Here at Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Willamette Falls, there are plenty of groups to choose from!

Whether you're looking to be a part of a group or volunteer your time, we've got something for everyone!

Fellowship and Support:

2nd Sunday, 2nd Hour

2nd Sunday, 2nd Hour is a well-loved opportunity to deepen our fellowship and connection to one another as we live out our mission. On the 2nd Sunday of the month, we have a potluck and then offer several intergenerational activities for folks to participate in. This group uses volunteers for potluck setup, potluck cleanup, and hosting activities or presentations.

A-Men

The UUCWF "AMEN" group gathers twice a month to get to know each other better, deepen our individual spiritual journeys, build a UUCWF male community, and be a resource for each other. The group uses the "Amen" name to honor the history of the church's previous Atkinson name.

Bring an Object

We get together once a month, usually the last Thursday, and bring an object from our lives to the meeting. We begin with a brief check in and then each person has time to talk about their object and share a personal story about it. This is a fun and easy way for people to get to know each other better.

Chalice Circles

Chalice circles are small groups that meet regularly to deepend and strengthen interpersonal connections, encourage spiritual growth, and provide open, supportive, and nurturing space. The chalice circles groups are open to new members and are also looking for folks interested in leading a group.

CHANGES

This is a discussion group based around understanding and adapting to a world experiencing rapid change. To join in these informative, respectful, and healing conversations, contact Eric Griswold at griswold@nwlink.com

Coffee and Conversation

Immediately following the Sunday service, there is a coffee and conversation hour downstairs. Volunteers can help with setup and cleanup. We also rely on congregants to bring regular and gluten free cookies (store bought or homemade), which can be dropped off in the kitchen downstairs before service.

Day Timers

This is a friendly, welcoming group that meets monthly (first Friday 12-1:30) to share personal stories and get to know one another better.

End of Life Matters

This group meets regularly to discuss all things related to loss and death and end of life care. Before COVID, the group organized speakers, classes, films, and discussion groups. Some of the topics were: Advanced Directives, Hospice & Palliative Care, Death with Dignity, Home Funerals, Green Burial, Water Cremation and more. Our mission to provide education and discussion on all death related topics will continue.

This group is also available to help with funerals and memorial services and has worked closely with Rev. Marcia Stanard to provide our members with reception services.

Fellowship Dinners

You may know them as Dinners for 9, and they are now called Fellowship Dinners. The host provides the venue (not necessarily their home) and main dish. Others bring potluck, and hosting rotates across the group over multiple meals. It is a great way to build community connections while sharing delicious food. Families and children welcome.

The Forum (Sunday Forum)

We are a passionate-self-organizing discussion group that meets Sundays prior to the service, committed to civil discourse on topics of great concern. Sometimes there are structured presentations and sometimes the topic emerges from the group. Topics range from the spiritual and religious to secular social justice and the human condition. Come prepared to speak from the heart, if you wish, and to listen deeply.

SISTERS

Sisters is UUCWF's women's group that meets every first Thursday of the month, typically offsite. Join us for interesting conversations, activities, and good food. All women are welcome!

SUN Magazine

This monthly 2-hour discussion group is based on the magazine called The SUN (meets the 3rd Tuesday of every month). Discussions focus on three sections: SUNBEAMS will address thematic quotes; Readers Write will dig deeper into our emotional selves and personal stories, and Interview will inspire you to think of the issue in a focused and well-schooled manner.

Women's Book Group

The UUCWF Women's Book Group meets on the first Tuesday night each month at 7:00 p.m. This is an open minded, thoughtful group of women that love to read. All women are invited to attend.

Volunteering and Justice:

Feed the Hungry

Feed the Hungry is a social program UUCWF participates in four times a year. We have been doing so since 2001. We use the kitchen and dining room at an Episcopal church in Milwaukie. About a dozen congregants help cook, set up, serve, and clean up on these Sunday afternoons.

H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People Eat)

HOPE is a food pantry program supported by about 12 churches in Oregon City. We run a Friday pantry on the 3rd and 5th Friday of every month. We also pick up 1-4 thousand pounds of food from the Oregon Food Bank every other Monday at 7am , deliver it to the First Baptist Church and help stock shelves.

Social Justice/Action

This group takes the lead in bringing social justice issues and information to the attention of our congregation and community. Most importantly, this group provides opportunities and encouragement to bring the UUCWF mission to life- "Ignite action for justice in the wider world."

S.O.N. (Sheltering Our Neighbors)

This group organizes meals and supports families experiencing homelessness from our community for two weeks during the Fall or Winter. SON is a community-wide effort by local congregations to support families facing homelessness.

Sunday Services:

Choir & Music

Are you interested in sharing your passion for music, song, and participation in a group? Our choir would be pleased to include you! No previous experience necessary. This group rehearses weekly and provides music during worship services 2-3 times per month. Please also let us know if you play a musical instrument and would be interested in performing a song during service.

Ushers

Ushers greet congregants, do a head count, and collect/count the offering. On special occasions, they pass out ballots, candles, etc. A little bit of effort goes a long way to make the services run smoothly.

Welcome Team/Greeters

The Welcome Team/Greeters take the responsibility to make sure visitors feel welcome, comfortable, informed, and connected with others. We help parents and children connect with RE, coordinate creating name tage, answer questions, provide information, and invite visitors to coffee hour.

Worship Associates

The worship associates, jointly with church staff, take responsibility for creating the best possible worship experience for our congregation. Worship Associates write personal reflections to deliver during services, lead the offering and Joys and Sorrors portions of the service, snuff the chalice light at the end of the service, and perform other duries as agreed to by the minister and the Worship Associate.

Ministry:

Affiliated Ministers

Our affiliated ministers support our congregation and community by leading occasional services, providing pastoral care, and working with vulnerable community populations.

Committee on Ministry

The Committee on Ministry's main purpose is to strengthen the quality of ministry within the Congregation. It serves as a support group for the Minister and as a communication channel between the Minister and members of the Congregation.

Internship Committee

The Internship Committee actively supports the work and development of our intern minister.

Pastoral Associates

The pastoral associates meet monthly to support congregants experiencing difficulty, transitions, or life changes. We send cards to members and are available to contact folks who need a friendly ear occasionally. We also run the cares and concerns program of the congregation, which provides rides to church for members and friends unable to drive, and meals to folks experiencing bereavement, illness or injury, or a new baby. We welcome those wo could offer a meal, a ride, or other ways to provide support.

Financial Sustenance:

Chalice Lighters

The UU Chalice Lighters program asks members to donate a minimum of $15 three times a year - the money funds grants for UU congregations in the district. When you join, you get a dandy enameled chalice lighter pin.

Endowment Committee

This committee works to raise awareness and secure commitments from congregation and community members to make a sustaining contribution to the mission and work of UUCWF through endowment giving.

Finance Committee

The finance committee oversees the church's finances by monitoring, assisting with budgets, loans and investments and communication with the board.

FUNdraising

The FUNdraising Committee works together on our congregation's yearly Auction each spring. Other fundraising opportunities may come up through the year.

Stewardship Team

This committee leads the annual Stewardship Campaign and is a critical component to providing a strong foundation for UUCWF to flourish throughout the year.

Leadership:

Board of Trustees

The Board is elected by the members of UUCWF and is responsible for working to ensure that the congregation is working towards its mission. They also serve as the legal representative of the congregation.

Executive Team

The ET is an elected group that is accountable for the performance of day-to-day operations of the church and implementation of Ends Statements and established church policies. The ET also communicates to and support the board.

Nominating Committee

This committee identifies nominees to fill board positions, hosts workshops to cultivate leadership skills among members, helps identify a pool of potential formal leaders, and organizes our yearly Involvement Fair.

Facility/Building:

AV Technicians

The Audio/Visual Technicians are part of the IT Support team and provides the audio/visual supports needed for our online services. This group could use additional volunteers with experience or aptitude in audio/visual supports; training can be provided!

IT Support

We support the computers, network, and audiovisual needs for the church, including weekly support during the worship service. We provide training for those interested in joining us. We have several specific volunteer opportunities, particularly to support our audio-visual technicians.

Landscaping and Grounds

The landscaping group works to design, improve, and maintain our grounds. This group is open to any volunteers interested in helping with our landscaping and grounds in any way.

Facilities

We support the maintenance and improvement of our buildings including diverse jobs as small as changing light bulbs to jobs as large as rebuilding roof sections

Groups at UUCWF