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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Strength of the Coordinating Council
by Rev. Alex McGee
August 7, 2026Dear Congregation:
This month the Board and I sat down and reviewed how the interim time is going. Among the many observations, here is one that some people might not know about: One of the emerging leadership groups in the congregation is the Coordinating Council. This Council has always existed, but since I am new to the congregation, I have turned to them with curiosity about what they see as the best way to coordinate teams and procedures. They are living into responsibility in a fresh way.
These five Council Chairs are Finance, Religious Exploration, Facilities, Connections, and Justice (Worship Council currently doesn’t have a Chair). Once a month, they have rich discussions about use of space, how to make calendaring accessible, sharing information about budgets, lines of information flow, how to coordinate efforts across teams, and other issues. I am excited and endeared every month to see them grapple with things that are not clear at first but can find new ways.
Each Team is part of a Council. Each Team lead has a link to a Council Chair. When the Team Leads communicate concerns and opportunities to the Council Chair, those can be passed along for creative solutions at the Coordinating Council. I love seeing how the many perspectives in the room all enrich the Fellowship.
I hope you will connect with your Team Lead about connecting with your Council Chair so that the lines of communication can flow as well as possible. If you want to learn more, take a look here: https://uucorvallis.org/about/#organizational_structure.
Shared ministry means that not everyone gets what they want all the time, but that we all try to help each other create the Fellowship for the highest good of all.
With care,
Rev. Alex
This Week at UUFC
Announcements
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Parking Lot Rummage Sale, 9/12
Our annual Parking Lot Rummage Sale is Saturday, September 12 from 9:00 am to 1:00. We need your donations. Sales of all items benefit the UUFC. We also need volunteers to post flyers in Corvallis, Albany, and Philomath, work at the cashiers table, and set up and take down the tables and chairs. Fill out the Sign Up Genius form to volunteer.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0444AEA72DA7F4CE9-64895823-uufc
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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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Global Partner Team meeting, 8/9
“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” – Mother Teresa
Together, we at the UUFC can make the ripples that touch many lives. It is through the Justice Council’s Global Partners Team that we take actions that can have a positive, worldwide effect. Come be a part. This month we will discuss a social event for the UUFC with an eye toward October.
The Global Partner Team will meet on Sunday 8/9 26 at 11:30 in the UUFC Library. Contact Team Lead, Heather E, for more information.
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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
Early bird pricing is $150 (until August 17th). 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.