Join us for Sunday WorshipSunday, December 18, 2022
Multigenerational Sunday Worship at 10:30 a.m.
No Learning Community Classes Today. Please join our all-ages multigenerational holiday service.
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Childcare is available during our worship service for children three and under (located in the nursery).Â
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Join us for a festive multigenerational holiday service inspired by the children’s book “The Christmas Menorahs” about how a town fought hate. Let us take the messages of the holiday season to heart and bring the light of love and peace to our world.
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Some images I’m carrying from this season at the church:
Last Sunday, we were back in Eliot Chapel for Sunday worship. Not exactly by plan, but because the elevator in our Sanctuary needed to be fixed. I was taken back to when the Chapel was our main worship place when we were invited to squeeze together most Sundays to make room for more people. It was a ritual that happened most every week. That was not a sustainable plan for the church, with three worship services and three religious education programs every Sunday. Our present Sanctuary building was enlarged to make a space that would allow fewer services. But something about being crowded together in the Chapel made us all aware we were a community, all squished in together...continue.
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Holiday Services at First Unitarian
Sunday, December 18
10:30 a.m. –  “Multigenerational Worship: Love Shines Through"
Wednesday, December 21, Solstice
7 p.m. – “Winter Solstice Celebration: Honoring the Dark"
Saturday, December 24, Christmas Eve
4 p.m. – “Family Candlelight Service and Christmas Pageant”
8 p.m. – “Candlelight Service: Gifts that Matter"
Sunday, December 25, Christmas Day
10:30 a.m. – “Lessons and Carols for Christmas Morning"
Sunday, January 1, New Year's Day
10:30 a.m. – “Welcoming in the New Year”
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NEW! - Share Treats Following Holiday Services
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Do you like baking cookies? Or making other treats—sweet or savory?Â
Following our 4 p.m. Family Christmas Eve service and Christmas Day and New Year’s Day services, you’re invited to bring cookies or other finger foods to share with fellow congregants. Then stop by social hour to enjoy a variety of delicious treats and share holiday greetings with old and new friends.
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Happening This Sunday
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.
Covid Reminder: As we head into winter and into the cold and flu season, please remember: If you are sick we hope you will attend church online. It’s a gift that we have that option, and it’s a gift to your fellow congregants when you attend virtually when you are not feeling well. And finally a reminder that if you haven’t gotten your COVID boosters we hope that you will!
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NEW! - Light: A Winter Concert
Sunday, December 18, 3 – 4:30 p.m.
Location: Eliot Chapel (Enter through the Breezeway)
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Join us for a winter celebration in Eliot Chapel!
Bridging Voices is Portland’s first LGBTQ+ and Allied Youth Chorus. Our Director of Music, DeReau Farrar, is serving as Artistic Director for Bridging Voices, and we are excited to host their winter concert.
Purchase tickets online (below) or at the door.
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"T” Time: A Trans, Nonbinary, and Gender-Expansive, Exclusive Event!
Sunday, December 18, from Noon – 1 p.m.Â
Location: Blue Sky Library Room A301 (third floor)
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Join “T” Time, a gathering exclusively for trans, nonbinary, 2Spirit, and gender-expansive members and friends!Â
We will have a small selection of complimentary teas available. You do not need to be a member of First Unitarian or consider yourself a Unitarian Universalist to join us – come one, come all!Â
No registration required.
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NEW! - Welcome to First Unitarian Portland: Class and Walking Tour
Sunday, January 8, 2023, 12:30 – 2 p.m.
Meet: Channing Room located next to the Eliot ChapelÂ
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Are you new to First Unitarian Portland? We are so glad you are here. This class will offer an orientation to the church, 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. If you are ready to become a member, please click here for more information.
After Rev. Tom Disrud’s class, we will go on a short walking tour inside the church with Bill Cunninghame.
No registration required.
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NEW! -Â First Unitarian Electrify Your Home to Save Money and Ease the Climate Crisis
Home Electrification Panel Discussion
Sunday, January 8, 2023, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Dates: Buchan Reception Hall
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Learn how to lower utility bills, reduce harmful fossil fuel pollution and improve air quality in your home! Enjoy light snacks as you learn from local experts about the benefits and financial incentives available for ending the use of fracked gas in your home.
Find out how to plan for and simplify the process of switching to electric heat pumps for water and home heating (and cooling, too!) and induction cooktops to get fossil gas pollution out of your home. Renters, too, can learn how to employ these new technologies to reduce methane gas use and pollution in their living spaces.Â
Please mark your calendars and join us!
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NEW VIRTUAL CLASS - White Supremacy in Oregon: History & Current Issues
Dates: Thursdays, from January 12 through February 16
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
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Despite Oregon’s progressive and forward-thinking reputation, our history tells another story.
Indeed, many refer to Oregon as the South of the North, as we have historically embraced segregation, exclusion, and displacement. The disparities between BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) communities of color and white people are extreme. Participants in this course will spend six weeks delving into our state’s history and current realities. We will collectively build an understanding of how Oregon’s whiteness, historically and today, has functioned. This understanding will help us develop a better future for us all.
Please join Kristin Teigen, MA, M.Ed., in this six-week course over Zoom. Part of the registration fees will support EDPA2 descendants/survivors of the Emanuel displacement & Verde, a local organization that serves communities by building environmental wealth through social enterprise, outreach, and advocacy.
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Upcoming Events, Workshops & ClassesÂ
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Matins for Advent Â
You are invited to this special virtual service to help you prepare for the holiday season with a spiritual focus.
Zoom gathering: Monday, December 19, from 8 – 8:30 a.m.
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| Offered by members of the Spiritual Directors Guild, the service will provide a 30-minute space with music, poetry, meditation, and prayer for the Advent season. You'll be able to join us in private contemplation without conversation or expectation.Â
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Greetings and Happy Holidays!
It has been wonderful to watch several of our holiday traditions come back to life this season. I’m sure we are not the only ones who welcomed the return of the Alliance cookie and treasures sale, and we have our venerable pageant to look forward to on Christmas Eve. We again shared a dedication of our children in worship last week. Our social justice groups held holiday collections to help our less fortunate community members enjoy this season...continue.
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Friday Vesper Prayer ServicesÂ
Every Friday at 5 p.m.
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Gather for a quiet time of prayer, reflection, meditation, and music.
An ongoing commitment is not required.
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Loving Kindness Meditation
Mondays at 8 p.m.Â
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Join us for a moment each week to extend Loving-Kindness to yourself, to those around you and to the world. Surround yourself in the blessings from those who have loved you and those who love you now. No previous meditation practice necessary.Â
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SUPPORT! - Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund Act
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If you are conscientiously opposed to participation in war, this bill in Congress would allow you to designate your tax payments for nonmilitary purposes.
The Secretary of the Treasury would be instructed to establish an account to receive tax funds designated for nonmilitary uses and that the funds would only be used for nonmilitary purposes. Â
Contact your US Representative and ask them to sign the legislation as a co-sponsor. Locate your US Representative here.
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Click the image to enlarge.
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Are You Going Through a Tough Time?
Would it help to talk with someone?
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| Our church’s Lay Ministry team provides caring listening for individuals experiencing grief, illness, isolation, depression, loss of a job or relationship, or other life challenges. Meetings may be one time or over time, depending on the need—and are always confidential.
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Come down to Fuller Hall to see Karen Shawcross's beautiful pastels.
She brings out the spiritual side of the natural world, combining her love of art with her work as a Lay Minister.
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Do you have a birth in the family, a graduation, an anniversary, a memorial, or other events 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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| 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.
Curated by Ethel Gullette, Speaking of Justice Editorial Team
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Radmilla A. Cody, born in 1975, is a Navajo model, singer, and anti-domestic violence activist who was the 46th Miss Navajo from 1997 to 1998. Cody was born into the TłʼááshchĂĘĽĂ clan of the Navajo Nation. Her father is African-American. She was raised in the rural areas of the Navajo Nation by her maternal grandmother.
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Having trouble viewing our services through the website?
Find our Livestreams 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 Livestream
Schedule
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December Shared Plate
For December, First Unitarian shares our offering with Next Up. Dedicated to amplifying youth voices from marginalized communities, Next Up develops and strengthens youth-led movements across Oregon. Their advocacy efforts have helped to expand voting rights, including voter pre-registration for 16- and 17-year-olds, while their leadership programs create opportunities for young people to build practical organizing skills.
Nationally, November’s midterm elections saw the second-highest voter turnout in the last 30 years among young people. We're grateful for this opportunity to support young leaders in Oregon who are working toward an inclusive and equitable democracy.
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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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