Please Join Our Live Stream
Sunday, November 22Worship Service at 10:15 a.m. PDT
Family Worship Service at 9:15 a.m. PDT
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We are Saying Thank You
Rev. Thomas Disrud
In troubled times it can be hard to find our way to gratitude. But asking ourselves, at any given moment, to pause and ask ourselves what it is we have to be thankful for is an important spiritual practice.
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Bill's BlogRevolutionary Love
I want to thank the many members of the congregation who wrote to me after last Sunday’s service. You wrote of being inspired and of needing the message that an epidemic of love could be both powerful and possible. You shared stories of how the service seemed to open a long-closed door in your spirits, allowing you to reclaim a remembered hope. Running through most of the messages was your knowing that we all need that rebirth of hope...continued.
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Family WorshipLove & Connection to Animals
We'll learn about Francis of Assisi, Italian Catholic friar, deacon, mystic, and preacher of the 13th century, and engage with the prayer attributed to him, well known as The Prayer of St. Francis. Stacey will share a story of St. Francis, who was known for his love and connection to animals, Dustin will offer a song celebrating all creatures, and Tom will give our prayer.  Â
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| Featured NewsAll timestamps are scheduled in Pacific Standard Time (PDT) unless stated otherwise.
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Transgender Day of Remembrance Interfaith VigilÂ
TONIGHT! Thursday, November 19
7 p.m. – 8 p.m.Â
Gather virtually with us for an interfaith service featuring local and national spiritual leaders (including our own Rev. Bill Sinkford and Rev. Thomas Disrud), live music and a candle lighting ceremony.
We invite everyone to join us in this reverent observation. A virtual reception will follow the service where you are invited to join us in fellowship.
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Board Forum
Evaluation of Ministry, Church and Board Goals, Q & A
Sunday, Nov. 22 at 11:45 a.m.
Please join with fellow congregants for one of the Board of Trustees' periodic forums. You'll hear results from the Annual Evaluation of the Ministry, and the Board will describe its process for developing Board and Church goals. All are welcome.
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Harvest the Power Justice Convergence & Teach-in
November 19 – 26
As Thanksgiving approaches, join the UUA, UU Ministry for Earth, UUSC, & many partners in reverence for the Earth.
The Harvest the Power Justice Convergence & Teach-in is a series of excellent programs and documentary screenings to provide grounding, community, and justice education for the week of Thanksgiving.

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Holiday Giving Tree Drive-by Drop-off!
Collecting On: Saturday, December 5 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Curbside Drop-Off: Eliot Center Entrance, 1226 SW Salmon St.
Our “Giving Trees” will look a little different this year. Team up with the Learning Community and three of our Social Justice Action Groups on behalf of First U PDX, by donating items or monetarily giving to one or several partnering organizations listed below.Â
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The Learning Community will be collecting mittens, socks, scarves, blankets and hats for Don't Shoot Portland.
Mental Health Action Group will be collecting gift cards of a suggested $10-$30+ for those living with mental illness for Central City Concern.
Animal Ministries will be collecting dog food, cat food and litter that will go towards the Paw Team.
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Don't Shoot PDX   -   Paw Team   -   Central City Concern
Click to monetarily donate towards these organization through Willamette Week G!ve Guide.
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First U PDX! Adopt-a-PHFS Family for the Holidays!
Collecting on: Sunday, December 13 from 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Curbside Drop-Off: Eliot Center, 1226 SW Salmon St.
Because of safety concerns related to COVID-19, Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS) will not host an in-person holiday event for their families this year. Instead, PHFS is recruiting donors to "Adopt a Family” and provide holiday gifts and cheer for an entire family.
Keeping with our tradition of the Giving Tree and supporting PHFS holiday gift drives, Committee on Hunger and Homelessness (COHHO) has committed to adopting four families. Please consider giving!
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| | Upcoming Events, Workshops & Classes
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Living with Loss: How Will I Get Through the Holidays?
Saturdays, November 21, December 5 and 12, 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Holiday times can be some of the most challenging times for those who are grieving a loss. Holidays may not be the same, yet we offer hope that holidays can still be meaningful. This class is directed toward those who have experienced the death of someone they love, divorce, estrangement, or other significant life change.
Our facilitators, Rev. Wendy Fish and Kristin Guest will offer support through sharing information on the grief process, as you tell your stories and connect with others.Â
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UU the VoteÂ
Get Out the Vote in Georgia for the January Special Election
Sunday, November 22, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
We know that the strongest democracy is one where more people have a voice in electing their representative. UU the Vote has registered over 5,000 voters. With your help, we can register thousands more before the voter registration deadline on December 7.
Last week over 130 UUs joined us at the first Georgia phone-bank during the critical runoff election! UU the Vote will be holding more national action to speak with voters in key counties across the state. But we can't do it without you! Â
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Hold the Line on DemocracyÂ
Tuesday, November 24, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Our First Unitarian team continues to track the local and national interfaith movement aligned to ensure that the general election results are upheld, and that there is a peaceful transfer of power.Â
We continue to meet Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. from now through inauguration. Please join us to learn about what interfaith actions are underway locally and nationally. Most importantly, stay connected to fellow congregants while we Hold the Line for democracy and envision a People's Inauguration on January 21.
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Caring Circle for Parents
Mondays, November 30, December 14, 28, January 11 and 25
From 7 - 8 p.m
An ongoing commitment is not required.Â
In these challenging times for families, our lay ministers invite you to join a Caring Circle for parents. This small group will meet every other week to provide listening and support to one another.Â
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Program ResourcesAdult Programs, Social Justice, Learning Community, Music & Arts
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Monthly Mailers & Zoom Gatherings
Registered families should have received their November mailer packets for the theme of Prayer. Watch your Learning Community news for details about a zoom session for our younger age groups as we round out the month.
Please share your feedback about the mailer packets and zoom sessions which will help us in planning future months.Â
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Did You Pre-Order an Alliance Wreath for Church Pick-Up?
Pick-up days: Friday, December 4 and Saturday, December 5
Pick-up time: From 10 – 2 p.m.
Pick-up location: Church Office Garage, 1034 SW 13th Avenue
Please note, wreaths will NOT be available for sale. Pick-up is for pre-ordered wreaths only. If you purchased a wreath to be shipped, they will be going out in the mail.....Â
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Vesper Prayer Service
Every Friday at 5 p.m.
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, but an ongoing commitment is not required.Â
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Loving Kindness Meditation
Every Monday, 8 – 8:30 p.m.
Loving-Kindness towards self and others is a basic foundational view of Buddhism and other religions. Intern Minister Stacey Mitchell will gently guide you through this spiritual practice which cultivates benevolence, kindness, and amity.Â
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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.
I Need You to Survive: Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout leads the gathered community at the Unitarian Universalist General Assembly in 2016 in the song “I Need you to Survive” by Hezekiah Walker. (You can also find it in this week's Speaking of Justice: Weekley Update.)
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In the Community
Longtime member Eleanor Davis died on November 3 after some years of decline. She was well into her 90s. Eleanor was involved in the church and larger family of faith for many years, including serving as national president of the Women’s Federation in the 1960s. She is survived by a daughter and a son.
David Campbell died on November 12 after being in declining health for a number of years. David was 80 years old and was a part of our men’s community as well as our music program.Â
Member Robin Beach Lindsley is in her third week of healing from a total knee replacement. She says that being able to go to virtual church has been a blessing.
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A Note From Your Emergency Planning Team
Emergencies by their very nature take us by surprise.
COVID-19 made us all conscious of how important it is to plan for contingencies.  Now is a perfect time to pull items together in case you need to leave home in a moment’s notice.  It is easy to procrastinate, but please DON’T! If needed, you will be forever grateful.
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Glenda Goldwater Art Exhibit
Glenda Louise Goldwater, 1934 – 2020
We invite you to stop by to view Glenda's collection and take a moment to reflect on her memory.
Fais Pas Chier:Â The Art Collection of a Portland Icon
Upfor Gallery: 929 NW Flanders Street, Portland, OR 97209
An art exhibition from the personal art collection of member Glenda Goldwater, who died in September, has been organized to honor the life and memory. Glenda was known as a Portland icon, bon-vivant, and grande dame. The exhibit will at Upfor Gallery in November 2020.Â
Viewing Hours: Weekend viewing hours will be first come first serve, with limited capacity due to Covid–19. Weekday viewing will be by limited by appointment only. Â
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Nominating Committee in Search of a Few Good Candidates
Are you a member of First Unitarian and wondering how you can give back? Are you wanting to help build the beloved community, seeing representation of all of our members in the leadership of our church?
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Message from our Board Moderator
As we move into fall, we hope you’re all staying well. These are anxious times, and it is good to have our church community.Â
First, we thank all of you who have participated with a gift to Our Path Forward. As of last week, we have reached 93% of our goal, an achievement well worth celebrating. We expect additional gifts to come in over the next few weeks...continued.
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Faked Email Messages “from Rev. Bill”
Congregants receiving spoofed emails from Reverend Bill
Please only open messages from this email address bsinkford@firstunitarianportland.org. If the sender’s email isn’t EXACTLY this email address, it isn’t from Reverend Bill
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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.
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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 MONDAY.Â
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Sunday Live Stream & Social ScheduleJoin us LIVE from your computer or smart device by clicking on the links below.Â
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| November Shared PlateIn November, we share our plate with the Chúush Fund: Water for Warm Springs. In partnership with the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, MRG Foundation developed The Chúush Fund to directly benefit the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs as they work to restore their access and infrastructure for clean water.
In 2019, a water main break on the Warm Springs Reservation has meant continued water crisis on the largest tribal reservation in Oregon.Â
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Speaking of Justice: Weekly Update 11/19
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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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Moved recently? Changed your phone number or e-mail? Fill out this form.
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![[Image Description: The Harvest the Power Justice Convergence & Teach-In Advertisement for November 19-26, 2020. The Image contains a beautiful illustration of 5 women surrounded by nature created by Molly Costello which says “The Land Loves Us Back”. At the bottom of the advertisement are the logos for the UUA, UUMFE, and UUSC.]](https://d31hzlhk6di2h5.cloudfront.net/20201119/63/8f/8a/b6/a6ce6222a0820eb89cb0a725_840x316.png)
