Sunday Worship at 10:30 a.m.
Time for All Ages: Families begin in worship service; then, children and youth leave to attend their classes.
Childcare is available during our worship service for children six months to 3 years old (in the nursery.)
Social Hour: Fuller Hall after the service
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We are interdependent with all life on earth. This is reflected in our 7th Principle and in one of the six values that stem from love at the center of our faith. We must come to know our place in the family of beings and engage in spiritual practices that help us to feel connected to the beauty of nature and the wretched destruction of nature. It is from this place that we can begin to work to heal the earth.
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Considering Membership?
Sunday, April 7, 2024 - 12:15 - 1:30 p.m.Â
Location:Â Channing, Room A101
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| Have you been thinking about taking the next step of commitment to First Unitarian Portland and becoming a member? Come and learn what it means to take that step.
Membership paperwork can be completed at the class.
IMPORTANT NOTE! This will be the last day to submit membership paperwork allowing you to be a voting member for our annual ballot coming in May.
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UU the Vote: Join Us For Community and Letter WritingÂ
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Stop worrying and start writing! Make a positive difference in this year's elections by transforming your anxiety into action in this issues-oriented, non-partisan campaign.Â
We have letters you can take home, or you can sit at the table and write in good company. We encourage everyone to write letters even if they cannot bring their own #10 envelopes and first-class stamps.
Monetary donations towards stamps will also be appreciated.
Look for the blue tablecloth EVERY SUNDAY.
Letter Writing Schedule
- Every Sunday, until June 30 / Social Hour
- Every Tuesday, Until June 25 / 10 - 11:30 a.m. / B101
- Plus, an upcoming summer schedule!
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Featured News
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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CREATING CONNECTIONS — Make Your Mark at Our 2024 Auction!
NEW DEADLINE! Submissions accepted through Sunday, April 14
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| Do you have a passion you'd like to share? Do you own a vacation home you love to host guests in? Do you have a skill you'd like to teach others? Submit them to the Zap the Gap Too! 2024 Auction.
Let your imagination run wild, get inspired here, and start crafting another unforgettable auction experience!
Need help with your submission? Visit Fuller Hall after service on April 7 and 14 at the Creating Connections table.
Online bidding starts Sunday, April 21, and ends Sunday, May 5.
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Upcoming Classes, Events & Gatherings
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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Gaza Grand Rounds
Panel Presentation about the Health Crisis in Gaza
Monday, April 8 at 6:30 p.m. / Doors 6 p.m.
Location: Eliot Chapel, 1011 SW 12th AvenueÂ
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Join us to learn about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as Israel continues to target its health system.
We'll hear from two health practitioners who have recently returned from Gaza as well as the UN Special Rapporteur for Food Security. The founder of the Center for Study and Preservation of Palestine will moderate the panel.Â
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RETREAT — Day of Mindfulness: Practicing Peace, Keeping Our Hearts Open
Friday, April 12, from 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. Â
Location: Buchan Reception Hall (Enter through Salmon St. door)
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Join us for a contemplative day, preparing to feel connected, practice kindness, and relax deeply. We can find inner peace through simple practices that create calm at the center and open our hearts as we go through life’s challenges.
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NEW DATE! — Community Pancake Breakfast 🥞
Sunday, April 14, from 9 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: Buchan Reception Hall
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Friendly heads-up! Pancake Day is on April 14, not April 7. Enjoy pancakes on the 14th!
Have you been enjoying pancakes on the first Sunday of the month this church year? Many thanks to the men’s community for this gift to the congregation.
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NEW! — International Uranium Film Festival
Wednesday, April 17, 9 - 10:30 a.m. / Doors open 6 p.m.
Location: Eliot Chapel
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Join EJAG for the screening of two International Uranium Film Festival films, Atomic Cover-Up, and Atomic Bamboozle: The False Promise of a Nuclear Renaissance. These films throw much-needed light on all nuclear issues, past, present, and future.
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NEW! — Earth Day in Music and Song
Friday, April 19, 7:30 – 9 p.m.
Location: Eliot Chapel
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We invite you to set aside this special time to celebrate our remarkable planet. The program includes instrumental and vocal performances, meditative singing, poetry, and candle lighting.
Reception following in Buchan Reception Hall. Donations appreciated!
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New Member Recognition Sunday is Coming!
Sunday, April 21
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| It has been four years since the pandemic hit and four years since we recognized, in person, those who have committed to join in membership of First Unitarian Portland!
We will celebrate all new members in a special recognition service with delicious treats following the service in Fuller Hall.
Let us know if you can be there on April 21 during the service!
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REGISTER — Passover Seder Dinner
Sunday, April 21 at 12:15 p.m.
Location: Buchan Reception Hall
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You are cordially invited to attend a Seder in celebration of Passover, the Jewish holiday that symbolizes the universal human quest for liberty. This special ceremonial UU interfaith event, beautifully structured for all ages, is a remembrance of the Jews’ flight from slavery in Egypt long ago. Our Seder is a worship service, a songfest, a banquet, and a blend of goodness, goodies, gravity, and joy. All are welcome.
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SAVE THE DATE! — First Unitarian Earth Day Fair: Love Your Mother
Sunday, April 28, noon 'til 2:30 p.m.
Location: Buchan Reception Hall
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Earth Day is an annual celebration raising awareness to protect Earth’s resources for future generations.
This year’s fair features interactive poetry, music, and talks with Kim Stafford, Oregon’s 9th Poet Laureate. Plus, enjoy vegan donuts sold by our YRUU youth, kids crafting, and educational activities on watersheds, native plants, organic farming, and more!Â
Refreshments & Snacks provided. Congregants of all ages are welcome!
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Learning Community E-NewsCalling all young people who love to sing!
Rev. Leah Ongiri, Acting Director of Lifespan Faith Formation & Family Ministries
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P.S. The YRUU worship service is on April 14, when they will share their own take on interdependence and what it means to teen UUs. You won’t want to miss this service...continue reading.
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SOUP DRIVE! – Lift UP Soup-er Hero Food Drive
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| COHHO invites you to participate in Lift Up's newest food drive. A simple can of soup goes beyond a meal; it radiates warmth and care to those in need. Join the League of Souper-Heroes and be a part of this impactful mission.
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Help Refugee Families Start Their New Home!
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IJAG is partnering with RCC and looking for donations of new flatware sets for 6-8 people and drawer organizers or monetary donations. Drop off your donations at the IJAG table after services or contact Margot.Â
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YOU'RE INVITED! — IJAG Community Building Schedule: Alternating Meetings and Lunch Gatherings
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In keeping with our eight principles and as social justice allies, our mission is to support and enhance the rights of refugees, migrants, and immigrants in our community. We provide information and promote understanding and engagement of our fellow UU congregants to these ends.
To build a community for the work we endeavor to do together, IJAG maintains an alternating schedule of meetings.
The schedule for the rest of the program year:
- Lunch Gathering at Elephants
Monday, April 22 at 12:30 p.m. || Location: Elephants Delicatessen on S. CorbettÂ
- Sunday Gathering at Church
Sunday, May 19, at 9:30 a.m. ||Â Location: Channing Room
- Lunch Gathering at Elephants
Monday, June 24 at 12:30 p.m. || Location: Elephants Delicatessen S. Corbett
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In the Community
George Lee Hazelwood, father of member Hannah Hazelwood, died on March 22 at 66 in Colorado. Hannah’s mother died some years ago, so this leaves Hannah and her younger brother. We hold them in these days ahead.
Member Andrew Wheeler took a bad fall recently and broke his neck. Andrew is 94 years old and in rehab at the Pearl on Kruse Way in Lake Oswego. We hold Andrew and his wife, Julie, at this time.
Member Stan Jewett is now at Avamere Rehab facility in Hillsboro as he continues to recover from a bad infection in March. Stan hopes to move to a more permanent living situation in the coming weeks. We continue to hold Stan in our prayers.
A memorial will be held this Saturday, April 6, at 11 a.m. in the Eliot Chapel for member Carol Wolff. Carol died on September 13, 2023, at the age of 91. She joined the church in 2008 and was active in our music program.
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NEW! — Welcoming Thirteen New Members to the Legacy Society!
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Last month, we welcomed 13 new members of the Legacy Society—folks who have let us know that they have included the church in their estate planning. Thank you to all the new members and to all those who have already let us know.
And a special thanks to Mabsie Walters and Ed McClaran, who coordinated testimonies and recognitions during the month. We appreciate you both!
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BOOK PICK-UP REMINDER! — How We Win the Civil War: Securing a Multiracial Democracy and Ending White Supremacy for Good
Location: Fuller Hall Book Store
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If you were at the Sewell Lecture and haven't snagged Steve Phillips' book from our Bookstore yet, swing by on either Sunday, April 14, or April 21.
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We’ve often talked about the “emerging church,” discovering ourselves as we emerge from the isolation of the pandemic. But have we emerged? To me (Julia Lee Griffiths, member of your Board or Trustees), it seems like we’re getting close.
So, who are we now? What’s our trajectory?
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 | Mt. Hood: Oil on paper, 16” x 24” by Carole Romm
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What We Have to Lose: Carole Romm — Like many, I am anxious about climate change and its existential threat. As an antidote to the hopelessness that can feel overwhelming, I have made it my practice to cherish the beauty of nature as it is right now, at this very moment.
I take refuge in my studio, where I express both the despair of climate chaos and the fragile beauty of our Northwest landscape.Â
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Kay Myers — My love affair with clouds began early as I flopped beside my best friend on the grass and watched the clouds float by. I spent three days camping alone in the Alford Desert many years ago.
The canvas of the sky began with brilliant blue skies followed by fluffy clouds and morphed into dark rain clouds. I watched with awe as the canvas of the sky connected me to the earth and the vast emptiness.
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Flowers this Sunday are provided by Carol Wolff's family.
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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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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, Speaking of Justice Editorial Team
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Recurring Workshops, Classes & Gatherings
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Beloved Community of Color: Every second Thursday evening and fourth Saturday morning of the month. Email for more info.
Caregivers Support Group: Open to Newcomers. Fourth Sunday of each month at 9 a.m. via Zoom.
Care and Action for Reproductive Dignity (CARD): We meet on the third Sunday of each month. From 12:15 – 1:45 in Fireside.
First Connections: We meet once a month on the third Sunday for all new and returning folks! And it is a terrific way to meet new folks just coming into the community. Bring a brown bag lunch. Questions? Email Pat.
First Steps: Every first Sunday of the month at Noon // Location: Channing Room. Discover additional insights into life at First Unitarian Portland, avenues for connection, and delve deeper into Unitarian Universalism. Questions? Email Jen Thomas.
Sojourners: Lollygagging Our Way To The Inevitable: This group meets monthly on the second Thursday from 1 to 3 p.m. Email Lucy with questions.
"T” Time: A Trans, Nonbinary, and Gender-Expansive, Exclusive Gathering: Meet on the second and fourth Sundays in Channing Room at noon.
Women's Circle II:Â Meets most second and fourth Mondays of the month. Email Kim.
Women's Circle IV: Meets first and third Wednesdays from 7 - 8:30 p.m. Questions? Contact Anne. (We are currently on pause from accepting new members.)
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Have a Submission for Front Steps?If you have a church-related submission you would like published in our weekly Front Steps, please submit it here with the subject line “Front Steps” or "Announcement."
Submission deadline is noon on Tuesdays.
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This church year, First Unitarian shares our plate offering with organizations dedicated to uplifting the care and dignity of people experiencing homelessness. For April, we share our offering with Welcome Home.
As a coalition of service providers, affordable housing developers, and neighbors with a shared vision of a region where everyone has a safe, affordable place to call home, Welcome Home advocates for policies that address the root causes of our housing crisis. They are invested in increasing housing equity across Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington Counties. The coalition has championed two affordable housing bonds in the last decade. As a part of their work for housing equity, Welcome Home hosts community education events to uplift policies that center on those most impacted by the housing crisis. First Unitarian will host a community conversation in May.
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