Join Us for Worship this SundaySunday, July 18, 2021Â // 10:15 a.m.
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Our Earth As Sacramental Commons
Rev. Tera Klein, Guest Minister
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Embracing our Earth as sacramental commons can help us create communities in which all life flourishes.Â
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Rev. Tera Klein is the Pastor at Throop Unitarian Universalist in Pasadena, CA and serves as Assistant Professor at Starr King School for the Ministry. Tera is pursuing her Doctor of Ministry at Pacific School of Religion, with a focus on liturgy that enhances ecological consciousness.Â
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Staying Connected BlogRev. Thomas Disrud
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It has now been a couple weeks since we experienced the terrible heat wave, aka “the dome,” and the reality of its impact on our lives.
It took a few days for us to learn about the number of human deaths, mostly of those most on the margins. Those included a farm worker from Guatemala who died on a farm in Marion County. Those included many elderly and houseless people. And I expect in the days and weeks ahead we will learn about many more. And likely we will never know the full toll from all of this on human life...continue.
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| Featured News & EventsTimestamps are Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) unless stated otherwise.Â
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Speaking of Justice BlogCommunity PartnersDana Buhl, Director of Social Justice
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At the heart of First Unitarian's mission is to be a beacon of hope and to act for social justice. Our 11 Social Justice Action Groups (SJAGs) live out this mission through their advocacy and education in relationships with community organizations working for justice.
In the 2020-2021 church year, the Social Justice Program received dedicated donations that our Action Groups in turn shared with community partners listed in our blog. It is with gratitude to the congregation of First Unitarian Portland for continuing to engage in and support the justice mission of the church.Â
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| | Upcoming Events, Workshops & Classes
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LAST CHANCE! - Jubilee 3: Antiracism Virtual Workshop
Friday, 7/16 - 6 p.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday 7/17, 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m.; & Sunday 7/18, 12-6:30 p.m.
Cost $170
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Paula Cole Jones, Dr. Leon Spencer, and Lutricia Callair co-lead a 3-day, virtual anti-racism workshop that covers the history of racism, societal and institutional mechanisms maintaining racism, the personal injury of racism, and analysis of racism in our immediate communities.
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THIS SATURDAY! - Air Conditioner & Fan: Drive & Drop-Off
Saturday, July 24 // 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Location: 301 NE Knott, Portland, OR
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The Emanuel Displaced Persons Association (EDPA2) will be collecting new fans & mini air-conditioners this weekend.
Reports say, that some died in their homes because they did not have air conditioners &/or fans. This does not need to happen again!Â
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Program ResourcesAdult Programs, Social Justice, Learning Community, Music & Arts
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Are you Interested in Spiritual Deepening in a Small Group? Registration for Wellspring Sources is now open!
Starts virtually in October, click the button below for details.Â
“What will you do with this one wild and precious life?” asks the poet Mary Oliver. UU Wellspring™ is a 10-month program of distinctly Unitarian Universalist spiritual development designed to help participants answer that provocative question.
Each year, many members of our church participate in this amazing journey. Wellspring offers spiritual deepening within our Unitarian Universalist tradition, an opportunity for learning more about ourselves and our faith through a year-long virtual small group experience.
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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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Celebrating Sweeping Legislation
Promoting clean electricity generation &Â climate justice.
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Many thanks to the Oregon Clean Energy Opportunity Coalition and all of the other organizations and individuals who worked hard to pave the ground for this success
H.B. 2021 “Clean Electricity for All” sets the nation’s most ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions for electricity sold to Oregon consumers. It requires that 100% of electricity sold in Oregon be generated from fossil-fuel free sources by 2040 with strong interim goals set for 2030 and 2035 so that progress will be rapid and assured. H.B. 2021 is only one of several bills passed by the legislature that uses an equity lens to address the climate crisis. See the whole list: 2021 Energy and Environment Bills
The recent heat waves are a reminder of the urgency of addressing the climate crisis before dangerous feedback loops are triggered. CFE members are concerned that progress on the federal level may be stalling, as climate measures are not being prioritized in bipartisan infrastructure legislation. Everyone is encouraged to contact their federal representatives and demand substantive measures to address the climate crisis. Oregon’s recent legislative accomplishments provide an example of a pathway forward.
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In the Community
Member Mark Woodlief had a bad fall and injured his arm earlier this month. He is well tended to and on the healing path. He is grateful for our prayers for a complete recovery.
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Naming First Unitarian Foundation in Your Will or Estate PlanHelp 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 Tuesdays.
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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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June/July Shared Plate
We share our plate with Black & Beyond the Binary Collective. BBBC is dedicated to advocacy and healing for transgender and gender-variant Oregonians who are Black and have lived experiences as a member of the African diaspora...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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