Printable Weeklies

Weekly Announcements (Printable)

Sunday Services

  • This Week:

    “What Do You Know?” 2/9/25

    And how do you know you know it? But even more important is “what difference does it make? Martin Luther King Jr said “shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will.” And that “nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.” The minister/writer Frederick Buechner once said “faith is not being sure where you’re going, but going anyway.” Which leads us to consider the relationship between knowledge and faith, which isn’t as simple as we might assume.

  • Services This Month:

    Feb. 2 “Where I’m From: Reflections on Black History” Rev. Jill McAllister
    Feb. 9 “What Do You Know?” Rev. Jill McAllister
    Feb. 16 “When Comfort Zone Principles Don’t Apply” Blaise Ntakarutimana (Kevin Shimineza)
    Feb. 23 Special Guest Peter Mayer – UU Singer / Songwriter

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

    • Cluster Overnight for Youth! RSVP by 2/5 for Event on 2/15

      WHO? All registered 6-12th graders

      WHAT and WHERE? Youth overnight event at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Eugene

      WHEN? REGISTER directly with Eugene and notify Skyla via email by 2/5 for event taking place on 2/15. Cars will depart from UUFC parking lot at 4PM on Saturday and return around 12:30 on Sunday afternoon.

      DETAILS: Youth will share dinner and games, help set up and participate in the Sweetheart Aromantic Ball, have midnight worship, and attend services in Eugene before returning to UUFC on Sunday afternoon around 12:30. Don’t forget to email Skyla once you register so that we can plan for adequate transportation. The Fellowship will cover the requested fee for youth and advisors.

    • 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!

    • 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

    • 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

    • 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.

    • 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

    News and Announcements

    • New UUFC Communication Coordinator

      We welcome Cameron McGrath as the Fellowship’s new Communication Coordinator. In this role, Cameron will be managing multiple forms of communication within the Fellowship, such as the Weekly Announcements, Monthly Journal, and updates to the content of the UUFC website. Cameron’s background is in engineering and technology development. He has built his communication skills through college courses, corporate experience, and ad-hoc engineering project management. He is grateful to have the opportunity to apply these skills in service to the Fellowship, and is looking forward to learning the intricacies of communication within a religious community. Cameron can be reached via email at comms@uucorvallis.org. If you have questions, concerns, or suggestions about how we communicate within the Fellowship, Cameron would love to hear them.

    • Green Apple Award: Support Sustainability Learning in the Corvallis School District

      In January, UUFC Climate Action Team member John Swanson gave a brief presentation about an opportunity for UUFC members and friends to support sustainability learning in the Corvallis School District by helping to establish the Green Apple Award. Presented annually, this award will celebrate and reward staff members who make significant contributions to implementing sustainability learning in the district. In addition, it will shine a spotlight on sustainability initiatives each year, and help integrate sustainability into the ongoing district culture.


      Through sustainability learning *“students become lifelong stewards of their environment and community, willing and able to exercise the rights and responsibilities of environmentally literate citizenship, and choose to interact frequently with the outdoor environment.” * Last spring the Corvallis School Board included sustainability learning in its five-year goals. As one step to meet this goal, the district adopted science curricula for grades K-5 and 6-8 grades that include sustainability concepts, making this learning a part of the regular science program.


      In addition, through school Green Teams, students are engaged in a variety of hands-on projects like carrying out waste audits; growing and maintaining school gardens; composting; planting native species on school grounds; researching and “adopting” endangered species through the World Wildlife Fund; and learning about the impact of plastics on the environment and encouraging others to reduce its use.


      The Green Apple Award Project was developed through a partnership between the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition’s Education Action Team and the Corvallis Public Schools Foundation. Modeled after the district’s Golden Apple Awards, which were established by Mario Pastega in 1996 to recognize outstanding educators, the Green Apple Award will be funded through an endowment managed by the Corvallis Public Schools Foundation and will include a cash award to the recipient. To establish the award in perpetuity we only need to raise $20,000 dollars one time.


      We are over halfway to the goal of $20,000. Help us cross the finish line by donating now! As a special incentive, John Swanson will gift a homemade apple pie for donations of $1000 or more!


      Donate online to the Corvallis Public Schools Foundation at cpsfoundation.org. In the drop-down list, indicate that you are donating to a “Specific school, program or fund,” and type “Green Apple Award” in the box that appears.


      Donate via check to the Corvallis Public Schools Foundation, 1555 SW 35th Street, Corvallis, OR 97333. Make your check payable to CPSF, and write “Green Apple Award” in the memo line to ensure that your donation is directed.


      Let’s show our support for the district’s commitment to sustainability learning while at the same time creating a lasting legacy by establishing the Green Apple Award!

    • Your UUFC Lawn Mowing Team Needs You!

      The UUFC lawn mowing team has lost half of its eight members. WE NEED YOU! We have a state-of-the-art set of electric lawn mowers,lawn trimmers and blowers. Mowing takes 1-2 hours, once per month on your own schedule, and is a pleasant workout experience (1.5 to 2 mi of walking). The UUFC lawns are divided into front and back sections. We need mowers for both sections.

      To learn more about this opportunity, please contact Russ Karow.

      Thanks for your consideration!

    • Sensory Break Kits

      We are aware that the new confines and acoustics of our Sunday morning building use are less than ideal, and for some, quite overstimulating. While we lack the space to create a quiet zone on Sunday mornings, we have constructed 2 Sensory Break kits, which will be stored in yellow bags — one will hang on the back of the rocking chair in the gallery of the sanctuary and the other will be in the Spirit Play cart in the social hall.

      Any time you or your child need a quiet moment or support in recovering from overstimulation, you are invited to grab one of these bags for as long as you need. While some of these items have toy-like appeal, they have been carefully selected for the support of those with exceptional sensory needs. We ask that they not be used as sanctuary entertainment so that they are available when the need arises.

      Each kit contains sound cancelling headphones that can be adjusted for adult and child fit, and a variety of items for visual and tactile distraction.

      This is part of our ongoing effort to be more welcoming and inclusive, recognizing that a wide range of needs come with us into the Fellowship each week. If you would like to know more about these efforts, please contact Skyla King-Christison.

    • UUFC Member Looking For a Place to Rent

      From Fellowship member Mike Jager: I’m looking for a studio, one bedroom apartment, yurt, cabin, or cottage to rent, or lease on a long-term basis. If you have, or know anyone with a place that is available please reach out to Mike. Thanks

    • Outreach Offering for February – NAACP

      The Corvallis Albany Branch of the NAACP works to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination, with a focus on our local Benton and Linn county communities.

      Find out more about the work of our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion team, EDI and their collaboration with the NAACP in a display in the foyer this month. Find out more about all of our UUFC Justice Teams on the bulletin board on the north end of the social hall.

    • February RE Newsletter

      Greetings, Families!

      There is so much positive energy in RE these days. Can you feel it? Read on so that you don’t miss any of the good stuff!

      UPCOMING EVENTS for FAMILIES

      2/9   Family Breakfast, 8:45-9:45 

      2/20  Parent Peer Support Group, 6:30-8PM 

      3/16 Seeds of Generosity pitches from children, youth, and Families, noon

      6/1 River of Life Sunday with children’s performance and rituals

      UPCOMING EVENTS for YOUTH

      2/2, 2/16   OWL regular workshops

      2/15-16    Eugene youth overnight and Non-romantic Ball

      3/14-16    Coast Retreat

      More information about our events can be found below, and info for all RE events  can be found at uucorvallis.org by clicking “News” in the menu bar and then selecting “RE Council” from the drop down menu. 

      /

      Our friends in Eugene have invited us to an overnight at their place. Come check out how other UUs “do church” and have fun helping with the non-romantic Valentine Ball. There will be food, opportunities for service, dancing, and midnight worship. Register directly with Eugene HERE by February 5th and don’t forget to email me and let me know you’re registered so that I can arrange for sufficient transportation. 
       

      Due to the joyful increase in attendance at the monthly RE Family Breakfast, (last month saw 30 participants!) our gracious hosts, the Polinders, kindly request that parents fill out THIS registration form each month a few days before the breakfast. If you forget, please do come anyway. All are always welcome! Registering simply allows us to be better stewards of the RE budget by helping us prepare adequate amounts of food without over-purchasing. We are grateful for your support as this warm gathering continues to grow!
       

      Thanks to a generous endowment from the Bob Ozretich Memorial Fund and the creative minds on the UUFC Endowment team, we will soon launch a year-long program to cultivate a spirit of generosity in our children and youth. 

      The Seeds of Generosity program will involve 3 rounds of guest speakers sharing during Sunday morning RE about their experiences with generosity, and a pitch party at which families will enjoy food and drinks while children and youth make pitches for how they would spend $100 to make a difference in our community. Attendees of the pitch party will vote on who gets that round’s $100, and everyone who pitches goes into a drawing to win $50 to spend generously toward community betterment. 

      More details about the program will come home from RE with your child in late February, but for now, mark your calendars for our first Seeds of Generosity Pitch Party, after the service on March 16th and plan to be there to help us develop a culture of generosity!

      I know it’s a long way off, but a LOT of preparation goes into our River of Life Sunday at the end of each church year. In order to pull off something meaningful for our children and youth, we need your help.

      First, this year, we’re aiming to have the Spirit Play children offer a very short performance of the JETPIG song we’ve been using to learn the UU shared values. It would be so helpful if parents went ahead and made a plan to be in attendance on June 1st AND listened to the JETPIG song at home or in the car once in a while to help the children gain confidence with the words and motions. 

      Second, each year we honor children who are transitioning between classrooms with a stepping stone ritual on River of Life Sunday. If your child will falls into any of the following groups, please email me!

      1. A new walker — meaning they’ll be planning to be join Chalice Children in the nursery in September.

      2. Going into 3rd grade in September. We *may* have the capacity to split into 2 different elementary spaces when the classroom reopens, and if we do, we’ll be stepping the older kids into their own space! 🤞

      3. Going into 6th grade AND planning to step into youth group. Because there is a wide range of development in 6th grade, we invite families to decide whether their 6th graders attend youth group (middle and high schoolers) or remain in the upper elementary group. 

      The Fellowship depends on community members like Russ Anderson and Brian Egan, who arrived with their tools and smiles bright and early just about every day for weeks last month so that our building would be ready in time for official construction to begin. We’re lucky to have their knowledge and skill so freely given! If you see them in the social hall, don’t forget to thank them for their service. They are two of the many volunteers who keep this place moving forward!

      If you have any questions about what’s happening in RE, send them my way. And if you’re someone who enjoys being out of the loop, and you want to be removed from the monthly RE Newsletter list, let me know. Wishing you a love-filled February!

    • Sharing Space at UUFC

      As we navigate this season of doing more gathering in less space at the Fellowship, it is important that each of us takes seriously the reality that sensitive and vulnerable sharing happens when our small groups gather. If you happen across a closed gathering that you are not a part of, please honor the sacred nature of the work that happens here by not entering unless there is a genuine emergency. 

      We understand that you may need time to set up or want to check on a detail of the space before your gathering, but that cannot reasonably happen during another group’s meeting. Additionally, it is no longer possible for teams to store supplies in a space for days or even hours prior to their scheduled room use. We kindly ask that all facilitators communicate with the members of their group and make sure we have a shared understanding of how to show care for one another during this time. 

    • Benefit the Fellowship by Linking Your Fred Meyer Card!

      Here’s an easy way to benefit the Fellowship. Link your Fred Meyers Rewards Card to the Fellowship and Fred Meyers donates back to the Fellowship. It’s easy and doesn’t cost you anything.

      Instructions for how to link your card can be found at the link below:

      Fred Meyer Community Rewards

      We earned $20 last month. Let’s see what we can do next month!