Please Join Our Live Stream
Sunday, March 14, 2021
It's Spring Forward this Sunday! Remember to set your clocks 1 hour ahead this Saturday night.
Family Worship Service at 9:15 a.m.
Worship Service at 10:15 a.m.
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A Year of COVID: Loss & LiberationRev. Bill Sinkford
This year has marked loss, even for the most privileged of us. And the losses in the wider community have been staggering. But how has this liberated us from habits and hopes that may no longer be needed?
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Bill's BlogBefore TimesI want to thank all of you who let me know that our service and my sermon last Sunday resonated with you. Living with the virus for a year felt like an important milestone to mark. We tried to make space for the complicated streams of meaning, the losses and the blessings, that are part of this last year.
We will continue that reflection this coming week, beginning to look to what possibilities and what challenges the future may hold...continued.
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Family WorshipReflecting on the Past Year
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This Sunday marks one year since we last met in-person as a Learning Community. We will reflect on the past year since the pandemic took hold, considering the challenges as well as opportunities. Cassandra will share a compilation of written submissions from Learning Community members of all ages and a video montage. Dustin will lead our hymns and offer music, and Nicole will lead us in meditation.
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Last Wishes with Rev. Thomas Disrud & Attorney Tabitha Koh
Sunday, March 14, 1 p.m.
We don’t like to think about or plan for death, but if we can make our wishes known we give a gift to those we leave behind. This class offers a space to think through the decisions related to the end of life. During this seminar, participants will make a checklist for a “last wishes” file: a will, final services, legal and medical issues.
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| Featured News & EventsTimestamps are Pacific Standard Time (PST) unless stated otherwise.
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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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Foundation Sunday Leaving a Legacy
Join us this Sunday, March 14, for a special video message during the service from the Provost-Porter Family.
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The Legacy Society was created to acknowledge and thank those members and friends of the church who have taken the important step of including The Foundation in their Will or Estate Plan.
In honor of Foundation Sunday please join us in recognizing the members and friends who are part of our Legacy Society, by clicking here.
Foundation Info Sessions: Members of the Foundation’s Board will be available at a Zoom informational session every Sunday in March after services, from 11:30 a.m.-12 p.m. to answer your questions and share helpful resources for those who are wondering about planned giving to the Foundation to benefit the church.
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NEW - Welcome to First Unitarian with Rev. Thomas Disrud
Sunday, March 28, 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
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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.
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Help PHFS Jump into Spring!
Requested Donations: Make it a success by donating chalk, bubbles, egg dying kits, etc.
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| | Upcoming Events, Workshops & Classes
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THIS SUNDAY - Voices from the Holy Land Film Salon
Occupation of the American Mind (Film & Forum)
Sunday, March 14, at 12pm
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The film takes an eye-opening look at the pro-Israeli public relations efforts within the U.S. and explores how the Israeli government, U.S. government and the pro-Israeli lobby have joined forces to shape American media coverage of the conflict in the Holy Land.
Panelists include Sut Jolly, producer of the film; Phil Weiss, journalist and creator of Mondoweiss ; and Diana Bhuttu, Palestinian-Canadian human rights lawyer.
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LAST CHANCE - How to Survive a Police Stop - Workshop
Tuesday, March 16, 5 p.m.
George Floyd. Ahmaud Arbery. Jacob Blake. Breonna Taylor and the list goes on. Now, more than ever we need practical skills to simply live through a police stop. The purpose of this virtual workshop is to equip our communities with tools, insights and resources necessary to advocate for healing justice.
Sponsored by First Unitarian's Police Accountability Team and facilitated by congregant Brandon Lee.
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NEW - Invitation to Spiritual Practice Series: Help, Thanks, Wow, Oops, Shh
Saturday, March 20, 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.
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NEW - Abolition Movement Today: An Action Study Group
Tuesdays 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., April 6 - May 11
Register by March 30
Prison abolition. Defund the police. Prison industrial complex. Mass incarceration. Have you found yourself wondering what these terms mean?
Join Lay Minister Mark Woodlief and Director of Social Justice Dana Buhl in a six-week study group as we co-facilitate a mutual learning opportunity for the curious, the considering, and the committed.
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Program ResourcesAdult Programs, Social Justice, Learning Community, Music & Arts
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Tales from the Pandemic: Celebrating our Humor, Patience & Resilience
Monday, April 5, 12:30 p.m.
After several weeks of scrambling to get a COVID-19 vaccination, we seem to have used just about every tool in our toolbox—and we’re still nowhere near done! Paul Iarrobino will share his experiences trying to help older adults sign up for appointments, pulling out all the stops, and telling it with humor. Do you have a story to share too? Let’s gather and reflect on our collective resilience!
Facilitator: Paul Iarrobino is the founder of Our Bold Voices. Paul helps individuals harness their inner strengths to remove barriers and rediscover their purpose.
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Survival Lessons: Reclaiming Your Life After Loss
Saturdays, April 10, 17, 24 & May 1, 10 a.m. - 11:30 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. Limited to 8 participants.
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Friendship & Fun Wednesdays
Wednesdays at 5 p.m.
Do you want to simply have fun and interesting conversations with new folks or folks you haven’t seen for a while at First Unitarian?
The facilitator-lead gathering will begin with an ice-breaker topic/question each week. Come with your favorite beverage or treat and be together through conversation. (An on-going commitment is not required.)
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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, March 22, April 5, & 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. (An ongoing commitment is not required.)
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NEW - Social Justice Action Item
Support HB 3265
Support HB 3265 which will update & strengthen the 30+ year old Oregon sanctuary law. In the next two weeks help the Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice (IMIrJ) make 500 calls to Democratic (only) legislators requesting their support for this bill.
Among other things, this bill would prohibit warrantless arrests at courthouses, ban ICE detention contracts, and prohibit racial profiling in prisons/jails. Contact information for your legislators can be found here.
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NEW - SW HOPE Community Food Drive Needs Your Help
Are you getting an income tax refund or stimulus payment soon? Then COHHO asks you to consider sharing some of those funds with your Southwest Portland neighbors. Neighborhood House is now holding a fundraiser to serve the ever-increasing number of families who depend on their food pantry for sustenance.
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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.
Curated by Ethel Gullette, Speaking of Justice Editorial Team
Aja Monet
Poet and activist Aja Monet performing at Declaration of Sentiments: The Remix in November 2015
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In the Community
Member Audrey Potter died on February 3 at the age of 93. She was a weekly office volunteer for the church's Learning Community for many years. Her kindness, sense of humor, and feisty spirit will be missed by all who knew her.
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Ron Hall Memorial
Friday, March 19, 5:30 – 7 p.m.
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Husband, father, brother, grandfather, friend, Public Health Administrator, coach, educator and a true philosopher at heart, Ron was loved by many.
To honor his life, a virtual memorial service will be held on the anniversary of his death. Please join us to celebrate Ron and his life, one lived to the fullest.
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COVID-19 Vaccination Eligibility & Appointments
How to Schedule a Vaccination Appointment
The following is updated information about how to schedule your COVID-19 Vaccination. If you would like help with scheduling your vaccination appointment, please send an email to The Alliance. We recommend reading the instructions before signing up...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.
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Sunday Live Stream
& Social Schedule
Join us LIVE from your computer or smart device by clicking on the links below.
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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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