Please Join Our Live Stream
Sunday, September 27
Worship Service at 10:15 a.m. PDT
Family Worship Service at 9:15 a.m. PDT
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At One
Rev. Thomas Disrud
Yom Kippur is the day of Atonement, or At-one-ment with God, with life. It is a chance to take stock, to change course, to begin again in love.
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Bill's BlogIn Danger
The mainstream press (alias The Fake News) is abuzz this morning over the US President’s latest promise to dismantle the last of our democratic institutions and his refusal to guarantee a peaceful transfer of power after the coming election. We are in danger of losing our democracy, they proclaim...continued.
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"Our Path Foward: 2021"
Welcome to our Season of Giving
Heartfelt thanks go out to the generous and impassioned members and friends who make our church a beacon of light in these challenging times. Every pledge and every gift helps fund the life and work of the church. Please know that your gift here is cherished.
We are asking those who have not been financially impacted by the pandemic to consider a 25% increase to help us cover those who are experiencing hardship and have to reduce their gift to the church or eliminate it all together.
Please pledge your gift of support for 2021 BEFORE Celebration Sunday, October 4.
Total Goal: $1,535,000
Pledges as of 9/18: $1,076,727
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Help fund our services, ministry, programs and staff by pledging a gift now — and fulfill it how and when it is convenient for you.
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Don’t Forget to Register for the 2020-2021 School Year
Families, Parents & Grandparents
Even though we won’t be meeting in person, it’s still important to register your child/youth so that we can keep you on our email and physical mailer list and be sure you don’t miss anything. We will keep your family on our email list through the end of September to give you time to register before updating our list for this church year. Thank you for registering!
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| | Upcoming Events, Workshops & Classes
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Weekly Family Worship & Social Time
Sundays at 9:15 a.m. PDT
We invite you to join us for our new Family Worship service that will be happening every Sunday. The service will be about 20 minutes long. Click here to tune in.
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After Service Virtual Social Hour
Sundays at 11:30 a.m. PDT
Join fellow congregants for a virtual social hour each Sunday after the worship service.
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THIS SATURDAY - Embracing the 8th Principle & Building a Culture of Inclusion
Saturday, September 26, from 2-6 p.m. PDT
A Free Virtual Zoom Workshop for all First Unitarian Congregants
Covenants can change a culture. They hold the potential to transform relationships, communities and institutions. The 8th Principle is our proposal to be in covenant with the Beloved Community. We will ask the question, "How Strong is Our Faith With and Without the 8th Principle?" We'll also learn what it means for First Unitarian Portland and the Unitarian Universalist Association to "journey toward wholeness" through adoption of the 8th Principle. You are invited to take part in this spiritual and communal journey!
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Attend Oregon UU Voices for Justice Annual Meeting
"Bridging the Economic Divide" All Are Welcome!
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Taking a Collective Breath:
Deepening Our Alignment with the Movement for Black Lives
Free Webinar: October 13
Starting at 4:00 p.m. PDT
The Unitarian Universalist Association and the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee have collaborated to assist in deepening our collective activism and participation in the Movement for Black Lives.
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Spiritual Direction 101
Saturday, October 3, 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
If you are interested in deepening your spiritual life, developing a spiritual practice, or broadening your sense of the sacred, please come join us for this virtual introductory class about engaging in Spiritual Direction.
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Interfaith Conversations Before the Election
Mondays, Starting October 5, 5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Join Intern Minister Stacey Mitchell and notable female social justice leaders representing Sikh, Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, and Unitarian Universalism traditions for weekly reflections on our current times and anxieties as we lead up to election day.
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White Supremacy in Oregon: History & Current Issues
Mondays Starting October 5 at 7 p.m. PDT
A Five Week Zoom Course
We will collectively build an understanding of how Oregon’s whiteness, historically and today, has functioned, an understanding that will help us move forward to develop a better future for us all.
Instructor: Kristin Teigen, MA, M.Ed. educator at PSU
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We’re taking you behind the scenes of Family Village like you’ve never seen it before!
Friday, October 9 / 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Virtual Fundraising Event
Free to join and learn!
Hear intimate stories from PHFS families and staff, learn the impact of their work, and help raise critical funds to support homeless families.
From Committee on Hunger and Homelessness (COHHO): Thank you for your support for this great social service agency, that UUs have supported for many years. See how they've grown!
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Local Stories and Music for National Coming Out Day!
Saturday, October 10, 6 - 7:30 p.m. Sunday, October 11, 2 - 3:30 p.m.
Celebrate National Coming Out Day with Our Bold Voices! Local storytellers and musicians will share their experiences and participate in a live Q&A with the audience.
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Program ResourcesAdult Programs, Social Justice, Learning Community, Music & Arts
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Caregivers Support Group
Sunday, September 27, 11:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
We will gather virtually to provide support, inspiration, and information relevant to those caring for a loved one. We usually meet on the fourth Sunday of every month.
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Mindful Baking
Virtual Classes on Wednesdays, 5-6 p.m. PDT
There is still time left to register. You may just watch or bake along with us! Cultivating mindfulness has the potential for self-transformation and greater depth in our lives. Intern Minister, Stacey Mitchell, invites you to explore this practice through baking.
Details: On Sept. 30, we will make coconut-milk pudding (dairy free)
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Will You Light Our Chalice?
Families! Send in video submissions to do our traditional chalice lighting.
What we need: A short video clip of your family introducing yourselves, lighting a chalice or candle at home, then reciting these words, slowly and clearly: “We are Unitarian Universalists. We light this chalice in faith, in hope, and in love.”
Tip: Besides using a smart phone, you can also record yourselves in a private Zoom. You can reach out to staff to assist with video editing.
We look forward to having your family “with us” lighting our chalice Sunday morning.
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Volunteer Opportunity
Farm workers in Hillsboro are picking our fruits and vegetables in the fields in the middle of hazardous smoke and a pandemic.
Here are ways to help:
1) Send a check to Western Farm Workers Assoc. 725 SE 7th Ave., Hillsboro, OR 97123. They don’t take credit cards.
2) Drop off toilet paper, cleaning supplies like Clorox, pinto beans and healthy snacks for kids either to Hillsboro or to Friends of Seasonal and Service Workers 2228 NE Glisan Street, Portland, OR 97232.
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PDX BLM Events Calendar
Discover Black Lives Matter Events Happening in Portland
This vibrant events calendar is moderated by a small group of Portland-area BIPOC folks and white allies. They publish any and all local events that are related to the Black Lives Matter Movement where organizers are not explicitly working with the cops.
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Speaking of Justice Weekly NewsletterIn this period of physical distancing, the sacred work of justice continues.
Art for Social Justice: When Great Trees Fall, by Maya Anglou. This poem is submitted by the Speaking of Justice Editorial Team in memory of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. May her memory be an inspiration.
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In the Community
Community milestones, joys, & sorrows
Member Jack Kysar died on September 14 at the age of 94. Jack and his wife Judy Davis joined the church in 1994. We hold Judy and their whole family at this time of loss.
A memorial for member Vern Nichols will be on October 3 at 1 p.m. Vern’s immediate family will gather in the Eliot Chapel and the service will be live streamed for the larger community at this link. Vern died on September 11 at the age of 88.
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Board Meeting Reminder
Thursday, October 1 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. PDT
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Message from our Board Moderator
Our church year has begun again with Homecoming Sunday. It was good to see so many of us in photos and to remember how important this community is.
Our community has held up remarkably well through this time of physical separation. “Attendance” at our virtual church services over the summer was far higher than our typical in-person attendance has been in years past. Many groups are meeting through Zoom and in socially distanced gatherings...continued.
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Evaluation of the Ministry
The bylaws of First Unitarian Church, Article III, Section 5, require the Board, the Senior Minister, and the Executive Team to annually conduct a joint evaluation of the ministry of the church in reference to the church’s mission and the mission policies enacted by the Board. This year’s report revolves around the three core elements of the mission statement of the church—creating community, spiritual deepening, and bringing our values to the larger community.
The final report for the 2019-2020 church year can be viewed here.
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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.
Community Justice and Service
Unsure how you can learn, contribute and serve the broader community? Find our "Speaking of Justice: Weekly Update" through our Linktree.
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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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Have a Submission for E-News?If you have a 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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| Join us LIVE from your computer or smartphone on Sundays at 10:15 a.m.
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September Shared Plate
Each of these statewide voter education and mobilization organizations are in key states for a progressive agenda. UU the Vote collaborates with each of these groups dedicated to getting out the vote.
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Want to know what this church has to offer? Show up for events/classes, stay for connection!
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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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Share photos of you or your family watching our Sunday livestream or volunteering in our community!
You might see yourself in our pre-service slideshow!
(By submitting your photos, you are giving us permission to publish and/or use images for First Unitarian publications.)
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Moved recently? Changed your phone number or e-mail? Fill out this form.
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