Join us for Sunday WorshipSunday, September 25, 2022Â
Sunday Worship at 10:30 a.m.
Learning Community Classes 10:30 a.m.
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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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Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the year in the Jewish tradition and this year that invitation to begin again feels especially important. Perhaps it is the fact that we are well into this thing called Covid time and we can’t know how things will unfold—maybe that’s why there’s a particular need for a new start. Maybe we no longer take for granted some of the things we took for granted. Maybe there is a real need this year to find our way to what is unfolding.
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Staying Connected BlogFinding Balance
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Welcome to the Fall Equinox! It is the time of the year when the number of hours of daylight equals the number of hours of night and moonlight. It is a time to honor and cultivate balance in our lives.
We are betwixt the warmth of summer and the beginning of the cool, crisp autumn air. We may feel called by outdoor physical pursuits or by quieter indoor pursuits, like reading and learning. The rest and renewal of summer makes way for the activities of fall – a new school year, a new congregational year, the harvest, the project long awaited.
The balance of light and dark in the world invites us to notice what we need to restore balance in our own lives. Are you drawn towards growth and harvest? Are you in a need of slowing down and rest? Maybe a measure of each...continued.
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| Happening This SundayTimestamps are Pacific Time (PT) unless stated otherwise. Check out our Events Calendar for First U PDX gatherings.
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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Global Impacts of Climate Change: Are We Doing Enough?
Sunday, September 25, 9 - 10 a.m.
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Join Community for Earth members for a presentation on the global impacts of the climate crisis and how we all need to be involved.
The program will include reports about:
- African villages in Kenya impacted by climate change (Marlene, Imani Project, and Mary Ann, Quilts for Empowerment)
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the United Nations and our U.S. pledge; upcoming COP 27 (Ann, CFE and Africa Connections)
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the key role of U.S. legislation: the Inflation Reduction Act and next steps (Jeff Hammarlund, Senior Fellow at the PSU Center for Public Service - School of Government)
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YOU'RE INVITED -Â Join Immigrant Justice Action Group
Sunday, September 25, 12 - 1:30 p.m.
Location: Buchan Room 101 (in the Buchan Reception Hall)
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Our meeting agenda includes a time for check-ins and key announcements. Get filled in with an overview of the history of IJAG at First Unitarian from Wendy, Lena, and Ann.
Join us and learn information about the upcoming year!
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NEW! - LGBTQIA2S+ UU Pride Potluck GatheringÂ
Sunday, October 1, 1 - 4 p.m.
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| Join First Unitarian Portland and West Hills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship for a fun and friendly congregant-led gathering of local LGBTQIA2S+ UUs.
Please bring a favorite dish to share with a list of ingredients. See some long-time friends and meet some new ones too. All are welcome!
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Upcoming Events, Workshops & ClassesÂ
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ACTION! - Turn Out the Vote & Turn DeReau's Hair Blue!
Thursdays starting September 15 with Special Challenge:Â Thursday, September 29
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This fall the Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry of NC and Carolina Jews for Justice have teamed up with The New North Carolina Project to host eight straight weeks of non-partisan phone banking on Thursday afternoons (3:30-5:30 p.m. Pacific Time), September 15 - November 3. UUs, Jews and other people of faith are invited to join us put our Faith In Action by calling North Carolina voters of color about the midterm elections. We will help inspire and equip NC voters to vote for justice and defeat hate this fall.
When you register, you'll get a Zoom link where we'll gather on-line, get inspired, get trained and get going to make our calls -- together. All you need is a phone and a computer. No previous experience needed.
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| Up-ing the Ante: How You Can Turn DeReau's Hair Blue!
First Unitarian Portland has joined this effort as a congregational partner. On September 29, we will host the phone bank and we want you to join us!
The Action: If we get 20 First Unitarian Portland congregants to phone bank that afternoon, our Director of Music DeReau Farrar will dye his hair bright blue through the midterm election! If we get 40 folks to register, he'll dye his beard, too! Help us to turn out the vote and turn DeReau's hair blue.
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Our phone banking and letter-writing efforts are in partnership with the Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry of North Carolina. Watch this recording of our UU the Vote Fall Kickoff when our UU siblings and the founder and CEO of the New North Carolina Project shared what's at stake in NC and why our partnership matters. In addition to the phone bank, First Unitarian has committed to writing 10,000 voter letters by the end of October. We're past the 3,000 mark. Here's how you can get your letter packets and clear instructions to get us to our goal 10K voter letters:
- Sundays before and after worship service, pick up packets and join others to write letters in Fuller Hall Monday afternoon, September 26 from 2-4 p.m. in Buchan from 9/26-10/24. Bring twenty stamps and #10 envelopes to join a letter-writing party. Enter from 13th Ave.
- Pick up/drop off letters in our church office Monday-Thursday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (1034 SW 13th Ave.).
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Heart Space: Spiritual Small Group
Next Meeting: Tuesday, October 4, 7 - 8 p.m.
We will meet on Zoom every other week for four sessions with the option to extend if the group chooses.
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Are you looking for connection, reflection, grounding in these challenging times? Heart Space will offer an intimate small group setting to discuss spiritual themes such as “resilience” and “trust.”
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Day of Mindfulness: Practicing Presence, Kindling Connection
Saturday, October 8, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m
In-person and Zoom event. Advance registration is required.Â
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As the fall season approaches, taking a contemplative day can help us feel grounded. In a supportive group, through guided meditation, deep relaxation, shared discussion, and silence, we will practice the presence needed for deepening and developing connections.
Katie Radditz teaches meditation, and is a First Unitarian Portland Spiritual Director. John Wadsworth is a Zen teacher in Thich Nhat Hanh’s Order of Interbeing.
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Welcome to First Unitarian with Rev. Thomas Disrud
Sunday October 9, from 12:30 - 1:45 p.m.
In-person and on Zoom
Location: Channing Room (near Eliot Chapel)
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Are you new to First Unitarian Portland? We are so glad you are here. You may choose to attend either in-person or virtually on Zoom.
This 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.Â
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Loving Kindness Meditation
Mondays at 8 p.m.
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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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Friday Vesper Prayer ServicesÂ
Every Friday // Â 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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Transforming Hearts: A Free Course for Congregants
Complete at your own pace. Join anytime!
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This course is for everyone from novices on trans identity to those with decades of life experience. Rather than simply offering a “trans 101,” this class pushes participants to the next level of congregational welcome, relationship-building, and skills-building.
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CLASSES ARE OPEN! - Learning Community Classes
Childcare, Pre-school-6th Grade & Youth Classes
Every Sunday at 10:30 a.m.Â
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New families, please come to the Welcome Desk in the Buchan building for an opportunity to visit classes.
Masks required for everyone over two years old.
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| VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY - Teach in the Learning Community this Year!
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We are thrilled to begin this church year with in-person classes for all ages Preschool through High School!Â
We are in need of volunteers to journey alongside our young people, co-leading with other volunteers. We have flexible options for balancing teaching with attending worship services and are looking for volunteers who can commit to teaching at least two Sundays per month.
We offer training and lots of support. Previous experience with children is helpful but not required. If you have never volunteered in the Learning Community previously or are considering returning to teaching after some time away, please consider making the commitment this year. We need you!
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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
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Take Flight—For the Future We Hope to See
Music by Darrell Grant, featuring Michelle Willis and mural by Alex Chiu.
Darrell Grant, one of Portland's preeminent jazz musicians and a member of our church, offers his words and his music to us, accompanying the 2020 community creation of a truly inspiring mural.
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ACTION OF THE WEEK! - Toward a Fossil Fuel Free Future
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This week's OR UU Voices for Justice Action-of-the-Week calls on all Oregon residents to sign a petition addressed to Multnomah County supporting their passage of new legislation with this statement, "I urge you to begin the steps of the phasing out of methane gas from all new construction of residential and commercial buildings in Multnomah County, and of justly phasing out of gas appliances in existing buildings." Â
Please take action today even if you are not a Multnomah County resident. What happens in Multnomah County can be a model of an action your county or city or even our state might take to support a renewable energy future.
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In years past, we sent out a monthly letter from the Board Moderator. This year we are expanding the letter to be a Board letter and it will include thoughts from others on the Board. The Board Communications Committee is taking the lead in putting the letters together. This month’s letter comes from Theo Harper, Chair of the Communications Committee.
First, we want to welcome everyone back to church this year, especially our children and youth who are returning to in-person Religious Education classes (RE). If you still need to register your children or youth for RE classes, please use this link:Â RE Registration, or call the office at 503-228-6389 for more information.Â
Homecoming Sunday was amazing! Almost 450 of us came to church in person and many more joined by livestream. We welcomed Rev. Alison Miller as our new Senior Minister, the choir was in full voice, and the joy in the sanctuary radiated beyond our walls. It was delightful seeing...continue.
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In the Community
Longtime member Fritzi Frager died early on September 14 when she suffered a catastrophic bleed that was caused by a ruptured vein in her brain. This happened when she was at her monthly book club and she died a few hours later. Fritzi was 79 years old and she leaves her husband Larry as well as four children: Paul, Emily, Neal and Chris. Emily attended church most Sundays with Fritzi and Larry. We hold them all at this time of loss.Â
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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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Travel from Portland to Paris with Jack Robinson. (You don’t even have to go through the TSA line!)
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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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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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September Shared Plate
For the month of September, we share our offering with Sunrise Movement PDX. Sunrise began with a group of young people heeding the call to create a space in Portland’s climate justice community for youth to come together and uplift each other’s voices. They strive to empower generations to become active and take leadership in this movement...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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