Join Us for WorshipSunday, November 21, 2021
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Family Service at 10 a.m. Â // Â Sanctuary Service at 11 a.m.
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If you only have one prayer, let that be a prayer of gratitude, someone once said. How we make saying thank you a spiritual practice.Â
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Family WorshipÂ
ONLINE ONLY - Gratitude for the Planet
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This week, our Intern Minister, Carter, will share the story Zonia's Rainforest, by Juana Martinez-Neal.
Together, we will reflect on how we show our gratitude for the planet and the beings that live on it, and ask how our gratitude can lead us into action. Nicole will offer a meditation, and Dustin will offer music.
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November 21: In-Person Worship
As a Covid precautionary measure, congregants must sign up for each Sunday they'd like to attend in person. Â
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We still have room for you this Sunday!Â
Reservations for this Sunday, November 21, are open until tomorrow, November 19, at 9 a.m. If you miss the sign-up deadline, please know that a certain number of "non-reserved" seats have been set aside for Sunday mornings. There is no guarantee that any of these seats will still be available, but it's likely that some will be. You're welcome to come to the church Sunday morning and try for a non-reserved seat. Of course, you'll need to show your vaccine card at the door if the church hasn't already seen it.
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Reservations for the following Sunday, November 28, are now open.
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We are working to make to the Sanctuary as safe and simple and satisfying as we can.
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Please treat each other and our dedicated volunteers and staff not only with respect but with KINDNESS. Every Sunday is a good day to have THANK YOU in your heart and on your lips.
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Meeting the New Day: 2022Â
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Thank you to everyone who has given in support of our "Meeting the New Day" campaign. Every pledge and every gift helps fund the life and work of the church. Please know that your gift here is cherished.
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We need to raise an additional $160,000 to fund our church for next year.Â
Help us by pledging a gift now!
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A Special Message From Rev. BillÂ
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“Meeting the New Day”, for this church, requires resources. Human resources and financial resources.
To say that every one matters in this church…and to say that every gift matters… is not only true…it is perhaps the most foundational truth that the Good News of this faith has to offer. We live out that Good News imperfectly…and we know that deeply...continued.
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What's Happening This Sunday
Timestamps are Pacific Time (PT) unless stated otherwise.Â
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INVITATION -Â Finding Homes for Arriving Afghans
Sunday, November 21 at 12:30 p.m.
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Please join us for our monthly meeting this Sunday. We are excited to hear from COHHO member and guest speaker, Janice Yaden. She has lived and worked overseas and will talk about local efforts to find homes for recently arriving Afghans.
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Transgender Day of Remembrance Interfaith VigilTHIS SATURDAY - November 20, 5 p.m.Â
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Rev. Thomas Disrud and intern minister Carter Smith will be speaking at this year's hybrid Transgender Day of Remembrance Interfaith Vigil. The vigil will include representatives from diverse faiths, musicians, and community leaders.
We invite all people, transgender or cisgender, to join us in this reverent observation either virtually or in person.
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| | Upcoming Events, Workshops & Classes
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In Gratitude For All that is Our Life: A Day of Mindfulness with Katie Radditz
THIS SATURDAY! - November 20, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.Â
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This is the time of year to celebrate abundance – of the harvest and the rain following a hot summer. We will learn practices for developing insight, touching happiness, and leading a more compassionate life.
It will be a time for deep relaxation, reflection, and peace connected in our beloved home community.
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YOU'RE INVITED! - Tackle Climate Change Presentation
Sunday, November 28 at 9Â a.m.
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Join us for a debrief and discussion of the COP26 Global Climate Conference. We will review key highlights of the session and discuss what next steps are required of us as people of faith.
Community for Earth members meet on the 4th Sunday of the month to explore a topic in more depth.Â
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Plan Ahead for General Assembly Portland 2022June 22-26, 2022
Registration for in-person attendance is now open!
Registration for online attendance opens March 1.
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GA registrants receive access to all workshops, performances, lectures, and events listed in the GA Program. Registrants will have exclusive access to a chat room, recordings of previous streams, and dedicated support.
If you wish to sign up to volunteer at GA for 20 hours in lieu of the registration fee, be sure to signup here. Positions fill up quickly!Â
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Program ResourcesAdult Programs, Social Justice, Learning Community, Music & Arts
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Nourishing the Spirit: Practice for the Long HaulTHIS SATURDAY! - November 20, 10:30 a.m.
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In a world of violence, injustice, and loss, the spirit struggles to stay hopeful when many of us feel burned out, discouraged, and exhausted. It is helpful to gather in community to share our journeys and affirm each other’s experience. This monthly gathering offers collective spiritual practices to strengthen the bonds among us. An ongoing commitment is not required. Facilitated by Rev. Katherine Jesch.
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Vesper Prayer ServiceFriday's at 5 p.m.
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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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Learning Community Phased ReopeningOWL, Requirements and Future Plans
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We were thrilled to open our doors to our middle schoolers last Sunday as they began OWLÂ (Our Whole Lives). YRUU, our high school youth group, continues to meet. Now that the Covid vaccination for 5-11 year olds is becoming available, our plans to reopen to this age range are feeling real! Full vaccination is required to participate in the Learning Community in person.
We hope that vaccinations for children under 5 will be close behind and look forward to when the whole Learning Community can be together again. Over the coming weeks, we will be able to share more about our plans for what the next phase of our reopening in January may be like, which will include in person Family Worship (which will continue to be livestreamed as well). We always appreciate your contacting us with any concerns, questions, or ideas you may have.
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Art for Social JusticeThe 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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Wake Up In America, by Lea Morris, written by Dave Kinnoin & Jimmy Hammer
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HEADS UP! - Support PHFS Families
Volunteer Opportunity
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Want to help make this holiday season cheery for PHFS families? Then join COHHO in our annual gift drive. Interested? Email Cynthia with your contact info to work out the details. Thank you! There will be more details to come.
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NEW! - Thank you First Unitarian!Sundays, November 21 and December 19, at 7 p.m.
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Thank you to all who contributed to the PHFS Virtual Fundraiser held on October 8. You helped PHFS raise more than $240,000! They had so much fun going behind the scenes and giving viewers a deeper look into their Family Village. If you missed the live stream, you can find the recording here.
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Check out UU Animal Ministry!Sundays, November 21 and December 19, at 7 p.m.
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The local chapter of the UU Animal Ministry meets monthly for online chats and to discuss ways that we can help the other species of the world. In November and December we are meeting a week early to accommodate holiday plans. Join our Zoom meeting if you want to participate.
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JOIN US! - Check out Africa Connections
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This group meets monthly via zoom. If you want to learn more about our current projects in Kenya or how to join our meetings, please contact Ann.Â
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In the Community
We hold Amparo Villar, a friend of the church, who died peacefully on November 10 at the age of 89. We hold her daughters, Veronica and Rosemarie Schild, her son-in-law, Alfredo Muro, and the rest of her community in our hearts at this time.
Member Paula Johnson had cancer surgery on November 9. Paula and her husband John Elizalde are appreciative of the good care Paula has received, as well as support of family and friends on this journey as they await news of any continuing treatment she will need.
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Do you have a reason to celebrate? Say it with flowers!
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Fresh flowers are again gracing the Chancel for Sunday services. Sponsoring those flowers is a way to support the church and acknowledge life events. Do you have something to celebrate from these last 18 months? If you had a birth in the family, graduation, a birthday, an anniversary, or a memorial, or other reasons, you can acknowledge it to the entire congregation by sponsoring a floral bouquet. As we reconnect with friends, say it with flowers on the Chancel.Â
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Moderator Letter:Â Dear Fellow Congregants
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Excited relieved, happy, and
nervous (a little bit)Â
were the emotions I felt when I heard the news from our ministers that in-person services will begin on November 7...continued.
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Naming First Unitarian Foundation in Your Will or Estate PlanHelp 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 Tuesdays.UPDATE! - Thanksgiving week announcements deadline is Friday, November 19.
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Sunday Live StreamÂ
& Social Schedule
Join us LIVE from your computer or smart device.
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November Shared Plate For the month of November, we share our plate with the Immigrant Mutual Aid Coalition (IMAC). In September 2020 when devastating wildfires and hazardous smoke affected much of Oregon, IMAC quickly pulled together community members along with immigrant rights and...continued.
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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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