Past Services

PAST SERMONS

Starting in the Fall of 2023 we began posting the Weekly Announcements on the website, which included summaries of the sermons. If you are looking for sermons from before what we have here, you might check the Weekly Announcements Archives.

May 31, 2026
Sunday Worship Service: Flower Communion
“The Flowers in the Fence Outside the Detention Center”
Flower Communion is part of our Unitarian heritage and honors finding beauty in times of political pain.  Alex will tell a story from this past year, when the Flower Communion was done outside an ICE detention center in Chicago.  A special guest will share kirtan music.  All ages will be together in this service.
Bring a blossom to share if you can.  We will also have extra flowers to share.
May 24, 2026
Sunday Worship Service: Rabbi Phil Bressler, guest speaker

Unitarian Universalism honors wisdom from many world traditions, and today we are honored to welcome Rabbi Phil Bressler, from Beit Am Mid-Willamette Valley Jewish Community. He grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota where he was active in the Reform Jewish community and spent his summers at URJ (Union of Reform Judaism) summer camp. Phil’s path to the rabbinate began at Washington University in St. Louis, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Jewish, Islamic, and Near-Eastern Studies in 2006. Music has been an important part of Phil’s life from an early age, and he has made it an integral part of his rabbinic work. Phil is dedicated in his work to helping others connect with the part of Judaism that speaks to them and making Jewish tradition accessible and understandable to anyone seeking it out.

May 17, 2026
Sunday Worship Service: Choir Sunday

Music touches the soul in a special way. Come be together as we bask in the ministry of the UUFC choir, uplifting our shared values through song.

Join the UUFC Choir as they explore W. H. Auden’s Refugee Blues through repertoire spanning from the 13th century to contemporary works. It is the hope of the choir that you’ll join them in music making and sonic contemplation before our annual meeting.

The UUFC choir will be presenting works from Gene Glickman, Nancy Grundahl, Karl Jenkins, Gabriel Kahane, Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Dr.Bernice Johnson Reagon, Brian Tate, and Dr. André J. Thomas.

After the service there will be refreshments and our Annual Meeting, where you can hear about the UUFC’s accomplishments in the past year and dreams for the coming years. Members will vote on significant financial and ministerial matters. Read more about our Annual Meeting by clicking this link.

May 10, 2026
Sunday Worship Service: Mothers Day and the Feminine Divine

Mothers Day has unique tender meanings for each of us. Gather in sanctuary as we consider the feminine aspects of the divine.

GUEST SPEAKER: Rev. Beth Crawford was born and raised in North Carolina but now considers Corvallis her home. Her interest in the divine feminine began in her Southern Baptist-infused childhood during which she mused that there must be an alternative to the patriarchal spirituality presented to her. She has continued to reflect on the divine feminine while serving in a variety of professional roles including congregational ministry, hospital chaplaincy, campus ministry, and as an attorney focusing on high-conflict family law. She has a deep love for travel, music, and the outdoors. Along with her husband, she is raising two remarkable children, aged 13 and 10. She is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA).

May 3, 2026
Sunday Worship Service: May Day’s Many Meanings

May Day has many meanings: as Beltane reminds us that we are halfway from the Spring Equinox to the longest day of Summer. Meanwhile, across the United States this year, organizers are naming this May 1st as crucial for honoring International Workers Day.

Rev. Alex McGee will preach

The May Pole activity after service that was previously advertised has been cancelled.

April 26, 2026
Sunday Worship Service: What’s Your Agenda

Having a personal or professional agenda is often considered a negative thing in Unitarian Universalism. Yet, not having purpose can cause anguish. We begin wonder what we are doing here. Today we unwrap our agendas in a life well lived.

Guest speaker Rev. Mitra Rahnema is a lifelong Unitarian Universalist and graduate of Starr King School for the Ministry. She has offered ministry to congregations in Missouri, Michigan, and California. Mitra is editor of the 2017 book and UUA Common Read, “Centering: Navigating Race, Authenticity, and Power in Ministry.” She is dedicated to building vibrant and engaged anti-oppressive communities. Mitra lives in Portland, OR.

April 19, 2026
Sunday Worship Service: Caring for Moral Health

As people of conscience, how can we relate to the people who serve in our military, knowing the complex moral issues that they face? Guest speaker Logan Isaac brings his background as a veteran, theologian, and ethicist.

Logan Isaac will speak

April 12, 2026
Sunday Worship Service: When Our Ideals are Challenged

When we work hard to make this world more just, but seem to face betrayal and despair instead, what can we do?  Alex will bring lessons from Unitarian and Universalist forebears as well as current activist theologians.  Renewed inner spirituality, sharing our lessons, and resting may surprise us on our way.

Rev. Alexandra McGee will preach.  Special guest musician Nancy Snowden will play cello.

  • April 12, 2026 – When Our Ideals are Challenged

    When we work hard to make this world more just, but seem to face betrayal and despair instead, what can we do?  Alex will bring lessons from Unitarian and Universalist forebears as well as current activist theologians.  Renewed inner spirituality, sharing our lessons, and resting may surprise us on our way.

    Rev. Alexandra McGee will preach.  Special guest musician Nancy Snowden will play cello.

  • April 5, 2026 – Easter: The Story of an Ancient Teacher through Our Current Values

    Easter comes from the Christian tradition, which is part of the UU heritage. The story of the famous teacher, Jesus, contains all the elements of our shared JETPIG values, if we know where to look. This All Ages service, designed by our Director of Religious Exploration, will engage us in surprising ways. Easter Egg hunt after the Service!

    Led by DRE Skyla King-Christison and others

  • March 29, 2026 – Spring Cleaning through a Spiritual Lens

    Many things we create serve us well for a time.  But how do we know when their time has come to an end?  What are the spiritual cues for making space for new life-giving creativity?  Transformation can be scary and exhilarating.

    The originally planned UUFC history slide show and timeline after service have been postponed.

    Rev. Alex McGee will preach

  • March 22, 2026 – Justice and Songs

    What is your earliest memory of singing in a group? When was a time when you felt more power and peace because of singing with others? Today’s service will explore justice songs from our UU hymnal, and we will learn two songs chosen by local Corvallis churches to learn together for those attending the March 28 march.

    Led by Robin Lancaster (member lay leader) and David Servias (Music Director)

  • March 15, 2026 – Stewardship

    All of our efforts, time, and money blend together to make the UUFC community what it is and what it can be. Let us reflect on what it means to steward the gifts of the earth, to live in a capitalist economy with a household budget, and to thoughtfully discern a pledge for the coming year. 

    Rev. Alex McGee will preach

    Please plan to stay after worship for a one hour Town Hall on the pledge drive.  Learn about how you are part of our financial planning and get your questions answered.  Abundant snacks provided!  All are welcome whether you sign up or not, but if you fill out this form, you can request childcare and we can better plan for food.

  • March 8, 2026 – Search

    Search: What does it mean to be open to searching in life, and what are the practicalities and joys of the UU process for ministerial Search?

    Jones Hollister will be our guest speaker. Jones served as chair of the search committee at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Eugene. Jones went on to serve as board president, finishing their term last year.

  • March 1, 2026 – Inspiration from our Partner Church in Transylvania

    Last Fall, several members of UUFC went to visit our Partner Church in Transylvania. Today they will share information, illumination, and inspiration: history of partner churches at UUFC; how they observed resilience in action; how Unitarianism there reflects Christian roots; and rituals that were transformative.

    Janet Throop, Linda Bruslind, Scott Bruslind, and Patricia Parcells will speak.

  • February 22, 2026 – Shelter and Community Care

    For several decades, Corvallis has grappled with challenges of what it means to have safe housing for all and shelter accessible to those in need. This UU Fellowship has played a role in many ways. Come reflect on the history of the congregation’s collaboration with Unity Shelter, current local issues, and what might be possible in the future.

    Shawn Collins, Executive Director of Unity Shelter, will be our guest speaker. Shawn got his first look at the realities of homelessness and poverty in the Willamette Valley through his volunteer experiences at the South Corvallis Food Bank. After leaving HP in 2016, Shawn worked at United Way of Benton & Lincoln Counties, as the Program Manager for the Housing Opportunities Action Council (HOAC) through 2019. He was instrumental in securing the site that would become the Corvallis Men’s Shelter in 2017.

  • February 15, 2026 – Love

    What do we need to talk about in our Unitarian Universalist Fellowship on the day after Valentine’s Day? Come find out!

    Rev. Alex McGee will preach

  • February 8, 2026 – Reconciliation

    Cheap forgiveness may be falsely labeled as reconciliation — but the risks are great. So, today, let us consider the many steps of accountability that are often necessary before true reconciliation is possible. Because around the world and in the home, true reconciliation allows fresh possibilities in life.

    Rev. Alex McGee will preach

  • February 1, 2026 – Forgiveness

    Forgiveness can sometimes feel elusive or confusing. But humans throughout the ages continue to grapple with forgiveness. Let us consider what is ready to be heard in our hearts and put into action now.

    Rev. Alex McGee will preach

  • January 25, 2026 – Why Church?

    “Why Church?” Community, exploration, redemption, forgiveness, exchange, justice – what the heck is church for? Let’s talk about why church matters.

    Guest speaker Rev. Mitra Rahnema is a lifelong Unitarian Universalist and graduate of Starr King School for the Ministry. She has offered ministry to congregations in Missouri, Michigan, and California. Mitra is editor of the 2017 book and UUA Common Read, “Centering: Navigating Race, Authenticity, and Power in Ministry.” She is dedicated to building vibrant and engaged anti-oppressive communities. Mitra lives in Portland, OR.

SUNDAY SERVICE VIDEOS

We have saved videos from most of the services from the past several years. Occasionally a service video doesn’t get recorded, or saved.

YouTube Playlists:

Service Videos (January 2020 – March 2023): The link opens a pdf of an older method of storing links to service videos, before we started uploading them to YouTube.