Please Join Our Live Stream
Sunday, January 10, 2021Family Worship Service at 9:15 a.m.
Worship Service at 10:15 a.m.
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But Now We See
Rev. Bill Sinkford
The events in Washington this week have opened eyes for some and confirmed fears for others. What religious response can help us see what must be seen and help shape a hopeful vision in a divided nation?
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Bill's BlogÂ
Rev. Bill is on break this week. We offer this prayer which he wrote yesterday in response to the armed takeover at the US Capitol.
Dear Congregants,
Spirit of Life, whom we know by many names and no name at all
Spirit of Liberation and of Love
God of our hopes and of our divided nation
Be with us on this day which began in hope. The results of the election in Georgia gave us reason to believe in the promise of our nation.
We know our shortcomings all too well, how the Culture of White Supremacy is yet to be dismantled, how so many of us still know want and fear.
Yet, this morning, we were able to hope.
But spirit, this day has set us back. The forces of hate and falsehood that desecrated the center of our imperfect democracy today were successful so easily.
We do not, this afternoon, know all that we need to know. Nor do we know all that we will need to do.
But this we do know, Great Spirit. That the yearning for liberation still sings in our hearts. That we still have faith that love can be stronger than hate and even fear. That hope can arise out of broken glass and shattered dreams.
We are not the first of your people to struggle, nor the first to find that the path forward is stony and rough. We are not the first, nor will we be the last, who must find a way out of what feels like no way.
Be with us, Spirit.
Help us stay centered in our vision for Beloved Community.
Help us hold the faith that love can be real, if we make it so by the living of our lives.
Help us be resolved that the promise of this nation shall not perish...not on our watch.
And that the soul of this nation can yet be redeemed.
May that be so.
Amen
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Family WorshipThe Presence of Living Art
This Sunday we will continue to explore the spiritual theme presence by thinking about how the creation of art invites us to be present to the world around us and the ways in which those connections shape our lives. Nicole will share a tribute poem reflecting on the life and work of an artist of long ago. Dustin will offer music, and Cassandra will lead us in a drawing meditation. Please bring paper and something to draw with.Â
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| Featured NewsTimestamps are Pacific Standard Time (PST) unless stated otherwise.Â
Don't forget to click-through to the end of the email to reveal more content.
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Seminary for a Day: All are Welcome!
Registration is now open.Â
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).
This year’s spiritual theme is entitled "Success, Failure, and Everything In Between." 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. 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.
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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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NEW GATHERING - 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 [3-4:30 p.m.]
- Seeing White Evening Cohort [7:30-9 p.m.]
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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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| | Upcoming Events, Workshops & Classes
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Annual Legislative Forum
Saturday, January 9 at 1 p.m.
You are invited to hear a panel of legislators discuss their priorities for the 2021 session on topics of interest to the faith community. Topics including housing, healthcare, economic recovery, climate and police reform will be discussed.
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Join us to Share our Vision for the People’s Inauguration
Tuesday, January 12 at 4:30 p.m.
First Unitarian partners with Oregon's Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice to host The People’s Inauguration event on Thursday, January 21st. Now more than ever, it is time for us to reset our commitments and align our actions to uphold justice, equity and compassion and the right for all people to participate in democracy. At this meeting, we'll deepen our connections to each other and finalize our plans for participation with the statewide interfaith People's Inauguration. All are welcome, even if this is your first meeting
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Our Resilient Community
Lived Experiences of Racism & Resilience
Wednesday, January 13 at 5 p.m.
Cameron’s presentation, discussion & following Q&A will focus on their lived experiences of racism and resilience, Oregon’s white supremacist origins and current realities, and the power of social movements like the Black Resilience Fund create an ideal framework for healing from Oregon’s racist history.Â
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Younger Adult Gathering
Wednesday, January 20
7:30 p.m.Â
First U PDX and the UU Church in Eugene are joining together to offer a younger adult gathering so we can get to know each other.Â
No age restrictions! We are less interested in how many years you’ve been on earth and more interested in your experiences. If you identify as being on the younger end of adults in this congregation, this community and events are for you!
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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.Â
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Program ResourcesAdult Programs, Social Justice, Learning Community, Music & Arts
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Caregivers Support Group
Now Open to Newcomers
Every 4th Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.Â
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).Â
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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).Â
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Caring Circle for Parents
Mondays, January 11, 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).Â
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Send Us Your Photos & Be Part of Family WorshipÂ
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.Â
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Monthly Mailers & Zoom Gatherings
Registered families should have received their November mailer packets for the theme of Prayer. Watch your Learning Community news for details about a zoom session for our younger age groups as we round out the month.
Please share your feedback about the mailer packets and zoom sessions which will help us in planning future months.Â
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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.
Final poem from 'Maya Angelou - Live and Unplugged'
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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
COHHO (First Unitarian Church’s Committee on Hunger and Homelessness) is sad to announce the death of Louie. Louie lived in a tent on 13th Avenue, across from the church. His friends that lived near him are saddened by his death. Louie passed away a few days before Christmas. Please hold Louie and the community grieving his death in your thoughts and prayers.
Shane and Azad Abbasi-Ruby, who are joining as members in January, have matched with an 11-year-old child in their adoption process. They hope to bring her home to Portland soon. We celebrate with them.
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Outdoor Memorial Service for LouieÂ
Wednesday, January 13, at 12 p.m.
Location: First Unitarian Portland, Outside on 12th Ave. (between SW Main and SW Salmon)
Louie was a houseless resident, who lived on the block of First Unitarian Portland. His friends and neighbors grieve his death. An outdoor memorial service will be offered as a place to remember the life of Louie.Â
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Message from our Board Moderator
Though we are physically away from our church, our holiday traditions are carrying on. The Alliance Greens Sale was successful and our social action groups gathered donations to support several of our community partners.Â
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The Board is continuing its discernment around adopting the 8th Principle. A group of leaders of our social action groups participated in a workshop using Paula Cole Jones’ presentation in early December. Additional workshops for the congregation are planned for January.
We hope that you will participate in one of the workshops to learn about the Principle and what it would mean for our church to become a more actively antiracist congregation. The Board welcomes your thoughts and comments...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.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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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.Â
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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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