Sunday Worship at 10:15 a.m.
Children & youth start in the Sanctuary at 10:15 a.m. then head to RE classes. Nursery and toddler care available during worship.
Social Hour:Â Fuller Hall after the service.
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What is at stake spiritually and morally when our political leaders or anyone attempts to rewrite parts of our history?  While any one of us inevitably will only hold a piece of the truth, there are deliberate efforts underway to erase or alter parts of our history. As Unitarian Universalists, this is a critical and timely question to wrestle with in our efforts to live up to and into our 4th Principle: We covenant to affirm and promote a free and responsible search for truth and meaning.
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Deep gratitude goes to everyone who has Pledged a gift for 2026!
You have helped us raise $1,048,156, 71% of our goal. These vital resources will be used to keep the church healthy and active.
If you haven't yet Pledged, we hope you will today. We need your support to reach our goal!Â
Now is the moment for each of us to do our part.
Your gifts sustain us as we work to weave a future filled with love and possibility, something that is more important now than ever.
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| With just 10 days of the campaign left, we need your help in raising an additional $426,844 to meet our goal!
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| Friendly Reminder... Keep Your Valuables With You
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All areas of the church campus are open to the public on Sunday mornings and are not monitored for the safety of personal belongings. Please help keep your items secure by keeping them with you during your visit.
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NEW! — Advent by Email Starts Soon
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The sun has made its way around once again and we are getting ready for Advent By Email. As with last year, a reading and prompt for contemplation will be delivered to your email each day beginning December 1 and finishing on December 25.
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Registration for OWL Available Now: Classes for Adults and Youth
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We have a long tradition of offering Our Whole Lives (OWL) lifespan sexuality education.
OWL values:
- Self worth
- Sexual health
- Responsibility
- Justice/inclusivity
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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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NEW! — 🔵 Special Blue-Dot Sale in the Bookstore November 16th and 23rd! 🔵
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Your Beacon Bookstore in Fuller Hall carries dozens of justice topic books. Many of these titles are on SALE for 50% off for two Sundays! Look for the BLUE Dots on the spines of sale books. The discount will be taken at the Cashier Table.
Rev. Dr. Marilyn Sewell has a new book coming out any day now! We may have it in stock by Sunday, November 16th – but can’t quite guarantee it yet. Her books are always best-sellers in our shop!
Watch for our Holiday display beginning Sunday, November 30, the first Sunday in Advent.
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CHECK WEEKLY — November 16 Newsletter
Rev. Leah Ongiri, Acting Director of Lifespan Faith Formation and Family Ministries
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Dear Ones,
It’s our Giving Season! On its face, this is about the unglamourous need to collect enough pledges and donations for First Unitarian to function next year and beyond. But don’t miss the deeper opportunity to pause, assess, and appreciate.
My practice is to use this annual event to ask what the church means to me personally. Where would my family and I be without the spiritual encouragement, social nourishment, justice connections, and personal deepening we get from this place? I’m not sure I could begin to answer such a question, so I know this is the right community for us...MORE
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NEW! — Virtual MigraWatch Training
Saturday, November 15, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Location: Zoom
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The November 15 MigraWatch training has moved from in-person to Zoom, to accommodate high demand. Registration required!
You will receive a Zoom link once you register.
Learn how to safely identify and respond to potential ICE activity in your community:
- How to spot and verify ICE presence
- How to plug into PIRC's rapid response network
- Know Your Rights
After training, you can join the PIRC hotline ecosystem and receive real-time alerts to help confirm ICE sightings in your community. Register here.
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NEW! — Make Community Defense Bracelets & Keychains
Sunday, November 16, during social hour
Location: Fuller Hall
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Always have handy the Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition (PIRC) hotline number so you can report ICE activity or detentions.
Come to the Democracy in Action corner after the service to make a beaded bracelet or keychain with the hotline number: 1-888-622-1510.
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NEW! — With Gratitude for the Good News
Sunday, November 23, 8:45 - 10 a.m.
Location: Buchan 102 or online
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In this season of gratitude, join members of Community for Earth as we celebrate recent climate success stories. The Trump administration’s ruthless actions to undermine climate work are serious but not the whole story. Recent successes include the astonishing growth of solar energy around the world; Governor Kotek’s executive order to accelerate climate protections of Oregon lands and waters; progress in Oregon’s divestment movement; and more. We’ll take turns recounting success stories in a spirit of gratitude.
Bring your own success story to share, or just come to listen and enjoy some snacks and community. Meet in person in Buchan 102 (8:45 a.m. social time, 9 a.m. session start), or request a Zoom link to join online here.
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As we reflect on two years of the 13 Salmon Shower Project, we are overwhelmed with gratitude for the compassion of this congregation. Together, we've provided a safe space for showers, clean clothes, and connection for more than 2,000 of our unhoused neighbors.
Winter is here, bringing a harsh reality for those without housing. These three essentials can help protect our guests from the cold:
- Beanies / knitted hats (black or gray preferred)
- Warm gloves
- Men's sweatpants (small & med)
Drop off your items in the marked cabinet in Fuller Hall during church hours or during Shower Project hours (Wednesdays and Thursdays between noon and 4 p.m. at 13th and Salmon). Thank you for your support! Starting in early December, these gifts can be delivered to the Giving Trees located in the Sanctuary lobby and Buchan atrium.
If you’d like to offer a financial contribution directly to the Shower Project, please donate here.
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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.
Performed alongside Francesco Turrisi, Rhiannon Giddens’ rendition of a civil rights-era classic reminds us of the music's eternal power. The Dream Show was produced by MLK Community Healthcare (MLKCH) to celebrate South LA's history, resilience, and community. MLKCH is a health system dedicated to improving the health of South LA residents by providing both quality patient care and community-based programs that address South LA's most pressing health problems. To listen to their performance of "I Shall Not Be Moved," click the video:
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In the Community
Last Sunday’s chancel flowers were given by Cindy Cumfer and Valerie Lyon who recently celebrated their 45th anniversary. Thank you and congratulations!
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- Contact a Minister: Our ministers are available for pastoral support to congregants in need and to officiate at rites of passages including memorial services and weddings. Call the church office at 503-228-6389, or send an email.
- Contact a Lay Minister: Lay Ministers support the pastoral work of the ministerial staff. They are church members who offer one-to-one caring and support for folks in times of need. Call the church office at 503-228-6389, or send an email. You can learn more here.
- Friend to Friend Outreach Program: This program provides connection to seniors and individuals who may be homebound and unable to attend church regularly. It offers members up to four in-person visits per year from a Lay Minister. Send an email to Lay Minister Steve K.
- Lotsa Helping Hands Support Network: This care calendar enables volunteers to provide meals or visits for congregants going through challenging times. For support or questions, email coordinator Leslie C. To volunteer, send a request here.
- Join an Affinity or Support Group:Â Build community through our identity-based affinity groups and experience-specific support groups. Learn about them here.
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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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November & December Art Wall Exhibition
Biennial Congregant Art Show
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Come down to Fuller Hall to see the talented artists we have in the congregation during November and December!
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Got something for Front Steps? Send in your church-related submission for our weekly publication. Submit it here (preferred) or email us here with "Front Steps" as the subject line.
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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| November's
Shared Plate
This November, we share our plate with the Sanctuary Fund of the Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice (IMIrJ), a long-time partner First Unitarian. IMIrJ is guided by the shared teachings of diverse faith traditions of the members that call us to uphold the dignity and humanity of all people, especially those most impacted by injustice. We believe that every person deserves a safe place to live, food on the table, and the opportunity to move forward and thrive. The Sanctuary Fund provides emergency financial support to newly arrived immigrant families and individuals facing the consequences of deportation.Â
Through the Sanctuary Fund, our interfaith movement provides support that extends beyond emergency relief, fostering stability, a sense of belonging, and the conditions for long-term well-being. We believe true sanctuary is not only protection—it's the collective work of creating a just and generous world where everyone can flourish.
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| Want to know what this church has to offer? Visit our Calendar by clicking above to see our list of events/classes/socials!
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