Please Join Our Live Stream
Sunday, May 16, 2021Family Worship Service at 9:15 a.m.
Worship Service at 10:15 a.m.
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New WineskinsRev. Bill Sinkford
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Mathew 9:17: Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.
As a community of both memory and hope, the church is a preserver of tradition. Yet new creations rarely fit old structures with ease. How do we discern when we have crossed that threshold when “new wineskins” are the only container for new imaginations. (Defund the Police?) (When is reform likely to minimize the chance for real change?)
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Our monthly spiritual theme of emergence seems to invite attention to that which is emerging, to the new creation and the new spiritual habits that must follow. We tend to focus on the butterfly as it leaves the cocoon, on the chick as it leaves the egg. Our worship for the next two Sundays will focus on the new that is emerging in these days.Â
But the process of emerging destroys the cocoon and the egg. Emergence involves both destruction and creation. It therefore must hold both the excitement of the new and regret, both joy and grief...continued.
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Family WorshipAll Are Welcome
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This Sunday Nicole will share a story about friends and pets, and how they work together to create a space where all are welcome.
Stacey will offer a meditation, and Dustin will lead our hymns and special music.Â
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TONIGHT! -Â Budget Review Meeting
Thursday, May 13 at 5:30 p.m.
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Voting members have received (or soon will) their annual ballot packet in the mail. Do you have questions about the budget that you’ll be voting on? Â
Please join members of the Finance Committee and staff to learn about the budget and to ask your questions. Â
Voting member or not, all are welcome! Â
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PLEASE VOTE! -Â Voting Members - It's That Time Again!
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This is the month when voting members should be on the lookout for their annual postal-mailed ballot packet from First Unitarian.
This year you are asked to vote on the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year, the adoption of the 8th Principle bylaw and two other bylaw changes, two candidates for the Foundation board, and a ballot of seven recommended candidates to serve on the Church’s Nominating Committee and Board of Trustees. See brief bios of the Church’s candidates.
It’s important that every voting member’s voice be heard.
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NOTICE! - Was Your Mailed Ballot Returned?Â
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With no explanation? No postage due? If that’s the case, or if you haven't yet mailed your ballot back, please cross out the bar code in the return address section before sending it again. If your returned ballot has a post mark on it, it's probably best to put it in a new envelope and send it back to the church.
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Speaking of Justice: Blog
Unitarians Endorse Lummi Nation Endeavor to Return Orca to Salish Sea
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First Unitarian Portland will endorse supporting the Lummi elders in their efforts to bring Tokitae home, along with other UU groups led by Deb Cruz, President of JUUstice Washington, who has organized a petition to present to the Governors of Washington and Oregon and to the Premier of British Columbia in June during Orca Action Month, requesting them to sign a proclamation supporting the Lummi initiative to return Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut to her home.
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| Featured News & EventsTimestamps are Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) unless stated otherwise.Â
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| 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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NEW! -Â Are You a Wellspring Alumni? Registration is now open for an exciting new curriculum!
Starting in October!Â
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First Unitarian Portland was chosen as one of the first congregations in the country to offer an exciting new advanced curriculum entitled, Spiritual Ancestors, in which we will explore the cultural and religious traditions that Unitarian Universalists bring to this faith.Â
If you are a Wellspring Alumni, which means that you have already completed the 10-month Sources curriculum, you are invited to join us!
Note: If you are new to Wellspring, the application for our introductory curriculum entitled, Sources, will be available very soon.Â
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NEW! -Â Creating 3-year Church Goals: A Forum
Thursday, May 20 at 7 p.m. / Sunday, May 23 at 11:30 a.m.
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Please join the Board of Trustees to share your ideas for our 3-year church goals. Forums are open to all congregants. You can also get involved by adding your feedback to the questionnaire.
Join by clicking the links below:
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| | Upcoming Events, Workshops & Classes
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UPCOMING! - Saturday Eco-Meditations at Mount Tabor and Washington Park
Saturday, May 15 and 22 at 9 a.m.
Intern Minister Stacey Mitchell will lead outdoor meditations (using COVID safety protocols). There will be a guided meditation component to each session, as we connect to our sacred earth. Beginners are welcome.Â
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Welcome to First Unitarian with Rev. Thomas Disrud
Sunday, May 23, 11:30 a.m.Â
Â
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Are you new to First Unitarian Portland? We are so glad you are here. This virtual 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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Program ResourcesAdult Programs, Social Justice, Learning Community, Music & Arts
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Decluttering during the Pandemic
Thursday, May 27, 1 p.m.
We have more time at home during this pandemic to be reminded of all the organizing projects we meant to complete but didn’t. We will share some tried-and-true techniques for cutting through the clutter and open it up for group sharing. Come join the conversation and get ideas to jump start your plans!
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Vesper Prayer Service
Fridays at 5 p.m.
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. An ongoing commitment is not required.
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Action Item - End Gun Violence
Gun violence increases daily. What can we do about it?
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Lift Every Voice Oregon (LEVO) has filed two new initiatives - one to ban future sales of all assault weapons and a second to require gun licensing. You can help get these on the November 2022 ballot.
Please take action now. Help collect the first 1,000 valid Oregon voter signatures. Read this Action of the Week from OR UU Voices for Justice for details.
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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.Â
Curated by Ethel Gullette, Speaking of Justice Editorial Team
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Resonance Ensemble: Under the Overpass, Ep. 4: “Sanctuaries”
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In the Community
Member Ted Olson died on May 1 after a three year decline with lung disease. He was able to die at home surrounded by his family. He was 79 and joined the church in 2009. Ted was a good and kind and we will miss him. We hold his wife, Linda Nelson at this time of loss.
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Cards of Thanks for Stacey
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Stacey Mitchell, who has served as our intern minister this year, will be ending her internship in June. We won’t have the usual in-person reception to thank her for her ministry that we might normally have, so the Ministerial Internship Committee invites congregants to send cards to Stacey as a way of saying goodbye and thanking her.
Please send a card, by June 1, to:
Stacey Mitchell c/o Michael MurrayÂ
14978 NW Mill Rd. Portland, OR 97231
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UUA General Assembly - Delegates Needed!Application DEADLINE: Tommorow Friday, May 14
Wednesday, June 23 – Sunday, June 27, 2021
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This year the UUA General Assembly will be held June 23-27, VIRTUALLY. The registration fee is $200. First U will reimburse some (and possibly all--depends on how many people apply) of the registration fee for those who request it and meet delegate requirements. We are seeking volunteers who:  Â
- Can devote up to three hours per day June 24 - 26, plus two shorter sessions, to participate in on-line discussions that frame the final issues to be voted on. And then, to vote your conscience.Â
- Will familiarize yourself on the issues to be voted on. Following GA, delegates will be asked to report back to First U membership on topics discussed and votes taken.
- Are comfortable using online tools such as Zoom to attend virtual meetings and participate in voting.Â
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This is a great opportunity to become engaged in the larger work of the Unitarian Universalist Association of congregations. And GA is not all work! There will be the Ware Lecture, on-line worship, speakers, workshops, and much more. Check it out!
If you act promptly, you’ll also be eligible to vote on enabling dissolution of our Pacific NW District! Please contact Stan or Bill by May 14 to apply.
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First Unitarian's Response to Covid-19
Here are a few important updates that affect our life together.
Sunday Worship
Staying Connected
Church Communications: Do you receive messages from the church including this weekly E-News and our Staying Connected emails? To receive church emails send a note to etafuri@firstunitarianportland.org.
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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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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 Tuesday.Â
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Sunday Live StreamÂ
& Social Schedule
Join us LIVE from your computer or smart device by clicking on the links below.Â
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May Shared Plate
First Unitarian shares our plate offering with the Pacific Northwest Family Circle, an all-volunteer community group that supports Oregon and Washington Families whose Loved Ones were killed or injured by police officers. When a Loved One is killed by the police, it puts the families into a club they never wanted to be in...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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Voting members have received (or soon will) their annual ballot packet in the mail. Do you have questions about the budget that you’ll be voting on?Â
Please join members of the Finance Committee and staff to learn about the budget and to ask your questions.Â
Voting member or not, all are welcome! Â
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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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