WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS – text only
Sunday Services
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This Week:
“Grateful For The Winding Road” 5/4
We sing this every Sunday: “We are here together in this holy moment, and we’re grateful for the winding road that brought us to this place.” They are lovely words, and they are more important than most of us can imagine. They speak to the profound human need for gathering, for collective wisdom and encouragement, for being a worshipping community – a congregation. “Worship” is a word, and an idea, that has taken generations for UUs to return to. We need a shared understanding of the movements and the consequences of worship, now more than ever.
With Rev. Jill McAllister
Services This Month
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May 4 “Grateful For The Winding Road”
Rev. Jill McAllister
May 11 “Still Growing Up”
Rev. Jill McAllister
May 18 “In the Middle of a Gloria”
Steven Evans-Renteria, Lauren Servias, UUFC Choir
May 25 “Art Works: Reflections on the First Year of PRAx”
Guest: Peter Betjemann
From the Minister
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Daily Practice
In the pandemic years, in our isolation and worry, the daily practice we shared was a lifeline for me. I needed to connect – to myself, to others and to the Earth. Here is one of the musings of that time, from May 2021:
“Morning comes early in this season, and I’m surprised how easy it is for me to awaken, to join in the unfolding beauty of these days. I need the beauty. I need to be reminded of the vitality of life. I often need to be lifted above the continuing challenges of navigating the human world. I need help with the mixture of fear and anger which weighs on me – at people and their selfish, short-sighted ignorance. (And meanness). I need help as I remember that I am one of the people too. And that we all have egos which lead us astray.
I’m pondering a Buddhist teaching – I don’t know the source. It is two definitions side-by-side: “An ecosystem is a community of living organisms in conjunction with the non-living components of their environment, interacting as a system. An ego-system is a community of old outdated voices in conjunction with the desire to make the moment other than it is, generating a false reality.”
I’m not sure I quite agree with the first definition – some would say that every component of the world is alive in some way. (But yes, some are not breathing). The second definition is definitely worth pondering. I’ve learned enough to know that we are always influenced by old outdated voices, within us and around us. Today I’ll try to identify some of my own.
I pause to breathe. I remember that nurturing inner nobility and steadiness requires time and space and willingness to acknowledge where I am. With thanks for this part of the path, and this day on the journey, I’m sending love to you all.”
This Week at UUFC
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Know Your Rights Trainings, 4/28 and 5/6
More than ever it’s important to know what your rights are and how to keep yourself, your friends, family and neighbors safe. Join us at Westminster House, 101 NW 23rd St, on April 28 and May 6 from 5 – 7:30 pm. Hosted by Mid-Valley Solidarity Coalition using materials from the Civil Liberties Defense Center. www.CLDC.org Masks Optional. Questions, contact Karen J. using the button below.
Announcements
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Classroom Painting Update
Huge thank you to the 25 volunteers who have applied three coats of paint on the entire first floor of the classroom wing for Phase One!
Upstairs painting is happening now – Saturday, May 3 9-12 AM and 1-4 PM, and Sunday, May 4 1-4 PM. Still to come, exterior staining and Phase Two interior painting.
Please sign up on the sheets in the Foyer or contact Wolfgang.
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Outreach Offerings for May – Linn Benton Food Share
Linn Benton Food Share is the central food hub for a strong network of 68 local, non-profit agencies including emergency food box pantries, public meal sites, at-risk population programs and gleaning groups, which collectively distribute over 3 million pounds of food annually.
The food pantries in Alsea, Monroe and Philomath need a little boost since cuts to the USDA March 2025 affected 30%-40% of their food sources. Approximately 400 families, mostly children, are dependent on these pantries for their food sources.
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Still waiting to make your pledge? Now’s the time!
There is no time like the present to complete your pledge of support for the Fellowship for the 2025-26 year. We need you! All members are needed and expected to participate by submitting a pledge form, no matter what amount you can pledge. All friends are needed and encouraged to make a pledge as well.
Learn About the 2025-2026 Stewardship Drive and Fill Out the Pledge Form! -
May RE Newsletter
Greetings, Families!
This month’s newsletter contains some important information for parents about RE in the month and year ahead, so please read carefully!
UPCOMING EVENTS for FAMILIES
5/4 Summer Camp Registration Deadline, more info and registration HERE.
5/11 Final Family Breakfast of the year, Mother’s Day Edition, pre-register HERE.
5/15 Final Parent Peer Support Group of the year, 6:30-8PM
4/25 Parent Feedback and Q&A session, noon on back patio
5/1 River of Life Sunday with Stepping Stone Ceremony
UPCOMING EVENTS for YOUTH
5/11 and 5/25 4:30-7 OWL regular workshops
More information about our events can be found below, and info for all events can be found at uucorvallis.org by clicking “News” in the menu bar and then selecting “RE Council” from the drop down menu.
At the Fellowship, it’s our cherished tradition to celebrate children and youth as they move into new age groups with a special Stepping Stone Ceremony. Each child will receive a gift, words of affirmation, and be honored by the congregation as they journey forward in the river of life.
This year’s celebration will be especially joyful! We’re adding a new age group to our Sunday programs, renaming some of our spaces, and—wonderfully—we have more children to honor than in recent years.
If your child is entering kindergarten, 5th, or 6th grade (or their equivalents), please complete this form to register them for the ceremony. We look forward to marking this milestone together in community.
May will be our last family breakfast of the year before we break for summer. It also happens to fall on Mother’s Day! Rather than moving the date, our gracious hosts, the Polinder family, plan to make it a extra special to honor all the moms. Please plan to join us for this beloved gathering, and help with our planning by registering HERE at least a few days before.
Family breakfast will resume in the fall!
We are excited for our children to explore our shared values through puppetry and folk tales with accomplished professional puppeteer, Linda Zittel! The last day to register for camp is May 4th and registration, as well as more detailed information, can be found HERE!
There are a lot of changes on the horizon, y’all! As we prepare to return to intergenerational services for the summer, and envision our return to the classroom wing in the fall, lots of decisions need to be made, and that means I want to hear from YOU about what has been working and what hasn’t, and what your dreams and concerns are for the return to normal Sunday morning RE, AND I want to answer your questions about our plans for room use, curriculum, and the general wellbeing of your children when they are in our care.
You are invited to bring your drinks and snacks to the benches on the back patio on Sunday, May 25th to spend coffee hour asking and sharing for the mutual benefit of all who are invested in our RE programs for children and youth. I look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas!
Last month was loaded with fun! Our youth went to the Hult Center to experience Hamilton live on stage and their excitement was absolutely contagious! And between our JETPIG Easter and Beltane Maypole, I can honestly say we made the most of the beautiful spring sunshine and blossoms! If you have ideas for enriching activities you’d like to see take place over the summer, I want to hear them!
Everything we are able to provide in RE is only possible because volunteers generously give their time to bring these events to life for others! Our values-driven Easter experience would not have been possible without the help of Priscilla Galasso, Anya Ballinger, and Adriel Molk, all committing to help out in the weeks leading up to the event. And then, on the day-of, our fabulous young people, Sabina Giordono and Kezi Hirsch, stepped in to fill a need to talk to kids about justice and Love.
Thank you to all of our volunteers who fill roles big and small. You are the beating heart of Fellowship life!
Thanks to the tireless efforts of our Fellowship librarians, Holley Lantz and Christine Robbins, and volunteer Eric Lantz, the children’s collection in the Rita McDonald Memorial Library has been digitally cataloged and is ready for check outs!
Children (and adults who read children’s books) can now apply for a library card with this form, and use our new digital checkout kiosk. Please allow 3 days for new accounts to be set up prior to attempting to check out.
We have many faith-specific adult books that cannot be found at the county library and we’d love to see more people making use of this resource. Feedback about the usability of the adult collection is most welcome!
Thanks so much for being part of what makes our Fellowship shine! Happy May, Y’all!
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Have name tags gone missing?!
Have you noticed that the name tag racks in the foyer are no longer overflowing? That’s because the Membership team and administrative staff are in the process of cleaning out old tags. We’re removing name tags of folks who have died (!) and folks we haven’t seen in years (this includes members we have not seen or heard from in years.) The removed name tags have not been destroyed! If you can’t find your name tag, please tell the Greeters or a staff member.
At least once a year, the admin staff reviews our database lists of members and friends, to update as needed and remove those we haven’t heard from. Fellowship policy states that if we haven’t heard from a member for 12 months or more (especially no record of participation in the pledge drive or other Fellowship activities) we remove them from “active” membership. This means we no longer include them in regular or special Fellowship communication, no longer count them as members in our annual report to the UUA, and no longer include them on membership lists for annual meetings, including voting. This is why we encourage all members to participate in the annual pledge drive, to let us know who is “here” and taking part in the life of the Fellowship. Note: attending the Fellowship does not make one a member! Membership requires orientation and signing the membership book.
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UUFC Auction Donations Needed
Our annual Services and Silent Auction is Saturday, June 28. Please join in our largest fundraiser by offering a fun service, event, or item. Do you have access to a getaway at the beach, in the mountains, or other vacation spot? These prized offerings always earn lots for our Fellowship.
Do you have a skill, interest, or hobby that you would like to share with others? Some possibilities:
- bird watching
- dance lessons
- singing lessons
- music performances
- clay crafting
- knitting lessons
- rafting on the river
- dinner for 4-12
- computer help
- house or window cleaning
- clutter reduction
- waterfall hike
- homemade dinners delivered
- homemade artisan breads or preserves
- custom scarf or journal
- gift basket
- wine tasting
- camping
- yard work
- cooking classes
- gardening help
- anything you love.
Or maybe you have some special items that you no longer want or need, such as jewelry, furniture, or artwork that you would be willing to donate. Everything goes to help support the UUFC.
Please fill out our Auction Donation Form as soon as possible. You can access the online form using the button below. Paper forms will be available in the Fellowship foyer.
Please submit your offerings soon so the auction team has time to enter all items and services into our Auctria software, along with photos (jpg or png only. Auctria can’t accept PDF). We use Auctria to generate the live and silent auction catalogs and to track and record sales.
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Updated Affirmative Nondiscrimination Statement!
Thank you to everyone who gave feedback on the proposed changes to Article II of our Bylaws! We have incorporated the feedback into the proposed change, which is included below. This proposed change to the Bylaws will be voted on by members at the Annual Meeting on May 18, 2025. A bylaw change such as this requires a 3/4 majority vote of the members in attendance at the meeting.
Existing Article II Membership:
The Fellowship offers membership to all people who support its purposes, principles, and programs.Proposed Article II Membership:
The Fellowship offers membership to all people who support its values, principles, mission, and programs.The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Corvallis is committed to establishing, supporting, and maintaining a welcoming congregation that lives up to its highest ideals, a place where all can thrive. We strive to be a congregation that affirms all persons, including but not limited to those embracing differences in racial and cultural identity or background, sexual orientation, gender and its expression, religious background, marital status, family structure, age, mental and physical health and ability, political affiliation, educational achievement, and socioeconomic level. We welcome all who accept our Congregational Covenant of Right Relations to share in the leadership, ministry, fellowship, worship, responsibilities, blessings, and joys of our congregation’s life.
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Nominating Committee Slate for 2025-26
The members of the current UUFC Nominating Committee are pleased to submit the following slate of nominees for the 2025-26 Fellowship Year:
UUFC NOMINEES FOR ELECTED POSITIONS 2025
(Terms are for one year unless otherwise noted)BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President – Carl English-Young
Secretary – Priscilla Galasso
Treasurer – Michael Hughes
Board – John Larsen (2 year)
Board – Betty Shelley (2 year)
Board – Carolyn Madsen (2 year)
Board – John Bailey (2 year)
Board – Sheryl Stuart (2 year)
Board – Bonnie Morihara (2nd year of 2-year term)PERSONNEL COMMITTEE CHAIR
Jamie PettsCOMMITTEE ON MINISTRY CHAIR
Mark AronFINANCIAL OVERSIGHT COUNCIL CHAIR
Scott Bruslind (3 year)2026 NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Kris Egan
Jim Good
Kimi Mayo
Heather Thomas
Board member (appointed by the Board)
Plan Ahead
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Partner Church Team, 5/11
The Partner Church Team wants to foster long-term, mutually supportive relationships with Unitarian and UU communities worldwide, promote the exchange of people and ideas, deepen understanding of faith, and strengthen human rights and religious freedom.
Will you help us grow into that mission? Can you help us develop a mission that speaks to our values at UUFC?
Please join us on Sunday, May 11 at 12:00 in the north end of the Social Hall. We will discuss completion of our tasks for this church year and will make the ground ready to sew new seeds for the Team’s future.
Contact PCT lead, Heather E, for more information using this link.
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LEGATO potluck, 5/14
Can we learn to transform and grow spiritually and ethically in a changing world? Let’s break bread together and see what develops.
The LEGATO potluck is Wednesday May 14 at 5:45 PM at the Fellowship. Come early if you can help set up tables.
Bring a dish to share (please identify all ingredients).
This is a Connect Up Event with the purpose of building community within the UUFC congregation.
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Leadership Supper, 5/29
All Fellowship leaders of teams, councils, tasks and events are invited to gather once more, on Thursday May 29 at the Fellowship, for coordination and collaboration, and especially to focus on leadership needs and tasks in the coming ministerial transition. A light supper will be provided, beginning at 6 PM. All leaders are needed – please join us!
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Queerly Beloved, 5/11
Our next gathering will be Sunday, May 11th – 4-6 PM in the social hall at UUFC.
Christine will be hosting a Talent Show for our next QB meeting. But that doesn’t mean you have to be “talented”, just willing to share something. Some of the activities you can share include:
Read or recite a quotation, long or short
Sing a song
Play an instrument
Tell a story (true or not)
Read a poem (yours or someone else’s)
Act out a story
Tell jokes
Show us your craftwork
Magic tricks
Juggling
Riddlesor anything else that might be inspiring, interesting or amusing. Perform alone or in groups. Everybody’s got talents!
🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈
Queerly Beloved meets every Second Sunday! Join LGBTQ+ folx and allies for social gatherings centered on queer issues and themes. We understand the importance of queer community, and our goal is to provide a safe space where people can find that sense of belonging right here in Corvallis.
If you need childcare for smaller children, please contact the Grandfolks Squad here: https://uufc.breezechms.com/form/8c8211 -
UUA Common Read, 7/15, 7/29, 8/12, 8/26
Authentic Selves Workshop
Fifty allies and queer folks are needed to experience four successive workshop sessions centered around this year’s UU Common Read. Mark your calendars (7/15, 7/29, 8/12 and 8/26, 6:30 to 8:00pm) and order the book: Authentic Selves: Celebrating Trans and Nonbinary People and Their Families. Tell us you plan to participate by registering here: https://uufc.breezechms.com/form/a93a00 -
Screening of Farming While Black, 5/15
Join us for a screening of Farming While Black, an award-winning film about the rising generation of young black farmers, featuring Leah Penniman, author of the book, “Farming While Black.” Panel discussion following the showing.
Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 6:00 pm
Oregon State University LINC Building Rm 210 (near SW 26th & SW Jefferson)
Award winning Kontent Films feature length documentary
Trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqMM2bKFiV8
Moderated panel:
Mark Decena, director / writer/ producer, Kontent Films
Charlotte Epps, Leticia Carson Legacy Project, and Reciprocity Garden
David Barron, Cross-eyed Cricket Farms and Friends Agriculture Co-opFree and free parking nearby
Co-sponsored by Benton County Master Gardener Association, Oregon State University Sustainability Double Degree Program; in collaboration with and support of Oregon State University Extension Service Master Gardener
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UUFC Annual Meeting, 5/18
The UUFC Annual Meeting is happening on Sunday, May 18, 2025 at 12 noon in the Sanctuary after the service. Members may sign in following the service, and the meeting will commence at noon. All UUFC members are asked and encouraged to attend! The Annual Meeting is where members vote on Fellowship matters, such as election of the Board of Directors, affirming the annual budget, and changing the Bylaws. If you are a member of the Fellowship and want to participate in its democratic governance, this is the meeting to attend!
Members may choose to attend the meeting on Zoom, rather than in person. In-person attendance is greatly preferred, as Zoom can fail in multiple ways. Zoom attendees will vote using the polling tool built into Zoom. PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU ARE UNCOMFORTABLE USING ZOOM OR UNSURE IF YOU WILL BE ABLE TO USE THE ZOOM POLLING TOOL, PLEASE MAKE PLANS TO ATTEND IN PERSON.
Per the Fellowship Bylaws, one-fourth of current members must be present at the meeting to form a quorum. Motions pass on majority approval of those members present and voting, except for motions on ‘momentous issues’ as defined in Article III Section 5 of the Bylaws. Amending the Fellowship Bylaws is one such momentous issue, and will require a three-fourths majority of members present and voting to approve.
Some items that will be up for vote have already been announced. Read more about them through the links below.
Nominating Committee Slate for 2025-26
Affirmative Nondiscrimination Statement -
Aging Successfully in Community Supper Potluck, 5/14
Join us for our last scheduled event of this church year on Wednesday, May 14, 2025
5-7 PM
C3 (Corvallis Community Center)
2601 NW Tyler Ave. CorvallisBring:
- Finger foods / easy-to-serve food for sharing
- Your own tableware (utensils & plate)
- What topics you’d like to see covered in the coming year
- Your ideas for social activities during the summer! You choose the activity, date & number of people. We can help get the word out.
We will provide beverages, conversation starters, & a review of the past year.
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“Samurai in the Oregon Sky” Film Showing, 5/17
SATURDAY MAY 17, 10 AM
Friendship Force of Oregon’s Mid-Willamette Valley (https://www.fforegon.org/) and the UUFC Immigrant And Refugee Support Team (IRST) bring you the film “Samurai in the Oregon Sky.” This is an award winning film whose details can be found at https://www.samuraiintheoregonsky.com/.
The film tells the little-known story of Japanese pilot Nobuo Fujita who conducted the only manned aerial bombings of the U.S. mainland during WWII, on the southern Oregon coast. Years later, he would meet and peacefully reconcile with the American civilians who lived in the area. It’s a testament to the power of face-to-face meetings.
The film maker Ilana Sol will be present and talk with audience members. Attendees can make donations. Any extra funds beyond those needed to cover Director Sol’s expenses will be donated for use by the IRST.
This film will be shown in the Sanctuary of the UUFC – 2945 NW Circle Blvd, Corvallis OR 97330. All are welcomed.
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UUFC Family Camping at Cascadia State Park, 6/19 – 6/22
Come and join in fun and fellowship while camping at Cascadia State Park June 19 – 22, 2025. Group Site ‘A’ has been reserved with a limit of 25 campers. Plans include group meals on Friday and Saturday evening, time for hiking, exploring, building community, games, and much more. Bring your own tent, personal gear, and food. Parking is very limited (6 cars and 2 RVs – no hook-ups) so carpools are encouraged. Come out for all or part of the event.
The registration fee for the whole weekend is $25 per person (a family with children rate will apply). A minimum of 12 adult registrations must be received by May 1st for this event to take place.
If you have specific questions, please contact Julie Halter and Nancy Gill using this Breeze form.