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!
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.
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…
To help assess the engagement of UUFC members and friends in faith-based climate action and to encourage such action, please anonymously share the number of the actions below you take this week using this google form. Optionally, you may anonymously also share other recent climate action.
ConocoPhillips’ Willow oil drilling project in the western Arctic will add hundreds of millions of metric tons of carbon pollution to our atmosphere. These jaw-dropping emissions are virtually guaranteed to accelerate the climate crisis, resulting in more harm to communities already in distress from unnatural floods, droughts, wildfires, and storms. And it’d be a disaster for Arctic wildlife like polar bears, caribou, and migratory birds. Construction work in the Arctic has stopped because ice roads melt during the spring and summer. No roads mean no heavy machinery. This is our chance to overwhelm ConocoPhillips with letters of opposition they can’t ignore.Demand ConocoPhillips Stop Arctic Drilling.
At a hearing on an emergency motion filed by the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa on May 18, Western District Court Judge William Conley stated that it was only a matter of time before the 70-year-old Enbridge Line 5 crude oil pipeline that runs across the Bad River Band’s territory would be shut down. (Judge declares Line 5 pipeline will be shut down:”It’s just a question of when”). The Bad River is eroding fast, which will expose the pipeline. Stand with the Bad River Band and join us in making calls for an immediate shutdown! Call the Pipeline Hazardous Materials and Safety Line National Response Hotline 800-424-8802
Critics have often labeled online petitions as another form of “slacktivism,” pointing to their low-risk nature that doesn’t commit its signers to any further action other than the click of a button. But it’s exactly that ease andaccessibility which makepetitions powerful tools, Clark-Parsons says. “Both research and anecdotal evidence tell us that most people will not take part in activism that requires great risk or high levels of commitment,” Clark-Parsons said. “What critics refer to as ‘slacktivism’ can actually create an alternative outlet for those who would typically not get involved in any movement at all.” With the help of petitions, organizers and movement leaders can visualize who their supporters are and who are “the people who agree with their mission but aren’t willing to take major actions to support it just yet,” she says.
The earth has been a subject of inspiration for composers across the world for centuries; each of the musical compositions below were used for today’s service with this Sunday’s theme in mind: building relationships through care for our earth.
The choir’s first anthem, “Emerald Stream” (by Seth Houston) is a rollicking tune reminiscent of a sea shanty or drinking song, but while toe-tapping and moving to the beat, careful listeners will have caught the warning the song offers:
So, now, my people beware,
You’re in charge of the seas and the earth and the air,
You’d better take extr-odinary care
Of the earth, our only home.
“Earth Song”, the choir’s second anthem, originally started as an instrumental work, but Frank Ticheli stated “this music is just begging to be sung by a chorus”. “Earth Song” beseeches the world for kindness and peace, while praising the healing power of music and song.
Sing, Be, Live, See…the scorched earth cries out in vain.
Today’s offertory “Look Around” hails from the 1991 musical The Will Rodgers Follies. Alone, the music of “Look Around” is lovely and poignant, but only when the song lyrics are known is the sadness of this beautiful song understood.
Look around, the world’s a lovely place, lovely sky and sea; well, it used to be.
Look around, the world is shining bright, watch the green grass grow; well, that once was so.
Where’s the spring that loved the rain?
Where’s the grove down Lover’s Lane?
Look around, they vanish overnight
Where’s the lovely world we used to see.
And finally, Joni Mitchell’s beloved “Big Yellow Taxi” reminds us of the consequences of our actions on the environment and the need to take responsibility for protecting our planet.
Today’s service will hopefully inspire us to take action to care for our planet and build stronger relationships with each other and the earth. We can reflect on the importance of preserving our natural resources, taking responsibility for our actions, and fostering appreciation for the beauty and diversity of the world around us. By doing so, we can build a more just, sustainable, and compassionate world for all.
Towards Net Zero: Monitor your use of fossil fuels and resulting carbon emissions. <Info>, <Sign up>
To help assess the engagement of UUFC members and friends in faith-based climate action and to encourage such action, please anonymously share the number of the actions below you take this week. Optionally, you may anonymously also share other recent climate action. <Share>
Act For A Climate-Smart Farm Bill. This year, as faith-based actors, we have an essential role in showcasing that faith advocates see a moral imperative for a proposal that shifts to a greener, more sustainable, regenerative approach. Please take action: Review our Handout, send a message using our <online letter platform>, and distribute an Action Poster.
Join us in calling on Toyota to stop lobbying against climate change provisions and join other automakers in pledging to deliver 100% electric vehicles by 2035! . Toyota ranked among the “world’s most obstructive companies on climate policy” of 2022, with oil giants like Exxon Mobil and Chevron. <Toyota: It’s time to answer the call.>
With the House of Representatives passing HR1 (the “Polluters over People Act”), the bill now moves to the Senate. Although top Senate Democrats and the White House have signaled they’re against the full bill, they may still want to pass a core element of the bill in an effort to fast-track fossil fuel development and extraction. This would roll back foundational environmental laws and regulations that safeguard Native communities. Together, we must demonstrate massive public opposition to HR1 and any actions meant to remove Native voices from critical policy decisions, <Sign & Send>
Critics have often labeled online petitions as another form of “slacktivism,” pointing to their low-risk nature that doesn’t commit its signers to any further action other than the click of a button. But it’s exactly that ease andaccessibility which makepetitions powerful tools, Clark-Parsons says. “Both research and anecdotal evidence tell us that most people will not take part in activism that requires great risk or high levels of commitment,” Clark-Parsons said. “What critics refer to as ‘slacktivism’ can actually create an alternative outlet for those who would typically not get involved in any movement at all.” With the help of petitions, organizers and movement leaders can visualize who their supporters are and who are “the people who agree with their mission but aren’t willing to take major actions to support it just yet,” she says.
Learn about the latest in building materials and equipment as well as improved construction methods. A wide variety of vendors will be showing exciting new products. Watch a fun cooking demonstration on an induction stove, tour the Better Building Coach that features energy-saving mechanical systems. Be sure to check out the Renter’s Corner, featuring many moveable items geared to make your life better. <Press Release> <Flyer>
Sun 16 Apr:
Earth Month service @ UUFC. Building relationships through care for our Earth
As people of faith and conscience, we are called to promote the dignity and worth of all people. The Farm Bill — an enormous multibillion-dollar agriculture and nutrition bill passed every five years, presents a unique opportunity to create solutions that better protect our planet, and support farmers as they grow and harvest healthy food for all. For too long, powerful corporations have influenced what farmers grow, often pushing farms towards conventional agricultural practices that contribute to harmful greenhouse gas emissions. Through the Farm Bill, Congress can champion a transition to support farmers towards more sustainable practices that help mitigate climate change, instead of contributing to it. It is imperative we shift our agricultural policies to better support farmers in creating a more sustainable and just future for all of our neighbors. <Register>
All whose primary identification is male are welcome to the beautiful Menucha Conference Center on the Columbia Gorge in early November. Car pools will be available to aid in transport and reduce carbon impacts, and scholarships will help to defray the cost of attendance. Our theme is still under development, but is likely to involve reflection on when and why we choose to tune-in vs. to tune-out in our personal and public lives. Your ideas are welcome. As usual, we will hold an open-mic session for sharing poems, songs, jokes, and more Saturday evening.
For more information, contact planning committee members:
The Easter story of the rebirth of Jesus is one of the foundational stories of the Christian faith. It’s also part of one of the foundational stories of theatrical tradition! Learn how in today’s podcast.
The Building Expansion Team and the Board are in agreement: we can move forward to expand the social hall and make the whole building more energy efficient and safe. We have already invested in this process and we’ll still be able to accomplish a lot. First, the Corvallis City Council needs to vote to let us rescind our request for a new conditional use permit. That meeting will be on March 6. Once we have that assurance, we’ll schedule an open meeting for all who are interested to talk about the next steps and what the project can include now.
