Sunday Live Streaming ServicesSunday, September 13 at 10:15 a.m. PDT
Family Worship Service at 9:15 a.m. PDT
| |
To Forgive and Remember
Rev. Bill Sinkford
We are called neither to forget nor to repeat the past. What we are called to is reconciliation with those who have harmed us and those we have harmed where that is possible, and to learn from those harms where it is not. Howard Thurman writes of âstanding inside of the harm,â then looking out and moving forward.Â
| |
Bill's BlogHomecoming Sunday: Begin Again in Love
I am thinking back to Homecoming Sundays in other years, remembering the excitement of anticipation and then the rightness of seeing so many members of the community gathering once again in the sanctuary. âRightnessâ is a good word to describe that feeling of sensing once again the coming together of a community of support and of hope that is what First Unitarian means for so many. Homecoming Sunday is a time to gather ourselves and begin again in love...continued.
| |
Send Us Your Selfies!
Help us celebrate Homecoming Sunday in a virtual way!
Deadline for Selfies:Â Friday morning at 10 a.m.
Weâll gather via our usual live stream service at 10:15 a.m. on Sunday, September 13, to signal the beginning of our new church year
We canât be here in person ⌠but we can we can âattendâ via selfies
Please email us selfies of you and your family (we WONâT attach names to your pics), and enjoy the unfolding of this special cyber-service.Â
| |
| | Upcoming Events, Workshops & Classes
| |
Space for Prayer and Meditation in the Midst of Fires and Loss Around Us
TONIGHT / Thursday, September 10, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. PDT
With the devastating wildfires that are happening here in Oregon and throughout the West Coast, join us this evening for a time of prayer and meditation to hold all those affected by the fires.
Our ministers will hold space and name intentions that come in from the congregation and offer prayers and space for meditation.
We hope you can join us this evening.
| |
New Weekly Family Worship!
Beginning this Sunday, September 13 at 9:15 a.m. PDT
We invite you to join us for our new Family Worship service that will be happening every Sunday. Click here to tune in.
This service is created for our families with children; of course all are invited. The service will be about 20 minutes long, and afterwards we invite your family to join us for social time on Zoom. Snacks encouraged!
| |
After Service Virtual Social Hours
Learning Community Social Hour: Sundays at 9:40 a.m. PDT
Congregational Social Hour: Sundays at 11:30 a.m. PDT
Join fellow congregants for a virtual social hour each Sunday after the worship service.
There are two social hours from which to choose:
- one for the congregation at large and
- another specifically for families in our Learning Community
When you follow the link to your chosen social hour, youâll be assigned to a âZoom Roomâ with 6-8 fellow congregants. Youâll be invited to introduce yourselves and to share something that moved you in the worship service. And we hope that conversation will follow. Please be courteous and "share the floor."Â And if you're ready to make new friends, know that you can leave your meeting and sign back in to join a new group.
Use your QR code reader or Apple camera app to scan the QR Code on our Sunday slides OR click on the links below after the service OR type the tinyurl shown on Sunday's screen into your browser.
| |
Courage for Today, Preparing for Tomorrow
Saturday, September 12, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. PDT
All are invited to join the Oregon Memorial Association for a virtual presentation with compassionate grief expert, Asher Wallis. No charge.Â
| |
Liberation and Belonging
A Call to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)
Saturday, September 19 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. PDT
As we face a world on fire and the dehumanizing impact of racism, we need one another more than ever for our own healing and liberation. DRUMM (Diverse Revolutionary UU Multicultural Ministries) is hosting member-led BIPOC spaces with the intention of deepening our connections with one another, being present to one anotherâs stories and truth, and fostering systems of care.Â
| |
Attend Oregon UU Voices for Justice Annual Meeting
"Bridging the Economic Divide" All Are Welcome!
| |
Welcome to First Unitarian with Rev. Thomas Disrud
Sunday, September 20, 1 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. PDT
Are you new to First Unitarian Portland? We are so glad you are here. This virtual class will offer an orientation to the church, to Unitarian Universalism and what it means to be a member. This will be a chance to meet other newcomers and to have your questions about the church answered. If you are ready to become a member, please click here to complete our enrollment form. Â
| |
Taking a Collective Breath:
Deepening Our Alignment with the Movement for Black Lives
Free Webinar Series:
September 22, October 13
Starting at 4:00 p.m. PDT
The Unitarian Universalist Association and the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee have collaborated to assist in deepening our collective activism and participation in the Movement for Black Lives.Â
| |
Police Violence Against the People of PortlandÂ
Wednesday, September 23 from 4-5 p.m. PDT
A Virtual Zoom Comprehensive Forum Event
Are you concerned about the protests? Do you want to learn more about policing in the streets? Are you seeking the truth?
Hear from targets of kinetic munitions, tear gas, long-range acoustic devices, bullrushes, beatings, threats and intimidation, as well as from legal, medical, psychological, and human rights experts describing the long-term health consequences and threats to our first amendment rights.
Hosted by: First Unitarian Portland, Portland United Against Hate, UNITE Oregon, and the Portland Metro Peopleâs CoalitionÂ
| |
Embracing the 8th Principle & Building a Culture of InclusionÂ
Saturday, September 26 from 2-6 p.m. PDT
A Free Virtual Zoom Workshop for all First Unitarian Congregants
Covenants can change a culture. They hold the potential to transform relationships, communities and institutions. The 8th Principle is our proposal to be in covenant with the Beloved Community. We will ask the question, "How Strong is Our Faith With and Without the 8th Principle?" We'll also learn what it means for First Unitarian Portland and the Unitarian Universalist Association to "journey toward wholeness" through adoption of the 8th Principle. You are invited to take part in this spiritual and communal journey! Â
| |
Spiritual Direction 101
Saturday, October 3, 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.Â
If you are interested in deepening your spiritual life, developing a spiritual practice, or broadening your sense of the sacred, please come join us for this virtual introductory class about engaging in Spiritual Direction.Â
| |
White Supremacy in Oregon: History & Current Issues
A Five Week Zoom Course | Starting October 5 at 7 p.m. PST
We will collectively build an understanding of how Oregonâs whiteness, historically and today, has functioned, an understanding that will help us move forward to develop a better future for us all.
Week One:Â What is Race, Anyway?
Week Two:Â Early Exclusions & Genocide
Week Three:Â Segregation, Hate Groups & Deportations
Week Four:Â World War II & the Aftermath
Week Five:Â Current Disparities, Conditions & Issues
Instructor:Â Kristin Teigen, MA, M.Ed. educator at PSU
| |
Weâre taking you behind the scenes of Family Village like youâve never seen it before!
Friday, October 9 / 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Virtual Fundraising EventÂ
Free to join and learn!
Hear intimate stories from PHFS families and staff, learn the impact of their work, and help raise critical funds to support homeless families.Â
From Committee on Hunger and Homelessness (COHHO): Thank you for your support for this great social service agency, that UUs have supported for many years. See how they've grown!
| |
Local Stories and Music for National Coming Out Day! Â
Saturday, October 10, 6 - 7:30 p.m. Free Virtual Event
Celebrate National Coming Out Day with Our Bold Voices! Local storytellers and musicians will share their experiences and participate in a live Q&A with the audience.
| |
|
Program ResourcesAdult Programs, Social Justice, Learning Community, Music & Arts
| |
Join Women's Circle 3:Â Welcoming New Members!
First and Third Wednesdays of the month at 10 a.m. PDT
Zoom Meetings
Circle 3 has continued to meet during the summer - on zoom. We are welcoming new members at this time. We meet the first and third Wednesdays of each month at 10 a.m., starting after Labor Day. So our first meeting will be on September 16.  Interested? Contact Dorothy.
| |
Mindful Baking
Virtual Classes on Wednesdays, 5-6 p.m. PDT
There is still time left to register. You may just watch or bake along with us! Cultivating mindfulness has the potential for self-transformation and greater depth in our lives. Intern Minister, Stacey Mitchell, invites you to explore this practice through baking.Â
Details: September 16 we will be making Chess Pie (southern-inspired custard style pie)
| |
UU the VOTE
As a church, we are committed to ensuring every voice is heard in the upcoming November election. We are partnering with UU the Vote to have regular GOTV sessions. First Unitarian congregants will support one another in this work of phone banking and letter writing until the election. Click the button below for how you can get involved!
| |
PDX BLM Events Calendar
Discover Black Lives Matter Events Happening in Portland
This vibrant events calendar is moderated by a small group of Portland-area BIPOC folks and white allies. They publish any and all local events that are related to the Black Lives Matter Movement where organizers are not explicitly working with the cops.
| |
Speaking of Justice Weekly Newsletter
In this period of physical distancing, the sacred work of justice continues.
Feature Article:Â
Art for Social Justice:Â
| |
|
In the Community
Community milestones, joys, & sorrowsÂ
Member Glenda Goldwater died on Sept. 3 after declining the last few weeks. Glenda joined the church in 2001 and was known as Portland bon vivant. She was a volunteer on the art committee as well as in our bookstore.Â
We hold member Lora Lafayette. Her father, Bob Lafayette, died recently in Vancouver, WA, at the age of 89. Lora and her extended family gathered for a âwakeâ in his honor.Â
Tristan Weitkamp, an active member of the Learning Community here at First Unitarian throughout his childhood and youth, married Melody Kahane at a small outdoor wedding in Eugene, OR, on Sept. 6 6. A larger celebration is planned post-pandemic. Tristan is the son of member Stephanie Harlow. First U member Joel Godbey officiated. Joel sang while holding his infant son in the service the day Tristan was dedicated at First Church. Tristan is studying conducting and music education at PSU where he and Joel have stayed connected through music.Â
And longtime members Lynne and Warren Bacon celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Sept. 5. Blessings, Lynne and Warren!
| |
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.
Community Justice and Service
Unsure how you can learn, contribute and serve the broader community? Find our "Speaking of Justice: Weekly Update" through our Linktree.
| |
Not Vandalism!
If you happen to drive or walk by SW Salmon Street and 13th Avenue, youâll see a large boarded-up window on our Buchan Building. The broken window occurred as a result of a traffic accident Wednesday afternoon â thankfully, no injuries to report. Weâre grateful that both drivers stayed at the scene, cooperated with police, and carry auto insurance -- so we can pass on the expense of repair.
| |
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.
| |
Have a Submission for E-News?If you have a submission you would like published in our weekly Front Steps (E-News), please submit it here with subject line âFor E-News.â
Submission deadline is noon on Tuesday.Â
| |
|
| Join us LIVE from your computer or smartphone on Sundays at 10:15 a.m.
| |
Want to know what this church has to offer? Show up for events/classes, stay for connection!
| |
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.
| |
Share photos of you or your family watching our Sunday livestream or volunteering in our community!Â
You might see yourself in our pre-service slideshow!
(Your photos gives us permission to publish and/or use images for publications.)
| |
Moved recently? Changed your phone number or e-mail? Fill out this form.
| |
|
