Sunday ServicesSunday, Aug. 5: Services at 9:15 and 11:15 a.m.We’ll return to Sanctuary for services this week as we welcome Unitarian Universalist music professionals for their annual conference.
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How Can I Keep from Singing?
-Rev. Bill Sinkford Our theology is open minded enough but is it big-hearted enough? Religion is less about what we believe and more about what we belove. How do we embody our faith in celebration and in joy?
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Help Discovery
Calling all adults who are interested in the faith formation of young people! Co-leading a class in the Learning Community is a good way to explore your spirituality as well as help young people discover theirs. We are happy to work with your schedule to support your involvement. Contact Rev. Mary or Cassandra Scheffman. Please contact Rev. Mary Gear or Cassandra Scheffman for more information.
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Check out SanctuaryThis Sunday we will back in our Sanctuary for one week as we welcome Unitarian
Universalist music professionals from all over the country for their annual conference. You’ll see some changes in the space with the work that has been done this summer. Besides making the space wheelchair accessible, you’ll see some aesthetic enhancements as well. Come to see what’s new this Sunday.
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Membership Enrollment Ceremony
Aug. 5, 10:15 a.m., Channing Room (A101). If you’re ready to become a member, please bring your completed enrollment and pledge forms. Enrollment kits are located in our literature racks.
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Walk the LabyrinthSunday, Aug. 5, Room A-108
Walk in silent contemplation, prayer or discernment. Chairs will be available for sitting meditation also. The labyrinth will be open for walking at 9:30 a.m. and will close at 1 p.m.
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Please Sign the Immigrant Justice Petition at Coffee HourSunday, Aug. 5 Measure 105 will be on the November ballot in Oregon. It will end the state's sanctuary law! Please sign the UU Oregon Voices for Justice Petition for the voter’s pamphlet statement. We need 600 signatures to publish a Unitarian Universalist statement opposing Measure 105. The petition will be available at the Immigrant Justice Action Group and the Economic Justice Action Group tables during social hours this Sunday, Aug. 5. Oregonians for Immigration Reform, an anti-immigrant organization, turned in enough signatures to qualify their measure for the November ballot. Measure 105 would throw out Oregon’s sanctuary state law, a law that has been working for over 30 years to protect Oregonians from unfair racial profiling. We need your help to power an inclusive, statewide campaign to defeat Measure 105. Here are some additional actions we ask that you take ASAP to mobilize your supporters to join the campaign to VOTE NO on Measure 105:
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First Unitarian Delegation Bearing Witness at Border
First Unitarian's Social Justice Director, Dana Buhl, and members of the Immigrant Justice Action Group (IJAG) will join the national religious witness called #FaithFloodstheDesert at the Arizona/Mexico border Aug. 3–6. We are part of a larger delegation of UU Love Resists supporting the activism of No More Deaths / No Más Muertes.
Together with humanitarian aid workers who provide food and water for migrants traversing the desert, we will continue to resist government repression of this life-saving work. This action affirms that no one is outside the circle of Love to which we are accountable. It is not a crime to cross borders. It is not a crime to provide life-sustaining humanitarian aid.
Ways to support this act of witness: .
- Hold migrants and activists in your thoughts and prayers. This is an ongoing crisis with a need for the ongoing witness.
- Learn more about No Más Muertes/No More Deaths and the Faith Floods the Desert action.
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The Annual Summer Vegan Potluck Picnic is Back!
Join us on Sunday, Sept. 2, 5-7:30 PM, for a lovely social evening in a memorable location, 5–7:30 p.m. The setting is a floating home on the river in Sellwood. Share some of your favorite harvest foods of summer to add to the vegan menu (whether you practice a vegan diet or not). No animal ingredients please! Space is limited; advance sign-up is required to receive location information. Contact idings@comcast.net or stop by the Adult Programs or Animal Ministry tables in Margaret Fuller Hall to be included. This is a free event.
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August's Art WallIn July and Aug., the Art Wall Committee members show their work. This year we're featuring a collage titled "Chalice." It was made by 10 UUs at an auction party, using recycled church programs. Come to Fuller Hall and share the joy! See more here.
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Bookstore“White Fragility” by our own Beacon Press has just been published, and it is already #8 on the New York Times bestseller list. It is recommended reading by our Social Justice Group, and we’ve got copies. We also have more copies available of “Who Will Take Care of Me?” at a discounted price for a short time more. And, “Justice on Earth” has just been chosen as the 2018-2019 UUA Common Read. We have copies of that too. Lots of other great books to choose from also – see you at the bookstore.
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Program EventsAdult Programs, Learning Community, Music & Arts, Social Justice
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Gentle Yoga in the Evening
A drop-in yoga class for those of all ages and abilities to build body, mind, spirit, and community. Meets at Revival Harmonic Health, 1034 SW Taylor and 11th, Monday and Wednesday evenings at 5:30 p.m.; Aug. 29; $64 for 8 classes or $12 drop-in. #MeToo Women's CirclesThis fall we will be offering Reflection Circles for women who want to connect with other women and explore their experience of patriarchy. We'll begin registration in September, with circles beginning later that month. Stay tuned for more information!
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First Share Every Sunday
Enjoy every Sunday July through September. Bring your overabundance of produce and flowers to exchange or give to the First Share table in Fuller Hall. Everyone is welcome to take something home!
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Learning Community Summer ProgramDuring the 9:15 a.m. service only, we offer drop-in programming for children ages 10 and younger following the Story for All Ages. Children ages 4 to 6 will gather in room A106 for the Caldecott Books series. Children ages 7 to 10 will gather in room A108 for Circle of Trees, a multigenerational program; parents, grandparents, and caregivers are encouraged to join. Please stop by the Info Desk in the Eliot Center hallway for more information. Childcare for ages 3 and under is always available during both services.
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Nursery and Childcare Available
We always have childcare for our wee ones on Sunday mornings.
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Thirteen Salmon Family Center ClosingAt the end of August our families at Thirteen Salmon will be moving to their new home in the Lents neighborhood of SE Portland. There are many opportunities to help get their new home ready. If you would like to help, Bethany from Portland Homeless Family Solutions would LOVE to hear from you. Please email her and she will send you a volunteer form. They are looking for skilled labor especially. Donna Richards, webbed@msn.com.
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Thank YouThe Committee for Hunger and Homelessness thanks you for the outpouring of generosity of gifts and help you've given the winter shelter. We sincerely couldn't have done it without your help. The winter shelter closed April 30, until winter months return. A reminder: we still have families at the Thirteen Salmon Family Center in the lower level of our Buchan Building. Donna Richards webbed@msn.com.
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Supplies NeededThe cupboards are almost bare at Thirteen Salmon and with one baby and seven little ones, we need diapers (all sizes) baby formula, diaper rash ointment, and baby food. We also need chicken noodle and tomato soup, tuna, canned fruit, peanut butter, marinara sauce, and individual applesauce cups. Donna Lane lanedonjer@msn.com for questions. Please leave supplies in Fuller Hall cupboards by the kitchen.
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| Get InvolvedMake a difference in the First Unitarian Portland community
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Spare Bedroom
Do you have a spare bedroom you could make available to other UU’s visiting Portland? Our Bed & Breakfast program is in need of hosts. You provide bed and a simple breakfast. Proceeds go to the church. To learn more, contact Ruth Robinson: mickrob@comcast.net or (503) 246-2131
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Social Hour Helpers Needed Sunday Mornings
With two services continuing through the summer, we need a few more beverage service helpers and subs on Sundays in Fuller Hall. Choose one Sunday each month, either 8–10:50 a.m. or 10:45 a.m.–1 p.m., with time to attend service in between. Please contact Emily at 541-408-1516 or ewh1960@gmail.com. Training provided by experienced volunteers.
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Attention LiveStream Viewers
Do you regularly watch First Unitarian’s Sunday services in real time on Sunday mornings? Are you adept at sending and receiving text messages?
Our Sunday morning sound and video technicians could use help from a couple of techy types out in cyberland to let them know when there is a livestream glitch while the service is being streamed. Please email the church office (office@firstunitarianportland.org) if you’re interested in volunteering for this important job. We need you!
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| Help Wanted!A team of volunteers has formed to address the unrelentingly vigorous weeds in the beds around our church campus, and we need more help! As the summer progresses, projects will be planned to control weed growth and highlight our native plants. If you would like to spend a couple of hours with the team, please contact Marti Yoder at marti.yoder@gmail.com and have your name added to the notification list. More hands are needed to make this light work.
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| Seeking Sunday Welcoming Volunteers
If you like to greet people and make them feel welcome, this volunteer opportunity is for you: become a Welcome Desk or Newcomer Table host before or after a Sunday service.
This is a great way to connect with congregation members and newcomers. Contact Membership Chair Ed McClaran or call 971-279-2778.
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| Sunday Drivers Needed
Can you provide an occasional ride to Sunday services for a neighbor? Do you, or someone you know, need help getting to church?
Our First Unitarian Neighborhood Connections rideshare program helps match riders with drivers in Portland and Lake Oswego, and is organized by ZIP code. To learn more, contact Leslie Comnes, 503-236-2963.
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| Seeking Ushers
Here's a great volunteer opportunity: Become an usher and connect more deeply to members of our congregation. Won't you join our team? Contact usher coordinator Dev Dion or call 503-805-5899. Thank you.
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In the CommunityCommunity milestones, joys, and sorrows
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Member Don Liedel is pleased to share the news that his lymphoma, which he has been living with for over two years, has gone into remission. Don is still dealing with an iron deficiency, but he is glad to report this milestone.
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Board of Trustees—
A summary of the results of our 2018 Annual Congregational survey, along with notes and presentation materials from the Board’s May 6, 2018 congregant forum, are now posted on the Board’s Communications Committee page.
The Board will resume regular monthly meetings on September 6.
As always, please check out the Board's main webpage for the latest time/location for all Board-related events.
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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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Sunday Attendance1st Service: 153
2nd Service: 206
Musicians: 50
Total: 409
Livestream: 97
Grand Total: 506
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Yarn Donations Needed
The UU Knitters, who meet at the church on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month to work on projects for the benefit of the community, is getting low on donated yarn. We are looking for yarn of any type–wool, cotton, and synthetics. Please bring donations to the church office, and staff will get them to the right place. Thank you!
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Add to Our Media Collection
Taken any nice photos of First Unitarian Portland or its events? Send them our way to help build our media collection! Sending us your photos gives us permission to publish and/or use images for publications, website content, and social media. If you'd like to limit your permission, just let us know. Please email your photos to photos@firstunitarianportland.org or click here.
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Ongoing GroupsThe following church groups meet on a regular schedule during our program year (approximately September through May or June). Many groups meet on an irregular basis. Many groups take the summer months off, so if you are unsure about a particular group's schedule, please contact the individual listed.
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| Africa Connections
This church social justice group supports advocacy and outreach work in communities in Kenya and Zimbabwe that have been deeply impacted by HIV AIDS. We do this through support of the IMANI Project, Zimbabwe Artists Project, and Quilts for Empowerment. Questions? Email Annie Bennett.
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The Alliance
The Alliance meets September through May, usually on the first Wednesday of the month, for a luncheon, business meeting, and program. Visit the Alliance web page. Questions? Email Alliance.
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| Animal Ministry Group
Normally meets on the fourth Sunday, 12:45 p.m., A303. Visit the Animal Ministry web page for special meeting times. Questions? 503-520-9012.
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Caregiver Support GroupWe usually meet the fourth Sunday of the month, September through May. We do not meet during the summer and will resume September 23, 2018.
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| Children's Mosaic Restoration Group
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| Committee on Hunger & Homelessness (COHHO)Meets monthly September through May on the third Sunday at 12:30 p.m. in A303, the Fireside Room, or visit our table in Fuller Hall on the second and fourth Sundays. Questions? Email co-chairs Mary Andrews and Ellen Vanderslice.
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Community for Earth (CFE)
The Community for Earth (CFE) is again selling the eco-friendly and community supportive Chinook book—each with its own app ($25)—and individual apps ($15). Use of the wide variety of coupons frequently more than covers the cost of the Chinook book and/or app. Buy yours today in our Beacon Bookstore. Cash sales at the CFE table. Questions? Susan Weinstein at 360-440-0564.
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| Contemplative Practice Group Second and fourth Tuesdays, 6:30–8 p.m., A301. Offers a regular opportunity for building community through silent meditation, mindfulness poetry, and deep discussion on church themes. Questions? Ron Walker.
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| Economic Justice Action Group (EJAG)The Economic Justice Action Group (EJAG) educates and advocates on issues of economic justice. Watch for our speaker, book, and movie events. Stop by our table for the latest information on fair trade, health care, democracy, and inequality and its dimensions. We meet the third Sunday of every month, September to June, at 9 a.m. in the Fireside Room. Contact: Michael Wade for more information.
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| Ending the New Jim Crow—Healing the Justice System Usually, monthly on the fourth Tuesday, 6:30–8 p.m., B302. Questions? Kathryn Scotten.
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Good Times Committee
Join with fellow congregants for social gatherings—from happy hour to hikes, from dinners to plays. Learn more and sign up with Good Times during social hour on Sundays. Questions? Laura Gadley, 847-525-8700.
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Immigrant Justice Action Group (IJAG)
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LGBTQIA Pride Group
Find out the latest social events by picking up a flyer at our Pride Table in Fuller Hall for our monthly movie game night, monthly PDX roller skating, potlucks, and any projects being planned. Visit our Facebook page: First Unitarian Pride, Portland, OR for all of our events and the LGBTQIA events we are supporting in the Portland area.
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Meditation Group
Wednesday Night Meditation Group continues every Wednesday, 7–8:30 p.m., Eliot Chapel. Beginners welcomed. Questions? Mary Ann Harman.
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Monthly Grief GroupGrief is a common thread that connects many of us in our community. This drop-in group will hold compassionate organic space for listening, learning, and resources to live with the many forms of grief and caregiving. The group meets the third Sunday of each month from 1:15–2:45 p.m. in room B304 of the Buchan building. Facilitated by Rev. Rick Freeman and Sophia Douglas.
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| Parents of Teens Support Group, 1–2 p.m.
Second and fourth Sundays
Connect with parents of teens to talk and share parenting topics and the joys and challenges of navigating life as parents, with the guidance of a lay minister. We are an open group. Childcare provided.
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| Peace Action Group Monthly on the second Saturday, 10 a.m.–12 p.m., Channing Room. Questions? Tess Beistel, Terri Shofner, Brianna Bragg.
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| Quilts of Love Group
Monthly on the third Thursday, 12–1:30 p.m., B310. Sew-in is on the first Thursday at Modern Domestic, 1408 NE Alberta St., from 10:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. This group creates quilts for families served by Portland Homeless Family Solutions as they transition from the shelter to a permanent home. More. Questions? Anna Thorn, 503-720-1984.
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| Sunday Morning T'ai Chi Chih
Sunday morning T'ai Chi Chih, 8:30–9 a.m.; check the sign board in the Buchan building for meeting locations. Questions? Email Adult Programs.
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UU Knitting GroupThe knitting circle meets on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month during the church year. Questions? Susan Pryor, 503-894-9945.
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| UU Men's Community
Third Saturday, 9 a.m., Channing Room. An open group where men of all ages can share life experiences, learn from each other, develop friendships, support one another, and have fun. Questions? Don Liedel, 503-319-8934; more info here.
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| UU Movie Group
Meets on the fourth Sunday of the month over a potluck meal at members’ homes. For more information, contact Nancy Panitch, 503-318-0776, or Ellie Kirkham, 971-544-7003. More info at the Good Times table in Fuller Hall.
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| UU Poetry Group
Twice monthly, on the second and fourth Thursdays, 7 p.m., Channing Room. Questions? Albert Starr.
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| UUA Outreach Group
Monthly on the last Wednesday at 7 p.m., usually in B310, but check the sign board when entering. Questions? Ken Wheeler.
If your interest lies in the larger picture of UU ministry, join us! Bill Pryor, 503-894-9945. We'd love to hear from you.
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Women’s CirclesI: First and third Mondays at 7 p.m. Questions? Tess Beistel, 503-257-2042.
II: Second and fourth Mondays at 7 p.m. Questions? Kim, 503-869-1486.
III: First and third Wednesdays from 10–11:30 a.m. Questions? Dorothy Lewis, 503-292-1337.
IV: Twice a month on Wednesday evenings. We are looking for participants of all ages for supportive sharing and discussion about such topics as parenting and spirituality. Questions? Amy, 503-241-5451.
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Update Your Records with UsHave you moved recently? Changed your phone number or e-mail address? Anything else you'd like to let First Unitarian know?
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Do You Have an Item for E-news and/or the Sunday Bulletin?If you have an item you’d like published in our weekly Front Steps (eNews) or the Sunday Bulletin, please submit it to:
Communications@firstunitarianportland.org and include in the subject line “For eNews” –or- “For Sunday Bulletin” –or- “For eNews and Sunday Bulletin.”
This will get to all the right people. Deadline for submissions is noon on Wednesday. Because space is limited in our Sunday Bulletin, we’re unable to run articles for more than a week or two in advance, depending on the number of submissions. Articles may need to be shortened if space is tight.
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Sunday Livestream
Join us LIVE from your computer or smartphone on Sunday at 9:15 & 11:15 a.m.
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For the month of August, we share our plate offering with One Oregon.
First Unitarian Portland has joined this statewide coalition that defends against anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim policies and ballot measures. One Oregon works to ensure that all Oregonians are treated with dignity and respect regardless of where they were born.
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