brown edges from the heat of the summer. Will the colors arrive? Will they meet my hopes and expectations? I’m relieved that whatever happens, I am part of this beautiful companionship with all of you, and we’ll meet what comes together.
The UUFC Climate Action Team’s (CAT) goals for 2023-24 include: Encourage, support, and provide opportunities for members and friends to engage in solutions-focused climate action. CAT classifies solutions-focussed climate action in two broad domains:
Reducing and taking responsibility for personal emissions
Influencing:
National, state, and local legislation and policy
Corporate action
Action in both domains is essential to (a) mitigate climate change, (b) adapt and build resilience, and (c) and secure justice for those most impacted but least responsible for climate change. CAT suggests there is positive feedback between the two. Working to reduce emissions increases the likelihood of working to influence legislation, policy, and corporations. And vice versa.
Each week, we respond to three, occasionally four, curated weekly actions to influence legislation, policy, and/or corporations. This includes signing petitions, sending letters, and, occasionally, making phone calls. The actions support the work of climate-action groups with the highest reputations. These weekly actions take about 5 minutes to complete.
The action opportunities are included in the Faith-based Climate Action posting in the Weekly Announcements and on the UUFC website. Also, participants can sign up to receive the weekly action opportunities via the once-per-week, Saturday email CATweek.
The UUFC Climate Action Team’s (CAT) goals for 2023-24 include: Encourage, support, and provide opportunities for members and friends to engage in solutions-focused climate action. CAT classifies solutions-focussed climate action in two broad domains:
Reducing and taking responsibility for personal emissions
Influencing:
National, state, and local legislation and policy
Corporate action
Action in both domains is essential to (a) mitigate climate change, (b) adapt and build resilience, and (c) and secure justice for those most impacted but least responsible for climate change. CAT suggests there is positive feedback between the two. Working to reduce emissions increases the likelihood of working to influence legislation, policy, and corporations. And vice versa.
In the first step to reducing and taking responsibility for our carbon emissions, we track our use of fossil (natural) gas, purchased electricity, gasoline and/or diesel, and flights taken and calculate the resulting emission. (This spreadsheet can be downloaded and used to track use and calculate emissions.) Tracking fossil-fuel use takes less than 10 min per month.
Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act: The Act will (a) push us toward our goal of net zero emissions by 2050, (b) drive energy innovation, giving every American community access to affordable clean energy, (c) help low and middle income Americans afford this transition with a carbon cashback, and (d) keep Americans healthier and living longer by reducing air pollution. We need as many co-sponsors as possible to show support for a carbon fee and dividend. Email your House Representative
Conservation funding: Tell Congress and the White House how much you care about our natural world. Tell them how critical it is to rely on science to guide conservation efforts. Tell them you’re counting on them to address urgent challenges like energy use, sustaining endangered landscapes, and protecting critically imperiled species. Protect our nation’s natural heritage and the health of people and our planet. Speak out now
Fund clean energy, not fossil fuels.Banks, insurers and asset managers are driving the climate crisis by financing and insuring new fossil fuel projects. Send Wall Street CEOs a message
Tue 10 Oct, 6:30 – 8:15 PM, Corvallis Community Center, 2601 NW Tyler Ave
How Landfills Pollute Our Future and What We Can do About It: Landfills are silent sources of greenhouse gasses, groundwater pollution, and microplastics pollution. Beyond Toxics is hosting a community education event on the long term risks of landfill pollution and ways to make Oregon a leader in holistic waste management. Katherine Blauvelt, the circular economy director of Industrious Labs, will speak about the climate change impacts from landfills, and Anja Brandon, director of US plastics policy at the Ocean Conservancy, will discuss microplastic pollution impacts on rivers and oceans.
Wed 18 Oct, 7:00 – 8:30 AM, online
Eco-municipality Webinar 2: Virtually visit the eco-municipality of Karlskrona in the south of Sweden. Learn about the science-based framework of the Swedish network of ecomunicpalities, SEKOM, and the Karlskrona eco-municipality. Register
Sat 28 Oct, Doors open 6:30 PM, UUFC
Live Music,Fundraiser for Maui fire relief. $20 donation at door suggested. Suz Doyle & Julie Williams with friends in concert, featuring Absolute Harmony. https://suznjules.bpt.me/
Join us for a lively conversation as we explore The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together, by Heather McGhee, a book that invites us to engage in constructive, shared solutions to some of the greatest challenges we face. Contact Elona Meyer to receive additional materials. We are happy to address any questions you may have, as well. If 289 pages seem daunting, and you missed the Random Review of The Sum of Us, offered by the Benton County Library, featuring Dr. Dwaine Plaza, OSU Sociology professor, here is the link to that review: https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/DK7C0b9ruC-37ob5954jnUCNZ5wI7V_DAtzDxG8Jdg2JSy-ZOHROfYEI2Yzvzxk-.EUQ0OiyjELjeiUYP. This review summarizes many of the key concepts presented by the author.
The second meeting on October 23rd will concentrate on “The Solidarity Dividend,” the book’s inspirational final chapter.
Contact Elona Meyer to obtain the Zoom link for these events.
Arts and crafts, home decor, jewelry, greenery, baked goods, and so much more! With over 20 local artisans, you’ll find beautiful hand made items for everyone on your list.
An interactive children’s craft table will be available for little ones to enjoy and take home a project!
Lunch is available for purchase from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Do you have a couple of hours to help make the Holiday Fair a success? See below for sign up links for greenery makers, furniture movers, greeters and cashiers.
Vendors
All vendor spots are full! Check back next year.
Featuring over 20 local artisans, including fiber artists, ceramicists, painters and more!
Volunteers on Dec 1st and 2nd
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! If you are a member of UUFC, we need you! Volunteer to help with set up, clean up, cashiering, or many other roles. We have a job for everyone. Contact Bonnie Morihara with questions.
Thursday, Nov. 30th, & Friday Dec. 1, 9:30 am to 1:00 pm
Love to cook? We’re going to have a fun time in the UU kitchen on Thursday and Friday leading up to the Holiday Fair! Volunteers are needed to help with preparing food and baking items for the “Cafe”. The food will be sold during the Holiday Fair on Dec 2. Please contact Reverend Jill with questions. Sign up below.
Do you have some wonderful breads, cookies, brownies, candies, etc. you’d like to donate for the Baked Goods table? Sign up here with your name, contact info, and what you will make. Contact Elaine Kahn about our requirements for selling to the public (list of ingredients, nothing that requires refrigeration, more). Your donations need to be delivered to the Social Hall by 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 1.
11/29, 9:00-10:30 am, Bow Making, no experience necessary. Indoors. 3-5 people needed.
11/29, 10:00 – 12:00, 12:00 – 3:00 Greenery making swag and centerpieces in Laura’s unheated garage. 3-6 people needed
11/30, 12:00 – 3:00 Greenery making swag centerpieces in Laura’s unheated garage. 3-6 people needed.
Making greenery will be held at the home of Laura Uhler. The projects will be created in Laura’s unheated garage, so wear a coat! Please sign up below to be notified of the address.
Our September Justice Outreach offerings will support our Partner Congregation in Bozod Korispatak, Transylvania, which is in Romania. Our partnership is 28 years old! In that time we have supported tuition for many students, plus stipends for ministry and elders. Our partners have hosted Fellowship members many times, and we have hosted them as well. The Korispatak congregation is part of the Hungarian Unitarian Church, the ancestral home of Unitarianism.
Information about the Monthly Outreach Offering, as well as about UUFC Justice Teams, is posted on the bulletin board at the northeast corner of the Social Hall. Learn more about our Partner Church there.
Advance tickets $23 – on sale at UUFC Sept. 17 and 24 (cash or checks only), $25 at the door ($26 for credit cards.) Roy Zimmerman’s signature blend of heart and hilarity has never been more necessary. In a career spanning more than thirty years, Roy’s songs have been heard on HBO and Showtime, and his videos have garnered hundreds of millions of views.
No Depression Magazine says, “Without a doubt, Roy Zimmerman is among the most important political commentators of the last few decades, and in the end, it’s the music that unites and disarms. With music this good and humor this insightful, there is good reason to be optimistic.”
The L.A. Times says, “Zimmerman displays a lacerating wit and keen awareness of society’s foibles that bring to mind a latter-day Tom Lehrer.”
Tom Lehrer himself says, “I congratulate Roy Zimmerman on reintroducing literacy to comedy songs.”
Check out his YouTube videos — Roy has garnered hundreds of millions of views. Here are a couple of our favorites (co-written by Roy and his wife Melanie Harber):
Each year we begin again to renew our leadership skills and commitments. This year, we will pay lots of attention to where new ways are needed. Therefore, all leaders of teams, groups, projects, events and councils are invited and needed on September 30. Please rsvp to let us know you’ll attend this all-day Leadership retreat, at this link: https://uufc.breezechms.com/form/d5a3de
Anyone who is not currently leading, as described above, but who is interested in becoming part of this wide leadership team, is welcome. Please reach out to Rev. Jill McA if you have questions. We’ll begin at 9 AM and continue to 5PM. Lunch and snacks will be provided. If childcare is needed for you to participate, please indicate that on the RSVP Form.
Together we will map out the new Fellowship year, learn skills together, and live into our new covenant of Right Relations. We’ll cover some nuts and bolts of facilitation and collaboration, of Fellowship structure, current needs, and new ideas. There is much to both rebuild and build anew. You are needed – please join us! Questions: Contact Rev. Jill McAllister. NOTE: We’ll celebrate a good day with an evening concert by Roy Zimmerman!
