Sunday Worship at 10:30 a.m.
Childcare is available during our worship service for children six months to 3 years old (in the nursery.)
Social Hour: Fuller Hall after the service
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Reflections on Interdependence
Young Religious Unitarian Universalist (YRUU)
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Our YRUU high school youth group is excited to share their wisdom and perspective with the congregation as they explore the idea of interdependence in this well-loved annual service.
The awesome young people at YRUU thoughtfully curated all the readings, music, and words in this week’s service.
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Learning Community Sunday Overview: Nursery/Toddlers and Preschool focus on Earth care, K-4th graders have Game Day, and 5th-8th graders attend service; YRUU meets at 9:30 a.m. in the sanctuary.
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Ministers BlogThe earth has a way of offering us the lessons we need.
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Happy spring, everyone! I know spring officially arrived a few weeks ago, but I hadn’t quite gotten there myself until a few days ago. The transition from winter to spring has been more on the winter side this year, it seems—cold days more than warm ones, a certain reluctance in the thawing process. There has been something this year in the transition that seems to have been especially resistant to what is emerging. But trees in bloom and the blessing of some warm days have made what is emerging harder and harder to miss...continue reading.
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Community Pancake Breakfast 🥞
Sunday, April 14, from 9 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: Buchan Reception Hall
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Have you been enjoying pancakes on the first Sunday of each month during this church year? If so, we just wanted to take a moment to express our gratitude to the wonderful men's community for providing this lovely gift to the congregation.
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CREATING CONNECTIONS — Make Your Mark at Our 2024 Auction!
Submissions accepted through Sunday, April 14
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| Do you have a passion you'd like to share? Do you own a vacation home you love to host guests in? Do you have a skill you'd like to teach others? Submit them to the Zap the Gap Too! 2024 Auction.
Let your imagination run wild, get inspired here, and start crafting another unforgettable auction experience!
Need help with your submission? Visit Fuller Hall after service on April 14 at the Creating Connections table.
Online bidding starts Sunday, April 21, and ends Sunday, May 5.
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UU the Vote: Join Us For Community and Letter Writing
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Stop worrying and start writing! Make a positive difference in this year's elections by transforming your anxiety into action in this issues-oriented, non-partisan campaign.
We have letters you can take home, or you can sit at the table and write in good company. We encourage everyone to write letters even if they cannot bring their own #10 envelopes and first-class stamps.
Monetary donations towards stamps will also be appreciated.
Look for the blue tablecloth EVERY SUNDAY.
Letter Writing Schedule
- Every Sunday, until June 30 / Social Hour
- Every Tuesday, Until June 25 / 10 - 11:30 a.m. / B101
- Plus, an upcoming summer schedule!
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Featured News
Enjoyed coming to gatherings at First Unitarian Portland? Consider contributing to sustaining our community. Your support goes a long way in fostering meaningful connections. Thank you!
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Passover Seder Dinner
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: April 14
Sunday, April 21 at 12:15 p.m.
Location: Buchan Reception Hall
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You are cordially invited to attend a Seder in celebration of Passover, the Jewish holiday that symbolizes the universal human quest for liberty. This special ceremonial UU interfaith event, beautifully structured for all ages, is a remembrance of the Jews’ flight from slavery in Egypt long ago. Our Seder is a worship service, a songfest, a banquet, and a blend of goodness, goodies, gravity, and joy. All are welcome.
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Upcoming Classes, Events & Gatherings
Enjoyed coming to gatherings at First Unitarian Portland? Consider contributing to sustaining our community. Your support goes a long way in fostering meaningful connections. Thank you!
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Day of Mindfulness: Practicing Peace, Keeping Our Hearts Open Retreat
TOMORROW, Friday, April 12, from 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Location: Buchan Reception Hall (Enter through Salmon St. door)
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Join us for a contemplative day, preparing to feel connected, practice kindness, and relax deeply. We can find inner peace through simple practices that create calm at the center and open our hearts as we go through life’s challenges.
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International Uranium Film Festival
Wednesday, April 17, Screening begins at 6:30 p.m.
Doors open at 6 p.m.
Location: Eliot Chapel
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Join EJAG for the screening of two International Uranium Film Festival films, Atomic Cover-Up, and Atomic Bamboozle: The False Promise of a Nuclear Renaissance. These films throw much-needed light on all nuclear issues, past, present, and future.
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Earth Day in Music and Song
Friday, April 19, 7:30 – 9 p.m.
Location: Eliot Chapel
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We invite you to set aside this special time to celebrate our remarkable planet. The program includes instrumental and vocal performances, meditative singing, poetry, and candle lighting.
Reception following in Buchan Reception Hall. Donations appreciated!
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New Member Recognition Sunday is Coming!
Sunday, April 21
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| It has been four years since the pandemic hit and four years since we recognized, in person, those who have committed to join in membership of First Unitarian Portland!
We will celebrate all new members in a special recognition service.
Let us know if you can be there on April 21 during the service!
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First Unitarian Earth Day Fair: Love Your Mother
Sunday, April 28, noon 'til 2:30 p.m.
Location: Buchan Reception Hall
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Earth Day is an annual celebration raising awareness to protect Earth’s resources for future generations.
This year’s fair features interactive poetry, music, and talks with Kim Stafford, Oregon’s 9th Poet Laureate. Plus, enjoy vegan donuts sold by our YRUU youth, kids crafting, and educational activities on watersheds, native plants, organic farming, and more!
Refreshments & Snacks provided. Congregants of all ages are welcome!
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Learning Community E-NewsOur Annual Youth Service!
Rev. Leah Ongiri, Acting Director of Lifespan Faith Formation & Family Ministries
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While each of our weekly worship services is a special event to which all are warmly welcome, this coming Sunday will be uniquely important. It’s our annual YRUU youth service!
Children and youth grades five and up are encouraged to attend to support their peers and get a glimpse of what they will one day get to participate in creating. Younger kids are absolutely invited to be in the sanctuary as well, and we have our regular nursery care, preschool RE class, and a K-4th grade Game Day for those who prefer that option.
I hope everyone will join us for cupcakes in Fuller Hall following the service. Let’ s celebrate our teens!...continue reading.
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BOOK PICK-UP REMINDER! — How We Win the Civil War: Securing a Multiracial Democracy and Ending White Supremacy for Good
Location: Fuller Hall Book Store
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If you were at the Sewell Lecture and haven't snagged Steve Phillips' book from our Bookstore yet, swing by on either Sunday, April 14, or April 21.
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Spring is now upon us!
It is exciting to see all the colorful trees and flowers blooming after our usual overcast and chilly winter. And it’s exciting to see everyone, new and familiar, on a Sunday morning! I feel that we are all “blossoming” with the sense of energy and purpose for our church.
Spring is also a time when we plan ahead to our next church year that begins in September. As your Treasurer, Roger Robinson, I’ve had the pleasure of participating in our Executive Team’s work on the budget, ensuring that the church’s spending supports our goals and wishes for our church. Thank you, Rev. Alison and Rev. Tom, and our fabulous Church Administrator, Kathryn Estey for your hard work. And a great big thank you to our Stewardship & Database Manager, Erin Tafuri for her efforts in pulling together the numbers we needed in this process...continue reading.
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 | Mt. Hood: Oil on paper, 16” x 24” by Carole Romm
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What We Have to Lose: Carole Romm — Like many, I am anxious about climate change and its existential threat. As an antidote to the hopelessness that can feel overwhelming, I have made it my practice to cherish the beauty of nature as it is right now, at this very moment.
I take refuge in my studio, where I express both the despair of climate chaos and the fragile beauty of our Northwest landscape.
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Kay Myers — My love affair with clouds began early as I flopped beside my best friend on the grass and watched the clouds float by. I spent three days camping alone in the Alford Desert many years ago.
The canvas of the sky began with brilliant blue skies followed by fluffy clouds and morphed into dark rain clouds. I watched with awe as the canvas of the sky connected me to the earth and the vast emptiness.
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Do you have a birth in the family, a graduation, an anniversary, a memorial, or other milestones to share?
You can acknowledge it to the entire congregation by sponsoring a floral bouquet. As we connect with friends, say it with flowers on the Chancel.
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The Speaking of Justice Editorial Team offers weekly art to deepen our connection to the work for social justice and to build the Beloved Community.
Curated by Ethel, Speaking of Justice Editorial Team
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Recurring Workshops, Classes & Gatherings
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Beloved Community of Color: Every second Thursday evening and fourth Saturday morning of the month. Email for more info.
Caregivers Support Group: Open to Newcomers. Fourth Sunday of each month at 9 a.m. via Zoom.
Care and Action for Reproductive Dignity (CARD): We meet on the third Sunday of each month. From 12:15 – 1:45 in Fireside.
First Connections: We meet once a month on the third Sunday for all new and returning folks! And it is a terrific way to meet new folks just coming into the community. Bring a brown bag lunch. Questions? Email Pat.
First Steps: Every first Sunday of the month at Noon // Location: Channing Room. Discover additional insights into life at First Unitarian Portland, avenues for connection, and delve deeper into Unitarian Universalism. Questions? Email Jen Thomas.
- Lunch Gathering at Elephants
Monday, April 22 at 12:30 p.m. || Location: Elephants Delicatessen on S. Corbett - Sunday Gathering at Church
Sunday, May 19, at 9:30 a.m. || Location: Channing Room - Lunch Gathering at Elephants
Monday, June 24 at 12:30 p.m. || Location: Elephants Delicatessen S. Corbett
Sojourners: Lollygagging Our Way To The Inevitable: This group meets monthly on the second Thursday from 1 to 3 p.m. Email Lucy with questions.
THIS SUNDAY — "T” Time: A Trans, Nonbinary, and Gender-Expansive, Exclusive Gathering: Meet on the second and fourth Sundays in Channing Room at noon.
Women's Circle II: Meets most second and fourth Mondays of the month. Email Kim.
Women's Circle IV: Meets first and third Wednesdays from 7 - 8:30 p.m. Questions? Contact Anne. (We are currently on pause from accepting new members.)
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Have a Submission for Front Steps?If you have a church-related submission you would like published in our weekly Front Steps, please submit it here with the subject line “Front Steps.”
Submission deadline is noon on Tuesdays.
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This Sunday's Plate goes to our Young Religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUU) youth group.
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