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.

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.

  • November 2, 2025 – Wheel of the Year:  Samhain/Halloween

    Remember! November 2 is the end of Daylight Savings; set your clocks back one hour on Saturday night so you’ll make it to service on time!

    Because of the power outage on Oct 26, we were unable to have Sunday Service.  So, on Nov 2, we will conduct the Samhain/Halloween service honoring ancestors.  We will continue with the plan to practice evacuating the building at the end of service.

    Diana Titus will coordinate this service

  • October 26, 2025 – Wheel of the Year:  Samhain/Halloween

    Samhain shares the ancient spiritual practice of remembering and paying respects to the ancestors who have died. This Samhain observance will focus on Remembering and Honoring our Ancestors, and on Communicating with Spirits. Everyone is invited to come in costume.

    Diana Titus will coordinate this service and the band will play.

  • October 19, 2025 – Compassion as an Open Door

    Anger and indignation may well up for us as we read the news.  But spiritual teachers such as Howard Thurman have convincing arguments for why love is better for us and for everyone.  Can we perhaps have compassion for our own anger?

    Rev. Alex will preach and the choir will sing.

  • October 12, 2025 – Joy as an Improbable Friend

    In these political times, joy may seem an impossible thing.  But world religions throughout time have named joy as a human experience that wells up again and again.  Let us explore how to honor it.

    Rev. Alex McGee will preach and the drop-in choir welcomes all.

  • October 5, 2025 – Learning to be a Neighbor in the Land of the People of the River

    Dave Eckert of the Canoe Family Project and the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition will speak about his experience building relationships with landcestral cultures, and how that has helped him to better understand and act in ways that bridge cultural divides.  Like many of us, Dave grapples with avoiding cultural appropriation and cultural guilt.  UUFC has been able to contribute to the Canoe Project through our Justice Outreach Fund.

  • September 28, 2025 – Balance and Loving Embrace of Imbalance

    As the days and nights are nearly equal in length this week, we have a chance to reflect on the many meanings of balance.

    Rev. Alex will preach and the band will play.

  • September 21, 2025 – Jackson Street’s Continuum of Care for Homeless Youth

    Our guest speaker is Ben Martens, who serves as Community Engagement Coordinator at Jackson Street Youth Services, which offers youth a safe place to live and resources to work through crises and towards a brighter, more stable future. Founded to fill a gap in housing for homeless youth, they now serve youth throughout Linn and Benton Counties.

  • September 14, 2025 – What’s Wrong and Is It Me?

    This sermon will be an exploration of times in life we are trying to fix something…but the best change will come from looking at a bigger picture.  Special reflections on the exciting new Mosaic curriculum this year.

    Rev. Alex preaching.  

  • September 7, 2025 – Gathering the Waters and Beginning a New Congregational Year

    Bring water to pour into the common bowl as you name the qualities and commitments you bring for the year ahead. We will commission the board and Interim Minister. We will offer blessings to the guides who will work with children and youth this year and the sermon will reflect on the urgency of helping the world by raising the next generation with UU values.

    The choir will be back, and Rev. Alex will preach.

  • No Service – August 31, 2025

    There is no worship service on Sunday, August 31, 2025. Instead, come join us at our annual Tuna Roast in Avery Park on Monday, September 1.

  • Dignity of Work – August 24, 2025

    As we look ahead to Labor Day next week, let’s explore the many meanings of work and labor.  What do various spiritual traditions have to say?  What does our Unitarian Universalism have to do with the Labor Day solidarity action planned in Corvallis this year?

    Rev. Alex McGee will preach.

  • Adjusting to the Moment, August 17, 2025

    Habits help a person get through life with ease, but sometimes those habits don’t serve us when we encounter new situations.  Many people are experiencing new situations in public safety, national economy, and also right here in the Fellowship.  What spiritual practices can guide us to be present and act skillfully – both as individuals and community?  
    Rev. Alex McGee will preach.