Join Us for Worship this SundaySunday, June 20, 2021 at 10:15 a.m.
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Changes
Rev. Bill Sinkford
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We proceed through a series of changes, moving through the ages and stages of our lives. Celebrating and blessing these passages is one of the central roles of religious community, as our identity is shaped and re-shaped by the living of our lives.Â
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Both the Senate and the House passed legislation this week to make Juneteenth a national holiday. It will take only President Biden’s signature to make it official.Â
I suppose we should be gratified that our elected representatives finally managed to pass a piece of legislation. The reports of gridlock in Washington have clearly been overdrawn.Â
I beg your forgiveness for not taking this action as seriously as, apparently, we are all supposed to.Â
Please don’t get me wrong. The ending of chattel slavery in this country was a major event and the story of how that was achieved should be “required reading” for us all. I want a more accurate picture of President Lincoln painted, including the reality that his support for abolition did not emerge until the Union Army needed the formerly enslaved Blacks to win the Civil War...continued.
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| Featured News & EventsTimestamps are Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) unless stated otherwise.Â
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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 Front Steps.
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First Unitarian Portland is Honored with...
The Sixth Principle Congregation Award!
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| We are honored to receive this award! Watch this video from the UUA Office at the United Nations congratulating First Unitarian Church of Portland for achieving the 2020-2021 Sixth Principle Congregation Award. Click the image above to watch!
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| | Upcoming Events, Workshops & Classes
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Save the dates! - Jubilee 3: Antiracism Virtual Workshop
Dates: Saturday 7/17, 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m.; & Sunday 7/18, 12-6:30 p.m.
Cost $170, Registration information coming soon!
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This July, Paula Cole Jones, Dr. Leon Spencer, and Lutricia Callair will co-lead a 3-day, virtual anti-racism workshop that covers the history of racism, societal and institutional mechanisms maintaining racism, the personal injury of racism, and analysis of racism in our immediate communities.
This engaging virtual workshop is a fabulous opportunity to delve more deeply into the work of dismantling racism in the company of other congregants and UUs on the West Coast. Jubilee 3 is the third incarnation of this anti-racism training that has been finely developed over time and has been shared with UU congregations across the country.Â
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Reclamation Toward The Futurity of Central Albina: Dreamworld Urbanism: A Community Sneak PeekTuesday, June 22, at 7 p.m.
Presented by EDPA2 and FutureLab. In partnership with Portland State University.
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 | Bobby Fouther Chillin’ in Central Albina Age 5 (Photo credit: From the extensive & unrivaled Fouther Family Archive)
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| For the past 6 months, The Emanuel Displaced Persons Association 2, EDPA2, partnered with the brilliant minds of FutureLab to create an inventive expression for the Destruction of Central Albina, the impact of that destruction and a clear justification for restitution. This groundbreaking 104 page report combines years of EDPA2 research with the latest GIS technology.
It introduces new concepts to explain the experiences of Forced Removal and chronicles this ugly City of Portland history in a way that has never been done before! It clearly explains the EDPA2-led idea for Curable Loss and Incurable Loss while providing clear examples. And finally, this project completes a full economic assessment for destroyed Real Estate Wealth. The report is complemented with an interactive digital platform for further study and exploration
This report answers all questions and removes any lingering doubt...You do not want to miss this rare opportunity. Note: The full report will be available for public consumption soon via a public announcement.
Hosted by First Unitarian Portland.
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Program ResourcesAdult Programs, Social Justice, Learning Community, Music & Arts
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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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Volunteer Opportunity
Support our Downtown Unhoused NeighborsÂ
The Portland Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA) is seeking volunteers to support their "Good Neighbor Project".
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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.Â
Curated by Ethel Gullette, Speaking of Justice Editorial Team
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Rocka My Soul in the Bosom of Abraham - An excerpt from Alvin Ailey's ballet REVELATIONS.Â
Performed at home by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater company members. Music adapted and arranged by Howard A. Roberts.
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In the Community
Members Brad and Meg Taylor have a new baby son. Jackson Elliott Taylor was born on May 22. Parents, along with his brother Frankie, are overjoyed.
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Congregational Survey: Senior Minister Search 2021LAST CHANCE! - Your participation is wanted!
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Your Ministerial Search Committee is asking your opinion and assessment of First Unitarian Church Portland, and what could shape the future for the congregation in this all-member survey.Â
It is most important to have a “picture” of who we are and what we want to become. Please keep the whole congregation in mind.
Results will be shared with the Congregation later this summer or early fall. Thank you for your help in this important task that will shape our Congregational profile.
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General Assembly Offers On-Demend Programs
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Ibsahu Ma'akmaha, Co-founder & Chief Wellness Officer
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Brandon Lee, First U congregant & Training 4 Transformation co-founder
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Look for the On-Demand presentation Healing from the Trauma of Police Brutality led by congregant Brandon Lee and Ibsahu Ma'akmaha. This workshop is sponsored by First Unitarian's Police Accountability Team, introduced by Director of Social Justice Dana Buhl.
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As we near the end of our most unusual church year we are winding up our meetings with congregants to hear their thoughts on our church-wide goals for the next three years. Many congregants have given their input through group meetings or individually. We are already seeing themes emerge across the congregation...continue.
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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 Tuesdays.
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Sunday Live StreamÂ
& Social Schedule
Join us LIVE from your computer or smart device by clicking on the links below.Â
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June/July Shared Plate
We share our plate with Black & Beyond the Binary Collective. BBBC is dedicated to advocacy and healing for transgender and gender-variant Oregonians who are Black and have lived experiences as a member of the African diaspora. They seek to uphold the dignity of the Black transgender and nonbinary community in Portland Metro by providing resources without stipulations, sharing Black joy, and combatting transmisogyny and anti-Black racism...continue.
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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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