Join Us for WorshipSunday, September 26, 2021
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New Service Times!
Family Service at 10 a.m.
Sanctuary Service at 11 a.m.
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The Covenant of Ministry
Rev. Thomas Disrud
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There are many covenants within the larger covenant of a faith community, including the covenant between ministers and congregation. As we look to a ministerial transition, what is it that grounds us through this time?
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Staying Connected BlogThis is Real Life
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Last week, I learned about this company that offers secluded rentals of tiny cabins, where you can escape from the bustle of city life for a nearly monastic retreat. Somewhat in the genre of Airbnb, the simple one-room properties even come with a box so that you can lock your phone away and experience the moment. The day after I first heard these mentioned, I was hooked. I want to escape my bustling city life for a week in the woods meditating, reading, writing, and communing with nature! Ah, space and quiet....continued.
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Family WorshipWe Make Room for All
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On this last Sunday for our covenant spiritual theme, we will think about what it means to make room for everyone. How do we practice being an ally to others? Cassandra will offer our story, and Dustin will lead our music. We welcome intern minister, Carter, to family worship, who will lead us in prayer.Â
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2021 Social Justice Community Gather-In & Retreat
THIS SATURDAY! - All are invited to join us for spiritual sustenance, relationship & skill-building!
Saturday, September 25 // 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. In gathering to meet UU peers at 8:30 a.m.
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Covid has created some significant obstacles to our congregation’s social justice work, but the explosion of passion for racial and climate justice in our society has opened up many possibilities! The social justice community gather-in and retreat will offer spiritual sustenance, relationship building, and concrete skills for this work and these circumstances, with a focus on the priorities and practices that are most relevant right now...continued.
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LAST WEEK TO SIGN UP! - Antiracism Learning Circle
Join a cohort!
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Learning Circles provide a supportive place to grapple personally and deeply with racism and white supremacy and help inform how we can take action for antiracism in our lives. These are small discussion groups based on a book or a podcast. Some meet weekly and some less often.
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What We Don't Talk About When We Talk About Fat
Thursdays, October 14 through November 18 // 7 - 8:30 p.m.
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“Love us enough to take a hard look not just at how you’ve been hurt by anti-fatness, but how you’ve been complicit in it. Love us enough to do a little bit better.” – Aubrey Gordon
Body Liberation is a part of our anti-oppression work and our commitment to the 8th Principle. Body Liberation is a movement to change cultural paradigms which tell us that some bodies are more acceptable and deserving of love and care than others. We know in our hearts that this is not true, don’t we? Then how do we confront the hurt that body judgement has caused us individually, and how do we recognize our unconscious biases so we do not harm others.
Join Debbie Kaufman, Senior Instructor at the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health, for a book discussion and exploration of weight science and health; the ways in which society has taught us to be critical of our own bodies; how weight stigma, bias, and discrimination hurt all of us and intersect with our other social justice work; and how to publicly support and defend fat people. We will read What We Don’t Talk About When We Talk About Fat by Aubrey Gordon. (UU World recommended reading for 2021!)  Registration required.
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| | Upcoming Events, Workshops & Classes
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Vesper Prayer ServiceFriday's at 5 p.m.
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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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UPCOMING! - Immigrant Justice Action Group Invitation
Sunday, September 26 // 1Â - 2:30 p.m.
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Please join us for the first Immigrant Justice Action Group (IJAG) meeting of the 2021-22 year. Mark your regular meetings on the fourth Sunday of the month from 1-2:30 p.m. Until further notice meetings will be held via zoom. Contact Mary Ann for a link to the zoom meeting.
The September agenda will include a conversation on resettlement for Afghan and other refugees in Oregon. Janice Yaden, formerly with the Mercy Corps, will be joining us for a portion of the meeting.
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Program ResourcesAdult Programs, Social Justice, Learning Community, Music & Arts
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Nourishing the Spirit
Every 3rd Saturday // 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
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In a world of violence, injustice, and loss, the spirit struggles to stay hopeful when many of us feel burned out, discouraged, and exhausted. It is helpful to gather in community to share our journeys and affirm each other’s experience. This monthly gathering offers collective spiritual practices to strengthen the bonds among us. An ongoing commitment is not required.
Facilitated by Rev. Katherine Jesch.
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Loving Kindness Meditation
Mondays at 8 - 8:30 p.m.
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Join us for a moment each week to extend Loving-Kindness to yourself, to those around you and to the world. Surround yourself in the blessings from those who have loved you and those who love you now. With this Meditation, over time, one can cultivate feelings of happiness and dispel loneliness, while letting go of fear and anxiety. No previous meditation experience necessary. An ongoing commitment is not required.
Facilitated by Pat Malone, Katie Radditz and Steven Storla.
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Interested in Spiritual Deepening in a Small Group?
How will you take care of your soul this year?Â
Wellspring Sources starts virtually in October, 7 - 9 p.m.
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Wellspring offers spiritual deepening within our Unitarian Universalist tradition, an opportunity for learning more about ourselves and our faith through a 10-month virtual small group experience. Spaces are limited.Â
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Handbells are Back! Let's Get Ringing!Â
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Have you missed being in a music ensemble and want to get back into it? Have you never touched a handbell before but always wanted to give it a shot? Now's your chance!
The handbell programs are welcoming old and new members into their Warbington Chimes, Beacon Bells, and Parker Bells ensembles for the 2021-2022 church year.Â
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Speaking of Justice Blog
Make Your Voice Heard to Help Save the Climate
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After failure by the Oregon legislature to adopt any meaningful climate legislation in the 2019 Legislative Session, Governor Kate Brown did what she could to reduce greenhouse gases through an Executive Order. EO 20-04 set new science-based emissions reduction goals for Oregon and directed state agencies to write plans for how they will use their statutory authority to help meet the goals...continued.
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ACTION ITEM! - Divest Oregon: Reinvest in a Fossil Free Future Coalition
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The Oregon Treasury manages $120 Billion in investments; $90B is in public employee pension funds. Data shows decreased returns and increased risk associated with fossil fuel investments both financially and for our planet. Take Action, along with the Community for Earth and your fellow Oregonians. Tell Treasurer Read and the Oregon Investment Council that they should Divest Oregon now and reinvest in a fossil-free future! Â
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Portland Homeless Family Solutions
Friday, October 8 // 5:30 p.m.
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Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS) will host their annual Family Reunion fundraiser virtually this year (see their events page). Virtual guests will go behind the scenes and hear intimate stories from families and staff to learn the impact of their work.Â
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Art for Social JusticeThe 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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Natalie Diaz - American Arithmetic
A video of “American Arithmetic” by Natalie Diaz (Gila River Indian Community), who appeared at the PDXBookFest (Nov. 2020).
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In the Community
Longtime member Bob Shoemaker died on September 12 at the age of 89. Bob and his wife Beverly joined the church in 1959 and Bob served the church in a number of ways including as Board Moderator. A memorial is scheduled for Bob in Camas, Wash., on October 9. Look for details in the Front Steps. We hold Beverly and her extended family at this time.
A reminder that a memorial service will be held this Saturday, September 25. for member Roger Meyer. Roger died on December 1 at the age of 92. The service will be at 2 p.m. in Eliot Chapel and also live streamed. We ask people who attend service to be vaccinated and to wear masks. Those who are not vaccinated are welcome to view service on livestream.
Our staff pianist Signe Lusk had surgery on September 14 and is now at home recovering. Signe reports she is relieved and glad to be on the road to recovery.
Matthew Johnston and Patricia Collins were married in the Pierce County Courthouse in Tacoma, Washington, on August 19. They have been together for 19 years and decided it was time. Matt is the son of member Linda Johnston.Â
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COMMUNITY NEED! - Help a Family with Meals
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A family new to our church could use some help with meals. Heather and Naas recently moved here from out of state and Nass is in treatment for an aggressive cancer. Some good friends of theirs who are active in the church reached out to see if folks from the church could help.
Heather and Nass live in outer SE. Their friends, who could take meals to them, live in close in SW.
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Our church year started with Homecoming Sunday on September 12. Though we all had hoped we would be back together, we find ourselves starting our second year as a virtual church. In the last few weeks, a group of Lay Ministers and volunteers has been calling congregants to see how everyone is doing. As you might expect, there is a wide range of experiences and feelings in our community. The one constant we have heard is that everyone understands that continuing to be cautious is the right decision for the church. The Board is grateful for all the volunteers who are keeping us in touch...continued.
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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
NEW TIMES! - Join us LIVE from your computer or smart device by clicking on the links below. Â
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Sept. Shared Plate
For the month of September, we share our plate with the Gulf Coast Center for Law and Policy's disaster relief fund. These funds go directly to frontline communities in the Gulf South impacted by climate disasters. GCCLP's mission is to advance structural shifts toward climate justice and ecological equity in communities of color on the frontline of climate...continued.
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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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