Printable Weeklies

Weekly Announcements (Printable)

Sunday Services

  • This Week:

    “Living In End Times” 7/28/24


    Rev. Jen Youngsun Ryu Minister, UU Church in Eugene From Christian fundamentalist to climate scientists, people around the world believe that we are living in the end times. But isn’t the world always ending? Don’t we live between the end of one thing and the beginning of another?

    Pulpit exchanges between ministers and congregations are a long-time tradition in UUism. This week we welcome Rev. Jennifer Youngsun Ryu, minister of the UU Church in Eugene, OR, to the Fellowship, while Rev. Jill McAllister will be traveling to the Eugene congregation. Rev. Jen was born in Seoul, grew up in Toledo, became a UU in Baltimore, and went to seminary in Berkeley. She has served congregations in Virginia and Oregon and is a also a certified hospital chaplain.

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  • Services This Month:

    July 7 – Service Canceled due to high temperatures

    July 14 – “Imagine Peace” UUFC members / friends and Rev. Monica Jacobson-Tennessen

    July 21 – “Housing, Shelter, and Deservedness” Guest Speaker Andrea Myhre

    July 28 – Rev. Jennifer Ryu, UU minister in Eugene, OR (Pulpit Exchange with Rev. Jill McAllister)

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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”?

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    Events and Activities

    • Envisioning the New Year with Dream Board Making

      Saturday, January 6, 2024

      9:00 am to 12:30 pm in the UUFC Fellowship Hall

      A fun, creative morning in a supportive environment!

      Led by Joyce Marvel-Benoist

      Dream Board Making Registration and Information

      If you have any extra magazines to donate, please drop them on the front bench by the parking lot double doors with Joyce’s name on them. Thanks!

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    • Inquirer’s Series – Every Sunday

      This week: Roots with Skyla King-Christison. Inquirer’s Series is a series of 9 hour-long sessions designed especially for newcomers seeking more information about UUism and the Fellowship AND open to all others who are interested. Sessions take place every Sunday at 11:45 AM Room 8.

      Upcoming session dates:

      2024

      Jan 7 Principles & Sources* with Skyla King-Christison

      Jan 14  Building & Grounds with John Bailey 

      Jan 21   Minister’s Q&A* with Jill McAllister

      Jan 28 Lifespan Faith Development with Dawn Dirks

      Feb 4 Worship & Liturgical Year with Jill McAllister

      Feb 11 Social Justice, Community Action & Connect Up with Karen Josephson

      Feb 18 Care and Support & Chalice Circles with Sandy Piper

      Feb 25 Membership 101* with Bobbi Bailey

      Mar 3 Roots with Skyla King-Christison

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    • Free Mental Health Film Screening 1/18 @6:30

      The Religious Exploration Staff is aware that our children, youth, and young adults are facing an unprecedented mental health crisis and we acknowledge the lack of mental health resources available to families in our community. As such, we are elevating our commitment to educating ourselves and expanding our program’s capacity to hold space for children, parents, and caregivers to connect with one another in mutual support.

      One of the first offerings we present in this a screening of What I Wish My Parents Knew, a film by Tell My Story, designed as a mental wellness tool to help parents better understand how to support the mental health of their children.

      The event will be a two-part, 90-minute experience with a group viewing followed by a discussion facilitated by a licensed mental health professional. Pre-registration is requested.

      This film is not available for general public streaming, but this event is open to the public. We ask that viewers be over 18. On-site childcare will be provided free of charge by a team of experienced and background-checked adults.

      If you plan to attend, we recommend watching this talk by the creator of the film to prepare. PLEASE NOTE: themes of self-harm and suicide are present in both the talk and the film.

      Direct questions to DRE@dreuucorvallis-org

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    • Monthly Hikes

      Last Saturdays of the month, meet with Jim Wagner and other Unitarian friends for a casual hike in the Corvallis area. These are suitable for all ages. The intensity and difficulty of the hike will vary depending on interest. Meeting time will vary. Contact us to sign up and join the group! Connect@uucorvallis.org

      March 2024 Hike Info:

      March Connect Up will be the northern leg of Section 36 Loop in McDonald Forest. This is mature forest along the upper part of Calloway Creek. Early spring wild flowers can often be seen along this trail. Walk is about 4 miles and gains about 600′. About 1/4 of the distance is on trail and the rest on forest road. So, keep Saturday, March 30 (day before Easter) open! More info will be sent to the email list.

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    • Brilliant Minds Workshop 1/20

      The Brilliant Minds Workshop on January 20th, will invite participants to explore and share their personal experiences with neurodivergence and psydivergence. Please consider taking this very brief survey to assist the planning team in their efforts to meet the most immediate needs of our community.

      Brilliant Minds Workshop Registration

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    News and Announcements

    • News from the Board of Directors

      Greetings from the Board of Directors! The Board met July 16, 2024 and made great progress in adopting policies related to the accounting and distribution of our financial resources. Small revisions were made to the Reserves and Justice Outreach funds, and we established an Endowment fund to support the long-term vitality of the Fellowship. The principal of the Endowment will not be spent, and annual distributions from the Endowment fund will not exceed 90% of earned interest. If there is a negative return, no funds will be spent until the principal level of the year just prior to a negative return is reestablished. At least $600 of earnings will be drawn upon each year for the benefit of youth through the Ozretich memorial fund and remaining funds will be allocated by the Board in collaboration with the Endowment Team of the Financial Oversight Council. As of June 30, 2024, the Endowment fund totaled approximately $90,000.

      In other work, the Board continued to discuss a new fundraising policy and adopted a revised 2024-2025 budget that reflects lower income from pledges than hoped for. Rather than hiring additional administrative help for 2024-2025, staff duties will be rearranged, and volunteers will be recruited to fill the administrative role. If you are new or are a procrastinator and have not pledged, it is never too late.

      To donate or find out more, visit the “donate” page uucorvallis.org/donate.
      Find out more about Board activities through our approved minutes, as well as the latest policies in our Governing Documents, visit the UUFC Filing Cabinet page.

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    • Jackson Street Youth Services – School Supplies Needed

      The Jackson Street Youth Services has a School Supply Drive for at-risk and homeless youth ages 10 and up.

      Wish List:
      Backpacks
      Calculators
      Notebooks
      Flash drives
      Planners (dated/undated
      Sketchbooks
      Headphones

      Drive ends August 9. You can place in basket in Foyer marked Clothing or Staples in Albany during open hours, or Corvallis Tue-Wed, 10a-1p at 225 SW 4th St.

      Questions: Ben email (ben.martens@jacksonstreet.org) or 541-760-5825 UUFC Secure Housing and Food for All team.

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    • Outreach Offerings In July

      Our Sunday Outreach offerings in July support DRUUMM – Diverse & Revolutionary UU Multicultural Ministries – which is a Unitarian Universalist People of Color Ministry and anti-racist collective bringing lay and religious professionals together to overcome racism through resistance and transform Unitarian Universalism through our multicultural experiences. As an all-volunteer ministry, DRUUMM continues to lead efforts to fulfill the Journey Towards Wholeness Resolution towards becoming an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, multicultural UUA, creating space for youth, young adult and our families of color to heal and work collectively, and steward an effective organization that develops new leadership and manages consistent communication with members. DRUUMM is a collective of people who identify as People of Color. Allies are welcome and organized as Allies for Racial Equity. Together we are open to all people.
      At the Fellowship, our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Justice Team works in partnership with DRUUMM.

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    • UUFC Fiscal Insights – Fulfilling Your 2024-25 Pledge

      First, our thanks to all who have committed to the ongoing success and growth of the UUFC through a pledge for its 2024-25 fiscal year. Together we are doing great things! It is not too late to make a pledge if you have not yet had the chance to do so. To make your pledge, visit the annual pledge drive page.

      For those who have made a pledge, now is the time to ponder how you intend to fulfill your pledge. Some of you will have seen a version of this information via a direct email:

      Pay By Check

      Drop checks at church or mail to UUFC, 2945 NW Circle, Corvallis OR 97330. No need to read further.

      Use Your Bank Bill Pay System

      Be sure that the donation amount and beginning and end dates for these contributions are correct. Have checks mailed to UUFC, 2945 NW Circle Blvd, Corvallis OR 97330. No need to read further.

      Pay Through an IRA

      If you have an IRA and need to take a minimum required distribution, you can make such directly to the UUFC with tax advantage. Talk with your financial advisor about options.

      Stock Donations

      Some people make stock donations. If you need information about making stock donations, please ask Russ Karow.

      Breeze Automatic Payment System

      If you would like to pay using the Breeze automatic payment system and have not already set that up, follow these steps:

      1. Log in to Breeze, using the link in the “Members Area” at the bottom right of any page on the website.
      2. Click on Manage Recurring Giving button at mid-screen or in the left-hand column
      3. Use the “Stop this recurring gift” button to stop your 2023-24 pledge
      4. Add a new pledge
      5. Enter dollar amount and if possible, agree to cover the processing fee
      6. Select 2024-25 operation budget from drop down menu.
      7. Select frequency of the gift – one time, weekly, every two weeks, etc.
      8. You should see an option for using an existing account or you can add a new debit/credit or bank account Please note that some people have said they see a different screen setup when they go to Breeze. If you have issues with the system, let us know.

      Additional Thoughts

      If you are currently using the Breeze payment system but are comfortable using bill pay through your bank, please consider this option for the UUFC payment. It saves processing fees – neither you nor the UUFC have to pay these fees

      If dealing with the breeze system seems overwhelming, please let us know and UUFC staff will deal with the system for you. We are happy to do so.

      If you have any questions, send an email to the address below or call Russ Karow at 541-760-4770 (leave a message if I don’t answer) and we will find answers for you.

      Thanks for your many contributions to the success of the UUFC. You are appreciated.

      May your summer be amazing.

      Contact email – businessmgr@uucorvallis.org Russ Karow on behalf of your UUFC Board, Financial Oversight Council and Staff

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    • Support Groups for Parents and Parents of Adult Children

      Parenting is hard, no matter your stage in life. It can be made needlessly harder if you’re doing it without a village. In an effort to create a scaffolding of support for families of every age, we would like to gauge interest in two distinct support spaces:

      1. A peer support group for parents of children and youth (with the possibility of breaking into sub groups by age) and
      2. a peer support group for parents of adult children.

      If there is sufficient interest in either of these groups, we will start with a 3 month initial commitment. At the end of that time, we can assess whether the group would like to continue through the church year or consider making this a regular summer support group. These groups are intended to help parents in all phases of life strengthen their web of mutual support, not as a substitute for qualified mental health care. 

      If you are interested in a parent support group, or a group for parents with adult children, please fill out one of the following surveys.

      Fill out a Parent Support Group Interest Survey

      Fill out a Parents With Adult Children Group Interest Survey

      Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Skyla King-Christison if you have any questions!

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