Sunday Worship at 10:15 a.m.
3rd grade and older are invited to attend the service in the Sanctuary. Learning Community (RE) classes are at 10:15 a.m. for 2nd grade and younger. Nursery and toddler care is always available during our worship service. Learn about our program and read RE news here.
Social Hour:Â Fuller Hall after the service.
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Youth Service: Leading the Way to Liberation
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Join us for this very special service where First Unitarian’s Youth will lead us in worship on this month’s theme of liberation. They will offer inspiring poetry, original reflections and music, and a fun story for all ages in a celebration of the gifts and wisdom of this intergenerational community!
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Minister's Blog
Pictures from Hands Off! Rally on April 5
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Click the image to view more pictures from this wonderful occasion!
Last Saturday, over 80 members of our community joined with thousands of others in Portland to peacefully protest attacks on our democracy and human rights. Our UU values and commitments were on proud display, with some members of the group hanging our "Side With Love" Banner over the side of the Burnside Bridge! It was a joyful and hopeful day of resistance and community. Thanks to those of you who showed up, in Portland and at other protests around our area. For those of you who weren't able to march, know we carried you in our hearts. And for those of you who are living out your commitments to love and justice in so many ways every day, you have our gratitude. We look forward to conversations about how we can keep the momentum from Saturday going as we continue our work towards collective liberation!...MORE
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NEW! — Our "Standing on the Side of Love" Banner is Missing
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Our yellow "Standing on the Side of Love" banner was not returned to the church after the rally last Saturday. If it ended up in your possession, please bring it to the church on Sunday, or email Jen Thomas to arrange drop-off. Thank you!
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NEW! — No Connect & Reflect This Tuesday, April 15
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No Connect and Reflect this week given all of the holiday services happening. We will be moving to a first and third Tuesday schedule for the rest of the church year; i.e., May 6 and 20, and June 3 and 17.
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LAST CHANCE — Auction 2025: We Need Your Donation! 🎉
Donations deadline this Sunday, April 13, at 11:59 p.m.
Location: Online
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Just a few days are left before the donation deadline so please join us in making this year's auction unforgettable by offering something up for the congregation to create connections!Â
We need the donations of this community to make our Auction a success. You can donate right now, right here. ✨
Need some inspiration? Check out some helpful donation ideas. And if you're ready to shine as a sponsor, find all the details here.Â
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NEW! SAVE THE DATE — Easter 2025 Services
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Thursday, April 17:Â Maundy Thursday Communion Service
Join Rev. Alison and Danielle Garrett at 5:30 p.m. in A108 for an informal, intimate communion service. Maundy comes from the Latin word for commandment, referring to Jesus's words the night of the Last Supper, "A new commandment I give unto you: That you love one another, as I have loved you." Join us in this short service that centers love and embodiment.
Friday, April 18: Good Friday
Join Rev. Alison and Danielle Garrett at 7 p.m. in Eliot Chapel or by livestream for our Good Friday service. This contemplative service is an opportunity to reflect on the pain and suffering of Jesus and remember the difficult price that is often paid in the work towards liberation and resurrection.Â
Sunday, April 20: Easter Sunday
Join us at 10:15 a.m. in the Sanctuary or by livestream for a multi-generational Sunday worship service celebrating liberation and resurrection! An egg hunt for our children and youth will follow the service.
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NEW! — First Steps Class on May 4
Sunday, May 4, after the service
Location:Â Channing Room (A101)
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Last Sunday we celebrated membership in an inspiring and electric service! It was great to hear testimonials and reflections and welcome folks to the community as members.
One can become a member at any time of the year. If you were inspired and want to consider joining First U PDX in membership, email Jen Thomas with questions or to receive a membership packet.
If you are new to the community, a great place to start exploring First U PDX is to come to the next First Steps Class on May 4. Childcare will be available.
Hope to see you Sunday, May 4.
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NEW! — Special Social Hour
This Sunday, April 13, during social hour
Location: Fuller Hall
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Join us in Fuller Hall for cake and celebration this Sunday in honor of our teens in YRUU and their leadership.
Momos have been rescheduled. We plan to offer them again in the future, so keep an eye out in future Front Steps!
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An Invitation from our Music Ministry Transition Team
This Sunday, April 13, after the service
Location:Â Daisy Bingham
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Dear Ones,Â
We are certainly living in interesting times, at church and beyond. We hope that you are finding your way through to joy during this period.
Since its inception last summer, the MMTT has been actively engaged in helping church leadership and the Interim Director of Music Ministries move our music program forward in support of the worship and communal life of our church. We’ve come to a point where we need to hear from congregants. We are scheduling three listening meetings, with more to come. Our objective is to hear your thoughts about how the music program has been evolving so far, and what you might envision for the future.
On Sunday, March 23, we met with members of our choral and handbell choirs. Our second meeting was with interested congregants on March 30. Our next meeting, this time with parents from the Learning Community, will be held this Sunday, April 13, in the Daisy Bingham room. There will also be a survey for people to fill out online.
The MMTT looks forward to hearing about your feelings, ideas and suggestions, which will play a vital role in planning for the future of the music program here at First U.
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NEW! — Does Your Beacon Bookstore Have Banned Books? You Betcha!
Location: Fuller Hall
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You and your children are warmly invited to visit our Bookstore off Fuller Hall during Coffee Hour. It’s a great place to find gifts!
For decades, we’ve carried books banned in a wide variety of school districts around the country.
What got them banned? Climate change and environmental issues such as Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax; LGBTQ+ content including such classics as And Tango Makes Three and I Am Jazz; sexuality and gender identity – Heartstopper; racial content – some books that address racial injustice or simply have diverse characters; or even different religious viewpoints.
Our selection for children contains quite a few award-winning titles with wonderful illustrations. (We carry banned books for adults, too!)Â About 40% of the sale price goes right to the Church.
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NEW! — Help Us Plan OWL
Rev. Leah Ongiri, Acting Director of Lifespan Faith Formation and Family Ministries
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First Unitarian has a long tradition of offering Our Whole Lives (OWL), the UU lifespan sexuality education program for kindergarten through adulthood. We’re planning to do this program a little differently next year, including launching a class for adults, and we want your feedback!
Please help us by completing the short survey below.
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NEW! — Thank You from PGMC
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On behalf of everyone here at the Portland Gay Men’s Chorus thank you so much to First Unitarian for your incredibly warm and generous welcome. Several choir members were present and helpful, assisting our members around the building, also in providing breakfast to the singers for giving their time so willingly to the church. This moment was a precious reminder of our mission to connect with our community and to show gratitude towards organizations that have so long supported us and our journeys. Thank you to everyone in the congregation, the ministers, and the staff of First Unitarian for inspiring us and hearing our voices in song. We hope to see you again in the future! For more information, please visit our website.
Dr. Braeden Ayres, Artistic Director
Garrett M. Bond, Associate Artistic Director
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Want to learn a little about our newest members? Check out their bios on the new page on our website.
Under the Get Connected tab > Becoming A Member page, you will be able to find mini bios of the new folks that have joined in membership. We will keep the bios up for a few months after their joining date. You can also click here to see the bios.
We hope you will take this chance to connect more deeply.Â
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FINAL SESSION — Matins for Lent 2025
Monday, April 14, 8:30 - 9 a.m.
Location:Â Zoom
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Lent is a season for self-reflection and renewal. We invite you to Matins for Lent, the final quiet Matins service to inspire you with a uniquely Unitarian perspective on the season.
Through music, poetry, reflection and prayer, we will explore the metaphors of the scriptural stories as they speak to our own inner lives. Join on Zoom here.
For more information, contact Karen S.
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LAST CHANCE! — 2025 Congregational Survey
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This week is your last chance to take the 2025 survey and have your responses analyzed for inclusion in our 2025 Report on the Church Ministries!
Your Board of Trustees is conducting a congregational survey as part of our annual evaluation of the church and our ministry.Â
Please take a few minutes to complete the survey here. We want to hear from everyone in attendance, regardless of membership.
Responses will inform planning for the future, including preparation for a long-range planning process.
This year’s questionnaire is modeled on past surveys that had very high response rates, so we can track changes over time.
If you prefer a paper version, stop by the Board table during Social Hour this Sunday.Â
Thank you!
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Around the Church
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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You don’t have to be an artist to join, just be interested in art. Members commit about one day a month to attending a meeting or helping install the new show, usually the last Thursday of the month. Committee members recommend artists who might be a good fit for Fuller Hall and the committee juries the artists. If you are interested, contact Connie C.
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CHECK WEEKLY — April 13 Newsletter
Rev. Leah Ongiri, Acting Director of Lifespan Faith Formation and Family Ministries
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Dear Ones,
This Sunday, following the annual YRUU worship service, you’re warmly invited to attend a special social hour in Fuller Hall in honor of our wonderful high school youth group. There will be light eats and a fun treat. Come by to celebrate our teens and their leadership! No parenting circle this month...MORE
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UPDATE — April is Earth Month!
Earth Month Action Team of Community for Earth (CFE)
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During April, the Earth Month team will share actions and practices to consider all month (and all the time) in support of April 22, Earth Day.
This week we bring you PLACES TO GO - THINGS TO DO. Here are a few of many of events to consider for your calendar, starting with the virtual event brought to us by our UU Ministry for Earth:
And some in-person events:
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Sign the Petition Calling for an End to U.S. Military Support for Israel
Sundays through April 20, during social hour
UUs for Justice in the Middle East (UUJME)
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The killing of Palestinians by Israel is done with U.S. bombs dropped from U.S. planes. Most UUs agree that U.S. complicity must stop. The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) in 2021 stated that U.S. military aid to Israel must stop until Israel respects the human rights of Palestinians, and 75% of the delegates to last Summer’s UUA General Assembly voted for an Action of Immediate Witness calling for an end to U.S. military support for Israel.
Members of First Unitarian Portland now have the chance to tell their Congressional Senators and Representatives the same thing by signing a petition that will be at the UUJME table during coffee hour through April 20. The petition with all the signatures will then be taken to the U.S. Senators and Representatives in the Portland area.
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NEW! SAVE THE DATE — Interfaith Advocacy Day
Tuesday, April 29, starting at 9 a.m.
Location:Â St. Mark Lutheran Church in Salem, OR
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Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon invites us all to their Oregon Interfaith Advocacy Day in Salem. Visit their website or read below for more details:
Now is the time for people of faith to rise up in hope and to call for justice and compassion in our legislative system. Together we can be the prophetic voice at the Oregon Capitol, standing with the marginalized in our communities and upholding the moral imperative for a state budget that supports the common good. Our goal is to create a mass mobilization of informed and influential citizen-lobbyists!
The morning session at St. Mark Lutheran Church will feature a keynote address, training on effective advocacy and issue briefings. In the afternoon, participants will march to the Oregon Capitol Building, where they will present concerns to their legislators. Talking points and legislative appointments will be provided.Â
ISSUE AREAS
May include the following: Immigration & Refugees, Housing & Homelessness, Climate & Environment, Healthcare, Hunger, Criminal Justice Reform
SCHEDULE
Morning session: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
A sack lunch will be provided for participants.
Afternoon meetings with state legislators: times will vary
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CHECK WEEKLY — Art for Social Justice
Curated by Ethel G., Speaking of Justice Editorial Team
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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.
Amanda Gorman is an American poet, activist, and model. Her work focuses on issues of oppression, feminism, race and marginalization, as well as the African diaspora. Gorman was the first person to be named National Youth Poet Laureate. To watch Mass Poets' reading of her poem "In this Place (An American Lyric)," click the video below:
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In the Community
Member Norma Eckelman died on March 15. Norma attended our church for many years, until health issues made it no longer possible. Her daughter, Jan Marie Fortier, is a member here at First Unitarian, and her granddaughter, Rev. Heather Rion Starr, is the minister at the Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware congregation in Lewes, DE.
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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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March/April Art Wall Exhibition
Artwork by volunteers, originally created by Leslie Lee
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During the months of March and April 2025, the Art Wall will feature a series of six panels known as The Soul Box Project.
Originally created by Portland artist Leslie Lee in 2018, it is an artistic representation of the impact of gun violence in the United States.
On average, every year, 600 people in Oregon are killed by a gun. The six panels that are a part of the display are a visual account of that tragedy...MORE
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Recurring Workshops, Classes & Gatherings
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The Alliance: The Alliance provides regular opportunities for fellowship, life-long learning, and spiritual growth for its members as well as service to the church and larger fellowship. Learn more about our program and monthly presentations here.
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 fourth Sunday of each month from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in Fireside and via Zoom. Contact Marni T.
Connect & Reflect:Â Join Rev. Alison Miller and Jen Thomas on the 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of most months through June from 5:30 - 6:15 p.m. on Zoom. Come share in conversation centered on the topic of the most recent sermon. Look for the discussion question during Sunday morning preservice slides and our weekly Order of Service.
Committee on Hunger and Homelessness (COHHO): We meet on the 3rd Sunday of the month after services. Contact Cynthia S. for details or to be added to our email list.
Community for Earth (CFE):Â We meet on the 2nd Sunday of the month before worship services (hybrid) and on the 4th week of the month at rotating times. Contact our group or visit our calendar for details.
Contemplative Practices: First Thursdays and third Thursdays from 1 - 2:30 p.m. This is a drop-in group. Any silent sitting practice is welcomed and no prior meditation experience is needed. Contact Patty C. and Ron W. or visit the event page for more information.
Immigrant Justice Action Group (IJAG): Check the IJAG page on the church website for ways to get involved and groups that need our energy and gifts. For meeting info, contact Laurie L.
Lotsa Helping Hands: A care calendar that enables volunteers to provide meals or visits for congregants going through challenging times. To join, send a request here. For questions or to receive support, contact Leslie C. or Susan P.
Mental Health Caregivers Group: Second Wednesday every month via Zoom 7 - 8:30 p.m. Email Ellen Z. for more information.
Sojourners: Lollygagging Our Way To The Inevitable: Sojourners and Sojourners 2 are two groups that meet for two hours at First Unitarian. Members support each other through aging with facilitated discussions, activities, personal stories, and social events, fostering growth and friendship. All are welcome, but both groups are limited in size; no drop-ins, please. Email Lucy G. with questions.
"T” Time: A Trans, Nonbinary, and Gender-Expansive, Exclusive Gathering: A group for anyone who identifies along the transgender spectrum. There are no requirements for medical transition status or gender presentation to attend. People who are questioning their gender and parents of trans kids (and their kids, too!) are welcome. We meet on the second and fourth Sundays in Channing Room, shortly after the service until around 1:00 PM. Questions? Email Aileen.
Wednesday Night Meditation: Every week from 7 - 8:30 p.m. All mindfulness and Buddhist-based meditations. Beginners welcome. A thirty-five-minute meditation followed by a member-led discussion to increase understanding and integration of Buddhist principles into our daily lives. For the link, contact Robert S.
Women's Circle II:Â Meets most second and fourth Mondays of the month. Email Kim S.
Women's Circle IV: Meets first and third Wednesdays of the month. Email Anne M.
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Got something for Front Steps? Send in your church-related submission for our weekly publication. Use "Front Steps" as the subject line and submit here.
Deadline: Tuesdays at 5 p.m.
If your submission is urgent and couldn’t be sent before the deadline, please include “URGENT” in the subject line.
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| April 13's
Shared Plate
For today's special service, plate offerings will be going to our Young Religious UU (YRUU) program.
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| This Week's Shower Project Requests
Your donations make a big difference in the lives of those we serve. All donations are greatly appreciated. At this time, we are in special need of the following items:
- Men's pants (32 and under)
- Women’s pants (size 8 and under)
- Belts
- Sweatshirts
- Men's shoes (sizes 11+)
- Dry coffee creamer
- Sugar packetsÂ
Please bring your items to donate to the cabinet in Fuller Hall, next to the kitchen. Thank you for your support!
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