Printable Weeklies

Weekly Announcements (Printable)

Sunday Services

  • This Week:

    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.

  • Services This Month:

    April 19, 2026 – 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 26, 2026 – 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.

From the Minister

  • Between Us (December 2023)

    December arrives, with its unique forms of busy-ness and expectations, and I invite you to give yourself time to contemplate this season from as many perspectives as you can. To contemplate means to observe deeply, with focused attention. Perhaps what I’m suggesting is something different – not merely to think about in order to categorize, but to feel – to know by feeling. Maybe ponder is a better word than contemplate. What is this season, for you? What makes a difference? Winter, darkness, lights, Christmas, Solstice, rain or snow, fog, solitude, celebrations, rest?

    It is a season of holidays / holy days – each with particular insights to offer – Hannukah, Solstice, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Divali, and others. It is a season on this particular part of the earth – of rain and fog, sometimes of cold and ice, of geese and owls, of bare trees and mud, of creeks full and running fast. It is sadly, still, a season of struggle and strife, here and in so many other places. Of all these insights and occurrences, what nurtures you? What is hard for you? What helps you remember what you are part of?

    There’s lots of talk about giving, of course – especially from those who depend on this season to make as much money as they can. “Give our things” they say, and we too easily believe that consumerism is a source of happiness. We know the limits of that habit. What if we could make this a season of generosity more than just of “giving”?

    Events and Activities

    News and Announcements

    • Gratitude Letter from Minister Emerita Rev. Jill McAllister

      At the Annual Meeting of UUFC membership on May 17, 2026, the congregation voted to offer Emerita status to Jill McAllister.  The letter of agreement is here.  Jill retired from the role of minister at UUFC in Summer 2025.  Below is a note from Jill expressing her gratitude and well wishes to the Fellowship.  

      Dear Friends – I’m writing with thanks for your decision to confer upon me the status of Minister Emerita of the Fellowship. Thank-you! I take on this new status with gratitude and appreciation for our many years of shared ministry in challenging times, and for all we learned and accomplished together.  I’m grateful every day for your support for my decision to retire – it was definitely the right time for me.  I am still “settling in.”  And, as Life has its own ways, I am exploring new horizons.  A sibling with cancer – now I can visit often.  And an upcoming move: due to a quite unexpected (and beautiful) job opportunity for Walter, my spouse, we’re moving to Germany for at least a couple of years, leaving at the end of June.  And I know that you, the members and friends of the Fellowship are exploring new horizons and moving ahead too! Thank-you to all who are dedicating yourselves to this work.  I look forward to what emerges between you. You will be in my thoughts, as ever, and I’m sending love to you all.

      Jill McA

    • Café Justo coffee is available!

      Enjoy some delicious, aromatic Café Justo coffee. When you order Café Justo coffee, a part of your purchase will be used to provide Café Justo to migrant shelters in Agua Prieta, Nogales, Sasabe, Sonoita, Tapachula, Gomez Palacio, and Matamoros in Mexico, as well as shelters in Columbus, Ohio, and in Silver City and Deming in New Mexico — through our “Love Mercy, Do Justice” ministry. That’s the “compassion” part of the “coffee and compassion.” Café Justo makes a great cup for you and me. Many hands go into the processing of your coffee before it ever reaches your cup. Coffee is one of the most labor intensive crops. Your purchase here helps communities in Mexico thrive.
      (We regret that DECAF is not available until further notice.)

    • New art in the Sanctuary

      Out with the old and in with the new. On June 2nd the abstract art by the Willamette Abstract Group will be removed and on June 3rd our new exhibit will be installed. Our featured artist for June, July and August will be Carol Chapel, longtime local resident and creator. Carol’s paintings usually focus on nature and our environment. When asked about her style, Carol said “I recently saw some drawings done by a young man who is non-verbal. The way he processes and reacts to information is through drawing. I realize that we share common ground. I certainly am not nonverbal, but I too react and process information through my artwork. It helps my understanding of the subject. I do not necessarily strive to make an accurate reproduction of what I see, but I do want to bring the viewer into my understanding of it.“

      I hope you find Carol’s work thought provoking and inspirational. If you are interested in helping to choose art for future exhibits, please contact Brian E.

    • Outreach Offerings for May

      The May Monthly Outreach Offering is to Casa Latinos Unidos.  This organization is committed to strengthening the Latinx communities in Linn and Benton Counties through programs that support people in meeting basic needs, build resilience and capacity through education and leadership development, and celebrate cultures. They are all first and second generation immigrants with a deep sense of identification with the people who have immigrated to the area from Latin American countries, bringing their traditions and dreams to build a new life in a new country.

      Read more at https://casalatinosunidos.org/.

    • Attend UUA General Assembly 2026

      GA2026 is happening soon!  June 14 – 16 and 19 – 21
      Act quickly to serve as a delegate and save on registration fees!

      General Assembly 2026 (GA2026), the annual meeting of our Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) is coming up soon in June! This year, due to the increased costs of travel, the event will be online. Registration is open currently. Registration fees increase on May 1. 

       “Meet the Moment: Together Everywhere” will unfold in two parts with a midweek pause. From Sunday, June 14 to Tuesday, June 16, delegates will engage in fully virtual General Sessions focused on the business of our national association. Our delegates will represent the UUFC on these policy matters. The preliminary business agenda is now available. To view, go to:

      https://www.uua.org › files › 2026-03 › ga2026_tentative_agenda_03012026.pdf

      For delegates who wish to take part only in the business sessions and not in GA programming, a business-only registration option will be available in May for $175. This option provides access to the Delegate Participation Platform only and does not include live programming, on-demand viewing, the EduCenter, or networking features in the Whova app. 

      After a two-day pause, GA2026 resumes Friday, June 19 through Sunday, June 21 with worship, featured speakers, and “Meet the Moment: Together Everywhere” themed programs. Eight Satellite Sites scattered across the country will host a local welcome, song, and chalice lighting, as well as livestream GA content, offer space for afternoon discussion groups, and host the Sunday Morning worship livestream. Fortunately, one of the Satellite Sites is hosted by our neighbor, the UU Congregation of Salem, OR (see below).

      REGISTRATION: Everyone participating in GA, whether joining a community gathering, watch party, or attending a UUA-hosted site, must be registered for General Assembly. Registration rates for adults are $350 through the end of April and $450 if registering May – June. Satellite site admissions, which may be added to the GA registrations, are a non-refundable $25, and are subject to local capacity. UUFC delegates can obtain help with registration fees as needed by contacting Board president, Carl English-Young. (President@uucorvallis.org)

      Those interested in serving as UUFC delegates should contact Rev. Alex McGee. With 317 members, our congregation is certified to appoint seven delegates to the annual business meeting. Delegates are selected based on the following: 

      • Prior attendance at the GA, with preference given to those who are attending for the first or second time.  
      • Prior participation in GA and/or UUFC affairs, with preference given to those who are experienced participants with a depth of knowledge of UU and UUFC history and practice. 
      • Those whose activities and viewpoints, in the views of Board members, are best aligned with those of the majority of members of the UUFC, while also allowing for a diversity and balance of perspectives.  
      • The demonstrated capacity of the nominees for respectful and congenial interactions with other UUFC members.   See UUFC Policy 2.8.1 for complete details. 

      General Assembly Satellite Site at the UU Congregation of Salem, OR

      ~An Invitation from our neighbors at the UU Congregation of Salem ~

      We welcome UUs to join us in Oregon’s capital city of Salem, in the heart of the Willamette Valley, for General Assembly gatherings. This opportunity for connection, conversation, and relationship-building will take place amid the beauty of June in our area. We’ll gather in our sanctuary, with its distinctive flaming chalice-stained glass window and newly upgraded video wall. There will be opportunities to share coffee, tea, and conversation in our spacious fellowship hall and to join in small group conversations to meet the moment together.