The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Corvallis
Mon July 3rd at 6:30 – 7:30:PM
In person at the UUFC Social Hall or by Zoom
The Climate Action Team invites members and friends to join in viewing and discussing the 15 min solutions-oriented video from Project Drawdown Making it Happen. Popcorn & tea will be served.
Questions: michael.a.hughes1951@gmail.com
Good morning friends — I’m reading a collection of poems titled “How To Love The World” (James Crews). The title itself has become my daily practice for now. It is one of the essential religious questions, at the edge of learning and growth. It seems that the more we know, or think we know, the harder it is to love the world. The “facts” are not very encouraging.
Buddhist teachings have addressed this question for centuries. They teach that what we call the ego – a major part of how we interact with and interpret the world – is biased according to its own needs. The ego in each of us interprets information to satisfy its limited needs and ignores everything else. This “ignorance” is the source of our suffering, they say, and suffering makes it hard to love the world. It takes a courageous outlook to “Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by ignorance.”
I’m learning that daily practice is simply a way to try to love the world, every day, over and over again. It is a way to step aside from the ego, a little bit (though whether or not we are ever successful at that I do not know), and let ourselves be present to what is true and real in the moment, starting with breath, air, light, sky, earth, living and dying. Most days, I don’t have a good answer for how to love the world, but almost every day I am convinced that it is worth trying, worth the effort. And I’m pretty sure it can only be done by loving one thing at a time – one thing, and then another, and then perhaps another. Here in this small part of earth, where clouds move over the hills and the air is cool, I begin again by sending love to you all — Jill
Good news is a powerful motivator for action, & there‘s lots of good news about climate mitigation, adaptation/resilience, and justice. Here’s a sample…
In a First, Wind and Solar Generated More Power Than Coal in U.S.
A bright spot in the darkest hour
Is Geothermal Energy The Key To Decarbonization?
Company Tests Paying Coffee Farmers Who Grow Sustainably
US-made wind and solar components are now cheaper than imports
Rocks: The Unexpected Powerhouse of Sustainable Solar Energy Storage
Almond Yogurt Is Healthier and More Sustainable Than Dairy, Study Finds
Ford’s first carbon-neutral assembly plant to produce electric Explorer, next-gen EVs
Compressed air and hot sand are poised to reshape the grid-scale battery landscape.
Tidal Wave Energy Is Emerging Globally: Find Out Who’s Leading the Way
Collegiate Competitions Supercharge the Future Clean Energy Workforce
‘One step closer.’ Vineyard Wind begins laying foundations for offshore wind turbines
UK’s Offshore Wind Pipeline Closing In on 100 GW
The Amazing Giant Heat Pump Of Esbjerg
Thursday 6-15, 7-8 PM, The Climate Action Team invites members and friends interested in collaboration with local faith-based green teams.
Mon 6-19, 4-7 PM, at Linn-Benton Community College. A Celebration featuring Black owned business expo, community tabling, guest speakers, vaccination clinic and more.
Thursday 6-22, 4 PM,“Climate Change: Past, Present and Our Ability to Impact the Future ” Climate scientists Dr. Rachel Licker and Dr. Mark Potosnak will share data and indicators of climate change, the impact of efforts to date, and future actions we can take to continue to address climate change.
Monday, 6-26, 6:30- 7:30 PM, Markus Kleber, a soil scientist at Oregon State University, to discuss Carbon Offset at the Neighborhood Scale.
Thursday 6-29, 7-8 PM, Members and friends are invited to an informal follow up to April Earth Day Climate Service, which focused on developing relationships through care for Earth.
Thursday 6-22, 7:00 – 8:15 PM All members and friends interested in helping UUFC put into practice our declared (as per the printed order of service) dedication to climate action and climate justice are invited and encouraged to participate.
Ask Congress to Put a Price on Carbon in 2023. A carbon fee and dividend will drive energy innovation, giving every American community access to abundant, affordable clean energy at a predictable price.. With a price on carbon, polluters pay. People get a carbon cashback. It will:
Mercury is dangerous — it can do serious damage to a child’s developing brain. Yet we still allow it to pour from the smokestacks of coal-fired power plants, where it then settles into nearby rivers and lakes. No more!. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is considering stronger limits on mercury pollution from power plants for the first time in a decade — and we must seize this opportunity to make sure they’re enacted. Tell the EPA: Enact strong limits on mercury pollution from power plants.
When insurance companies such as The Hartford insure new fossil fuel projects, they contribute to more extreme weather and climate disasters in our future, which in turn will require bigger insurance payouts. That makes no sense — but together, we have a chance to convince The Hartford to better protect both consumers and the climate by no longer underwriting fossil fuel projects. Tell The Hartford: Stop insuring climate risks.
Together we make a difference.
— Citizens’ Climate Lobby
When people join together to collectively advocate for climate solutions, they become part of powerful forces that can bring about society-wide changes. For example, the Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL), a nonprofit, nonpartisan, grassroots advocacy climate change organization, empowers everyday people to work together to build support in Congress for national bipartisan solutions to climate change.
By focusing on shared values rather than partisan divides, Citizens’ Climate Lobby builds relationships with community leaders and with federal elected officials and with Congress, always starting from a place of respect, gratitude, and appreciation. Citizens’ Climate Lobby believes that relationships based on mutual respect and understanding are what bring lasting climate change solutions. CCL provides training, tools, and support for volunteers to build such relationships and to promote climate solutions that have appeal across the political spectrum.
Shared by Deborah Clark
Member UUFC Climate Action and Corvallis chapter Citizens’ Climate Lobby
It’s not the job of children to fix the climate crisis. We must show them grown-ups are leading the way. The Guardian
Reflections on the Business Resolution for the 2023 UUA General Assembly: “Complete Divestment from the Fossil Fuel Industry and Subsequent Reparations” UU Ministry for Earth
Climate change, poverty, and inequality are the defining issues of our age. World Bank
What: Discussion with Dr. Markus Kleber on Carbon Offset at the Neighborhood Scale
When: Monday, June 26th at 6:30 PM
Where: In person in Room 7 at the Fellowship or by Zoom
The Climate Action Team invites UUFC members & friends to meet with Markus Kleber, a soil scientist at Oregon State University, to discuss Carbon Offset at the Neighborhood Scale.
As the UUFC plans for cutting down some of the 60+ year old cedar trees along our eastern property line, the issues of sequestered carbon loss and possible onsite alternatives to carbon offset have been raised.
Dr. Markus Kleber, an OSU Crop and Soil Science Professor of Soil Science, has agreed to meet with those interested in this topic at 6:30 pm on Monday June 26 in room 7 at the Fellowship. Part of his OSU research effort is on organic matter turnover dynamics. Dr. Kleber will give us an approximately 30-minute overview on the current science of CO2 emissions and sequestration at various landscape levels and talk with us about possibilities on UUFC grounds. Are there are any options that really make sense?
This conversation is open to all with interest.
Sunday June 11, 11:45 am, after the service. Meet in the back of the sanctuary.
Practice speaking out for LGBTQ+ people as and Ally. This workshop will be led by Lily Hislop as part of our Pride Month offerings.
We know that religious spaces haven’t always been welcoming places for all people, especially when it comes to gender and sexuality. The Unitarian Universalist Association has a history of standing up for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. Being welcoming means striving for radical inclusion, and creating spaces that honor every part of our identities, backgrounds, and experiences. Join us as we continue the work of being allies!
June 5th, 2023, 6:30 pm in the Social Hall
Probiotic Potluck: Eric Karbowski will demonstrate how to make a probiotic sandwich. Participants will then make their own sandwiches. As participants eat in fellowship, Eric will host a discussion of food as medicine, microbiomes, & using gardens to store carbon emissions while growing probiotics. RSVP to receive your assigned potluck ingredient. Participants should bring their own cutting boards and knives.
This event is organized by the Faith Based Climate Action Team. More info about this team here.
Star Trek and UU
The UU Seven Principals align well with the values of the imagined future of the Star Trek Universe. Star
Trek has a long tradition of producing shows that address challenging topics of our contemporary life
using the guise of science fiction and alien civilizations to tell allegorical stories. The shows are not just
entertaining (though they totally are); some of them dig into some really difficult issues that are worth
sharing with others and starting some conversations around.
We shared a curated list of relevant episodes from multiple Star Trek series’ dealing with racism, war, the
nature of individuality and ones inherent rights, gender identity, the environment, homelessness and
genocide. Each episode was briefly introduced, then watched, followed by some great discussion. We also
had snacks.
We met for 10 sessions on the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month from February through June. At our first
session two people came. At our last 16 people came. Over 20 people participated at least once. The ages
of the participants ranged from mid 20’s to mid 70’s.
We hope to resume this Connect Up activity in October 2023. Anyone can attend, you do not need to have prior
knowledge of Star Trek or be a Trekkie to participate in this activity.
Star Trek and UU was organized by Amy Ayers with the help of Tyson Bryant.
