Please Join Our Live Stream
Sunday, April 11, 2021Family Worship Service at 9:15 a.m.
Worship Service at 10:15 a.m.
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Learning to Be Astonished
Rev. Thomas Disrud
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When you hear the word Awe, what experiences come to mind? We will explore a new spiritual theme this month, looking at some things that can remind us that there is something larger than ourselves.
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Raquel Willis, Trans Activist
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| Last week the Governor of Arkansas, Asa Hutchinson, vetoed state bill HB1570 which denied gender affirming health care to minors, even with parental permission. The legislature promptly overrode his veto and that law is now on the books in Arkansas.
The Governor, who is a Republican, described the bill as a major over-reach of the state into the private lives and medical needs of Arkansas citizens. Gender affirming health care includes not just gender-affirming surgery, but also hormone and speech therapy, and primary and psychiatric care as well. The denial of health care is simply cruel...continued.
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Family WorshipAwesomeness
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Within the word awesome is the root word awe - our spiritual theme for the month of April. This Sunday we willl explore the awesomeness of the universe. Are we part of the universe, or is it part of us?
Bill will share an awesome message featuring a short video, Dustin will offer music that celebrates the galaxies, and Stacey will bring our meditation from an awesome spot in Oregon's backyard.
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April Social Justice Council & Community Meeting
Sunday, April 11, 11:45 a.m.
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Come learn from our Social Justice Action Groups how they are putting our UU faith into action. We'll hear from our action groups about current legislation and justice campaigns they are working on and how you can get involved.
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| Featured News & EventsTimestamps are Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) unless stated otherwise.Â
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| Gmail Users: You may have to scroll down to the bottom of this message and click on "View Entire Message" to see the complete FrontSteps.
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Have you Been Vaccinated?...a message from Rev. Bill
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The Executive Team met this morning with our new congregant medical advisory team to talk about Covid and coming back to church in person. It was an extremely helpful first meeting -- one of many to come.Â
There are lots of open questions; but one thing was clear: all four of our medical experts strongly urge everyone to get vaccinated – staff, congregants, and friends of congregants! Everyone. Moderna. Johnson & Johnson. Pfizer. Doesn’t matter. Just go for it.
If you’re already vaccinated, or have your appointment(s) in the pipeline, thank you! If you need help setting up an appointment, please call the church office and we’ll get you connected to someone who can help. We’re all in this together.
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Q&A with Rev. Bill and the Board’s Financial Update
Sunday, April 18, at 11:30 a.m.
What’s on your mind? Bring all manner of questions to ask our Senior Minister at this periodic Q&A.
Hear about the church’s financial position. Members of the Board’s Finance Committee will be on hand to answer your questions.
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First Unitarian Church Goals for 2021-2024Â
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The Board, in collaboration with the congregation, will be developing church-wide goals to guide us for the next three years. In the past the church has set five-year goals, but with the uncertainty of the pandemic and because we will be settling a new Senior Minister next year, the Board believes three-year goals make the most sense for this cycle. Get involved by adding your feedback!
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| | Upcoming Events, Workshops & Classes
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NEW -Â Saturday Eco-Meditations at Mount Tabor
Saturdays, April 10 & 17, 9 a.m.Â
Intern Minister Stacey Mitchell will lead outdoor meditations (using Covid safety protocols). There will be a guided meditation component to each session, as we connect to our sacred earth. Beginners are welcome.Â
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NEW - Mindfulness Meditation Workshop
With Katie Radditz, Saturday, April 10, 3 p.m.
Quiet the mind, look deeply, and enjoy the wonders of life within and around us through the practices of sitting, walking, paying attention, deep relaxation, and sharing together. Beginners are welcome.Â
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LAST CHANCE! - Antiracism Learning Circle
The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America
Mondays at 7 p.m. begins April 12
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Join this antiracism book group cohort! Read the synopsis and discover further details, by clicking on the button below.
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NEW - Music as a Spiritual Practice Workshop
Saturday, April 24, 3 p.m.
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Together, we will learn the ways in which music can be incorporated into deepening your spiritual practice. No musical experience is necessary. Limited to 15 participants.Â
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Survival Lessons: Reclaiming Your Life After LossÂ
Saturdays, April 10, 17, 24 & May 1, 10 a.m.
This four-session class will focus on telling our stories and identifying ways to experience healing and transformation following the death of a loved one. Register now. Only 2 spaces left.Â
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Antiracism Learning CirclesJoin other folks in this new book group spring session.
To join a cohort, read a synopsis, or if you would like further details, click on a book title you are interested in listed below:
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Program ResourcesAdult Programs, Social Justice, Learning Community, Music & Arts
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Vesper Prayer Service
Fridays at 5 p.m.
End your week with a brief quiet time of prayer, reflection, meditation and music offered by our Lay Ministers. Let this be a pause at the end of the week, to receive and to be held in love, without the need to converse. Registration is required to receive the Zoom link. An ongoing commitment is not required.
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Caring Circle for Parents
Monday, April 19 at 7 p.m.
In these challenging times for families, our lay ministers invite you to join a Caring Circle for parents. This small group will meet every other week to provide listening and support to one another.Â
 An ongoing commitment is not required.
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IMIrJ Advocacy NightMonday, April 12 at 6 p.m.Â
Join the Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice (IMIrJ) to learn about critical legislation that primarily affects and/or is developed and forwarded by immigrant and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities in Oregon. We will also learn about strategic calls-to-action. Guests from impacted communities will talk about different pieces of legislation. These virtual advocacy nights are held the 2nd Monday of the month though the end of the Oregon legislative session. Everyone is welcome to attend. RSVP here.
Action Item
IJAG supports the 2021 legislative priorities identified by the Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice (IMIrJ): strengthening the state sanctuary bill, supporting public safety alternatives to policing, and acknowledging the intersection of immigrant, racial and climate justice. To keep abreast of current actions related to these priorities, please refer to the IMIrJ Running Action List.
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Art For Social Justice
The Speaking of Justice Editorial Team offers weekly art to deepen our connection to the work for social justice and building the Beloved Community.Â
Curated by Ethel Gullette, Speaking of Justice Editorial Team
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Taina Asili, And We Walk (Saving the Earth)
In honor of earth month, we offer this celebration of the earth by TaĂna Asili, an American musician, singer, songwriter, poet, artist and activist. Born in Binghamton, New York to Puerto Rican parents, she first came to prominence in the late 1990s as the singer for the punk band Anti-Product, and later for her social justice themed music with the band Taina Asili y la Banda Rebelde.
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UUA General Assembly Wednesday, June 23 – Sunday, June 27, 2021
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General Assembly is the annual gathering of UUs to do the business of our denomination. This year GA will be held virtually June 23-27, 2021. GA is a busy, fun week filled with worship, workshops, community building, business meetings, ceremonies, lectures, witness, singing (this year, a virtual choir) and much more. You can attend as a participant or represent our church as a delegate. GA in June of 2022 will be in Portland!
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We have passed a milestone in the church’s history that none of us could ever have predicted – we have not been in our buildings for an entire year. Though we all miss being together, our virtual ministry has allowed our beloved community to expand beyond just those who can drive to the church. I have met several of our new community members at Virtual Coffee Hour and enjoyed hearing their stories about how they connected with First Unitarian....continue.
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First Unitarian's Response to Covid-19
Here are a few important updates that affect our life together.
Sunday Worship
Staying Connected
Church Communications: Do you receive messages from the church including this weekly E-News and our Staying Connected emails? To receive church emails send a note to etafuri@firstunitarianportland.org.
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Naming First Unitarian Foundation in Your Will or Estate Plan
Help assure the long-term sustainability of this beloved congregation by including First Unitarian Portland in your will or estate plan.
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Having trouble viewing our services through the website?
Find our Live Streams on Boxcast, Youtube or on Facebook.
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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 Tuesday.Â
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Sunday Live StreamÂ
& Social Schedule
Join us LIVE from your computer or smart device by clicking on the links below.Â
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April Shared PlateCully Neighborhood Renter Relief Fund: Living Cully started in 2010 as a collaboration between community organizations to improve the quality of life for people of color and low-income people in Northeast Portland’s Cully neighborhood...continue.
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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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