Sunday Worship at 10:15 a.m.
Children & Youth Summer Session 10:15 a.m.
Childcare is available during our worship service for children 6 months to 3 years old.
Social Hour: Fuller Hall after the service.
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The Spiritual Discipline of Having a Little Fun
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In our era of declining religious affiliation, it’s not uncommon to hear folks refer to the hiking trail, baseball stadium, or music venue as their “church.” As people who are part of a religious community, how can we think about incorporating play, joy, and recreation into our spiritual lives? Â
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Guidelines for Protests in Our Congregation
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There have been concerns from many in the congregation about how protests are being handled on Sundays for the past several weeks. The following guidelines are intended to help clarify things for everyone concerned.
Members of this community are welcome to attend services. Members are welcome to protest as long as they remain on the public sidewalks. But the Church does not give permission to exercise this freedom to protest while in or on Church property. The following are not allowed:
- Protest signs in our church buildings;
- Interruptions (spoken or visual) during church services;
- Blocking our entry doors, or making it difficult for ushers and greeters to welcome people and for congregants to enter or leave our buildings;
- Protesting on Church sidewalks and steps without specific permission.
The Church supports the right to protest when we affirm the freedom to distribute hand-outs, hold signs, and the like while on the public sidewalks around our block. The Church also supports our congregants’ right to a worship experience without unwelcome interference. The Sanctuary and the Church buildings are sacred spaces, and the goal of these guidelines is to protect that sense of sacred space.
We ask that you respect these guidelines. And of course, please be in touch if you have questions.
Executive Team, First Unitarian Church of Portland
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UPDATE — Music Ministry Transition
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Many congregants have asked questions about the recent and upcoming changes in our Music Ministry transition. In response, our Board of Trustees has written a "Frequently Asked Questions" document. Hard copies of this FAQ will be available Sunday morning at the Welcome Desk and at the Board's table in Fuller Hall after the service.
If you'd like to take a look at the FAQ document before Sunday, please email FAQ@firstunitarianportland.org. New Q&As will be added in the coming weeks based on congregant questions and other feedback.
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NEW — Share Your Garden!
Every Sunday after the service, starting August 4
Location: Fuller Hall
First Share, First Unitarian Portland
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Do you have a flourishing garden brimming with fresh vegetables, fruits, and herbs? Share your garden’s bounty with our community by bringing it on Sundays to the First Share table in Fuller Hall during Social Hour.
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Young Adult Weekly Meetups All Summer!
Next Meeting: Sunday, August 4, immediately after the service
Location:Â Buchan Building, B310
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Expect fun social events, thought-provoking discussions, and opportunities to connect.Â
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Love to Sing? The Summer Choir is for YOU!
Arrive this Sunday at 9 a.m. (NOT 8:45!)
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Summer is here, which means we welcome the return of our annual Summer Pick-Up Choir.Â
The choir is open to anyone who would like to participate weekly. If interested, simply show up to the sanctuary on the Sunday mornings of your choice. Music will be provided when you arrive, and we'll all learn together for the 10:15 a.m. service.
Ellie Hodder will be with us as conductor for the next 2 Sundays. For more information, please contact Garrett Bond, our summer music coordinator.
No experience or ongoing commitment necessary.
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NEW — Become an Usher!
Usher Team, First Unitarian
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As an usher, you will play a crucial role in creating a warm and welcoming environment for all who enter our sanctuary.
What you'll gain:
- Community connection: Connect with like-minded individuals who share your values and commitment to social activism.
- Personal growth: Enhance your interpersonal skills and deepen your understanding of our shared mission by engaging with our congregation.
- Spiritual enrichment: Participate more fully in our services, enriching your own spiritual journey while supporting others.
Whether you can commit to every service or just occasionally, your involvement matters. Help foster a sense of belonging, making new folks feel at home and encouraging them to engage with our community.
Interested? Contact Reed, Usher Coordinator, or Jen Thomas, Member Engagement Coordinator.
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KUDOS! — Wishing Nikki All the Best!
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Tomorrow, August 2, is Nikki Beezley's last day with First Unitarian. During her 6+ years with the church, Nikki has served in several positions and is currently our Communications Coordinator. We send her every good wish as she moves on to her next great adventure. Thank you, Nikki, for all your good work. You'll be missed!
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Upcoming Classes, Events & Gatherings
Enjoyed coming to gatherings at First Unitarian Portland? Consider contributing to sustaining our community. Your support goes a long way in fostering meaningful connections. Thank you!
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LAST CHANCE — Curious About Electric and Hybrid Cars?
Sunday, August 11, 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Location: Buchan Reception Hall
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Join Us for an Electric Vehicle (EV) Test Ride Event!
Join our Community for Earth volunteers and fellow congregants for an exciting EV Test Ride event! Enjoy a delicious lunch at the church while engaging in a Q&A session about electric vehicles. You'll have the chance to test ride and chat with the owners of various Electric and Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles, including Rivian, Bolt, BMW, Leaf, Prius and RAV4 Primes, Volt, VW, and more.
Don't miss out on the fun and unique EV experience!
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Summer 2024 Activities at First Unitarian
Summer Spiritual Vibes: Rest, Reflect, Renew
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Summer’s slower pace is an opportunity for us to gather in community, have a little fun, and refresh our spirits! I invite you to lean into our summer church theme, “Rest, Reflect, Renew,” with these low-commitment, laid-back offerings. Join us at one that sparks your interest, or come to all of them.
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Drop-In Brown Bag Discussions
Bring your lunch and join summer minister Danielle Garrett from 12 - 1:30 p.m. in the Buchan Reception Hall for informal conversation and community building.
- August 7: UU History Grab-Bag—Explore favorite moments and figures from Unitarian Universalist history.
- August 21: All We Kindred Pilgrim Souls—Talk about pilgrimage experiences and spiritual travel.
Evening Community Gathering
Join us in the Buchan Reception Hall and Courtyard.
- August 9: Summer Potluck—Bring a summer dish to share from 6 - 8 p.m.Â
Summer Vespers Schedule
Join our contemplative Vespers services on Zoom at 5 p.m. every Friday. This summer, services are on August 2 and 9. Join us via Zoom.
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UU THE VOTE — The Election is Soon; It's Time to Give It Our All!Â
Sunday, August 25, 12-2 p.m.Â
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We invite every congregant to help mobilize people to Get Out The Vote by writing letters directly to new and potential voters in Arizona. First Unitarian has a goal of 10,000 letters and we are over halfway there! If you've already taken letters to write, please return them as soon as possible so we can count them.
We know what's at stake in this election:
- The right to make choices for our own bodies
- Racial, economic and gender justice
- Curbing the climate catastrophe
- Our democracy itself
Find us at the Blue Tablecloth every Sunday during social hour to pick up a packet of letters to write. We'll show you how. If you can't make it to church to pickup a packet, or if you are curious about holding your own letter-writing party, contact us at UUtheVote@firstunitarianportland.org and we can help you learn how.Â
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SAVE THE DATE - All-church PicnicÂ
Saturday, September 14, Noon to 4 p.m.
Wilshire Park:Â 4116 NE 33rd Ave, Portland, OR 97212
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Bring your picnic lunch and a dessert to share, and let’s enjoy a day together in one of Portland’s beautiful parks.
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NEW — August Newsletter
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I send you each care and greetings as we launch into August. I hope you will take a moment to read this tiny issue of our e-newsletter, within which you will find information about August RE for all ages, program year registration (it's time! you can register!), and a special ritual on August 25th.
I look forward to being back in the swing of things next month, and I hope that includes getting to see many of your faces.Â
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Seeking New High School Backpacks for Western Farm Workers School Supplies Drive
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First Unitarian’s Immigrant Justice Action Group (IJAG) is collecting high school backpacks for the Western Farm Workers’ School Supplies Collection in Hillsboro, now set for August 17, 2024. Families have requested durable, high-quality backpacks. The New York Times “Wirecutter” has excellent recommendations: Wirecutter Best School Backpacks
Collection Dates: Sundays: August 4 and August 11 during Fellowship Hour. Look for the box with rocket ship wrapping paper near the UU the Vote table.
Direct Shipment:
Address: Western Farm Workers, Attn: Karyna Graham, 725 SE 7th Avenue, Hillsboro, OR 97123.
Drop-Off: Laurie will deliver the collected backpacks on August 14, or you can drop them off at her home in SW Portland until August 13. Email Laurie with the subject line BACKPACKS.
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2024 Collins Lecture: Faith & Politics in a Divided World
Thursday, August 8, from 7 pm - 9 p.m.
Location: University of Portland - Buckley Center Auditorium
5000 N Willamette Blvd., Portland, Oregon
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Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon presents two leaders from the Global South who will engage us in conversations around leadership, faith, and politics from their unique perspectives. Our Collins Lecturers will be Ambassador Cecilia Adeng, South Sudan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, and Juan Guaidó, opposition leader and former Interim President of Venezuela...get tickets.
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Support LiftUp This Summer
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We are supporting LiftUp throughout the summer, from June 16 to Labor Day. Please place in the COHHO bins in Fuller Hall by the kitchen any of the following most needed food items: brown rice, whole grain pasta, shelf-stable milk, canned protein (tuna, chicken, salmon), nut butter, any low sodium broths, canned veggies, and sauces.
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Donate Supplies to the Shower Project!
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The Shower Project is going well, and our guests appreciate the service. We urgently need cases of water to continue providing for our guests. We also need sports bras (sizes M & L), men's boxers or boxer briefs (sizes M & L), and cases of Gatorade or other electrolyte drinks.
Your donations will make a big difference in the lives of those we serve. Thank you for your support!
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In the Community
Member Chris Gates has been in the hospital recovering from surgery. He faces a long period of rehabilitation and would appreciate all of us holding him in healing thoughts and prayers. May he be strengthened by our love and presence and companionship on his healing journey.
Member Bill Cunninghame asks for prayers for his brother, Brian, who has entered hospice care for his advanced cancer. Bill asks for prayers for his brother that he's comfortable and peaceful as he transitions to the next realm and particularly that he opens his heart to heal a deep family rift before he makes that transition.
Sonrisa Celeste Cooper, who grew up in our church, married Tsuyoshi Onda on Saturday, July 20th, at the Laurelhurst Club. Sonrisa is the daughter of now-retired staffer Zaida Cooper and her husband John. We wish the couple happiness, well-being and enduring love.
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NEW — Letter from the Board Moderator – August 2024
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A “cool down” in the summer heat is welcome, although it looks like we're entering another hot spell. The Board has welcomed newly elected Trustees Linda Craig, Bob Bonner, Harriet Shaklee, and David Livermore. Thank you to the outgoing members for their service: Theo Harper, Mindy Clark, Andy Wilson, and Barbara Morrison. We learned much from you and look forward to your ongoing church participation and leadership.
Many parts of our lives at First Unitarian Portland reflect the culture and feelings of the city, the state, and the United States. We have worship, social justice, religious education, poetry, labyrinth, art, and history. The Board of Trustees focuses on policy, church funds, and the general well-being of our congregation...continue reading.
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Do you have a birth in the family, a graduation, an anniversary, a memorial, or other milestones to share?
You 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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LAST CHANCE! — Thank John Boelling for his Service to Our CommunityÂ
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As many of you know, John Boelling has stepped down as associate music director after many years of serving our music community. To honor his time with our congregation and express our gratitude, we have created a space to share well-wishes, stories, memories, and photos. Say thank you to John by adding your contribution to the Kudoboard.
Kudos Instruction Note:Â
- Click "+ Add to Board"
- Create a post by adding text and/or media, then "Skip Email"
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Summer Art Wall Exhibitions Art Wall
Tapestries by Stephen Karakashian
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This summer, enjoy the art of The Art Wall Committee Members in Fuller Hall. Also, check out the tapestries of artist Stephen Karakashian in the church Narthex.
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Recurring Workshops, Classes & Gatherings
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Caregivers Support Group: Open to Newcomers. Fourth Sunday of each month at 9 a.m. via Zoom.
SUMMER BREAK — Care and Action for Reproductive Dignity (CARD): We meet on the third Sunday of each month from 12:15 to 1:45 in Fireside. Contact Marni for summer activities.
First Connections: We meet monthly on the third Sunday for all new and returning folks! And it is a terrific way to meet new folks just coming into the community. Bring a brown bag lunch. Questions? Email Pat.
Vespers will be on break on August 15, 23, and 30. It will resume on July 19 through August 9 and then again on September 6.Â
Good Times: Movie Group Sunday movie meetup this Summer on August 11, 4 - 6:30 p.m., at members' homes to discuss current films in theaters or streaming. Contact Christine for details and to join our group email list.
Sojourners: Lollygagging Our Way To The Inevitable: Sojourners and Sojourners 2 are two groups that meet for two hours at First Unitarian. Members support each other through aging with facilitated discussions, activities, personal stories, and social events, fostering growth and friendship. All are welcome, but both groups are limited in size; no drop-ins, please. || Email Lucy with questions.
"T” Time: A Trans, Nonbinary, and Gender-Expansive, Exclusive Gathering: Meet on the second and fourth Sundays in Channing Room at 12 - 1 p.m.
EVERY SUNDAY — UU the Vote: Join Us For Community and Letter WritingÂ
The blue tablecloth will be available every Sunday until October. Letters can be dropped off and picked up at the church office.
Letter Writing Schedule:
Women's Circle II:Â Meets most second and fourth Mondays of the month. Email Kim.
EVERY SUNDAY — Young Adult Summer Meetup! Every Sunday at 12:15 p.m., the meeting room may vary. Expect fun social events, thought-provoking discussions, and opportunities to connect. Questions? Contact Caroline.
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Got something for Front Steps? Send in your church-related submission for our weekly publication. Use "Front Steps" as the subject line and submit here.
Deadline: Tuesdays at noon.
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Our UU "Identify schools" play a particular role in educating UU ministers. They also play an incubating role for evolving theologies in our larger movement.
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