Past Services

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.

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.

September 6, 2026
Sunday Worship Service: Into the Clearing

In difficult times when it feels like there’s no way forward, what does it take to open up possibility again? It’s the work of community to help each other come into the clearing.

with Rev. Alex McGee and Rev. Monica Jacobson-Tennessen

August 30, 2026
Sunday Worship Service: What Wondrous Love is This

Join us for our weekly worship service, this Sunday at 10 AM. There will be singing, listening, and being. If the topic of the sermon is known in advance, it will be advertised in this space.

You can attend worship in person, or online through Zoom by clicking the blue button at the top of the web page that says “Watch our Sunday Worship Service on Zoom”. The Zoom stream starts shortly before 10 AM on Sunday.

August 23, 2026
Sunday Worship Service: Can an Atheist have Faith?

Join us for our weekly worship service, this Sunday at 10 AM. There will be singing, listening, and being. If the topic of the sermon is known in advance, it will be advertised in this space.

You can attend worship in person, or online through Zoom by clicking the blue button at the top of the web page that says “Watch our Sunday Worship Service on Zoom”. The Zoom stream starts shortly before 10 AM on Sunday.

August 16, 2026
Sunday Worship Service: The Fellowship Movement

As Unitarian Universalism moved west, it began to take on a different form. Instead of meetinghouses in the center of New England towns, small groups of people began gathering in living rooms, school buildings, and borrowed spaces, building communities rooted in shared commitment, care, and imagination. This is the history of the Fellowship Movement—and the life it continues to have in places like Corvallis, where that work of community-building remains steady and ongoing.

Guest Minister: Reverend Karishma Neva Gottfried is a newly ordained Unitarian Universalist minister, serving the Community Church of New York as Minister for Youth & Young Adults. But long before that, she was a baby dedicated, a child coming of age, and youth bridging in the UU Fellowship of Corvallis. Rev. Karishma returns to us for her first service after ordination (where Rev. Jill McAllister gave the charge to “begin again in love”) to share a little of what she’s learned from her time studying Unitarian Universalism and UU congregations as UUFC prepares to call a new minister.

August 9, 2026
Sunday Worship Service: Accidental Violence by Peacemakers

As we work to preserve democracy, is it possible that some of our efforts have unintended consequences? How can we raise awareness to fine tune our process?

August 2, 2026
Sunday Worship Service: Climate Effectiveness by Reducing Food Waste

Jeanette Hardison moved here in 1982, and has built a career of teaching recycling and waste prevention, spanning the last 33 years! She created the popular “Corvallis-Area ReUse Directory”, and she founded and directs the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition’s “No Food Left Behind” program.

It takes a staggering amount of resources to get food from farm to fork… from seed to plate… and preventing wasted food is the #1 way individuals can reduce their carbon footprints. Jeanette will share how important and easy it is to prevent wasted food at home, and save thousands per year in food costs. She will be available in the Social Hall afterwards for additional conversations.

July 26, 2026
Sunday Worship Service: Peace and Justice Philosophies in Star Trek

Guest speaker Joseph Orosco serves as a Professor of Philosophy at Oregon State University. He is active as a labor leader there. He has published books on immigration and social change movements. Today we will hear how his exploration of utopian/dystopian fiction can offer insights into how to live a good life.

July 19, 2026
Sunday Worship Service: A Release Service

Summer in our society can be a time of transitions: such as graduations and preparing for new schools, or moving for new jobs. It’s been a year since Rev. Jill’s last service on July 13, 2025. Perhaps doors have opened or closed in your life. Such milestones are a good time to have a ritual of release, and we will experiment with dissolving paper to acknowledge and let go of things that are past, celebrating blessings and releasing burdens. Rev. Alex will lead.

July 12, 2026
Sunday Worship Service: Deep Listening

Humans can have profound transformation when another person offers focused, non-judgmental listening. Thea Hart and Alex McGee will explore what groups in UU life can offer this experience, and how we integrate it into other parts of our lives.

July 5, 2026
Sunday Worship Service: The Meaning of Freedom?

What does Freedom mean to you, especially as you ponder the July 4 holiday? Rev. Alex will explore the many meanings of freedom.

June 28, 2026
Sunday Worship Service: The Dance of History
Human history shows us again and again the wisdom of learning from our past.  Today, come dwell together in those truths.  Plan to stay after the service for a slideshow about UUFC history.
Service led by Rev. Alex McGee, with presentation after service by Transitions Team.
June 21, 2026
Sunday Worship Service: General Assembly Worship
“I get energy for the long haul each year when I watch the General Assembly Sunday Worship.” 
-Rev. Alex McGee
We are part of a greater whole — UU congregations across the country will be gathering on Zoom for several days in late June to learn together, vote on business, and worship together, in a gathering called General Assembly.  On Sunday morning, General Assembly culminates in a Sunday Service designed for UUs around the globe to enjoy together!  So, in our UUFC sanctuary, we will sing our opening and closing song together, worship with others beyond our walls through video, and take our offering as usual.  I am so excited for you to be nourished and inspired by our larger UU movement.  As an added bonus, the minister chosen for this year’s national sermon is from Eugene!  Learn more here:  https://www.uua.org/ga/off-site/2026/sunday-worship.
June 14, 2026
Sunday Worship Service: Pride Sunday and Juneteenth Awareness
When we look at injustice, we feel sorrow, and when we celebrate liberation, we feel joy.  Both are alive in Pride Month, and in Juneteenth Remembrance.  Come together for courage and strength.  Plan to attend the Pride party after the service!
Service led by Rev. Alex McGee with help from Molly Curry.
Party after service led by Queerly Beloved.
June 7, 2026
Sunday Worship Service: River of Life
Today, we pause on the riverbank to witness those who are entering into a new stage of development – spiritual and social. Children growing into youth. Young adults declaring that they’re here and ready to take up space in our community. Elders who are entering a new era of adulthood and asking for tenderness as they figure out what that will look like. They do not go alone. We get to attend to them with our blessing, and our attention.
Led by Skyla King-Christison, Director of Religious Exploration
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.

  • “SO Much More to the Stories,” 3/31/24

    Unitarian Universalists have wrestled with the Easter story for centuries. Should we focus on its pagan roots, its ample metaphors, its timeless insight into both human frailties and human strengths? Luckily there is not just one answer, because like all good stories, it opens so many possibilities. And, there is so much more to the story, especially in the history and evolution of its telling. What might we learn this year?

    Rev. Jill McAllister

  • “Storm Warning,” 3/24/2024

    We welcome the Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt as our preacher today. She is a long-time UU minister who serves as the President of one of our two main theological schools – Starr King School for the Ministry. Before she entered the UU ministry, Rev. McNatt was a writer /editor for the New York Times Book Review. Before going to Starr King she served as Senior Minister of the Fourth Universalist Society of the City of New York. Rev. McNatt has been voice of reason, challenge, wisdom and leadership within UUism for decades. Plan now to join us! You are invited to a reception for Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt, after the Sunday Service, at 2 PM Come for refreshments and conversation, to learn about what’s happening in theological education for UU minister, and to help us welcome and thank her for joining us this Sunday. Let Rev. Jill McAllister know if you plan to attend.

  • Ostara, 3/17/2024

    As we look toward Ostara, a fleeting moment of balance in the Wheel of the Year, we pause to reflect on what it means to embrace the seasonality and impermanence of all things on the Earth and within ourselves. This Sunday we’ll share a moment of transition between the Wheel of the Year services we’ve come to know and love and the inevitable “what’s next” with an experimental worship service for all ages offered by Director of Religious Exploration, Skyla King-Christison.

  • Sunday March 10, 2024 “Who Killed Caesar?” Jacob King

    Our world is increasingly becoming despotic. War, violence, and oppression is rampant; and the human condition continues to justify denying others agency. It is fitting then during the ‘Ides of March’ to analyze how people of faith can respond during times of such ‘Caesarism.’ As Shakespearean wisdom states: “Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.”

    Jacob King (He/Him) is a UU Candidate for Ministry and longtime friend of the UUFC. He started his ministry journey five years ago after witnessing UU’s engaging in Social Justice activities. Jacob identifies as neurodivergent and bisexual. Jacob is married to his partner Karmen and lives in Albany NY with her, three cats, and a dog.

    *A note on readings from last Sunday: folks have asked for information about the article mentioned in the sermon last week, a conversation between Rabbi Nathan DeGroot and Philospher/Theologian Bayo Akomlafe. Here is a link to the article: An Invitation to Shapeshift: A Talmudo-Poetic Conversation on Post-Activism with Báyò Akómoláfé 

  • Love and Chaos: Invitations of the Spiritual Life, 3/3/24

    What might it take for us to understand that the way things are, what the World includes, is not simply a problem or problems to be solved? That Life calls us to be present (and humble, honest, courageous, grateful, amazed) in all the ways we can, no matter what is happening? A new generation of philosopher-theologians have much to teach us.

    Rev. Jill McAllister

  • “Where Justice Begins,” 2/25/2024


    “Justice” has been named as a central value in Unitarian Universalism for generations. We are for it. We work for it. We work to understand it. And still, there is much to learn. Most often we think that justice is public work, community work, political work. But what if it is first and foremost soul work? Without getting waylaid by wanting to define “soul,” let’s consider what justice requires, what it asks of us, what it needs from us.


    Rev. Jill McAllister

  • “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.

  • “The Meeting of Two Giants: A Black History Month Reflection”

    They were two men of small physical stature, but Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, and Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh were both giants: religious giants, spiritual giants, moral giants. They met twice – both brief meetings – but the effects of their meetings were and are profound. Between them they gave a depth and breadth to the idea of “Beloved Community” which few since have been able to fully grasp or commit to. What might we learn from the stories of their meeting?

    with Jill McAllister

  • “The Meeting of Two Giants: A Black History Month Reflection” 2/11/2024

    They were two men of small physical stature, but Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, and Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh were both giants: religious giants, spiritual giants, moral giants. They met twice – both brief meetings – but the effects of their meetings were and are profound. Between them they gave a depth and breadth to the idea of “Beloved Community” which few since have been able to fully grasp or commit to. What might we learn from the stories of their meeting?

    with Jill McAllister

  • “Imbolc” – February 4, 2024, 10 AM

    This Sunday we observe and celebrate Imbolc (also known as Candlemas), the point on the Wheel of the Year halfway between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. The first hints of Spring are beginning to show themselves, the light is very slowly returning, and it’s a time to plant the seeds of everything we hope will grow this year and let go of things that no longer serve us! This is a time of year for contemplating mysteries, and speaking about the unspeakable, mysterious, hard-to-describe parts of being alive. All ages join in worship together.

  • “The Endless Conversation,” 1/28/2024

    “The endless conversation” is another way to say “Life”, or “living life”, or “the religious life.” It is a recognition that living is not a problem to be solved or a solution to discover, but an ongoing interchange – biological, physical, emotional, spiritual, and more.  Recognizing the conversational structure of being human can help us nurture an inner core of strength and courage, and create and sustain true community.

    with Rev. Jill McAllister

  • Intergenerational Friendships, 1/21/2024

    The RE Council invites us to explore the impact of developing friendships outside of our immediate age group in the 4th annual iGen January service.

    (Rescheduled from 1/14/2024)