Weeklies – Text Only

WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS – text only

Sunday Services

  • This Week:

    “Stories of Christmas” 12/22/24

    From the first story – the birth story – have come millennia of stories about the origins of Christmas, the meanings of Christmas, the challenges and questions and problems with Christmas. Of Christmases past and remembered, of Christmases better forgotten.
    To be human is to tell stories. What are the stories we can tell about Christmas today? In this service we’ll also welcome new members to the Fellowship, and share in the dedication of children.
    With Rev. Jill McAllister

    Christmas Eve Candlelight Services, Tuesday, 12/24/24

    5:30 PM, Family-Centered Service – A re-telling of the birth story, with songs and candles.
    9 PM, A quiet service of readings, carols, anthems and candles.

Services This Month

  • Dec. 1 “Be Not Afraid” Rev. Jill McAllister
    Dec. 8 “Yes, Joy” Committee on Ministry
    Dec. 15 “Wintering” UUFC Choir and Readers
    Dec. 16 Blue Holiday Vespers Susan Sanford and Rev. Leslie Chartier
    Dec. 20 Winter Solstice Service Rev. Jill McAllister
    Dec. 22 “Stories of Christmas” Rev. Jill McAllister
    Dec. 24 Christmas Eve -two services Rev. Jill McAllister
    Dec. 29 Holiday Brunch and Sharing Rev. Jill McAllister and all

From the Minister

  • Between Us

    The feeling that is most with me in the midst of these holidays/holy days is to be careful. To be full of care. This is most certainly not a time to be frivolous, yet it is a time to nurture joy. How can we do both? By being full of care as we consider what is most important and what is not. Care for the earth, care for people everywhere, care for all the other living things. Care reflected in what we buy, what we waste, what we kill or destroy in the process, what we consume at the expense of others. What gifts can we give, when so many are in need of the basics – beginning with safety and shelter? Maybe this year, in this season we might begin to understand that joy is related to what we are willing and able to take care of, to give care to. In the beautiful darkness of these solstice days, with Christmas coming, may we give attention to what we care for and why, and move ourselves toward a loving carefulness.

This Week at UUFC

  • Connect Up Hike, 12/28

    Meet Saturday, Dec. 28 at 9:45 am at the Peavy Arboretum parking lot (upon entering the Arboretum, follow the signs for “Arboretum Parking,” staying to the left, then turning right, going past the lodge and on to the large parking lot). We’ll start hiking at 10:00 am. This will be a loop trail with different ability options. Join us for all or part of the journey. We’ll be taking the Forest Discovery Trail, then the connector to Cronemiller Lake, then FR 540 to the Calloway Creek trail and Intensive Management trail back to the parking lot. This is an easy to moderate hike of about 4 miles with about 300 ft. elevation gain. Dress for the weather, bring water, shoes with traction, poles if you like, but NO DOGS PLEASE.

  • 9th Annual Christmas Sing-Along! 12/22

    Please join us for the 9th Annual Christmas Sing Along! All are invited to join in the singing and fun. There will be Christmas carols, stories, comfy pillows, and cookies!

    Meet in the Fellowship Sanctuary on Sunday, December 22 at 4 PM!

Announcements

  • UUA President Holiday Greetings and Good Wishes

    A note of gratitude and good wishes from UUA President Rev. Dr. Sofia Betancourt.

    Watch here, and look for some Fellowship folks in the photos!

    Read Rev. Dr. Sofia Betancourt’s Message

  • Fellowship Job Posting: Communication Coordinator

    We’re looking for a point-person for Fellowship communication, at 10/hours per week. The job includes editing Weekly Announcements and Monthly Journals, coordinating website content updates and event publicity, and interfacing with members’ and friends’ communication questions and needs. Skills needed include proficiency with Canva, Excel, and Breeze, Google docs and forms, strong writing and editing skills, strong interpersonal skills.

    For more information and how to apply contact Rev. Jill McAllister, minister@uucorvallis.org.

  • LEGATO, 2nd Wednesday of Each Month

    LEGATO: a monthly potluck where foods harmonize in a smooth and flowing manner to create a satisfying dinner.

    Come join members of the choir and band at 5:00 on the 2nd Wednesday of each month and let’s enjoy a meal of laughter, goodwill, and perhaps song! Bring a dish to share (please identify all ingredients) and note the event ends at 6:30 as rehearsal begins at 7:00.

    This is a Connect Up Event with the purpose of building community within the UUFC congregation.

  • New Leadership For Membership and Greeter Teams

    Announcing new leadership for the Fellowship Membership and Greeting Teams: Joyce Standing is the new Membership coordinator, and Heather Emberson is the new Greeter Coordinator. These two teams have long been strong and vital parts of Fellowship life, and they will continue to be so with Heather and Joyce at the helm. As is common, with new leadership comes a chance to review and revise procedures and processes – this time including increasing the greeters team, revising the Membership “book”, and updating the New Members Welcome. The main tasks of these two teams are to provide Sunday morning greeting to all and accompany newcomers who decide to continue attending the Fellowship through the processes of orientation and membership if desired.

    Thank-you Heather and Joyce, and thank-you to all who are part of our membership and greeter teams!

  • Green to White

    There are many reasons to like the color green: often a symbol of safety, the color of nature, a mark of good luck, among others. At the UUFC, the GREEN name tag is a sign that you are new! We look for you and want to encourage your exploration of our Fellowship.

    If you have been coming regularly for a month or so, then it’s time to sign up to get a WHITE name tag. This name tag is an outward sign that you are here, that you have decided to join us regularly, and that you want to continue your religious journey with us!

    We’re SO glad you have decided to take this step. Please stop by the Welcome Desk to request your new name tag!

  • You Can Help Our Families Engage!

    You’ve probably noticed that there are more and more families in our midst each week. Hooray! We love seeing faces of all ages in our sanctuary. With this uptick in family participation, we are experiencing a higher demand for childcare. At the same time, our list of able Grandfolks is dwindling due to illness and factors such as night driving.

    A parent’s ability to engage in small group ministry and special events plays a large role in determining whether the family unit as a whole can continue to participate in the life of the Fellowship. If you are an adult of any age who has been with the Fellowship for more than 6 months, please take a moment to consider whether you would be able to give even one hour a month to care for children so that parents can have that time to commit to their own spiritual enrichment.

    All Grandfolks will be interviewed, trained, and complete a background check before service.

    If you want to help families stay engaged, please contact Skyla at dre@uucorvallis.org for more information.

  • December Holiday Services and Events

    December is a busy month, with a wide variety of services and gatherings. You can begin to plan ahead now – more details will come soon.

    Annual Holiday Fair – Saturday Dec. 7, 9 am – 3 PM
    Sunday Services: Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 – 10 AM
    Blue Holidays Vespers – Monday, Dec. 16, 6 PM
    Winter Solstice Service Dec. 20 – 7 PM
    Christmas Eve Services – Tuesday, Dec. 24 5:30 PM Family Centered Service
    9 PM Meditative Service
    Fail Fest 2024 – Friday, Dec. 27 6 PM
    Christmas Sing-a-Long – date TBD

  • UUFC Merch Store

    Check out the UUFC Merch Store for tee-shirts, hats, coffee cups, backpacks, umbrellas, and more! Support our Fellowship with great gifts for yourself and your loved ones. Find it under the “about” tab on the UUFC website.

Plan Ahead

  • Classroom Wing Renovation Project: MOVING OUT! 1/4

    The big moving out has begun! We are unloading the classroom wing of (just about) EVERYTHING. Help is needed on Saturday Jan. 4th (2 hour shifts from 9-3) and Saturday Jan. 11 (10-12, 1-3). In those sessions we’ll be moving boxes and furniture to the parking lot, to transport to commercial storage and private homes, and unload at those locations.

    Building prep, including some demolition, will start on Friday 12/27. Both skilled and non-skilled workers will be needed.

    Sign-up sheets are in the foyer on Sundays. Please add your name!

  • Death with Dignity & Advanced Directives, 1/15

    Death with Dignity (“Medical Aid in Dying”) discussion with Dr. David Grube: components of the law, the process, barriers to access, medical ethics, and other issues faced by terminally ill adult patients interested in ending their suffering. Presented by the UUFC Aging Successfully in Community team in partnership with Lumina Hospice and Palliative Care.

  • Help Plant Trees, 1/18

    On Sat 18 Jan, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon, in the fourth year of our collaboration with the Corvallis Urban Forestry Program, we will plant eight trees along Avery Park Drive, and we need your help.

    Sign Up to Volunteer


    Thank you. Questions: treasurer@uucorvallis.org

  • Justice Theatre Auditions, 1/27-1/28

    It’s time to audition for the yearly Justice Theatre @ the UUFC production! This year, we’re doing George Bernard Shaw’s Major Barbara in support of the Vina Moses center. The production this time around will be a staged reading…which means no one has to memorize a thing! The performances will take place on March 28-29, and auditions will be in the Social Hall on January 27-28 at 7pm.

    More Details

    If you have any questions, please email Rachel Kohler at reassociate@uucorvallis.org.

    Justice Theatre at the UUFC Presents a staged reading of George Bernard Shaw’s Major Barbara.

    Open Auditions

    January 27th and 28th at 7pm

    at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Corvallis

    Directed by Rachel Kohler and Chad Howard

    In support of Vina Moses Center

  • Self-Regulation and Co-Regulation Workshop for Parents, 1/2

    Catherine Whiting has been a pediatric occupational therapist for 41 years and specializes in sensory processing and self regulation at home and in schools. She is offering a workshop geared towards parents (grandparents also welcome) about how to identify the sensory needs of a child and to help them by modifying the environment for self regulation. Dynamics of family members having different needs will also be explored.

    January 2nd at 7PM in the UUFC social hall.

    Please help us plan by registering here by December 30th.

  • Post-Holiday Break for Parents, 12/27

    This time of year can be a lot for parents as we try to maintain all the rituals, magic, and meaning of the season. To honor all you do, we’d like to offer you a break! Drop off school-aged (k-8) children in the social hall from 1-4 on December 27th. We’ll have a thank you card writing workshop (with helpers for those who haven’t mastered the pen yet), eat snacks, and settle in for a movie while you take a few hours to recover from the holiday hustle. To make the most of the thank you card workshop, please send your child with a list of specific people & gifts for which to offer thanks. 

    Thanks to a generous grant from the Benton County Foundation, this event is free and open to the public, so invite your friends and family to take advantage of this opportunity!

    Registration is required for this event, and will close on 12/20. Space is limited.

  • Adult OWL, Comprehensive Sexuality Education for 18+, 1/5-3/9

    Using values, communication skills, and spirituality as starting points, this program explores sexuality issues for adults of all ages. OWL(Our Whole Lives) builds an understanding of healthy sexual relationships, affirms diversity, and helps participants accept and affirm their own sexuality throughout their lives.

    It’s not too late to experience the healing and healthy sex ed you wish you’d had back then!

    This series is facilitated by trained guides. Dawn Dirks is trained for all ages of OWL, and Skyla King-Christison is trained for adult OWL with an emphasis on older adults.

    Join us on Sundays 1/5- 3/9 from 2:30 to 4 in the social hall.

    Pre-registration is required for this series, and space is limited.

    Contact Skyla at dre@uucorvallis with questions.

  • Stoic Art Journaling for the New Year, 12/27

    We are living in strange times, and strange times call for more art and more dedication to doing our part to keep that arc of the moral universe bending toward justice!

    Join Skyla on December 27th from 6-8 PM in the social hall, where we will cast our vision across 2025 through a Stoic lens known for its capacity to galvanize hope. Then, each participant will create a mini art journal to document concrete actions they can take to foster peace, justice, and self-care in the year ahead. No art skills needed!

    Preregistration HERE is requested for this event!

    Bring a snack to share, and I’ll put the kettle on for tea.

    All supplies will be provided, but you are more than welcome to bring your favorite scrapbook paper, pens, markers, stencils, etc.

    Below are two examples of the style of pocket-sized art journal you will create. They are perfect for exploring bite-sized concepts, so you may find yourself making more once you know how. Yours will be completely unique and on a different topic from the ones pictured.   

Connect Up/Affinity Groups this Week