Join us forĀ Sunday WorshipSunday, October 30, 2022Ā
Sunday Worship at 10:30 a.m.
Learning Community Classes 10:30 a.m.
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Childcare is available during our worship service for children three and under (located in the nursery).Ā
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It is the weekend closest to Samhain, All Hallows Eve, DĆa de los Muertos, All Saints Day, and All Souls Day. It is the time of year when the veil between the worlds, between the living and our ancestors, is thinnest. Let us honor and celebrate our relationship with those who have gone before and guided us on our way.Ā
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Staying Connected Blog10,000 Letters, 10,000 Prayers
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To write the voter engagement letters through ourĀ UU the VoteĀ efforts, each writer needed to answer the prompt, āI vote becauseā¦.ā Itās a simple yet profound question that had me delve into the core of my values and the Eight Principles that guide our faith community. Fundamentally, I vote because I want the people who make our laws and policies to reflect my values. I believe my vote and every vote, every person, matters. Our principles also shape a list of specifics, like my belief that no community should be discriminated against and that every community deserves clean air and water, access to voting rights, quality healthcare and education, reproductive freedom, livable wages, and truly affordable housing. I shared some of these beliefs in every letter I wrote...continue.
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| Happening This SundayTimestamps are Pacific Time (PT) unless stated otherwise. Check out our Events Calendar for First U PDX gatherings.
Gmail Users: You may have to scroll down to the bottom of this message and click onĀ "View Entire Message"Ā to see the complete Front Steps.
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Welcome to Our Season of Giving
Rooted & Ready: 2023
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Please pledge by Celebration Sunday, November 13!
When you pledge a gift, you are helping fund all that this church is and does. It takes all of us to fund the work of the Church.
Here is what we are asking:
ā¢ If you are considering giving for the first time or are re-joining ā and I hope many of you are ā thank you for adding to whatās possible for our community! If you are new to pledging, you will want to know that a pledged gift is a sum you plan to
donate over the coming calendar year.
ā¢ If you are experiencing financial hardship, give, if you can, what you can, and let us know how we may be able to help.
ā¢ If you can maintain your pledge level from last year, thank you for holding steady.
ā¢ If you can increase this year, it will help us greatly. Many of you were able to increase your pledge last year ā thank you! That helped to increase our average gift.Ā
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Thank you to everyone who has made a pledge to the church and special thanksĀ to our āSustainerā Pledgers whose long term commitment allowed us to launch at 58% of goal!
What is a āSustainerā Pledge? It is an indication of your commitment to have your pledge renew automatically with us year after year until you cancel it with us. In all cases, we ask you to consider checking the āSustainerā box on your pledge form to let us know that you are among the people we can count on. You will still have the opportunity each year to make changes to your pledge if needed.Ā
Help fund our ministry, services, programs and staff by pledging a gift today!
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Send Us Your Video Clips to Help Spread the Word
DEADLINE: November 4
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We want to hear from you! We are grateful because you are a part of the collective āWEā who makes all of our work possible. Please send us your 20-second video clips inspired by one of the questions below.
These may be played in the services, sent out in E-news, or used on OUR social media platforms.Ā We thank you in advance for helping us spread the word, create community and celebrate what we have here that is worth sharing. Ā
These should be short, casual, self-made, and from the heart! Please hold your cell phone on its side to capture your video horizontally.
- What keeps you coming back Sunday after Sunday?
- What calls you to make First Unitarian your spiritual home?
- What work does the church do that impacts you the most?
- What ministries are you glad to support for the sake of others?
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Click the image to send clips toĀ Stewardship@firstunitarianportland.org
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Board Forum
Sunday, October 30 from 12 - 1:15 p.m.
Location: Eliot Chapel and Zoom
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Please join the Board forĀ its first forum of the church year. We will be talking about governance, the role of the Board, and supporting our transition to our new Senior Minister. There will be time for Q & A. You can attend in person in Eliot Chapel or via Zoom.
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LAST PUSH! -Ā Get Out the Vote Phone Bank with New Voters in North CarolinaĀ
Thursday, November 3, 3:30 āĀ 5:30 p.m.
In partnership with the Carolina Jews for Justice, NC UU Justice Ministry, and the New North Carolina Project.
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Don't forget to sign up with the New North Carolina Project and the Carolina Jews and UUs Faith in Action Phone Bank.
When youĀ Register Here,Ā you'll receive a Zoom link. All you'll need is your computer, and the North Carolina team will tell you everything you need to know to make the calls with support right on the screen.
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"Tā Time: An Event Exclusively for Trans, Nonbinary, & Gender-Expansive
Sunday, November 6, 11:45 a.m. ā 12:45 p.m.Ā
Location: Channing Room or Zoom
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| Join our first āTā Time, a gathering exclusively for trans, nonbinary, 2Spirit, and gender-expansive members and friends. You may choose to attend in person or online via zoom. We will have a small selection of complimentary teas and coffee available.
You do not need to be a member of First Unitarian or consider yourself a Unitarian Universalist to join us ā come one, come all!Ā
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ALLIANCE PROGRAM - Creating Social Justice for the Homeless Through Land-Use Planning
Wednesday, November 3, from 10:30 a.m.Ā ā 12:15 p.m.
Location:Ā Eliot Chapel (1011SW 12th Ave./Enter on 12th) & Zoom
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As an educator, scholar, and planner, Dr. Zapata is committed to achieving spatially - based social justice by preparing planners to act in the face of the uncertain and inequitable futures we face. She believes how we use land reflects our social and cultural values.
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NEW! - Seeking Leadership Candidate SuggestionsĀ
Due on Thursday, November 10Ā
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Would you or someone you know be interested in serving in a leadership position as a member of the church's Board of Trustees or a member of the Nominating Committee?
The Nominating Committee has begun its annual search, seeking names of potential leaders to replace Board and Nominating Committee members retiring. The committee works to find candidates and recommend them to the congregation for election next spring.
Your help is most welcome! If you or anyone you know might be interested in being considered, please email the candidate's name and why they might qualify to committee co-chairs Laura and Amy.
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BOOK EVENT - War in Ukraine: Making Sense of a Senseless Conflict byĀ Medea Benjamin
Wednesday, November 16, at 7 p.m.
Location:Ā Eliot Chapel (1011SW 12th Ave./Enter on 12th)
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You're invited! Join us as we welcome Medea Benjamin, co-founder of Code Pink and activist for peace. Hear her message on how the more prolonged war continues, the harder it is to end it. "The time to start is now by getting our the parties to the negotiating table."
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NEW - Review of Voting Our Values: 2022 Ballot Measures
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LastĀ Tuesday, we held this virtual event to learn about State, County, and Portland Ballot Measures supported by First Unitarian social justice action groups. Each action group shared a statement about their mission and the UU values that led them to endorse the ballot. They then introduced community members who explained the measure's purpose and who was supporting it, and they answeredĀ questions from the 60Ā congregantsĀ whoĀ attended.
We hosted speakers on:
- OregonĀ Measure 111, Right to Healthcare Amendment; OregonĀ
Measure 112,Ā Remove Slavery as Punishment for Crime from Constitution Amendment - OregonĀ Measure 114, Changes to Firearm Ownership and Purchase Requirements Initiative
- Multnomah CountyĀ Measure 26-232, Ranked-Choice Voting for County Elections
- MultnomahĀ County MeasureĀ 26-231Ā to Authorize Noncitizens to Vote in County Elections
- City of PortlandĀ Measure 26-228Ā regarding the structure of city government
The names of the measures, the community partners who presented them with links to resources on the measures, and our endorsing Social Justice Action Groups are listedĀ on this slideshow.
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The Alliance Virtual Greens Sale
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It's that time of year! Place online orders for beautiful holiday wreaths and garlands for yourself or to send as gifts. Proceeds from this anticipated annual sale support charitable agencies that care for women, children, and marginalized communities.Ā
The onlineĀ store will be open through November 13.
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Upcoming Events, Workshops & ClassesĀ
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Friday Vesper Prayer ServicesĀ
Every Friday at 5 p.m.
On November 4, we are celebrating our 100th Vespers service!Ā
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Gather for a quiet time of prayer, reflection, meditation, and music.
An ongoing commitment is not required.
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UPCOMING - Living with Loss: How Will I Get Through the Holidays?
Details:Ā Virtual meetings. Saturdays, (3 days), November 19 and December 3 and 10, from 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
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Holiday times can be some of the most challenging for those grieving a loss. Grief is difficult at any time of year. It is doubly difficult as those around us prepare to celebrate. Holidays may not be the same, but we hope that holidays can still be meaningful.
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Hi. Pleased to meet you. My name is Economic Person (historically, the male economist Adam Smith dubbed me āEconomic Manā), and my pronouns are āMine/Mine/and Mine.ā
Iām sure weāve all run across Economic Person in some form, usually in textbooks, sometimes in person. Either way, you know them: the person always looking out for their own benefit first. The person who never acts on feelings but only on data, always looking to optimize their return on investment...continue.Ā
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Loving Kindness Meditation
Mondays at 8 p.m.Ā
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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. No previous meditation practice necessary.Ā
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NEW! - Film Salon: The SettlersSunday, November 13, 12 p.m. PT // 3 p.m. ET on Zoom
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The SettlersĀ is the first comprehensive look at Israel's continued construction of settlements in the West Bank, which is at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Today, the settlers threaten to destroy what little peace remains in the Middle East.
Join a panel discussion of The SettlersĀ with Shimon Dotan, Rabbi Yaakov Shapiro, and Lara Friedman.
This event is co-sponsored by UUJME along with theĀ Israeli/Palestine Network of the Presbyterian Church, Jewish Voice for Peace, Tzedek Chicago, the Palestinian Christian Alliance for Peace, the Quaker Palestine Israel Network, the Indiana Center for Middle East Peace, Disciples Palestine-Israel Network, and the Virginia Coalition for Human Rights.Ā
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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.
Curated by Ethel Gullette,Ā Speaking of Justice Editorial Team
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Dr. YsaĆæe M. Barnwell was a member of the acapella ensemble Sweet Honey in the Rock from 1979 to 2013. She is a prolific composer, writing many of the groupās songs and being commissioned to create music for dance, choral, film, and stage productions. Her work āWould You Harbor Me?ā was originally part of a more significant work called Safe House: Still Looking. In a recent interview, Dr. Barnwell reflected on this work and considered it part of her journey to becoming a āpeaceful warrior.ā
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In the Community
Joe Worth asks for prayers for his sister Ceil who lives in Minneapolis-St. Paul. Ceil fell and sustained a serious head injury.Ā She is now home and will be undergoing physical therapy.Ā
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Are You Going Through a Tough Time?
Would it help to talk with someone?
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| Our churchās Lay Ministry team provides caring listening for individuals experiencing grief, illness, isolation, depression, loss of a job or relationship, or other life challenges. Meetings may be one time or over time, depending on the needāand are always confidential.
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NEW! - New Books at the Bookstore!
From The Book Store
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Support body liberation: āAnti-Dietā by Christy Harrison and āThe Body is not an Apologyā by Sonya Renee Taylor.
Also, all books donated by Rev. Bill Sinkford are now available for just $5 each. See you at the bookstore!
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Be sure to visit Fuller Hall after the service to view our new art exhibit featuring the work of Mila Raphael.
Mila has been traveling to Oaxaca, Mexico, for years and has been inspired by the indigenous women from the surrounding villages. As she shared her paintings with them, it became a path toward connection to their rich culture.
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DoĀ you have a birth in the family,Ā aĀ graduation, an anniversary, a memorial, or other events to share? YouĀ can acknowledge it to the entire congregation by sponsoring a floral bouquet. As we connect with friends, say it with flowers on the Chancel.
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NEW -Ā The Rise of Aryan and White Nationalism
Sunday, November 6, at 11:45 a.m.Ā
Details: Enter FCC from Park Ave. between Columbia & Jefferson or via the parking garage (off of Jefferson between Broadway & Park Ave.)
Hosted in the Fellowship Hall of First Christian ChurchĀ
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Please join Rev. Dr. Rodney Page - former executive director of Church World Service ā who will present a lecture on "The Rise of Aryan and White Nationalism" that we are seeing in the U.S. today.
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Having trouble viewing our servicesĀ through the website?
Find our Livestreams onĀ 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 āFor E-News.ā
Submission deadline is noon on Tuesdays.
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| Sunday Livestream
Schedule
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Want to know what this church has to offer?Ā Show up for events/classes/socials and Ā 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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