Weeklies – Text Only

WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS – text only

Sunday Services

Sunday Worship Service: River of Life

June 7, 2026 at 10:00 AM
Today, we pause on the riverbank to witness those who are entering into a new stage of development – spiritual and social. Children growing into youth. Young adults declaring that they’re here and ready to take up space in our community. Elders who are entering a new era of adulthood and asking for tenderness as they figure out what that will look like. They do not go alone. We get to attend to them with our blessing, and our attention.
Led by Skyla King-Christison, Director of Religious Exploration

Services This Month

Sunday Worship Service: River of Life

June 7, 2026 at 10:00 AM

Today, we pause on the riverbank to witness those who are entering into a new stage of development – spiritual and social. Children growing into youth. Young adults declaring that they’re here and ready to take up space in our community. Elders who are entering a new era of adulthood and asking for tenderness as they figure out what that will look like. They do not go alone. We get to attend to them with our blessing, and our attention.
Led by Skyla King-Christison, Director of Religious Exploration

Sunday Worship Service: Pride Sunday and Juneteenth Awareness

June 14, 2026 at 10:00 AM

When we look at injustice, we feel sorrow, and when we celebrate liberation, we feel joy.  Both are alive in Pride Month, and in Juneteenth Remembrance.  Come together for courage and strength.  Plan to attend the Pride party after the service!
Service led by Rev. Alex McGee with help from Molly Curry.
Party after service led by Queerly Beloved.

Sunday Worship Service: General Assembly Worship

June 21, 2026 at 10:00 AM

The UUA General Assembly includes a Sunday Worship service on June 21, which will be livestreamed and recorded. When we meet at 10 AM in Corvallis, the GA service will already be concluded, so a recording of it will be displayed in our Sanctuary as part of our service.
GA Worship will be lead by Rev. Jen Youngsun Ryu, who serves as minister of the UU Church of Eugene, OR.
You can read more about the GA Worship service here.

Sunday Worship Service: Lessons from the Past to Help us Look Forward

June 28, 2026 at 10:00 AM

Human history shows us again and again the wisdom of learning from our past.  Today, come dwell together in those truths.  Plan to stay after the service for a slideshow about UUFC history.
Service led by Rev. Alex McGee, with presentation after service by Transitions Team.

From the Minister

  • From the Minister, May 15, 2026

    Dear UUFC Congregation:

    Wow!  One year ago this month I was reading all about your congregation, from afar.  I examined statistics about your history, your membership, your RE program, and financial matters.  I looked at how many ministers have served you, how the building was built, and milestones important in your congregational life.  I tried to imagine being with you all in role of Interim Minister.  How lucky I was then, to get to interview with the Interim Search committee, who were warm, friendly, organized, and clear.  I then spent many, many more hours, researching Corvallis as a place to live.

    This kind of imagining is powerful.  Because you all set a vision, and I was open to a vision, our paths were able to meet and align.  

    Please ponder this kind of power.  Please consider the kind of careful preparation that creates a solid, factual foundation, from which the winds of the universe can blow to attract positive energy.

    Perhaps there is an area of your life right now where you would like to “get your house in order” and take stock of who you are.  

    With care and wonder,

    Rev. Alex

This Week at UUFC

  • One More Community Music Circle before Summer Hiatus, 6/1

    The last Community Music Circle before we take a break for the Summer will be Monday, June 1st at 7-8:30 PM in the sanctuary. Hope you can make it!

    What’s that you say?

    Did I hear someone ask “what is a community music circle?”

    So glad you asked: The community music circle is when a group of really great people from the Fellowship come together to play and sing together. You can sing or bring your instruments. All skill levels are welcome. It’s a fun time and there are usually surprises – most of them unplanned!

    If you’ve never come to one, give it a try! If you’re a regular, we have a new songbook with a bunch of familiar songs to try out.

    Hope to see you there!

  • Volunteers Needed for UUFC Auction, 6/6

    The UUFC fundraising auction on June 6 is one of the largest Fellowship events of the year! It takes many hands to make it happen, and we need yours. Volunteers will receive dinner for free as thanks for their service! View the available roles in the signup form by clicking the button below.

    Volunteer Sign up Here!

    Note that this form is for expressing interest in roles. The auction organizers will assign roles based on how many people express interest for which jobs. You can choose which roles you like, or you can say you’re open for anything! Each person will be assigned a single role, unless they check the box indicating they’re open to filling multiple sequential roles through the event.

  • Grounds Work Parties in May

    Three upcoming opportunities to help care for our UU Grounds:

    • Saturday, May 9  9 AM – 12 PM
    • Friday, May 15   2 – 5 PM
    • Saturday, May 30  9 AM – 12 PM 

    We have mulch and wood chips to keep our grounds looking beautiful, but they need our help to go from unsightly piles to well-cared-for beds.  There are also opportunities for weed pulling, and that’s a great way to get fresh air and sunshine and see immediate results!  Please come share the work – and the satisfaction of a job well done together!      

  • UUFC Auction, 6/6

    The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Corvallis Presents

    The 2026 Services Auction & Dinner

    Saturday, June 6th from 5:30 to 8:30 PM

    Philomath Scout Lodge 

    660 Clemens Mill Road, Philomath OR, 97370 

    Catered dinner, drinks, live music, raffle, mystery goodie bags, and live/silent auction offerings

    Members, friends, & family are invited!
    Shuttle service available to and from the Fellowship

    RSVP by clicking the button below – registration is required to bid!

    RSVP by clicking here

    Paying for dinner is separate! This year our meal is professionally catered!
    Please buy tickets for dinner by clicking the button below.

    Buy dinner tickets here
    ($15 suggested donation)

    Sign up here to volunteer at the event – volunteers eat free!

    Volunteer Sign up Here!

    The catalog of lots in the Live Auction can be viewed here.

    Online Auction

    Online auction opens May 17th at 1PM and closes May 31st at 5PM

    The online auction is now closed. Thank you to everyone who participated!

    Online Auction Site

    Auction Donations

    Click here to donate items or services to the auction

    Don’t have items or services to donate?  Won’t be able to attend the auction but want to help? Fill out the form below to donate funds via Breeze.

    Breeze donations will be used to purchase items for the auction or to offset event costs

    Photos of the Philomath Scout Lodge

  • Sacred Sound Practices For Challenging Times, 5/30

    Are you feeling stressed out by the state of the world?
    Join devotional musician Kavita Kat Macmillan for this introduction to the subtle energies of Sacred Sound to soothe your nervous system, to ground & to connect with your voice!
    No experience necessary.

    About your guide: Kavita Kat Macmillan is an interdisciplinary vocalist, musician, and performer whose work bridges yoga, somatic practice and music to foster creative awakening. Kavita’s guidance, through her in-depth mentorships, global retreats, and workshops, helps catalyze people of all backgrounds and ages to shed inhibition, dissolve blocks, and access their unique, authentic voice, and seat of creativity within. Kavita’s music can be found streaming on all platforms. More info at kavitakatmacmillan.com.

    Saturday, May 30, 1 – 2:30 PM, in Room 7.

    Tickets are $33 in advance, $40 dollars at the door.

    More information and tickets are available at https://ticketstripe.com/sacredsoundcorvallis.

    Kavita

    Childcare is available!

    Free childcare can usually be arranged for any Fellowship event by using this link 1-2 weeks prior to the event.

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.

Plan Ahead

  • CANCELLED Legato Potluck 6/10

    The UUFC Choir will not gather for the monthly Legato potluck in June. Sorry to disappoint eager participants. Legato will be on hiatus until further notice. Thank you.

  • Men’s Retreat, Save the Date! 10/16-18

    Our theme for this year is Playing the Game of Life: How Do We Roll? What have been the biggest shapers of our lives? People, places, work, play, our highs, our lows… experiences of all kinds! We’ll explore this broad question (with many answers) at the 2026 Men’s Retreat. But wait, it’s a retreat, for heaven’s sake! You know – relax, put your feet up, fun and games! YES, it’s that too! And good food! Sharing meaningful experiences and having fun together – it’s all about building deeper connections with one another in our UU community.

    Sound good? Then MARK YOUR CALENDAR for October 16-18 (Friday late afternoon through Sunday lunchtime). The retreat will be at Camp Harlow outside of Eugene, barely an hour’s drive from Corvallis. Watch for details and registration information in August. For more information: mensretreat@uucorvallis.org.

  • Transylvanian Summer Luncheon, 6/20

    Summer is almost upon us, so we invite you to join us for a special luncheon to celebrate this time of year on Saturday, June 20th at 12:30 PM. 

    This will be in the Social Hall and is sponsored by the Community Events Team and Global Partners. The menu will feature Transylvanian and other traditional or popular Romanian dishes; see the menu below! You can reserve a spot for lunch by submitting the form through the button below:

    RSVP Here!

    You will also find a sign-up table in the foyer or social hall on the two Sundays before, during and after service.

    We are limiting attendance at only 48 guests this time, so be sure to get your reservation in early to claim your seat at the table.

    The suggested donation is $15 and all proceeds after food costs will be passed on to the Global Partners Team for their charitable work in our community.

    If you’d like to be a part of this and help out, you can volunteer to assist with food preparation or Setup or service or cleanup, and if you can help for at least an hour, you can dine with us for free as a thanks for your kind assistance. Here’s a link for volunteers:

    Sign up to volunteer!

    We look forward to seeing many of you at the luncheon. 

    * Community Events Team
    Rich Brainerd
    Nick Houtman
    Roberta Smith
    Linda Zittel
    Ernest Cardona

    * Global Partners Team
    Janet Throop
    Patricia Parcells
    Heather Emberson

    Menu

    • Zucchini marinated in fermented kraut juice (Dovlecei marinati, zeama de moare) or (dovlecei marinați în suc de varză fermentat)
    • Eggplant dip w crusty bread (salata/sos de vinete cu pâine crocantă)
    • Fresh seasonal green salad (salata de vara)
    • Polenta, served with stew below (Mamaliga)
    • Tocăniță de ciuperci (vegetable stew with mushrooms, tomatoes, potatoes, and red bell peppers)
    • Fresh-squeezed lemonade with fresh mint (limonadă proaspătă cu mentă)
    • Dessert: peach crisp (Prajitura cu Piersici ) with vanilla ice cream (înghețată de vanilie), finished with pomegranate molasses and date syrup

    Childcare is available!

    Free childcare can usually be arranged for any Fellowship event by using this link 1-2 weeks prior to the event.

  • Creative Lament, 6/8

    “Welcoming our sorrow eases the hardened places within us, allowing them to open and freeing us to once more feel our kinship with the living presence around us. This is deep activism, soul activism that actually encourages us to connect with the tears of the world. Grief keeps the heart flexible, fluid, and open to others… Our activism is directly connected to our heart’s ability to respond to the world. A congested heart, one burdened with unexpressed sorrow, cannot stay open to the world, and consequently, cannot be fully available for the healing work so needed at this time.” – Frances Weller, The Wild Edge of Sorrow:

    REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

    WHEN: June 8 @ 6:00-8:00

    WHERE: Room 3

    WHAT: Workshop offered by Skyla to explore lamentation — the ancient practice of passionately expressing sorrow through language and art. Participants will engage with a formal structure for writing a personal lament and artistically express their grief in the format of a small zine. You are most welcome to bring your favorite art supplies, though no artistic skills are required and all necessary supplies will be provided.

    This workshop was generously provided to religious professionals around the nation by Rev. JaKaren Bell and the UU College of Social Justice, with the invitation to teach this practice in our home congregations. It is our hope that this spiritual practice will provide spiritual sustenance to fuel your justice work.

    This gathering is appropriate for thoughtful teens and adults of all ages. Childcare for those 12 and under is available upon request using THIS FORM. 

    Please contact Skyla King-Christison at dre@uucorvallis.org with any questions you may have. 

  • Music Sharing Night, 6/29

    June 29th, 7-9 PM in the Sanctuary

    Do you want to share your music with others in the Fellowship? Sign up to perform at the Music Sharing. Sign ups will be available in June. Watch the weekly announcements for details on how to sign up.

    Do you like to sing or play music, but the thought of performing causes you a feeling of terror or dread? This is understandable. But you should know that we’ve had many people make their musical debut at these Music Sharing Nights. People who have never sung outside of their car or the shower took the leap and stood in front of a supportive group of people from the community cheering them on to make their first public performance. This could be you!

    But if you don’t want to perform, you don’t have to. There will be no pressure whatsoever – just come and enjoy the music and cheer on all the fantastic musicians in our community! 

Connect Up/Affinity Groups this Week