Please Join Our Live Stream
Sunday, September 20
Worship Service at 9:15 a.m. PDT
Family Worship Service at 9:15 a.m. PDT
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A Courageous Place to Begin
Rev. Kathleen Owens
We are called neither to forget nor to repeat the past. What we are called to is reconciliation with those who have harmed us and those we have harmed where that is possible, and to learn from those harms where it is not. Howard Thurman writes of “standing inside of the harm,” then looking out and moving forward.
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Bill's BlogRespair
The financial settlement for the family of Breonna Taylor, $12 million in cash and promises of police reform, was announced this week. Time will tell whether the reforms become real. A clear-eyed look at past promises suggests that hope should be cautious at best...continued.
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"Our Path Foward: 2021"
Welcome to our Season of Giving
Thank you to those who have already given so generously to “Our Path Forward: 2021.” We know our congregation to be thoughtful and caring, generous, giving, and passionate. We’re glad you're part of our community. We are better for it.
Many in our community are in very different financial circumstances this year due to the pandemic, so we are asking those who have not been financially impacted 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.
Personalized giving materials have already been mailed. Please consider this information thoughtfully before making a decision.
Total Goal: $1,535,000
Pledges as of 9/11: $1,013,893
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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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Welcome to First Unitarian with Rev. Thomas Disrud
Sunday, September 20, 1 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. PDT
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. If you are ready to become a member, please click here to complete our enrollment form.
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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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Liberation and Belonging
A Call to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)
Saturday, September 19, from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. PDT
As we face a world on fire and the dehumanizing impact of racism, we need one another more than ever for our own healing and liberation. DRUMM (Diverse Revolutionary UU Multicultural Ministries) is hosting member-led BIPOC spaces with the intention of deepening our connections with one another, being present to one another’s stories and truth, and fostering systems of care.
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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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Fall Equinox Screening of The Condor and the Eagle
Tuesday, September 22
6:30-9:00 p.m. PDT
This documentary offers a glimpse into a developing spiritual renaissance as the film four protagonists learn from each other’s long legacy of resistance to colonialism and its extractive economy.
Their path through the jungle takes them on an unexpectedly challenging and liberating journey, which will forever change their attachment to the Earth and one another.
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Taking a Collective Breath:
Deepening Our Alignment with the Movement for Black Lives
Free Webinar Series:
September 22, 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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Police Violence Against the People of Portland
Wednesday, September 23, from 4-5 p.m. PDT
A Virtual Zoom Comprehensive Forum Event
Are you concerned about the protests? Do you want to learn more about policing in the streets? Are you seeking the truth?
Hear from targets of kinetic munitions, tear gas, long-range acoustic devices, bullrushes, beatings, threats and intimidation, as well as from legal, medical, psychological, and human rights experts describing the long-term health consequences and threats to our first amendment rights.
Hosted by: First Unitarian Portland, Portland United Against Hate, UNITE Oregon, and the Portland Metro People’s Coalition
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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
A Five Week Zoom Course | Starting October 5 at 7 p.m. PDT
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. Free Virtual Event
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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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 September 23 we will make banana muffins
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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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Preparing Your Children for Evacuation
How to Talk to Kids About Wildfire
One of the first steps is building a go kit for your kids. Make sure they pack toys or important items to them in their go kit as well. Those items will help quite a bit if you and your family are evacuated to a shelter. Talking and planning with our kids when discussing evacuation can be difficult but below are few ideas for you as a parent...continued.
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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:
The Speaking of Justice Editorial Team offers this new video of the 1974 hit “Come and Get Your Love” by Native American rock band Redbone and this video of “My Vote Don’t Count” by YelloPain for your reflection and inspiration.
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In the Community
Community milestones, joys, & sorrows
Longtime member Mildred Taxer died on September 11 at the age of 100. Mildred died peacefully in her sleep after she came down with pneumonia. She joined this church in 1953. Our condolences to her family.
Member Vern Nichols died on September 11 at the age of 88. Vern and his and his wife Sue joined the church last year when they moved to Portland from back East. Vern was a retired UU minister and served a number of congregations in our movement. He and Sue were heads of the UU United Nations Office at the end of his career. A memorial has been scheduled for 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.
Beverly Bowmer, grandmother of staff member Nicole Bowmer, died while in hospice care on September 12 at the age of 89. Her love of wanderers and underdogs meant that an extra place at the dinner table was always available. She was in the delivery room when Nicole entered the world so it was a blessing for Nicole to be by her grandmother’s side as she left the world. We hold Nicole and her family during this time.
A memorial service has been scheduled for member Glenda Goldwater for Sunday, September 27, at 2 p.m., on Zoom. Glenda died on Sept. 3. Here is the link to join the service.
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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 20 Offering
Our offering on Sept. 20 will go to support the Rogue Valley UU Fellowship in Ashland. Eight families from that congregation lost everything in the wildfires, and this will help the congregation help them.
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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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