Sunday Live Streaming Service
Sunday, April 19: 10:15 a.m.
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Prayers for the Earth and Her People
Rev. Bill Sinkford
Gratitude and praise will be raised for the earth, her many peoples and the web of relationship in which we live. Even in these challenging days, we do not forget to celebrate Earth Day.
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Bill's BlogThe Right Questions
When will things get back to normal? When will we be able to worship in the sanctuary? When will the choirs be able to sing again? When will our children be able to have religious education classes?
All these questions are natural. The problem is that there are not good answers to any of them. We don’t know. We are planning for virtual-only worship through the end of this church year. My personal forecast is that we will remain in virtual mode for longer than that.
So many of you have praised our virtual worship. So many have spoken of lighting a chalice at home, of singing Spirit of Life, or being moved by the music and the prayers and the preaching. I believe that we are touching, helping…nurturing folks every Sunday…on line…not in the same way perhaps but nurturing folks nonetheless. Is one of the lessons of these days that we can experience being held by community even when we are alone, even at a distance?
What I am learning is that the possibilities for First Unitarian are not to be found by asking when things will get back to normal, but in different questions...Continued
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Updates From First Unitarian Response to COVID-19
We are doing all we can to stay connected as a community and to provide resources both within the church and in the larger community. Here are a few important updates that affect our life together:
Staying Connected
Church communications: Are you signed up to receive messages from the church including this weekly enews and other messages to keep us connected? To receive church communication send message to etafuri@firstunitarianportland.org.
Sunday Worship
We will be offering virtual worship at 10:15 a.m. until further notice.
Coffee Hour with the Ministers
For other ways to connect through classes and small groups, see offerings in this enews.
Community Justice and Service Action Items
Our Social Justice Action Groups continue to provide opportunities for mutual aid in our communities as well as advocacy actions you can do from home. Scroll down to see the Social Justice and Service section of the e-news labeld under Program Events.
Workplace Safety Policy
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Welcome to First Unitarian withRev. Thomas Disrud
Sunday, April 19, 2–3:30 p.m.
Location: Virtual Class
Are you new to First Unitarian Church? We are so glad you are here. 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.
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All Ages Service Project - Get involved at home!
In March, we had planned to gather in the Learning Community to learn about and take part in The Butterfly Effect: Migration is Beautiful project. While we can no longer meet in body to share this experience together, here is a video which will include opportunities to engage with this important effort at home. When we are all together again, we’ll all be able to combine what we’ve created. Please explore the project website.
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Watch for the Parade of Species
Sunday, April 19, during service
In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day, children from our RE classes were invited to submit pictures of themselves in costumes and/or masks, to represent various species. All members of the congregation were invited to join them in solidarity.
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Younger Adult EventsLeadership Meeting
Sunday, April 19 12–1:45 p.m.
Location: Virtual
Our leadership meetings are loosely structured and focused around planning out our next couple events, but mostly it’s an excuse to hang out and see each other. Newcomers are welcome! To receive log-in info, email.
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Uncovering our Resilience, Gratitude and Connections During COVID-19
Wednesday, April 22, 10 a.m.
Location: Virtual Class
Together, we will share our challenges and through storytelling, discover how we might create a path of healing for both ourselves and our loved ones.
Facilitator: Paul Iarrobino is the founder of Our Bold Voices. Paul helps individuals harness their inner strengths to remove barriers, improve key areas of their life, and rediscover their drive and purpose.
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National Earth Day Event
Wednesday, April 22–Friday, April 24
For Earth Day's 50th Anniversary you can be part of the 3-days of livestream programming with millions of activists, celebrities, musicians, and more in an epic moment of community and hope for the future.
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Local Earth Day EventsJoin the Portland Earth Day Virtual Rally
Wednesday, April 22
Join the protest from home during Earth Day Live
Thursday, April 23
JPMorgan Chase is the world’s largest funder of the fossil fuel industry, by a wide margin. It has provided $269 billion in financing for the industry since the 2016 Paris Climate Agreement, and has been increasing this funding each year.
Chase Bank is the world’s largest funder of ultra-deepwater oil & gas, coal, tar sands, and the largest US funder of the Jordan Cove fracked gas project in Southern Oregon.
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Join us for Q&A Session for Reclaiming Stolen Black Lands in the "Whitest City"
Monday, April 27, 7–8:30 p.m. on Zoom
Emanuel Displaced Persons Association 2 (EDPA2) consists of impacted families, including descendants and survivors, whose homes and businesses were taken and demolished to make way for the Emanuel Hospital expansion during the 1960’s and '70’s. Due to the pandemic, we canceled the live lecture Reclaiming Stolen Black Lands in the "Whitest City." That event would have been EDPA2's opportunity to share the detailed story of the forced removal, lack of restitution and ongoing fight in their own voice.
Advocacy for restitution continues. In lieu of the live event, and in solidarity with EDPA2's pursuit of justice, First Unitarian Portland and Havurah Shalom will host an informational Q&A session with EDPA2 descendants and survivors. EDPA2 developed this summary that participants should read. Please sign the statement of support.
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Healing Space for Activists & Organizers
Wednesday, April 29 at 5 p.m. & May 7 at 8:30 a.m.
This offering is free to our activist community.
These one-hour Zoom sessions will provide a gently held sacred space to connect with oneself and with one another in order to reduce stress and anxiety. We will use guided exercises, art, journaling and other grounding techniques to help navigate these challenging times. Please have paper and some sort of drawing tool (markers, colored pencils, crayons, pen or paint etc.) with you.
Facilitator: Hun Taing, Co-Founder of Training 4 Transformation
Please register:
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Program EventsAdult Programs, Social Justice, Learning Community, Music & Arts
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Please Note:
We are in the process of creating novel virtual classes. Virtual classes and events will be posted in this e-newsletter as they become available.
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Social Justice and Service
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"We are a People Dreaming of Beloved Community"
The sacred work of seeking justice continues.
Rev. Abigail Clauhs, First Unitarian Community Minister, writes about “Building an Interfaith Community to Counter White Nationalism,” and our First Unitarian involvement.
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April 2020 Social Justice Service, Action and Learning
Our Social Justice Action Groups remain active. Please see the announcements for how you can be involved with material support, advocacy/activism and learning about issues of justice.
Urgent Community Resource Needs:
From Committee on Hunger and Homelessness (COHHO)
Clay Street Table needs people to help bag non-perishable goods and to deliver them Volunteers bag goods at First Christian Church 1314 SW Park Ave. Contact Lois here for date and time. Go to claystreettable.org to donate.
The Northeast Emergency Food Pantry (NE 72 & NE Wygant) needs people to transfer food boxes into cars from 12:15–3:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Dress for the weather and wear a mask and gloves. Call John Elizalde for information: 503.740.9810.
Portland Homeless Family Solutions needs financial contributions and donations of non-perishable food items, disposable masks, gloves, disinfectant spray and wipes, toilet paper, paper towels and single use thermometers. Contact us here.
Street Roots is raising funds to support vendors since they have temporarily halted the print edition of their newspaper. This fund will support every vendor with direct financial assistance and provide stipends for their Coronavirus Prevention and Action Team and for new vendor mentorship and leadership roles.
Lunch Bunch in Southeast picks up the 20 sack lunches you prepare at home. A neighbor from BeaconPDX picks them up and delivers them. Instructions for what and how to pack the lunches at this link. Direct questions to John.
From Immigrant Justice Action Group (IJAG) Please donate to organizations that serve immigrants and farm workers:
Bienestar COVID-19 emergency relief fund for families
Western Farm Workers Association: checks to WFWA. Indicate emergency relief fund for members in the memo line and mail to 725 SE 7th, Hillsboro, OR 97123
Contribute to VOZ day laborers fund. VOZ is also accepting donations of needed supplies - support our temporary workers
PCUN COVID-19 emergency fund - (Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste / Northwest Tree Planters and Farmworkers Union)
From Animal Ministry (UUAM)
Portland Animal Welfare (PAW) Team provides free veterinary care for people experiencing poverty or houselessness. Contribute. To donate dry cat and dog food, and cat litter. Contact to arrange pickup.
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Fight for Climate Justice Virtually
Community for Earth (CFE) is continuing the fight for climate justice virtually. The Covid 19 crisis underscores how interconnected we are as a planet, and how essential it is to be proactive in creating a network of care to sustain life and well-being.
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Please Note:
Learning Community classes have been cancelled while Oregon's "Stay Home-Save Lives" Executive Order is in place.
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Learning Community Zoom Sessions Begin!
We’re excited to announce opportunities for our children and youth to connect using Zoom. Sessions will be hosted periodically with our volunteer teachers for each grade level and will offer everyone an opportunity to stay connected and share with one another. Children 1st/2nd and younger should attend with a parent/caretaker. If you don't have a Zoom account, we recommend you set up a free account ahead of time. If you need help, please reach out to Aaron Peet here. We’ll be sending the details to each grade level, so keep an eye on your email for upcoming sessions.
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Don’t have a Chalice at Home?
Maybe you do! Here’s a creative opportunity with the kids—make a chalice from materials you may have lying around. Lighting a chalice together when watching worship, at the dinner table, or even as part of your bed time ritual can be meaningful and help keep your family grounded during these times. So without further ado, check out this video from Aaron!
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Please Send your Photos
We would love to share your photos in our pre-service opening slides to help our congregation stay connected while in-person events are canceled. Send us photos of what your family is doing together while you’re spending more time (or all your time) at home. Please send here.
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Summer Chalice Camp Registration Is NOW OPEN!
The priority registration window for First Unitarian and regional UU congregation affiliated participants ends March 31.
Remaining slots will be offered to the larger community.
After a successful first year, we are thrilled to announce the return of Chalice (Day) Camp this summer!
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Trans Inclusion in Congregations
Location: Virtual Class
"Welcoming is a spiritual practice." - Transforming Hearts Collective
First Unitarian is offering this virtual class free of charge. You may complete this course on your own time. This educational opportunity 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. It counters mainstream narratives about who trans people are; supports understanding of non-binary identities (such as genderqueer, agender, and two spirit); and employs a deeply intersectional approach.
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In the CommunityCommunity milestones, joys, and sorrows
Member Paul Kidwell entered hospice care last week. Paul has been living with dementia for some time and has declined steadily in recent weeks. Paul and his wife Chris ask for our prayers and messages of support.
Susan Cunningham asks for prayers for her sister Joani, who is recovering from a stroke earlier this month. Susan says Joani is a strong and stubborn woman who will recover with our blessings and prayers.
Members Lynne and Warren Bacon ask for prayers for their brother-in-law, Ken Haughton, who has been diagnosed with corona virus. Ken is 92 and has pneumonia and so his condition is very serious. But so far he is holding his own.
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April 2020 Board of Trustees Moderator Letter
Greetings,
Well, it has been a month since we implemented our physical distancing and safe ways of being with each other. The board hopes you all are healthy and continuing to find the gifts in your life.
We are blessed to have ministers and staff who are holding our spirits with outstanding services & music, and keeping our physical facilities day by day, while also looking and planning ahead for how we will be together in the coming months.
It is likely we will have virtual church services for the rest of our church year. These have been very well ‘attended’. If you haven’t, please tune in, and continue to monitor the church website and bulletins for ways to stay connected.
First Unitarian is committed to pay all our staff through the month of April. We have applied for a Payroll Protection Loan, part of the CARES Act, which if received will allow us to extend that for approximately two additional months...Continued
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Ministerial Search Committee
Greetings from your Ministerial Search Committee! We are hosting an upcoming Zoom forum – info to be announced – after the April 26 service to answer questions from the congregation.
Please submit questions no later than Friday, April 24.
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Sunday, April 12 Attendance:
Livestream: 1,146
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Add to Our Media Collection
Taken any nice photos of First Unitarian Portland or its events? Send them our way to help build our media collection! Sending us your photos gives us permission to publish and/or use images for publications, website content, and social media. If you'd like to limit your permission, just let us know. Please email your photos to us here.
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Why Pronouns Matter
At church and elsewhere, it’s becoming more common for people to introduce themselves with the pronouns they use, and to ask, “What pronouns do you use?” Though this may be an unfamiliar question for you, becoming comfortable with it is a way to live our UU principles.
Here’s why:
Gender is a primary way our creative identities interact with the world. Many people feel comfortable with the gender assigned to them at birth based on their genitals, assigned male or female, and are called cisgender. (Cis means “on the same side of,” so for these people, gender and sex-at-birth align.) For many others, their assigned gender is not a true or comfortable identity. Read more here.
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Ongoing Groups
Please Note: Most of these groups are cancelled until further notice, although some may be meeting virtually. For information on a specific group please contact the leader.
The following church groups meet on a regular schedule during our program year (approximately September through May or June). Many groups meet on an irregular basis or take the summer months off, so if you are unsure about a particular group's schedule, please contact the individual listed.
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| Africa Connections
This church social justice group supports advocacy and outreach work in communities in Kenya and Zimbabwe that have been deeply impacted by HIV AIDS. We do this through support of the IMANI Project, Zimbabwe Artists Project, and Quilts for Empowerment. Questions? Email Annie Bennett.
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Aging Together Learning Group
We use books, movies, poems, and various art forms to catalyze group dialogue about our personal experience of aging. Meetings are held monthly on the first Monday from 1–3 p.m. For more information or to register, please contact Lucy Garrick.
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The Alliance
The Alliance meets September through May, usually on the first Wednesday of the month, for a luncheon, business meeting, and program. Visit the Alliance web page. Questions? Email Alliance.
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BIPOC (Black, Indigenious, Persons of Color) Social Caucus
Congregants who identify as Black, Indigenious, Persons of Color or Bi-Multiracial gather for monthly gatherings. Email Lia Nagase for more information.
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Caregiver Support Group
We usually meet on the fourth Sunday of the month, September through May.
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| Children's Mosaic Restoration Group
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Committee on Hunger & Homelessness (COHHO)
We meet monthly September through May on the fourth Sunday from 12:30–2 p.m. in the Fireside room in A303. Visit our table in Margaret Fuller Hall on the second and fourth Sundays.
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Contemplative Practice
We meet the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month, 6:30–8 p.m. We begin by meditating for 20 minutes, in any style you are comfortable with. Then we discuss a spiritual check-in topic. We finish by sharing a poem related to the topic. We read it aloud twice with a pause in between, giving people time to reflect on a word or phrase that struck them. Afterward we discuss our reaction to it. We usually meet in the Channing Room, but check the schedule in the Buchan building to be sure. All are welcome.
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| Economic Justice Action Group (EJAG)
The Economic Justice Action Group (EJAG) educates and advocates on issues of economic justice. Watch for our speaker, book, and movie events. Stop by our table for the latest information on fair trade, health care, democracy, and inequality and its dimensions. We meet the third Sunday of every month, September to June, at 9 a.m. in the Fireside Room. Questions? Michael Wade || Website
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Ending Mass Incarceration/Advancing Racial Justice (EMI/ARJ)We provide special events and sponsor community events at the church. These are announced in our e-newsletter, which includes other upcoming community events and reading/viewing recommendations. For more information, to sign up for the newsletter, or for answers to questions, contact Kathryn Scotten. || Website
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Good Times Committee
Join with fellow congregants for social gatherings, from happy hour to hikes, from dinners to plays. Learn more and sign up with Good Times during social hour on Sundays. Questions? Laura Gadley, 847-525-8700.
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Immigrant Justice Action Group (IJAG)
The Immigrant Justice Action Group (IJAG) meets on the fourth Sunday of the months of September–May, from 1–2:30 p.m. in room A108.
Our focus is on making connections, education, and action on immigrant justice. Our meetings include time for reflection, sharing, and information about the many dimensions of the immigration challenge. We also share opportunities for engagement and collaboration with our partners in the community and develop strategies and arrangements for our participation.
Through the IJAG Google group, we disseminate recommended actions. Join us for the important work of immigrant justice!
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LGBTQIA+ Pride
Find out the latest social events by picking up a flyer at our Pride Table in Margaret Fuller Hall for our monthly movie game night, monthly PDX roller skating, potlucks, and any projects being planned. Visit our Facebook page for all of our events and the LGBTQIA+ events we are supporting in the Portland area.
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Meditation Group
Group meets in the Eliot Chapel, 7–8:30 p.m on Wednesdays. Silent meditation for 30 minutes, followed by reading and discussing a book by a Buddhist author. Questions? Contact Robert Schroeder or Mary Ann Harman.
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Mental Health Action Group (MHAG)
MHAG exists to educate the congregation about mental health issues and to support those in the congregation living with mental illness or whose relatives live with mental illness. We meet every fourth Sunday at 1 p.m. in the B310.
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Quilts of Love Group
Third Thursday meeting is 10–11:30 a.m., B310. Sew-in is on the first Thursday at Modern Domestic, 1408 NE Alberta St., from 10:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. This group creates quilts for families served by Portland Homeless Family Solutions as they transition from the shelter to a permanent home. Questions? Contact Kathleen Vinson, 503-477-6001.
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| Peace Action Group (PAG) Monthly on the second Saturday, 10 a.m.–12 p.m., Channing Room. Questions? Contact Tess Beistel || Website
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| Sunday Morning T'ai Chi Chih
Sunday morning T'ai Chi Chih, 8:30–9 a.m.; check the sign board in the Buchan building for meeting locations. Questions? Email Adult Programs.
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| UU Animal Ministry (UUAM)
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| UU Men's Community
Third Saturday, 9 a.m., Channing Room. This is an open group where men of all ages can share life experiences, learn from each other, develop friendships, support one another, and have fun. Questions? Richard Turner, 503-734-5854; more info here.
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| UU Movie Group
Meets on the fourth Sunday of the month over a potluck meal at members’ homes. For more information, contact Nancy Panitch, 503-318-0776, or Ellie Kirkham, 971-544-7003. More info at the Good Times table in Margaret Fuller Hall.
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| UU Poetry Group
Twice monthly, on the second and fourth Thursdays, 7 p.m., Channing Room. Questions? Rodger Blackburn, 503-519-3494.
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UU Yarn Crafters
Second and fourth Thursdays each month, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Buchan Reception Hall
The Yarn Crafters are wanting to expand to include crocheters. Yarn provided. All levels welcome.
Questions? Susan Pryor, 503-894-9945.
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| UUA Outreach Group
Monthly on the last Wednesday at 7 p.m., usually in B310, but check the sign board when entering.
If your interest lies in the larger picture of UU ministry, join us! Questions? Bill Pryor, 503-894-9945. We'd love to hear from you.
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Women’s Circles
I: First and third Mondays at 7 p.m. Questions? Tess Beistel, 503-257-2042.
II: Second and fourth Mondays at 7 p.m. Now welcoming new members. Questions? Kim, 503-869-1486.
III: First and third Wednesdays at 10–11:30 a.m. Now welcoming new members. Questions? Dorothy, 503-292-1337.
IV: Twice a month on Wednesday evenings. We are looking for participants of all ages for supportive sharing and discussion about such topics as parenting and spirituality. Questions? Amy, 503-241-5451.
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Naming First Unitarian Foundation in Your Will or Estate Plan
Help assure the long-term sustainability of this beloved congregation by including First Unitarian Portland in your will or estate plan.
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Update Your Records with Us
Have you moved recently? Changed your phone number or e-mail address?
Anything else you'd like to let First Unitarian know?
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Do You Have an Item for E-news and/or the Sunday Bulletin?
If you have an item you’d like published in our weekly Front Steps (eNews) or the Sunday Bulletin, please submit it here and include in the subject line “For eNews” –or– “For Sunday Bulletin” –or– “For eNews and Sunday Bulletin.”
Deadline for submissions is noon on Wednesday.
Because space is limited in our Sunday Bulletin, we’re unable to run articles for more than a week or two in advance, depending on the number of submissions. Articles may need to be shortened if space is tight.
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| Sunday Livestream
Join us LIVE from your computer or smartphone on Sunday at 10:15 a.m.
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April Shared Plate
Farmworkers are now, and have always been, the foundation of our food systems. In this health crisis, the conditions under which they, and other essential service providers, work and live put them at high risk. Many farmworkers may also be undocumented which places them at even more risk since they are being excluded from public systems of emergency support.
For the month of April, we share our plate with the Emergency Relief Fund of our community partner, Bienestar that provides quality low-income rental housing and programs for farmworkers and their families. Approximately 1000 adults and 1000 children are currently served by Bienestar. Most of these families are undocumented and therefore ineligible for unemployment and other benefits. It is with gratitude to our siblings in the Bienestar community and with our prayers for their good health and wellbeing that we share our offering.
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