PDF of Program

“The map is not the territory.”

The natural world into which we are born is as it is and ever was; mysterious and boundless. However, we understand, experience, and interact with the world through maps which we are given and maps which we create. We tend to live within the bounds of our maps while craving the experience of being without borders, of love beyond belief.

Presented by Gregg Dorris, PsyD

Join Rev. Barbara Prose every first Sunday from 12-1 pm, downstairs in the Gathering Space for an opportunity to connect in a small group. Bring your curiosity, learn about Unitarian Universalism and all that our Fellowship has to offer. Ask questions, and get to know each other as well.

This is a great starting point for those curious about joining the Fellowship as well as for those hoping to go deeper into their understanding of Unitarian Universalism.

Every First Sunday of the month, join Boyd Becker as he leads our impromptu “All-Ages Popup Choir” in learning a song to sing during the morning’s service. No experience or reading skills necessary! Just join us for a warm up, learn a song, and sing!

In her 2021 book Church of the Wild: How Nature Invites Us into the Sacred, Victoria Loorz “explores the wild roots of faith and helps us deepen our commitment to a suffering earth by falling in love with it.” This Sunday, we will gather outside the forested home of Dan Ball and Lori Golze to immerse ourselves in the wonders of the natural world. Following the practice of the “church of the wild,” we will spend some time in silent, solitary contemplation of nature and time in communal sharing. Come and experience this new and different way of “doing church.” 

This service will be in person only. Please bring a folding chair if you have one, comfortable walking shoes, and water. 

Dan and Lori’s place is located on a 10 acre, forested hillside, just above the flowing Neal Creek.  There are options to wander through the quiet woods, sit by the flowing water and listen to the forest, or sit in nearby, shady grassy areas.  Dan and Lori live at 2717 Swyers Drive in Hood River.  Call Dan at 541-969-8873 if you need directions.  There is some parking near the house, or you can park on Swyers Drive next to the orchard, and hoof it up the driveway to their back yard where the service begins. There will also be parking help.

2026

NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
OF THE MID-COLUMBIA UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP 

Sunday, June 21, 2026
Sunday Service begins at 10:00 a.m.

The Business Meeting will be Called to Order at 12:00 p.m.
In-Person at 4262 Barrett Dr. Hood River, OR and Online
Participatory ZOOM LINK: tinyurl.com/uusundays

The Board of Trustees of the Mid-Columbia Unitarian Universalist Fellowship calls all members of the Gorge UU Fellowship to attend and participate in the annual meeting of the Congregation to be held on June 21, 2026, to be conducted in person and broadcast online at the link provided below.

The business to be transacted at an annual congregational meeting includes “…election of trustees, officers, and members of the Nominating Committee; and adoption of a budget for the ensuing fiscal year; and such other business as may be needed” (Bylaws Art. V, Sec. 1).

In addition to elections and adoption of a budget for 2026-2027, the Board proposes the following items for the meeting agenda:

• Discussion of Bylaws Task Force

• Discussion & approval of Annual Fellowship Report

• Approval of new Board members, including election of officers

Email administrator@mcuuf.org for draft budget.
Our Bylaws require that the notice of a Congregational meeting is to be published at least 14 days prior to the meeting (Art. V, Sec. 3). The text of any proposed amendments to Bylaws is to be included in the Notice (Art. XIII, Sec. 1).

The Zoom link for the Annual Meeting is: tinyurl.com/uusundays

Submitted: May 27, 2026
Dan Ball, Secretary
Paul Blackburn, President

Join us for the UUA General Assembly Sunday Morning Worship with Rev. Jen Youngsun Ryn. We’ll be joining with thousands of other Unitarian Universalists from around the country as we gather in the Grange to watch a recording of this very special service. You can expect great music, inspiring words, and some chills down your spine as we experience some of the best worship that our denomination has to offer. And we’ll even be setting up a breakfast bar upstairs so that we can nosh as we watch.

The service will be followed by our Annual Congregational Meeting at 12 pm.

Join the Freedom Choir!

The Freedom Choir is open to all to participate. There are two rehearsals happening from 5:30-7 pm on June 15 and June 17 at Riverside UCC (State St and 4th in Hood River). The performance will be at 4 pm on the 19th. If. you’d like to participate, please come to the June 15 and June 17 rehearsals.

Join the Freedom Choir!

The Freedom Choir is open to all to participate. There are two rehearsals happening from 5:30-7 pm on June 15 and June 17 at Riverside UCC (State St and 4th in Hood River). The performance will be at 4 pm on the 19th. If. you’d like to participate, please come to the June 15 and June 17 rehearsals.

Bring your questions and curiosities to the Town Hall after service as we prepare for our Annual General Meeting on June 21.

Presented by Dan Ball with celebrant Rev. Barbara Prose
Music by Jasper Krehbiel

PDF of our Program

We take time once a year to give thanks and bless our companions in life—cats and dogs, birds and chickens, turtles and fish and so much more! This ceremony also acknowledges that our lives are made fuller and richer by the creatures that inhabit the Earth with us, not just those that live with us. In recognition of those critters special to you, bring them, a picture, or a memorabilia reminder with you to share at a blessing alter at our service at the Grange.

The Executive Director of the UU Animal Ministry, Rev. John Millspaugh, visited us a few years ago. Learn more about Rev. John here. He recommended that we honor the animals and have a dairy and meat free hospitality Sunday Service. Therefore, our Hospitality Team will have no flesh food or other animal products during our coffee time after this service.

This service will be followed by the Fellowship Town Hall at 12 pm. Members are encouraged to attend and bring your questions before the June 21 Annual General Meeting.

Rockford Grange Second Thursdays Potluck + Gathering
On the topic of Ham Radio

Learn about resilience through radio for community preparedness with Radio Amateurs of the Gorge. Potluck from 5:30-6:30, activities from 6:30-8 pm. This event is open to all members of the Fellowship and Friends of the Grange. If you’re new, please contact info@rockfordgrange.net for a special invitation.

Join Rev. Barbara Prose every first Sunday from 12-1 pm, downstairs in the Gathering Space for an opportunity to connect in a small group. Bring your curiosity, learn about Unitarian Universalism and all that our Fellowship has to offer. Ask questions, and get to know each other as well.

This is a great starting point for those curious about joining the Fellowship as well as for those hoping to go deeper into their understanding of Unitarian Universalism.

Featuring Rev. Barbara Prose

Celebrant Elaine Castles
Music by Bonnie and Dick Withers

Come at 9 am for All Ages Popup Choir!

Are you a Universalist? I haven’t heard too many of you claim a Universalist identity here in the Gorge. Perhaps because, as the saying goes, “If you are a Universalist, you better make friends with your enemies now, because you’re going to be spending eternity with them soon!” A theology of radical inclusion, Universalism has always been expressed and repressed in Christian circles since the beginning of Christianity.   

Whatever you think happens after you die, in a faith as free as ours, we each have a responsibility to articulate as best we can, what we hold as our highest values, and why. With the religious freedom we cherish comes the responsibility to study, debate, even argue, and then finally decide, define and declare where we stand.

My hunch, whether you were raised in a Christian tradition or not, is that we are all Universalists. See you on Sunday and let me know what you think!

With love beyond belief, Barbara

This is the second, in a four-part sermon series, in which we will explore the roots of our liberal religious tradition. We started in May with Humanism. Moving in June to Universalism.  Celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday by exploring Unitarianism in July and finish the series in August, with Unitarian Universalism.  There will be time for discussion afterwards, downstairs, as part of our Get To Know Us monthly gathering, happening every First and Third Sunday from 12-1 pm.

Do not miss this fun social event! Our fabulous, fun, family potluck picnic! Games for all ages! Add it to your calendar

Bring a simple dish to share. We will provide everything else. At Kathy J’s House: 8700 Clear Creek Road, Parkdale, OR. Directions: From Hood River, head south on Hwy. 35. At the Mt. Hood Country Store, bear right onto Cooper Spur Rd toward Parkdale (1.8 miles). Then turn right onto Baseline Drive (0.5 miles). Turn immediately left at McIssac's Store onto Clear Creek Road. Follow for 2.7 miles. Driveway is on the right, before Laurence Lake Road. Of course, one could also take the Dee Hwy and then follow the instructions from McIsaac’s store. This event is for Fellowship Members, Friends and guests. If this is your first time connecting with the fellowship, we'd love to have you attend but please contact administrator@mcuuf.org for an special invitation. Share the Facebook event invitation.

Our monthly evening gathering at the Rockford Grange is all about making space to connect with one another on a more emotional level, create art together, feel our feelings and share a meal. Childcare provided along with special activities for youth. Bring a dish, bring a friend to the Rockford Grange. We hope to see you there!

Socialize and share a meal at 5:30. At 6 pm, hear from representatives of all the different programs that G.E.M. sponsors. 1130 Tucker Rd, Hood River in the Food Bank Classroom. G.E.M. is the Gorge Ecumenical Ministries. Their mission is “Uniting diverse communities of faith through our common concerns and actions for justice, freedom, peace and environmental care.” For more information, see the flyer below or visit their website.

With Rev. Barbara Prose.

Details coming soon…

We will celebrate motherhood in all its forms, even as we tend to the pain we carry regarding our Mother Earth and sometimes our biological mothers. As the world evolves and becomes more diverse, the nature of motherhood has advanced with it. Yet some aspects remain constant. We will end with a Call To Action to claim our own liberation.

Sister Guadalupe Guajardo is a member of the Holy Names Sister Order, in Marylhurst, OR. Sister Guadalupe comes from a farm worker family in California. She holds a PhD in Organization Transformation in Learning & Change in Human Systems, specializing in Leadership Development. She’s a founder of Oregon LACE, or Latina Associates for Collaborative Engagement. She is devoted to her work and ministry healing & repairing the world.  In addition to doing humanitarian work on the U.S. Mexico border she also is committed to working in her own backyard,  including working with the Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice, which is how she met Barbara.

Come sing your heart out with Dick and Paul leading songs from Rise Up Singing and others. Copies of Rise Up Singing are available for use. Join us in the community room at Adams Creek Co-housing (413 Adams Creek Rd, HR). Please park on the street and not in the lot, which is for residents of ACC.

As the world changes, so has liberalism -- so must liberalism. What do mercy and justice mean for us now, and what real work is calling us?

Rev. Jill McAllister is the former minister of the UU Fellowship of Corvallis, having retired from UU ministry in August, 2025, after nearly 40 years. She continues to teach World Religions at Oregon State University, while navigating new landscapes - her own, and the world we live in.

The Columbia River Round Dance at Wahtonka School (3601 W 10th St, The Dalles). Everyone in the community is invited to attend this annual event, which includes food, drumming, dancing and a raffle. This is a great opportunity for us to show support for our Native American neighbors and learn more about the issues they are facing. In addition, it is a lot of fun! Our Fellowship has signed on to be a sponsor of the event, and we will be organizing a meet up for those who wish to attend. For volunteer opportunities or to attend the meetup, Contact Pat Evenson-Brady (pebrady1@gmail.com).