Sunday Worship atĀ 10:15 a.m.
š„£ Souper Sunday after the serviceĀ š„£
Children & youth start in the Sanctuary at 10:15 a.m.Ā then head toĀ RE classes.Ā Nursery and toddler careĀ available during worship.
Social Hour:Ā Fuller Hall after the service.
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Dance of Creation and Destruction
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As we reflect on the web of creation this month, we will notice that within it we witness the forces of creativity and weaving together, as well as the forces of tearing apart and destruction at work. In a time when many of us are reeling from destructive acts in our communities, how can we learn to co-create with all that upholds life and beauty and wholeness?Ā
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NEW! ā Souper Sunday
This Sunday, January 11, after the service
Location: Fuller Hall
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This Sunday is Souper Sunday!
We will be serving tomato and a chicken-vegetable soup. We welcome any baked goods (including gluten-free) to share with the soups. Please bring any items to Fuller Hall kitchen prior to service.
If you are interested in helping with Souper Sundays, please email Barbara M. or Kathleen V. for information on how to help. It is always welcome and greatly appreciated.
See you Sunday!
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NEW! ā UUA Statements on Current Events
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Writing Life Stories: Trying New Approaches
Mondays, Jan. 12 & 26, and Feb. 9 & 23, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Location: First Unitarian
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Why join a writing group? Maybe youāve been trying to make sense of the confusing event in your past or a puzzling family member. Maybe you want to write down and self-publish family stories to share with family and friends. Maybe writing stretches your brain and you like the feeling. Our general process will be to use an idea or prompt that inspires us to write for 10 to 15 minutes, followed by reading aloud to the group (youāll have an option to pass). All levels of experience are welcome. Please commit to all four sessions. Facilitated by Suzanne K.
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LAST CHANCE ā Grief Group
Wednesdays, January 14 and 28, and February 11 and 25, 2 - 3:30 p.m.
Location: Channing Room
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If you are grieving the death of a person in your life, you are invited to join a new Grief Group offered by Lay Ministry. The group will meet in person on Wednesday, January 14 and 28, February 11 and 25 in the Channing Room from 2 - 3:30 p.m.
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NEW! ā Adult Our Whole Lives (OWL) 3 Session Class Forming NOW
Sundays, February 8, 15, and 22, 12:15 - 1:45 p.m.
Location: First Unitarian
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Facilitated by church member Bill C., Congregational Life Director Jen Thomas, and Lifespan Learning Director Rev. Leah Ongiri, Adult OWL is a holistic UU sexuality education program based in compassion, respect, justice, and spirituality. It balances knowledge-building with exploration of attitudes, values, and feelings about oneās own and othersā sexuality. Themes include Gender Identity, Intimacy, Reframing Sexuality, Consent, Boundaries and Boundary Violations, Family Matters, and Communication.
Class will meet 12:15 to 1:45 p.m. on Sunday, February 8, 15, and 22.Ā (Plus optional local field trip on March 15!)
Participants are asked to make a firm commitment to attend all sessions.
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Special Welcome to New Families
Rev. Leah Ongiri,Ā Acting Director of Lifespan Faith Formation & Family Ministries
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Around the Church
Enjoyed coming to gatherings at First Unitarian Portland?Ā Consider contributing to sustaining our community. Your support goes a long way in fostering meaningful connections. Thank you!
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NEW! ā New Green T-Shirts Are Available in the Bookstore!
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Are your young people excited about marching with you? We have the dark green First Unitarian T-shirts in stock now ā including a new smaller adult size suitable for medium-large children. Ā
Now that these holidays are over and weāre back to our regular busy lives, you might find a book of meditation or daily readings helpful. Maybe you would like to explore the work of a poet you havenāt yet met, or read a meaty justice book now that your mind isnāt full of grocery lists and things to get ready to mail.
Do we have options for you?!! Hereās a place to begin:
- If you havenāt ever browsed your Beacon Bookstore, start with that.Ā Your coffee cup is welcome.
- If you have a new member coupon burning a hole in your pocket, nowās the time to spend it!
- If you are a regular customer, come see the new books!
- If you didnāt find your size in the blue t-shirt stock from last fall, come snap-up one of the beautiful hunter green ones!
Weāre looking forward to welcoming you all this church year!
Thanks for your patronage!
Your Bookstore Committee
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Our K-1st grade RE class is creating a village of designed and decorated cardboard boxes big enough for children to play in. Appliance sized or similar is perfect. If you have one or more to donate, please bring to room A200 on Sunday mornings.
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CHECK WEEKLY ā January 11 Newsletter
Rev. Leah Ongiri, Acting Director of Lifespan Faith Formation and Family Ministries
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Dear Ones,
Rev. Alison will leadĀ this coming Sunday's drop-in parenting circle. And youāre invited! Swing by Fuller Hall after the service for soup and more. Then head to B202 in Buchan for conversation, celebration, and commiseration with other parents and caregivers starting around 12:15. Childcare provided...MORE
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NEW! ā Winter Antiracism Learning Circles
Dates & times vary, starting January 19
Location: Zoom
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You are invited to join anĀ Antiracism Learning CircleĀ this winter. Itās on Zoom, so you can join from anywhere. Invite your friends, too. CirclesĀ start the week of January 19.
Full descriptions, schedules & registration informationĀ areĀ HERE.
A printable flyer isĀ HERE.
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This Winter 2026 we are offering:
- Seeing WhiteĀ - Start your journey here! Ā The real history of the US, the one none of us were taught in school. Ā Documentary podcast series from Scene on Radio.
- The Land That Has Never Been YetĀ - an examination of whether we have ever had a real democracy. Documentary podcast series from Scene on Radio.
- Doughnut EconomicsĀ - seven ways to think like a 21st century economist to thrive, not just grow
- Master PlanĀ - The 50-year plot to legalize corruption in the US
- Itās Not You, Itās CapitalismĀ - a guide to budding anti-capitalists
- This Chair RocksĀ - a manifesto against ageism
- Golden Gates: Fighting for Housing in AmericaĀ - and how to solve it
- The 1619 Project: A New Origin StoryĀ - a revealing vision of American past and present
LEARNING CIRCLESĀ are small discussion cohorts based on a book or podcast that provide:
- Important learning about white supremacy, racism, and our national history
- The opportunity to build trust and go deep in small group discussions over time
- A safe place to have difficult discussions and deal with discomfort
- An opportunity to create and strengthen relationships with others
- Connection, focus and purpose in a virtual setting
How Do LEARNING CIRCLES Work?
- Each cohort (typically 4-12) gathers for a series (from 6-12 sessions) of facilitated Zoom discussions.
- Register for specific Learning Circle(s). Meeting dates & times vary.
- Everyone is given the opportunity to share reactions, then discuss as a group
- We ask that you plan to attend all sessions so we can build bonds of trust and insight
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NEW! ā CARD Potluck
Saturday, January 17, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Location: SW Portland
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Join us for an informative potluck on Saturday, January 17, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Nancy P.ās house in SW Portland. Our in-home potlucks are a fun blend of socializing, eating homemade dishes, and collaborating on ways to continue improving access to reproductive healthcare. In this meeting we plan to focus on community fundraising.
Also make sure to visit our CARD table during the social hour on Sunday, January 18, to learn more about our social justice group. Please email Nancy P. for street address and your food offering. For general information regarding CARD or this meeting, email Marni T.
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NEW! ā Peace with Venezuela
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The American war on Venezuela has begun. To show your support for Peace instead of another endless war, this one extending the Monroe Doctrine into the 21st century, stop by the Peace Action Table on Sunday morning and pick up a Peace button with the word Venezuela on it. Now is the time to be visible in opposition to more war, especially this war of aggression.Ā
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NEW! ā Many Thanks from Avalon Village and Lift UP
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Staff from WeShine's Avalon Village and Lift UP wish to thank those of you who contributed to the COHHO holiday gift drive for Avalon Village residents and community and food drive for Lift UP recipients.
Because of your generosity, all residents received and opened the gifts they asked for on Christmas Eve. One resident wrote to her 'Elf': "I am so grateful for your kindness and will pass it forward."
We're happy to report that Lift UP received 80 pounds of food from First Unitarian in December, a 60% increase in the amount of food typically donated each month. š
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NEW! āĀ Change in COHHO Meeting Time and Location
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We have changed our monthly meeting to the first Sunday of the month from the third Sunday. Our meeting location has consequently changed as well. For the rest of this church year, we'll gather at noon in the Fireside Room. Please feel free to join us; you don't need to RSVP.Ā
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As we reflect on two years of the 13 Salmon Shower Project, we are overwhelmed with gratitude for the compassion of this congregation. Together, we've provided a safe space for showers, clean clothes, and connection for more than 2,000 of our unhoused neighbors.
Winter is here, bringing a harsh reality for those without housing. These three essentials can help protect our guests from the cold:
- Beanies / knitted hats (black or gray preferred)
- Warm gloves
- Men's sweatpants (small & med)
Drop off your items in the marked cabinet in Fuller Hall during church hours or during Shower Project hours (Wednesdays and Thursdays between noon and 4 p.m. at 13th and Salmon). Thank you for your support!
If youād like to offer a financial contribution directly to the Shower Project, pleaseĀ donate here.
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CHECK WEEKLY ā Art for Social Justice
Curated by Ethel G., Speaking of Justice Editorial Team
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The Speaking of Justice Editorial Team offers weekly art to deepen our connection to the work for social justice and to build the Beloved Community.
Cornelius Eady (born 1954) is an American writer focusing largely on matters of race and society. His poetry, often praised for its simplicity and plainspokenness, centers on jazz and blues, family life, violence, and societal problems stemming from questions of race and class. He is a cofounder of the Cave Canem fellowship for poets of the African diaspora.
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In the Community
A memorial service will be held for member Jean Robinson this Saturday. January 10, at 1 p.m. in the Eliot Chapel. Jean died on October 10 at Courtyard at Mt. Tabor.
Rev. Tom Disrud had successful hip replacement surgery yesterday, January 7. Tom will be on medical leave for the next few weeks while he heals. We wish him a speedy recovery.
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- Contact a Minister: Our ministers are available for pastoral support to congregants in need and to officiate at rites of passages including memorial services and weddings. Call the church office at 503-228-6389, or send an email.
- Contact a Lay Minister:Ā Lay Ministers support the pastoral work of the ministerial staff. They are church members who offer one-to-one caring and support for folks in times of need.Ā Call the church office at 503-228-6389, orĀ send an email. You can learn more here.
- Friend to Friend Outreach Program: This program provides connection to seniors and individuals who may be homebound and unable to attend church regularly. It offers members up to four in-person visits per year from a Lay Minister. Send an email to Lay Minister Steve K.
- Lotsa Helping Hands Support Network: This care calendar enables volunteers to provide meals or visits for congregants going through challenging times. For support or questions, email coordinator Leslie C. To volunteer, send a request here.
- Join an Affinity or Support Group:Ā Build community through our identity-based affinity groups and experience-specific support groups. Learn about them here.
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DoĀ you have a birth in the family,Ā aĀ graduation, an anniversary, a memorial, or other milestones 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 January & February Art Wall ExhibitionĀ
Paintings by Nancy Helmsworth
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For the past seven years, Portland artist Nancy Helmsworth has found inspiration in Forest Park. She began looking to the trees as examples of longevity and resilience at the same time they are under assault by climate change and over-harvesting by humans.Ā
She has since shifted her gaze to the creek running through the Bird Alliance and along Lower Macleay Trail in Forest Park,Ā kulla kulla Creek, which meansĀ birdĀ in the chinuk-wawa language...MORE
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Got something for Front Steps? Send in your church-related submission for our weekly publication. Submit it here (preferred) or email us here with "Front Steps" as the subject line.
Deadline: Tuesdays at 5 p.m.
If your submission is urgent and couldnāt be sent before the deadline, please include āURGENTā in the subject line.
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| January's Plate Share
This church year, we are focusing our Sunday plate offerings with organizations and coalitions with which First Unitarian Portland collaborates directly. For the month of January, we share our plate with the Interfaith Alliance on Poverty, of which we are a member. The Interfaith Alliance on Poverty is a faith-based community of congregations called by our shared social justice values to alleviate poverty. The Alliance works to educate ourselves and others about the systemic causes of poverty and advocate for changes in policies in partnership with experienced organizations.
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| Want to know what this church has to offer?Ā Visit our Calendar by clicking above to see our list of events/classes/socials!
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