Sunday Services
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This Week:
April 12, 2026 – When Our Ideals are Challenged
When we work hard to make this world more just, but seem to face betrayal and despair instead, what can we do? Alex will bring lessons from Unitarian and Universalist forebears as well as current activist theologians. Renewed inner spirituality, sharing our lessons, and resting may surprise us on our way.
Rev. Alexandra McGee will preach. Special guest musician Nancy Snowden will play cello.
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Services This Month
April 19, 2026 – Caring for Moral Health
As people of conscience, how can we relate to the people who serve in our military, knowing the complex moral issues that they face? Guest speaker Logan Isaac brings his background as a veteran, theologian, and ethicist.
Logan Isaac will speak
April 26, 2026 – What’s Your Agenda
Having a personal or professional agenda is often considered a negative thing in Unitarian Universalism. Yet, not having purpose can cause anguish. We begin wonder what we are doing here. Today we unwrap our agendas in a life well lived.
Guest speaker Rev. Mitra Rahnema is a lifelong Unitarian Universalist and graduate of Starr King School for the Ministry. She has offered ministry to congregations in Missouri, Michigan, and California. Mitra is editor of the 2017 book and UUA Common Read, “Centering: Navigating Race, Authenticity, and Power in Ministry.” She is dedicated to building vibrant and engaged anti-oppressive communities. Mitra lives in Portland, OR.
From the Minister
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Parents Under Stress Supporting Teens Under Stress
Dear Congregation:
Last Sunday, I read parts of a book during the Time for All Ages. The name of the book is Wildfire, by Breena Bard (see photo).
Because I was speaking to children and youth of all ages, and only had an about five minutes, I lifted up only a few themes from the book. But this amazing graphic novel covers many themes pertinent to families who have just gone through a tragedy. In this book, the family loses their farm in rural Oregon during a wildfire and relocates to Portland. In their effort to be strong for the kids and get through daily logistics, the parents don’t share their grief with their kids. And in an effort not to be pitied by new friends, the main character, a teen, does not share that she knows one of the boys who started the fire — who is now also in her new Portland school. By the end of the book, the pressure builds to a point where the parents and teen are finally able to talk about their grief and anger. This came about in part because of a school teacher who observed the overwhelm in the teen. One lesson from this is that safe adults outside a family can often be a buffer and link to healing within a family.
When I was 16, my father had a stroke and became paralyzed on his left side. During that next year, the church was a place where parents of my friends made space for my emotions. Further, the church’s pastoral counselor offered family counseling sessions where I discovered that saying hard things to my parents could actually lead to all of us feeling better.
My wish for all of us, of all ages, is that when life sends us painful curveballs, and when stress overwhelms us, that we eventually find our way to talking with our closest loved ones. And if any part of the Fellowship can help with that, may it be so.
With care,
Rev. Alex
This Week at UUFC
Announcements
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Help Needed Installing New Playset
We need your help!
We have been kindly gifted a new-to-us playset for the RE and preschool playground. On Monday (Aug. 24) we’ll need assistance to take down and remove the old structure. On Tuesday we’ll be picking up and assembling the new structure. The timing for this is very fortunate because the preschool is closed this coming week.
If you can help on either day, please show up at the Fellowship at 1pm on Monday Aug. 24 and/or 9am on Tuesday Aug. 25. Bring hammers, wrenches and work gloves.
Any help would be appreciated
Questions please contact Steve Ferrell or Brian Egan.
Once the old structure has been taken down, the wood will be stored in the northern part of our grounds next to the parking lot. Please help yourself if you would like.
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Vegan Potluck New Time. 6:30pm, 8/23
To support our status as a Green Sanctuary, the Fellowship hosts a Community Vegan Potluck at 6:30 on the 4th Sunday of every month.
Everyone is Welcome! Join us in the Social Hall.Bring a dish to share with others as we learn to eat in a more climate friendly way.
Include Plant foods: grains, beans, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, herbs & spices.
Exclude Animal foods: no flesh, fluids, or unborn young.Try it! You’ll like it!!
Need more info? Contact Ann Marchant. -
UUFC Men’s Retreat Oct. 16-18 – Sign Up Now!
Playing the Game of Life: How Do We Roll?
What have been our most meaningful experiences in the game of life? How have we responded to the curveballs that have come our way? What have we learned? That’s the focus of this year’s UU Men’s Retreat – the major things that have shaped how we play the game of life. We’ll share meaningful experiences and have fun together, too – what a concept!Register ONLINE at https://uufc.breezechms.com/form/mensretreatregistration2026.
Join us at Camp Harlow near Eugene (only an hour’s drive from Corvallis). This is a great opportunity for those who identify as men to get to know each other better and build deeper connections. The fee for the retreat is on a sliding scale, based on what you can afford. (No refunds after Sept. 18.) Check out the flyer with details at this link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VvgYAbAf1d98fzJXBmlHnWhKSiNBdMnW/view?usp=sharingMore information: contact Alan Kirk <mensretreat@uucorvallis.org>
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ETC (Elders Thriving in Community), 9/10
GOAL SETTING & LIFESTYLE CONSIDERATIONS FOR RETIREMENT
“Enriching our retirement with thoughtful planning”
Thursday, Sept. 10 @ 3:00 – 4:30pm in the Sanctuary
With people living longer and in better health than our predecessors, we may have several active years in this phase of our lives. Whether you are already retired or thinking ahead, let’s give this some thought together as we face the openness and freedom that retirement can offer. It can be time to pursue interests that have been put off for years even if we don’t have so much spring in our step! A panel of fellow UUFC retirees will share their thoughts and experiences as they began this era of their lives. Open discussion to follow.“Let yourself be silently drawn by the stronger pull of what you really love.” – Rumi
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Parking Lot Rummage Sale, 9/12
Find items in your closets, attic, garage that you no longer need and donate them to the annual UUFC Parking Lot Rummage Sale. Pre-price the items at home (whole dollar amounts, thrift store pricing) and bring them between 8:00 – 8:45 AM to the UUFC parking lot. Display the items on tables there or ones you bring. Join with a friend or two to stay by the table and encourage sales. Send buyers to a central cashier. At 1:00 PM pack up any unsold items and take home or to a thrift store. It’s a win-win for you and the Fellowship. Encourage all your friends and neighbors to come.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: We need volunteers to post flyers in Corvallis, Albany, and Philomath no later than September 5, help set up and take down tables and cashier on September 12. Use this Sign Up Genius link to sign up now.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0444AEA72DA7F4CE9-64895823-uufc -
Sunday Service IS happening on Labor Day weekend
This year we will have a Sunday worship service on September 6, the day before Labor Day. We have traditionally not held a worship service the day before Labor Day, but this year we’re trying something new!
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2026 UUFC Women’s Retreat Registration
Registration for the 2026 UUFC Women’s Retreat is open! Please register by filling out the form at forms.gle/SJmvcftrZVraLS23A.
This year’s retreat will be at Camp Harlow in Eugene, OR from Oct. 2 – 4. Due to generous donations from prior participants, UUFC is able to subsidize the cost to attend. Please understand that prices may change in future years.
Pricing
Regular pricing is $175, and Saturday Only pricing is $100. Partial and full scholarships are available.
Deadline
Registration will close on September 7th – please register before then. Reach out to womensretreat@uucorvallis.org with questions.
Carpooling is encouraged, however, the Women’s Retreat team will not be organizing carpool assignments.
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2026 UUFC Women’s Retreat: Call for Workshop Proposals
The organizers of the Women’s Retreat are looking for women to lead 50 minute workshops during the Women’s Retreat either Friday (Oct 2) or Saturday (Oct 3). We hope to be able to provide a variety of workshops for attendees. Please submit a proposal by filling out the form at forms.gle/kcuWysH9vXmwJk1q6. Submissions will be collected until August 24th.
Reach out to womensretreat@uucorvallis.org with questions.
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Outreach Offerings for August
Our August Monthly Outreach Offering will support Side with Love.
Side With Love is the organizing strategy team of the Unitarian Universalist Association.
They harness the power of love to confront oppression and build a world where all people can thrive.
Through organizing, leadership development, political education, and collective action, they equip Unitarian Universalists and aligned communities to take spiritually grounded, justice-driven action in this decisive moment.
Read more at sidewithlove.org.
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UUFC Group Campout at Moonshine Park, 9/10 – 13
Registration is now open for the UUFC Group Campout at Moonshine Park, September 10 – 13!
Come and join in fun and fellowship while camping at Moonshine Park in the coastal mountains, near Siletz, OR. Group Site B has been reserved with a limit of 50 people. Plans include group meals on Friday (picnic style) and Saturday (potluck) evening, time for hiking, swimming, exploring, building community, and much more. Bring your own tent, personal gear, and food. Come out for all or part of the event. More information will be available with registration confirmation.
Only tent camping is available on the site but small RVs (no hook-ups) are allowed in the site parking area. We are limited to 8 vehicles with the reservation and will be charged for any additional vehicles. A camper being pulled by a vehicle counts as two vehicles. So, carpools are encouraged!
Here is a link to the registration page:
https://uufc.breezechms.com/form/CampingSep2026
The registration fee for the whole weekend is $30 per person (a family with children rate will apply). Fees may be paid during the registration process or paid to the UUFC by check or cash. Please note “2026 Moonshine Park Campout” in the memo line (or on the envelop if paying in cash). If the name on the check is different from the participant, please note the participant(s) name. You may give your payment to Julie Halter or Nancy Gill at Sunday service or place your payment in the collection box in the foyer to the left of the sanctuary doors.