Sunday Worship at 10:30 a.m.
Learning Community Classes 10:30 a.m.
Childcare is available during our worship service for children six months to 3 years old. (in the nursery.) Childcare is also available after the service for those wishing to attend post-service events.
Social Hour: Fuller Hall after the service
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We are heading towards four months in the escalating conflict between Israel and Palestine. It is a time of heartbreak where many are clamoring to find a way towards hope and a fuller view of humanity. As we lament where we are in the present, let us also make space to reflect upon a vision of collective liberation.
This sermon was the Auction Sermon: the winner, Curtis Bell, had the opportunity to choose a sermon topic for the senior minister to preach.
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Guest Blog
Your Time and Talents!
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As we wrap up this month of exploring generosity, I invite each of us to be inspired by the profound lessons we've absorbed. Let's channel this inspiration into tangible actions by generously giving our time and talents. Embracing the principles of "creative altruism" advocated by Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and aligning with the theme "Love Is at the Center," let us contribute meaningfully to our community and embody the spirit of service that defines our shared values.
I am reaching out to ask you to consider offering your time and talents to support our community at First Unitarian Portland. We have various volunteer opportunities available, from radically and intentionally hospitable roles to tasks that require newsletter and communication skills, technical skills, and general office administration skills. Additionally, we welcome your involvement in our learning community through assisting our regular Sunday classes or offering to facilitate ongoing adult groups. There is an additional need to help with the many social justice opportunities. Your support is invaluable and greatly appreciated...continue reading.
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Board Forum: Proposed UUA Bylaws Changes
Sunday, January 28, from noon to 1:30 p.m.
Location: First Unitarian Portland, Buchan Reception Hall (1226 SW Salmon St.) or via Zoom
Childcare available.
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| Explore the proposed UUA Bylaws changes alongside the First Unitarian Portland Board. Engage in discussions with potential delegates. For additional details, visit uua.org and the Board page. Ensure you're part of this important conversation.
The vote will be June 2024.
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ALL CHURCH OPEN INVITATION — Narcan Training Session for Opioid Overdose Reversal
Sunday, January 28 at Noon til 1 p.m.
Location: Eliot Chapel
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| Join us for an insightful training session on the use of Narcan, an essential tool for opioid overdose reversal. This session provides an opportunity to expand your understanding of Narcan and acquire valuable skills in harm reduction, potentially enabling you to save a life!
A representative from Project Red, an organization committed to health and safety will conduct the one-hour training.
Your presence and engagement in this training are crucial to building a safer, more informed community.
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LAST SUNDAY TO ORDER — Tamale Benefit for Western Farm Workers Association's Winter Survival Campaign
Sponsored by Immigrant Justice Action Group (IJAG)
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| Support fieldworkers this winter by placing an order or volunteering to make tamales!
During winter, rising utility costs pose a dilemma for low-income members of Western Farm Workers. They must choose between heating their homes, feeding their children, seeing a doctor, or paying rent. Western Farm Workers Association (WFWA), a self-help membership organization, assists members in meeting survival needs while advocating for dignity for agricultural workers.
With support from First Unitarian, members contribute to fundraising by making tamales, and the proceeds provide essential supplies like food, blankets, heaters, and winter clothes during lean months without fieldwork.
How to Order Tamales
STEP ONE: Order Tamales after these Sunday Services
- THIS SUNDAY, Sunday, January 28, Fuller Hall
STEP TWO: Choose your Tamales/Pre-Orders Only
You can purchase by the dozen/$20 or half dozen/$10. There will be chicken, pork and vegan options.
STEP THREE: Pick Up Your Tamales!
- When: Sunday, February 11
- Where: At the IJAG TABLE in Fuller Hall (Just in time for your Super Bowl Party!)
Interested in volunteering to make the Tamales?
Join us for tamale-making! Sign up at the Pre-Orders Table for two kitchen helper days (dates TBA). Folks had a blast making tamales last year, and we hope you'll enjoy it too!
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DONATION OPPORTUNITY — Donate Clothing for our Unhoused Guests
Drop-off: Fuller Hall (right of the kitchen door)
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The 13 Salmon Shower Project launched on Wednesday, January 24! Thank you to all who have helped us get off the ground by volunteering and donating to our efforts. We are now seeking clothing donations for our unhoused guests.
We are collecting new or gently used T-shirts, long-sleeve shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants, jeans, coats, hats, socks, and packages of new men's large and medium boxer shorts.
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GET YOUR TICKETS FOR THE SEWELL LECTURE — Steve Phillips: Securing a Multiracial Democracy
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Time: Doors open at 6 p.m. || Event begins at 6:30 p.m.
Location: First Unitarian Portland, Sanctuary (1211 SW Main St.)
From The Sewell Social Justice Lecture
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Steve Phillips, author of How We Win the Civil War and NYT Bestseller Brown is the New White, will share his Liberation Battle Plan for building a multiracial progressive majority and ending white supremacy for good. Following his talk, Steve will be joined by a panel of Oregon organizers to explore how liberation is being won in Oregon.
Get a FREE book with every $15 in-person ticket purchase! You must be present to claim your free book voucher.
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INFORMATIONAL SESSION — Exploring Ways to Support Asylum Seekers in Portland
Sunday, January 28, from 2 - 5 p.m.
Location: Room A-108 (In the Buchan Building)
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Have you wondered how you might help asylum seekers or work with neighbors, folks from your workplaces, and folks in this church to sponsor people coming to Portland? Join our informational session to find out!
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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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FRIDAY VESPERS — Find a Space for Stillness
Offered each Friday from 5 - 5:40 p.m. via Zoom
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| End your week in a quiet online space of music, poetry, reflection, meditation, and prayer. If you would like a weekly reminder email, click here.
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NEW! — Learn About New Solar Projects!
Sunday, January 28, from 9 - 10 a.m. via Zoom (register here)
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Join members of Community for Earth to learn about new solar projects, including agrivoltaic and solar investment projects, with Dan Orzech, General Manager of Oregon Clean Power Cooperative. Dan and OCPC were instrumental in 2019 in helping First Unitarian install solar panels on our Buchan Building and adjacent Eliot classrooms.
All are invited to join us!
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ALLIANCE PRESENTS...Mary Flower: Stories from a Professional Touring Musician
Wednesday, February 7, from 10:30 a.m. to Noon
Location: Eliot Chapel and Livestream
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Mary will present a captivating session, delving into songs and stories accumulated over her six-plus decades as a seasoned touring musician and educator. The discussion will revolve around the nuances of style and technique, specifically focusing on her expertise in finger-picked guitar and lap slide guitar.
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Learning Community E-News — Love Your Mother: An Earth Fair for All Ages on April 28
Rev. Leah Ongiri, Acting Director of Lifespan Faith Formation & Family Ministries
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Our Earth Fair Team invites families to learn, share, teach, and participate in From Farm to Food to All Living Thing Fair. Understanding and exploring where our food comes from is a powerful practice that helps us enjoy and conserve places, plants, and animals.
Children and youth whose families fill out this form can visit a forest, interview a farmer, cook, contribute art, and lead in other ways...continue reading.
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NEW! — OR UU Voices for Justice is Co-sponsoring the Ecumenical Ministries 2024 Interfaith Legislative Forum
Sunday, January 28, from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m., via Zoom (register)
From OR UU Voices for Justice
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Would you like to hear from Oregon’s Senators and Representatives about session priorities? Do you want to know how to be most effective in your advocacy efforts?
The Interfaith Legislative Forum will provide an overview of legislative issues of concern to the faith community. Legislators will inform the audience of the issues facing the legislature in the coming session.
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NEW! — Recent Actions by Unitarian Universalists In Support of Palestinian Human Rights
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For many years, I have been concerned that the social justice concerns of UUs have been largely limited to domestic issues. These issues are of great importance, but so are issues outside our borders, such as war and peace and the US drive for hegemony. Over half of the discretionary budget that we pay for with our taxes goes for war, leaving relatively little for social goods here at home.
Recently, however, and particularly since the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023, the UUA and many UU organizations have spoken out against the near-genocidal war that Israel has waged against the people of Gaza. Below is a list of these actions that different UU groups have taken...continue reading.
To highlight a few:
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Antiracism Learning Circles - Winter/Spring 2024 Registration Are Open
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Learning Circles offer a transformative experience in small, intimate cohorts discussing a selected book or podcast. Participants gain crucial insights into white supremacy, racism, and our nation's history, fostering trust and engaging in profound group discussions. This safe space encourages tackling challenging topics and building meaningful relationships, providing connection, focus, and purpose in a dynamic virtual environment for shared learning and growth.
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This Winter and Spring 2024 Offerings
- Say What You Mean: A Mindful Approach to Nonviolent Communication - by Oren J. Sofer. Starting January 22
- The Sum Of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together - by Heather McGhee. Starting January 30
- The Conspiracy to End America: Five Ways My Old Party is Driving Our Democracy to Autocracy - by Stuart Stevens. Starting February 6
- Just Action: How to Challenge Segregation Enacted Under the Color of Law - by Leah Rothstein & Richard Rothstein. Starting February 6
- The Land That Has Never Been Yet - an examination of whether we have ever had a real democracy (podcast series). Starting March 12
- Shielded: How The Police Became Untouchable - by Joanna Schwartz. Starting tbd
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Check Out the Beacon Bookstore in Fuller Hall During Social Hour!
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We have many new books, old favorites, and classics from which to choose...not to mention a wonderful assortment of greeting cards.
Your Bookstore is a perfect place to find gifts that will last a lifetime. Our selection of books for children and youth is top-notch! Some even become family heirlooms! Your coffee or tea cup is always welcome.
About 35% of our sales (100% of our proceeds) go to the general church fund.
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Are You Going Through a Tough Time?
Would it help to talk with someone?
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| Our Lay Ministry team offers caring listening for people going through grief, illness, isolation, depression, job loss, relationship issues, or other life challenges. Meetings are confidential and can be one-time or ongoing, depending on the person's needs.
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My name is John Bishop (he/him). As I start this new year, I am mid-way through my second year of service on the Board. With this Church year, I began serving as the Board’s Secretary. I joined the Board in 2022 in the midst of big changes in our Church. We had just called a new Senior Minister, and the congregation had just begun to emerge from the pandemic. Changes have continued ever since...continue reading.
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Sharing Our Hearts' Treasure
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There's still time to pledge! A heartfelt "THANK YOU!" to all who have already pledged for the 2024 calendar. And if you haven’t given yet, you can help us with these efforts by making your pledge before the holidays if at all possible. EVERYONE'S support is deeply appreciated.
Make an online pledge below or pick up a paper form at the Board's table at Fuller Hall during social hour.
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Beyond Boundaries: The Artistry of Sandra Rowe
Gallery Location: Fuller Hall
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Sandra Rowe is a visual artist, writer, consultant, curator, and educator. Born in Richmond, Indiana, Sandra Rowe received a Bachelor of Arts from CSU Fresno in 1977 and a Master of Fine Arts from UC Irvine in 1980. She has exhibited in Japan, Paris, Cuba, and Nigeria, as well as in many museums across the United States. Rowe has also produced various public art installations in Southern California.
Rowe’s art focuses on the experimentation, questioning, and overall integrity of ideas. She goes beyond the usual standards of artmaking and breaks down boundaries to develop and display her ideas, such as those of race, gender, relationships, and human nature.
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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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Alliance Presents… Every first Wednesday of the month at 10:30 a.m. in Eliot Chapel. More information.
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! This is set up as a brown bag lunch. And it is a terrific way to meet new folks that are just coming into the community. For questions and to RSVP, email Pat.
Sojourners: Lollygagging Our Way To The Inevitable: Meets monthly on the second Thursday from 1 - 3 p.m. Email Lucy for 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.
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Have a Submission for E-News?If you have a church-related submission you would like published in our weekly Front Steps (E-News), please submit it here with subject line “For E-News.”
Submission deadline is noon on Tuesdays.
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January Shared Plate
For January, we share our plate with Project Red. It is an initiative from the Alano Club of Portland dedicated to raising awareness around overdose prevention and increasing the availability of overdose prevention supplies and training. Project Red focuses on equipping bars, restaurants, strip clubs, entertainment venues, and community-based organizations with skills and supplies. We are grateful to Project Red for offering two training sessions here at First Unitarian this month.
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Want to know what this church has to offer? Show up for events/classes/socials and stay engaged!
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Trying to find connection with those in the congregation with similar interests?
Contact one of the many groups run by members of the church and connect.
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Moved recently? Changed your phone number or e-mail? Fill out this form.
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