Please Join Our Live Stream
Sunday, January 24, 2021Family Worship Service at 9:15 a.m.
Worship Service at 10:15 a.m.
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The Inside Out Rev. Connie Simon
According to Rev. Connie Simon, the COVID-19 pandemic has created an unexpected blessing: the opportunity for deep periods of introspection on many aspects of life. Join us as she shares how she learned to be more present to herself, and as a result, more connected and engaged with her community and the larger world.
Rev. Connie Simon has served as minister of the First Unitarian Church of Cincinnati since 2018. She describes her ministry as helping people heal from the inside-out so they can do the outside-in work our world so desperately needs.
An avid historian, Rev. Connie is Editor of the Dictionary of Unitarian and Universalist Biographies. She is currently working on a history of the African Union Methodist Protestant Church.
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Bill's Blog Unity
The first time I teared up during the Inauguration was when Lady Gaga sang the Star-Spangled Banner. Neither the singer nor the song normally bring me to tears. It was not grief, though there is much to grieve. Nor were they tears of anger, though I have felt much anger.
They were tears of relief. Almost a let-down reflex after maintaining vigilance for so long.
From that point on I simply allowed the tears to flow…not every moment to be sure, but my eyes never fully dried until the final prayer.
I was grateful for the Catholic priest’s invocation, a prayer that, with only minor changes in language, could have been offered in many a UU church, including ours. Grateful for the understated way JayLo sang American the Beautiful and This Land is Your Land, even though the theft of this land was not mentioned until the closing prayer. Grateful for the pledge of allegiance in ASL. Grateful for the recognition of the hard times we have lived through, the cascading challenges that must be faced and the naming of how close we came to a meltdown...continued.
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Family WorshipThe Oaths We Take
We’ll explore what it means to take an oath—like our leaders have taken this week at the Inauguration as well as the oaths or resolutions we as citizens may make.
Cassandra will talk with us about what an oath is and why we ask our country’s leaders to make them. Then we’ll have an opportunity to experience a special video made by First Unitarian members for the People’s Inauguration. Tom will offer a follow up meditation, and Dustin will lead our hymns.
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Welcome to First Unitarian with Rev. Thomas Disrud
Sunday, January 24, 1 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
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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| Featured News & EventsTimestamps are Pacific Standard Time (PST) unless stated otherwise.
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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 FrontSteps.
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TONIGHT - Join the Oregon People’s Inauguration
Thursday, January 21 at 6 p.m.
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REGISTER TODAY - Seminary for a DaySuccess, Failure, & Everything In Between.
Saturday, January 30, 2021 from 9:30 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
Are you yearning for greater depth in your spiritual life? Join us virtually and delve deeper with Rev. Meg Riley, Co-Moderator of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA).
At Seminary for a Day she is eager to share what she has learned and reflect on how our faith's past weaknesses, successes and failures can help us now in our on-going pursuits of equality and justice. She will explore the topic through the lens of our work in welcoming LGBTQ+ people and the lessons that have come from that work.
Bio: Rev. Meg Riley is co-moderator of the UUA, the highest volunteer office of the movement. Rev. Riley spent 37 years as a UU religious professional, including stints as the UUA’s Director of (then) LBG Concerns, Director of the UUA Washington Office, and Head of the Advocacy and Witness Staff Group.
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NEW GATHERING - Anti-Racist Book Club
Read one book or several! Join other congregants and folks in this new winter session of the Anti-Racist Book Club!
To join a cohort, read a synopsis, or if you would like further details, click on a book title you are interested in listed below:
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Filling Up Fast - Anti-Racist Podcast Club
10 Sessions - Every other Tuesday Starting January 26
"Seeing White” is an acclaimed documentary series that turns the lens on our true history. Join a learning circle cohort as we listen to this podcast series and share our reactions in a small group setting. Space is limited, so register today!
- Seeing White Afternoon Cohort [1 SPOT LEFT 3-4:30 p.m.]
- Seeing White Evening Cohort [FILLED 7:30-9 p.m.]
- Seeing White Evening Cohort [7:30-9 p.m.]
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Subscribe to the First U PDX YouTube Channel!
Never Miss a Sunday Live Stream
Get linked to upcoming family, main, special services & events.
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| | Upcoming Events, Workshops & Classes
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NEW GATHERING - Friendship & Fun Wednesdays
Every Wednesday, starting February 3, 5 p.m. - 6 p.m.
We are learning on how to be together in new ways during the pandemic. Do you want to simply have fun and interesting conversations with new folks or folks you haven’t seen for a while at First Unitarian?
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The facilitator will lead with an ice-breaker topic/question each week. Come with your favorite beverage or treat and be together through conversation
For our first week feel free to bring your pet or a favorite item from nature to share with others. (An on-going commitment is not required).
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Program ResourcesAdult Programs, Social Justice, Learning Community, Music & Arts
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Caregivers Support Group
Now Open to Newcomers
January 24 & every 4th Sunday at 11:30 a.m.
If you are caring for a partner or other family member with an ongoing health condition, you may benefit from the support of others in the same situation. Our Caregivers Support Group is facilitated by lay ministers and the format is confidential and informal.
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Vesper Prayer Service
Every Friday 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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Loving Kindness Meditation
Mondays, from 8-8:30 p.m.
Loving-Kindness towards self and others is a basic foundational view of Buddhism and other religions. Intern Minister Stacey Mitchell will gently guide you through this spiritual practice which cultivates benevolence, kindness, and amity. (An ongoing commitment is not required).
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Caring Circle for Parents
Mondays, January 25, February 8 and 22
From 7-8 p.m.
In these challenging times for families, our lay ministers invite you to join a Caring Circle for parents. This small group will meet every other week to provide listening and support to one another. (An ongoing commitment is not required).
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Send Us Your Photos & Be Part of Family Worship
We invite you to submit photos of your family members for inclusion in our weekly worship. Seeing each other in this way helps us stay connected. Send pictures of your family tuning in at home, of activities we do during worship, projects worked on from our monthly mailers, or any other photos you want to share. Thank you to those of you who have sent pictures! Please send photos to this email.
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Monthly Mailers & Zoom Gatherings
January mailers for the monthly theme presence have been mailed. Please contact us if you haven't received yours. Watch your email for information about monthly zoom sessions for our younger age groups.
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Speaking of Justice: Faith in Action
First U PDX Joined Amicus Brief to Oppose Trump’s Border Wall
As an outspoken faith community on issues of justice, First Unitarian Portland is periodically invited to sign on to amicus briefs, as a “friend of the court” for various lawsuits aligned with our faith principles. In 2019, we joined a Supreme Court case as one of many faith communities defending DACA ( Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). On June 18, 2020, the Supreme Court ruled to protect DACA by overturning the Trump Administration’s termination of the program...continued.
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Resolution of Love
Congregant Darrell Grant writes:
"Today, people across the United States will pledge to do their part to promote a just society in a People's Inauguration. I was honored to contribute a piece of music to the Oregon ceremony. "Resolution of Love," which I recorded on my album Truth and Reconciliation back in 2007, is a call to what Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. called the "beloved community."
I dedicate this new version to all of us who are setting about the work of renewing the promise the American idea represents -- in the hope that we will finally recognize that which we need to ground us, guide us, and empower us.
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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.
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Anti-Racism Resources from ARJAG
The Advancing Racial Justice Action Group webpage includes links to a wide variety of print, audio, and video resources related to antiracism, Oregon history, and the proposed eighth principle of Unitarian Universalism.
These include a link to the Multnomah County Library’s collection of digital books, audio books, and videos about race and racism for kids; Walida Imarisha’s “Oregon Black History Timeline” video; and Ibram X. Kendi’s “Antiracist Reading List.”
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In the Community
Member Jon Daby and his wife, Mariela Szwarcberg Daby, are thrilled to announce the birth of their daughter, Freya Paula Daby, on December 28. Freya’s older brother, Wilson (13) and sister, Eva (3) are participants in the Religious Education program, and they compete over who will hold and adore her. Freya’s grandparents, Neil and Liz, have been visiting Portland to help welcome Freya into the world; and her Jewish Bobe and Zeide, Joel and Dora, are anxious to meet their newest granddaughter whenever they can visit from Argentina.
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NEW - Message from our Board Moderator
The past few weeks have been a tumultuous time in the life of our country. Amidst the turmoil, First Unitarian has continued to be a beacon of hope.
Our holiday services were very different this year and, though virtual, they refreshed my soul and my connection to our traditions. On behalf of the Board, I thank ministry and staff for all the work they put into all our holiday activities.
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The church has completed its third round of outreach calls to congregants. It’s a big task and I thank the ministers, staff and lay leaders for continuing to stay in touch with us one-to-one as most of our time together still must be virtual....continued.
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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.
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Sunday Live Stream
& Social Schedule
Join us LIVE from your computer or smart device by clicking on the links below.
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January Shared PlateStarted in response to the unjust murder of George Floyd, the Black Resilience Fund is dedicated to healing and resilience by providing immediate resources to Black Portlanders. The Fund works with hundreds of Portlanders from all backgrounds to make an immediate difference in the lives of Black Portlanders and to advocate for systemic change.
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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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