Join us for Worship
Live Stream Only //Â Sunday, March 6, 2022
Family Service 10 a.m. // Sanctuary Service 11 a.m.
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The Virtues of Humility
Live Stream Only
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Thomas Moore called humility, “that low, sweet root, from which all heavenly virtues shoot.” Humility seems to be contrary to a lot of what our culture values but perhaps it is a way to help us understand our place in the larger scheme of things. Â
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Family WorshipÂ
Wonder Box Sunday
Live Stream Only
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This Sunday we will bring out the wonder box to help us introduce our new spiritual theme for March, humility. We will reflect on the seventh principle as we consider the importance of all beings of every size and humankind as a mere part of the whole of existence. Cassandra will share a story. Dustin will lead our music, and Tom will offer a meditation.
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Re-Gathering, One More Time
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First Unitarian will open, once again, for in person worship and RE classes on March 13. Halleluia! Let me say that again: Halleluia!
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Staying Connected Blog
In Praise of Creative Practice
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If you’ve spent any time with me in the past week, you may have heard that I just began a membership at a community pottery studio in my neighborhood. I’m over the moon about it! I took a couple of classes last year, and am at a point in my skill level where I understand the basic ceramics process and just need to devote the time to practicing, over and over again..continued.
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Social Justice Monthly Community Gather-In
THIS SUNDAY! - March 6, 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
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This monthly gathering is for ALL community members concerned and or engaged with issues of justice, whether or not you are part of a church action group. Join us for readings, music, reflection and time to get to know one another.
From the Social Justice Leadership Team:Â Â Rev. Abigail, Caitlynn Hill , Intern Minister Carter Smith, Dana Buhl, Leslie Pohl-Kosbau, Nikki Beezley and Sue Palmiter.
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Matins for Lent:Â An Uplifting Start to Your Week
Mondays, March 7 - April 11, 8 - 8:30 a.m.Â
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The season of Lent is traditionally a time for renewal and self-reflection. The Lenten metaphors are universal and can speak to UUs, just as Easter might.Â
Join us on Monday mornings for thirty minutes filled with music, inspirational readings, and prayer. Together, we will provide comfort and peace in worshipful community that will serve as an uplifting start to the week.
An ongoing commitment is not required.Â
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NEW! - Consider How You Can Support First Unitarian with a Legacy CommitmentFoundation Month
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March is Foundation Month, a time to reflect on the impact and commitment of supporting First Unitarian's future by leaving a legacy gift. Join current Legacy Society members of First Unitarian Portland by making your gift intent today. Â
The Legacy Society was created to acknowledge and thank those members and friends of the church who have taken the important step of including The Foundation in their Will or Estate Plan.
For questions, additional information, or to make planned giving arrangements, email us here, fill out our Intent Form, or visit our website.
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NEW! - IN PERSON Spring Equinox CelebrationSunday, March 20, 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.Â
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Join Intern Minister, Carter Smith, for this in person earth-centered Spring Equinox celebration known as Ostara, where we will honor new life and plant seeds for the season to come.
This will be a time for connection and reveling in the joy of spring flowers. Advance registration is required.Â
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IT'S BACK! - Step by Step: The Ruby Bridges Suite
An Emotional Portrait of a Dramatic Moment in US History
Saturday, April 2, 7 p.m. (followed by the Sewell Lecture)
& Sunday, April 3, 4 p.m.
The 2022 Marilyn Sewell Social Justice Lecture
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We are honored to host this multi-movement composition for instrumentalists, choir, vocal soloists, and narrator that draws on jazz, gospel and spiritual traditions.
Step by Step weaves together music, historical speeches from W.E.B. Du Bois and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., poems, newspaper articles, Supreme Court rulings, iconic images from the civil rights era, and the words of Ruby Bridges herself to paint an emotional portrait of a dramatic time in U.S. history.Â
Following the Saturday evening performance, Composer Darrell Grant and Rev. Bill Sinkford will have a conversation about the work and the power of art for Social Justice.
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| | Upcoming Events, Workshops & Classes
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Liz &Â Bobby Fouther in Central Albina: Then &Â NowÂ
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UPCOMING! - Soulwork: Beyond the Typical Report
A Living Family’s Story from the Emanuel Hospital Displacement
Monday, March 7, 6:30 p.m.
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Please join us for this engaging interactive event, to witness and learn from the Fouther Family.Â
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Community Conscious Policing: My Bloodline & Life's Work
Sunday, March 13, 1:30 - 3 p.m.
A virtual event with Brandon Lee, M.A.T.Â
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NEW! - Heart Space: Spiritual Small Groups
Two Groups: Starting Sunday, March 13 & Thursday, March 17
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Join together in an intimate, small group setting where we will discuss spiritual themes like “resilience” and “generosity.”Â
Facilitated by Lay Ministers, this will be a time for connection, reflection, and grounding amidst the challenges of our world today.
Spaces are limited. Advance registration is required.Â
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DATE CHANGE! -Â Reproductive Dignity Cohort
Mondays, from April 4 - May 9 //Â 7 - 8:30 p.m.
Co-led by Dana Buhl, Director of Social Justice & Carter Smith, Intern Minister
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As our congregation moves more fully into the work of Reproductive Justice, join this new group to accompany and learn alongside one another. Be guided into a new curriculum offered by SACReD, the Spiritual Alliance of Communities for Reproductive Dignity. SACReD, is building a multi-racial, multi-faith movement of congregations across the country that publicly proclaim their support for reproductive dignity.
Registration is limited to 20 people.
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Survival Lessons: Reclaiming Your Life After Loss
Starts Saturday, April 2, 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.Â
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When we’ve lost someone we love through death or divorce, we are changed.
This four-session class will focus on telling our stories and identifying ways to experience healing and transformation. Using group discussion and educational support, participants will explore attitudes toward grief, understanding the grief process, coping and expectations, identifying resources, and finding a spiritual path to healing. Registration is limited to 8 people.
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Program ResourcesAdult Programs, Social Justice, Learning Community, Music & Arts
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REMINDER! -Â Vesper Prayer Service
Fridays at 5 p.m.
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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.Â
An ongoing commitment is not required.
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Loving Kindness MeditationMonday's 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. With this Meditation, over time, one can cultivate feelings of happiness and dispel loneliness, while letting go of fear and anxiety. No previous meditation experience necessary. An ongoing commitment is not required.
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TAKE ACTION! - Stop the War in Ukraine!
Sunday, March 6, 12 p.m. at Pioneer Square
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Veterans For Peace, Chapter 72, Calls Members &Â Allies to Speak up for Peace. Stop the War in Ukraine. Russian Troops Out. No to NATO expansion. This action is part of International Day of Action for Peace. Questions? Contact David.
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ACTION ITEM! - Protect Workers From Climate Crisis Â
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Rapidly accelerating changes in our climate are causing devastating and deadly wildfires, ice storms, and extreme heat across Oregon. As a result, Oregon workers are increasingly at risk of illness and death on the job.
This past summer, extreme heat killed at least three workers and increased the risk for countless others working in warehouses, restaurants, construction sites, and agricultural sites.
We must act now to provide more protection to Oregon’s frontline workers.Â
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First Unitarian Should be a Blue Ribbon Congregation: Get involved with the UU@UN!Â
Join before March 31
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Here at First Unitarian, the UU@UN works through the Peace Action Group. Our congregation has earned the UU@UN "Sixth Principle" Award (formerly known as the "Blue Ribbon Award") for several years in a row.
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NEW! - Art for Social JusticeThe 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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We Were There, Bev Grant and the Brooklyn Women's Chorus
To kick off Women's History Month, here is the theme song written for a multi-media show by the same name, about women's labor history.
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In the Community
Member Nancy Catlin died on February 16 after living with a short and aggressive cancer. Nancy was part of our Alliance. We hold her family in our prayers.
Member Jill Duren fell last week and broke her shoulder. She was scheduled to have shoulder replacement surgery this week. She appreciates out prayers.
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NEW! - Home Hospitality for General Assembly
Offer up a room for UU visitors for GA
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First Unitarian Portland will offer home hospitality for the UUA General Assembly taking place at the Oregon Convention Center on June 22-26.
If you are able to offer a room or two to UU guests, please let us know. Visitors will contribute $100 per room per night to the church. You may offer a simple breakfast, but that is optional.
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Do you have a reason to celebrate? Say it with flowers!
Flowers will be returning to the chancel March 13
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Fresh flowers are again gracing the Chancel for Sunday services. Sponsoring those flowers is a way to support the church and acknowledge life events.
Do you have something to celebrate from these Covid times? If you have a birth in the family, graduation, a birthday, an anniversary, or a memorial, or other reasons, you can acknowledge it to the entire congregation by sponsoring a floral bouquet. As we reconnect with friends, say it with flowers on the Chancel.Â
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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
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March Shared Plate For the month of March, we share our offering with Bark, a local environmental organization that envisions a future where climate resilience and environmental justice are the guiding principles of forest management. Bark's mission is to transform Mt. Hood National Forest into a place where natural processes prevail, where wildlife thrives and where local communities have a social, cultural, and economic investment in its restoration...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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