Please Join Our Live Stream
Sunday, May 2, 2021Family Worship Service at 9:15 a.m.
Worship Service at 10:15 a.m.
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Restore Our Earth
Rev. Bill Sinkford
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Evangelical leader, Rev. Ed Brown, writes: “Our world is a gift from God, with everything we need to live and flourish…our greed and ambition [are destroying] that beautiful creation. God’s great desire is that we would join with him to Restore his Earth.” Rev. Brown, with that language, could be a process theologian.
Can progressives not hear in his language an awe and a gratitude that we can share? And the location of responsibility/guilt squarely on human shoulders? Can Creation Care be a bridge that opens understanding and a lens through which we can begin to see a common and hopeful future for us all?
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We are all works in process and remain works in process through all of our days. The new version of ourselves is always emerging. This is true at the molecular level, as billions of cells die and are born within us each day. It is also true of our experience of ourselves. What we are becoming is always being brought forth, drawn from all that we have been and been through, transformed somehow by the constant creation that is life.Â
Emergence is our spiritual theme for the month of May. It is a complex and layered theme that opens many avenues for reflection, but I am called first to reflect on personal history and how the past is brought forward into the creative present...continued.
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Family WorshipSeeds:Â Small miracles. Big potential.
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We begin a new spiritual theme for the church this Sunday, emerging. We will bring out the Wonder Box to help us get started. Our focus will be on seeds–small miracles with big potential.
Cassandra will open the Wonder Box and share an illustrated poem. Nicole will lead a visual meditation, and Dustin will offer our hymns and special music.Â
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Exploring the 8th Principle: A Virtual Workshop
Sunday, May 2, 12 p.m.
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Church ballots are going in the mail this week. On the ballot this year is a vote to adopt the 8th Principle into the church’s bylaws. You can go to the church's website to read the Board of Trustees' and several other of our church groups' endorsements to adopt The 8th Principle.
Following this Sunday's service, Rev. Bill and members of the Board of Trustees will lead a workshop on Exploring the 8th Principle for anyone who has yet to learn about the proposed principle and what it means for our church. Â
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NEW - Social Justice GatheringSunday, May 2, 11:45 a.m.
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Please join the Social Justice Council and community for an hour of spiritual renewal to fuel our hearts and work for justice.
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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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DON'T MISS OUT! - First Unitarian Goals for 2021-2024Â
Get involved by adding your feedback!
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The Board, in collaboration with the congregation, will be developing church-wide goals to guide us for the next three years.Â
In the past the church has set five-year goals, but with the uncertainty of the pandemic and because we will be settling a new Senior Minister next year, the Board believes three-year goals make the most sense for this cycle.Â
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Congratulations to Outside In/Thank You Congregation!
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Our church neighbor, Outside In, provides healthcare and basic services for unhoused youth and young adults. When the pandemic hit, they were suddenly strapped for space because they needed to increase their food service. We were able to offer Outside In the free use of our Buchan Reception Hall for their food pantry, delivery and free vegetable market.
Now there's exciting news to share! Outside In has found a new permanent space for their food distribution! We are grateful that with the financial support of our church membership and the skills and labor of church staff, First Unitarian could host Outside In for a year with no cost to them. Thank you, Congregation!
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Have you Been Vaccinated?...a message from Rev. Bill
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The Executive Team met this morning with our new congregant medical advisory team to talk about Covid and coming back to church in person. It was an extremely helpful first meeting -- one of many to come.
There are lots of open questions; but one thing was clear: all four of our medical experts strongly urge everyone to get vaccinated – staff, congregants, and friends of congregants! Everyone. Moderna. Pfizer. Johnson and Johnson. Doesn’t matter. Just go for it.
If you’re already vaccinated, or have your appointment(s) in the pipeline, thank you! If you need help setting up an appointment, please call the church office and we’ll get you connected to someone who can help. We’re all in this together.
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A Picture’s Worth 1,000 Words!
First Unitarian Portland’s Online Photo Directory is coming soon to a computer (or tablet, or phone) near you!
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First U member Nancy Panitch has volunteered to administer a password-protected online photo directory for church members that is similar to the one she created for The Alliance two years ago—which they love! The directory will help us connect names with faces and provide contact information so that we can easily be in touch with one another in our Beloved Community. Â
The directory will include your name, your preferred phone number, preferred email address, and your photo. Â
- If you prefer to opt-out of this directory completely, just send an email. In the body of the email write “Please exclude me from the church directory” and type your full name so we know exactly whom to exclude.
- If you’d like to be in the directory, but don’t want your phone and/or email address included, send an email. In the body of the email, explain what you do and don’t want included.
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| | Upcoming Events, Workshops & Classes
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The Alliance:Â Rev. Bill Sinkford
Wednesday, May 5 at 12:30 p.m.
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Rev. Bill Sinkford speaks with the Alliance about a different kind of church year.
All are welcome!
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Last Chance! - White Supremacy in Oregon: History & Current IssuesWednesdays, Starting May 5 at 6 p.m.
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:Â Kristin Teigen, MA, M.Ed. educator at PSU
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UPCOMING! - Saturday Eco-Meditations at Mount Tabor and Washington Park
Saturdays, 9 a.m. - May 8, 15, and 22
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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NEW - Phone Banking Hosted by First Unitarian
Oregon Clean Energy Opportunity Campaign
Wednesday, May 12, 5:30-8 p.m.
First Unitarian Portland is proud to be a part of the Oregon Clean Energy Opportunity campaign which pushing for three priority bills to reduce energy bills, support home upgrades that help keep families healthy, and create good jobs in clean energy projects across Oregon: Energy Affordability (HB2475), Healthy Homes (HB2842), and 100% Clean Energy for All (HB2021).
We will be calling constituents in key legislative districts to ask them to get involved in the campaign by contacting their legislator. This is a great opportunity to roll up your sleeves and help us win and pass justice-centered energy policy this legislative session. Registration coming soon!
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Program ResourcesAdult Programs, Social Justice, Learning Community, Music & Arts
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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 -Â Stop Blocking The Waiver
Provisions of the WTO TRIPS free-trade agreement are preventing the production of generic COVID vaccines. That is in part because President Biden has blocked a proposal to temporarily waive the TRIPS requirements. Over 100 nations have called for waiving the requirement but the U.S. has said NO. Global Generic production of these vaccines is the only way to stop the ravaging of the global south by COVID, as is happening now in India.
Please call President Biden (202-456-1111) and tell him to listen to the people instead of big Pharma. Stop Blocking The Waiver.
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Immigrant Mutual Aid Coalition continues to provide food and supplies to families impacted by the pandemic and the 2020 wildfires. They desperately need more volunteers every other Friday and Saturday. To volunteer and/or to get additional information, contact Whitney Handrich at whitney.handrich@gmail.com
IMIrJ Advocacy Week
May 8-16, 2021 - Save the Date
Note: In preparation for the Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice (IMIrJ) Advocacy Week, please write supportive letters to immigrants detained in the Tacoma Northwest Detention Center and save the date for a #FreeThemAll caravan to Tacoma on Saturday, May 8th. Sending letters is such an important way to make sure folks inside know that we are fighting for them. Use this toolkit to write your letter and ask your friends to participate!
IMIrJ Running Action List - this list provides regular updates on political actions in support of the Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice’s legislative priorities
Note: HB 3265, the Sanctuary Promise Act, has been forwarded to the Ways & Means Committee - watch for actions to support this bill soon….Â
Hollaback bystander intervention trainings to stop anti-Asian-American & xenophobic harassment (free). Register here.
Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon (APANO) Call to Elected Leaders (includes specific legislative actions they support). Read the statement.
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Action Item - End Gun Violence
Gun violence increases daily. What can we do about it?
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 1000 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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Amazing Grace - Charles Littleleaf on the Native American Flute
Trail of Tears / Amazing Grace music video performed on an E Major Native American flute by recording artist, Nammy Nominee and traditional native flute maker, Charles Littleleaf, from artist's CD, Ancient Reflections
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In the Community
Robert Gilson, uncle of member Daniel Karnes, died peacefully on April 14 in Bridgewater, MA. He was the last of Daniel’s parents’ generation and leaves behind a wealth of great memories and hand-crafted violins. He is survived by innumerable descendants and friends, including his spouse of 70+ years, Daniel’s Aunt Betty Gilson.Â
Former member Chris Krenk died on April 17 at the age of 72. Chris was a longtime CEO of the Albertina Kerr Center and Chris and his family were involved here at the church for several years. During that time Chris served on committees that helped guide the development of our church block. We hold Chris’s wife Nell Babcock and their children at this time.Â
Member Dick Grant was diagnosed with ALS in December. Dick says he is working to stay focused on the present, spending time with family and learning as much as he can about ALS. He is active in our men’s community.
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| THIS SATURDAY - Memorial Service for Fran DaggettÂ
Saturday, May 1, 2 p.m. Live-Streamed from Eliot Chapel
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It feels like we are finally leaving winter behind. In keeping with our spiritual theme of “Awe” this month, I have been looking at all we have done together through this past year. One of the things I find awe inspiring is the breadth of our outreach and connection both to those who were here before the pandemic and to those who have joined us as we have journeyed through this year...continue.
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UUA General Assembly - Delegates Needed!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.
Family Circle provides emotional support for traumatized Families, educates the public on police violence, supports Families in implementing their ideas for justice, and makes their voices heard together at the local, regional, and state levels...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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