Thank-you, thank-you to the Emergency Preparedness team: Craig Olbrich, Wolfgang Dengler and Denis White, for providing training for leaders, Sunday volunteers and more last Saturday Feb. 10, focusing on how to help evacuate the building especially in case of fire. (And how interesting that our fire alarm system began to malfunction the following day — we’re looking now at a system upgrade). Here’s a take-away for everyone: if a building evactuation is needed, everyone head out toward the parking lot to the gathering point at the corner of Firwood and Elmwood.
Daily Practice: A Weekly Reminder
To begin a day with notes of thanks is never a waste of time. It is a courageous way to orient oneself to a day, given how easy it is to start with complaints. To sit quietly for a few minutes to see what gratitudes emerge can feel like what the phrase “heart song” might mean. Thanks for the chorus of frogs and the response of an owl last night; for the shape of Marys Peak on the horizon; for the snow drops and crocuses and three tall daffodils already in bloom; for the busyness of birds who share this place; for the smell of moisture-filled morning air; for the thriving vibrant green of lichens; for gifts from friends and family – a poem, a photo, a message; for the wisdom of teachers and of students; for being part of a supportive working team; for knowing I am held in a circle of connection and love. I try to begin the day smiling, which is always what happens when I pause to count blessings. As I’m smiling, I’m bowing my head to my heart in a spontaneous prayer for so much that is so painful – for people living in wars in Ukraine and Gaza and elsewhere; for children in danger; for families struggling to survive; for generations of trauma of racism and patriarchy; for losses and mourning; for the state of the earth’s living systems. I look to this day with hope, and words from W.E.B DuBois as encouragement: “ The prayer of our souls is a petition for persistence; not for one good deed but deed on deed and thought on thought, until day calling unto day shall make a life worth living.” May this be our daily practice.
Improv Skills for Shared Ministry, and Life! 2/18 at 11:45 am
An After Service Continued Conversation on February 18: Treat yourself refreshments at the Coffee Hour, then join Rev. Darrick Jackson and Rev. Jill McAllister at 11:45 AM in the Sanctuary for an hour of further conversation about improvisation for congregational life and life in the world. All are welcome.
“Shared Ministry as Improv,” 2/18/2023
So much is changing in our world, faith, and congregational lives. As we engage this changing reality, we need tools to help us meet the needs of this liminal time. Improvisation can provide us with a framework for shared ministry, and life!
Our guest preacher, The Rev. Darrick Jackson (he/him), is the Director of Ministries for Lifelong Learning of the UU Ministers Association. He is one of the authors in the book “Centering: Navigating Race, Authenticity and Power in Ministry.” Rev. Darrick is active in DRUUMM (the UU ministry for people of color) and is the treasurer for Healing Moments (a ministry for caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s). He is pursuing his D.Min in Theology and the Arts at the United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. Rev. Darrick and his husband, Dr. James Olson, live with their two cats, Merlin and Morgana. After Service Continued Conversation: Treat yourself refreshments at the Coffee Hour, then join Darrick and Jill McA at 11:45 AM in the Sanctuary for further conversation about improvisation for congregational life and life in the world. All are welcome.
Hub City Village Volunteerism and Donations
We are helping to furnish homes for those in need ~ CreatingHousing.org is in the midst of building 27 permanent tiny homes and a community center in Albany for those without secure housing and who are interested in being part of a cooperative community. To sponsor the completion of a tiny home, an organization can supply a list of household items like dishes, sheets, etc and then deliver that full set upon the home’s completion, projected at May/June 2024.
UUFC Member Joyce Marvel-Benoist is coordinating the sponsorship program and has asked the UU congregation to participate in bringing items to sponsor a home. She will be at a table in the foyer after the service on Sunday to share the list of needed items and answer questions. Additionally fabric and curtains are being collected for the making of curtains for all the homes (home sewing or April 16 sewing work party.)
Thank you,
Joyce
Happy birthday, Grandfolks Squad!
Can you believe the Grandfolks Squad turned one year old this month?! AMAZING!
If you find yourself in need of a team of Grandfolks to care for your children so that you can attend a Fellowship-sponsored event, use THIS NEW FORM to make your request! It’s easy!
We are so grateful to all the volunteers who have provided free childcare for our families this year! If you see anyone wearing a Grandfolks Squad button, make sure to thank them for all they do to make UUFC a welcoming place for families!
Currently serving grandfolks include Susan Smythe, Bobbi Bailey, John Bailey, Anne Tanner, Holley Lantz, Diana Titus, Jesse Ford, Carolyn Giles, and John Bailey.
Thanks for all you do, Squad! You’re awesome!
Coming of Age is Back!
We’re delighted to announce that the beloved Coming of Age program is back in 2024!
This is a program that asks our youth to explore what it means to become an adult in a Unitarian Universalist context. A lot of cultures have this kind of event in the life of their congregation or community. Close to home, our Jewish neighbors have bat and bar mitzvahs where young people are asked to learn a language and be able to reflect on a text. In other cultures there are walkabouts, solo experiences in the wilderness, or even rounds of combat. In each of these examples, the community is expressing what is important to it. In Judaism, the importance is put on being religiously literate in the language of the Torah. Walkabouts emphasize the importance of survival in nature, while hand to hand combat points toward the importance of defending the group or surviving a conflict.
In our faith, we ask our teenagers to reflect deeply on who they are as spiritual people, to be able to think metaphorically, and to express themselves as soulful, connected beings, capable of experiencing a spiritual passion and transforming that passion into service and dedication to a common good. These are the attributes we seek in our adults, and therefore the ones that we assist our youth in developing.
Because of the programming losses we experienced during the pandemic years, this year’s Coming of Age will be open to all youth in grades 7-12. Space is limited, so don’t delay in registering.
For the safety of our youth, additional information about dates and times is available by request only. Please contact Skyla King-Christison at dre@uucorvallis.org if you’d like more details.
New Resources for Caregivers of Teens
Our film screening of What I Wish My Parents Knew served as an excellent conversation starter! Thanks for everyone who participated! Lots of ideas were generated about how we can sharpen our skills as compassionate listeners and be more present to the needs of the members of our community. We want to keep this conversation going!
To follow up, I’d like to share a few resources that are immediately available to parents, grandparents, and caregivers in our community.
As a member of the UU Mental Health Network’s GA proposal team, I was gifted with a set of the Tell My Story card game that is designed to help initiate connection and communication between teens and their caregivers. You are most welcome to check this card deck out from the RE office for 2 weeks at a time and use it at the dinner table, at bed time, on car rides, or whenever you feel like there’s time for sharing, but maybe you don’t know where to start.
Additionally, the UU Mental Health Network spent a large part of this past year working with religious educators across the country to compile a list of mental health resources specifically relevant to children and youth. You can find the newly completed Mental Health Toolkit for Children and Youth by clicking HERE!
I hope these resources can help us keep expanding our capacities to be the kind of community where our children and youth can show up authentically and receive the support they need to thrive and connect.
Soulful Home Pancake Breakfast, 5/11
Monthly, Second Saturdays
9:00 am in the children’s classroom 6C
Gather with other UU families for a time of songs, fun and food. Pancakes, milk, and juice will be provided. Bring a favorite topping to share!
Please note that families of all configurations are welcome here! If your child isn’t with you on pancake weekend and you have the desire to connect with other parents in our community, you are most welcome to come join the fun in the absence of your kiddos.
TYPICAL AGENDA:
Chalice lighting & Music time (bring your instruments!)
Pancakes (bring your favorite topping!)
Playground time
Camping at South Beach 2024
Thursday, July 18th – Sunday, July 21st. At South Beach State Park, Oregon.
Connect-up with other UUFC campers July 18 – 21. Participate in shared meals, group hikes, campfires, music, and other fun activities. Come for all of the weekend, or just a part.
Campers must reserve and pay for their own spots at South Beach State Park Campground. Make your reservation.
There are yurts available, as well as RV sites and tent sites!
After you’ve made your reservation, let us know you will be there so we can meet ahead and plan activities.
Coordinated by Julie Halter and Nancy Gill.
