Please Join Our Live Stream
Sunday, January 3, 2021Family Worship Service at 9:15 a.m.
Worship Service at 10:15 a.m.
| |
|
Something More Deeply InterfusedRev. Bill Sinkford
As we enter the New Year, there is a taking stock of the past, and a questioning of the quality of presence we are called to embody as we move forward.
We listen for the Spirit of Life to “come unto us,” to be present to us. How will the Spirit of Life speak through our lives?
“something far more deeply interfused” – from lines composed a few miles above Tintern Abbey by William Wordsworth in 1798
| |
|
Bill's Blog will return January 14.
| |
|
Family WorshipEngaging Our Senses
On the first Sunday of January we will introduce our new spiritual theme for the month, Presence. We'll bring out the Wonder Box to find out what's inside that will help us begin exploring our new theme. Cassandra will tell a story, Dustin will share music, and Stacey will offer a meditation engaging some of our senses.Â
| |
Vesper Prayer Service
Every Friday at 5 p.m., including New Year's Day
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, but an ongoing commitment is not required.Â
| |
| | Upcoming Events, Workshops & Classes
| |
RE-BROADCAST - The City & Prosper Portland Get Paid.
The Black Community Gets PLAYED!
Tune-in to this special re-airing, back by popular demand.
Monday, January 4 at 7 p.m.
Learn what happens when Black Families, victims of the Emanuel Hospital expansion, advocate for restitution & enforcement of a Housing Relocation policy.
Take action with EDPA2 by supporting descendants and survivors of the Emanuel Hospital Expansion and insist City Council POSTPONE THE JAN 6 VOTE on the Interstate Corridor Urban Renewal Area until the city has a plan for restitution.
| |
Join us to Imagine the People’s Inauguration
Tuesday, January 5 at 4:30 p.m.
What role do you want to play in our collective action as a church, as a city, as a nation? How does the People's Inauguration intersect with our faith principles, helping us to put our faith into action?
| |
Alliance Presents... International Adventures in Service-Learning
Wednesday, January 6 at 12:30 p.m.
Join Rick and Maxine Lathrop, First Unitarian members and founders of Global Service Corps. All are welcome!
| |
Practicing Peace: A Day of Mindfulness with Katie Radditz
Saturday, January 9
10–11 a.m. Virtual Zoom gathering
11 a.m.–3 p.m. Self-guided
3–4:30 p.m. Virtual Zoom gathering
Come replenish your spirit in our spiritual community in order to bring more harmony into our daily life. Rev. Bob Schaibly would often say, “What the world needs from us is our non-anxious presence.”  This is something we can develop, as a necessity for living a compassionate life and creating a better world, now and for the future. There will be poetry and nature, writing prompts and meditation along with deep relaxation for personal and global healing and restoration.
| |
Our Resilient Community
Lived Experiences of Racism & Resilience
Wednesday, January 13 at 5 p.m.
Cameron’s presentation, discussion & following Q&A will focus on their lived experiences of racism and resilience, Oregon’s white supremacist origins and current realities, and the power of social movements like the Black Resilience Fund create an ideal framework for healing from Oregon’s racist history.Â
| |
Bio: At the age of eighteen, Cameron Whitten (all pronouns) worked themself out of youth homelessness in Portland and has spent the past decade giving back to the same community that was here when they needed it most. Cameron has been a leader in several movements for social change, served as the Executive Director of Q Center, and is currently the CEO of racial justice nonprofit Brown Hope and Co-Founder of the Black Resilience Fund. They serve on the boards of REACH CDCÂ and Pioneer Courthouse Square.
| |
Seminary for a Day: All are Welcome!
Tickets are now available.Â
Saturday, January 30, 2021 from 9:30 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.Â
Are you yearning for greater depth in your spiritual life? Join us virtually and delve deeper with Rev. Meg Riley, Co-moderator of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA).
| |
|
Program ResourcesAdult Programs, Social Justice, Learning Community, Music & Arts
| |
Welcome to First Unitarian with Rev. Thomas Disrud
Sunday, January 24, 1 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
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.Â
| |
Caregivers Support Group
Now Open to Newcomers
Every 4th Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.Â
If you are caring for a partner or other family member with an ongoing health condition, you may benefit from the support of others in the same situation. Our Caregivers Support Group is facilitated by lay ministers and the format is confidential and informal.
| |
Loving Kindness Meditation
Mondays, from  8-8:30 p.m.
Loving-Kindness towards self and others is a basic foundational view of Buddhism and other religions. Intern Minister Stacey Mitchell will gently guide you through this spiritual practice which cultivates benevolence, kindness, and amity. (An ongoing commitment is not required).Â
| |
Caring Circle for Parents
Mondays, January 11, 25, February 8 and 22
From 7-8 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. (An ongoing commitment is not required).Â
| |
Reimagining Normal: Contemplative Conversations
The world has changed. Who am I now? This can be a time to reconsider, reimagine, move toward reform.
Join us in weekly conversations designed to nurture and support us through a pandemic of possibility.
Note: This cohort has been filled. Click below to sign-up for our waitlist and we will contact you when additional cohorts are available.Â
| |
Send Us Your Photos & Be Part of Family WorshipÂ
We invite you to submit photos of your family member for inclusion in our weekly worship. Seeing each other in this way helps us stay connected. Send pictures of your family tuning in at home, of activities we do during worship, projects worked on from our monthly mailers, or any other photos you want to share. Thank you to those of you who have sent pictures! Please send photos to this email.Â
| |
Monthly Mailers & Zoom Gatherings
Registered families should have received their November mailer packets for the theme of Prayer. Watch your Learning Community news for details about a zoom session for our younger age groups as we round out the month.
Please share your feedback about the mailer packets and zoom sessions which will help us in planning future months.Â
| |
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.
Dona Nobis Pacem: A Holiday Greeting from PSU's College of the Arts
"...an impromptu duet between a PSU School of Music & Theater student, Madisen Hallberg, and a professional opera singer, Emmanuel Henreid ("Onry"), captured the hearts and imaginations of millions of viewers. Shared on social media and news outlets around the world, this simple moment of beauty between two strangers was a balm for our wounded souls, reminding us that the arts have the power to bring us together and heal us. Learn more."
| |
|
In the Community
The Reverend T. Allen Bethel, who served as pastor of Maranatha Church in Northeast Portland for 26 years and who was co-chair of the Albina Ministerial Alliance died on December 21. Dr. Bethel poured his life into service, to civil rights and racial justice. Our prayers and condolences are with Dr. Bethel's family and the Maranatha Church Community.Â
| |
Message from our Board Moderator
Though we are physically away from our church, our holiday traditions are carrying on. The Alliance Greens Sale was successful and our social action groups gathered donations to support several of our community partners.Â
| |
The Board is continuing its discernment around adopting the 8th Principle. A group of leaders of our social action groups participated in a workshop using Paula Cole Jones’ presentation in early December. Additional workshops for the congregation are planned for January.
We hope that you will participate in one of the workshops to learn about the Principle and what it would mean for our church to become a more actively antiracist congregation. The Board welcomes your thoughts and comments...continued.
| |
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.
| |
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.
| |
Having trouble viewing our services through the website?
Find our Live Streams on Boxcast, Youtube or on Facebook.
| |
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
| |
|
|
Sunday Live StreamÂ
& Social Schedule
Join us LIVE from your computer or smart device by clicking on the links below.Â
| |
January Shared PlateStarted in response to the unjust murder of George Floyd, the Black Resilience Fund is dedicated to healing and resilience by providing immediate resources to Black Portlanders. The Fund works with hundreds of Portlanders from all backgrounds to make an immediate difference in the lives of our Black neighbors and to advocate for systemic change.Â
To date, they have received over 10,000 requests for financial relief and have raised over $2 million to ensure each applicant gets real and tangible support. The Black Resilience Fund is a project of the Portland nonprofit Brown Hope.
| |
Want to know what this church has to offer? Show up for events/classes/socials and  stay engaged!
| |
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.
| |
Moved recently? Changed your phone number or e-mail? Fill out this form.
| |
|
