Please Join Our Live Stream
Sunday, February 14, 2021Family Worship Service at 9:15 a.m.
Worship Service at 10:15 a.m.
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Valentine & Other SaintsRev. Bill Sinkford
We look to saints and mentors and elders for ideas of how to live...and how not to live. Our cultural heroes and collective sheroes inspire us. They remind us of our hopes of wholeness and help convince us that love might truly be strong enough to overcome both hate and fear.
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Bill's Blog Centering
Carter Woodson (1875-1950) “The Father of Black History”Â
We enter Black History Month 2021 after a year which saw, among many other things, the Movement for Black Lives manifested in the largest and most diverse demonstrations for equity in our nation’s history. More and more Americans affirm the need to dismantle the Culture of White Supremacy and the need to center the voice of Black, Indigenous and People of Color...continued.
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Family WorshipWays We Express Love
On this Valentine's Day, we'll think about the ways that we express love and what we've learned about love from those who have gone before, including some history about Saint Valentine. Rev. Bill will lead our worship. Dustin will share a lively, familiar tune, and Stacey will offer our meditation.Â
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Why We "Lift Every Voice & Sing"Â
The Story Behind the "Black National Anthem"
DeReau will be leading us in this hymn throughout February. Check out the origins of "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing," the song unofficially known as the "Black National Anthem."Â
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| Featured News & EventsTimestamps are Pacific Standard Time (PST) unless stated otherwise.Â
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| Gmail Users: You may have to scroll down to the bottom of this message and click on "View Entire Message" to see the complete FrontSteps.
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COVID-19 Vaccination Eligibility & Appointments
How to Schedule a Vaccination Appointment
The following is updated information about how to schedule your COVID-19 Vaccination.
We recommend reading the instructions through once before signing up. You will need to enter your date of birth and Social Security Number. If you have a MyHealth account, have your login and password available as well...continue.
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Speaking of Justice: Faith in ActionThrough this blog, learn & engage with what First Unitarian is doing in the way of Social Justice Action.
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Support Our UU Voice at the United NationsÂ
At First Unitarian, we have an “Envoy Team” working through the Peace Action Group to support the UU@UN “bring issues into focus and demand action when critical human rights, humanitarian, and justice issues are not receiving the attention they deserve...continued click below.
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Tell Banks to #DefundLine3 Pipeline
Similar to the Keystone Pipeline, Line 3 tar sands pipeline in Minnesota must be stopped...continued click below.
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Subscribe to Our YouTube
We have almos 500 subscribers!Â
Never miss a Sunday stream. Get linked to upcoming family, main, special services, projects, and events. While you're there, check out Rev. Sean Parker Dennison offer a testimony and reflection on body liberation and being a transgender minister at Rev. Meg Riley's presentation from "Seminary for a Day" recorded on January 30, 2021.
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| | Upcoming Events, Workshops & Classes
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Younger Adult Gathering
Wednesday, February 16, 7:30 p.m.Â
First Unitarian Portland and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Eugene are joining together to offer younger adult gatherings so we can get to know each other. This gathering will be hosted by Jennifer Hackett, M.Div. (she/her).Â
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This Too Shall Pass
Saturday, February 20, 11 a.m.
According to the CDC, older adults are at the greatest risk for COVID-19, hospitalizations, and death, yet so little has been done to address their social isolation, anxiety, and loneliness.
Early in the pandemic, Paul Iarrobino set out to find ways to support older adults. Determined to make a difference, he started offering weekly virtual peer support calls. These calls became a new lifeline for trust, hope, and new possibilities. He will share powerful lessons learned and how they have shaped his personal understanding of resilience and peace during unsettling times.
This event is limited to 18 participants and will include a Q&A. Â
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The Endangered Columbia: An Indigenous Scientist Reflects on Climate Change
Saturday, February 20, 1 p.m.
The Mt. Hood Cluster of UU Congregations is pleased to offer a one-time Zoom presentation for all interested congregants by Don Sampson, a fisheries biologist and Traditional Chief of the Walla Walla Tribe and Climate Change Project Director for the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians.Â
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Exploration Workshop: The 8th Principle
Congregation-wide Invitation!
Sunday, February 21, 11:45 a.m.
Why has a new principle been proposed, and what would it mean to adopt it as a church, as a denomination? Â
Join Reverend Bill and the Board of Trustees to learn about the proposed 8th Principle of Unitarian Universalism.
The 8th Principle calls us to journey "toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions."Â
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1 Spot Left - Antiracism Learning Circle
Join other folks in this new book group addition to the winter session.
Contact Gilda for more info.Â
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'Til Heaven & Earth Ring with DeReau Farrar
Saturday, February 27, 1 p.m. Â
Join Director of Music DeReau Farrar through a listening tour of music that has emerged from the 2020 Uprising for Black Lives. Using this music as sacred text, we will aim to hear what it may be demanding of our spirits.
What are some common themes? Where do we fit into the narrative that inspired this creation? What can we point to as we seek wholeness for and within this broken system? Advance registration required.
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Invitation to Spiritual Practice
Saturdays, First Session Starting March 6, 3 - 4:30 p.m.Â
If you are looking to explore a new spiritual practice or bring a fresh perspective to a personal practice, please join us. The Spiritual Directors of First Unitarian Portland offer the following five sessions on exploring spiritual practices. Through discussion and engagement of prayer, poetry, meditation, gratitude and music participants will be guided to respond together in beloved community. (An on-going commitment is not required, but spaces are limited).Â
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Human Rights with Rep. Chrissy Stonebraker-Martinez and First Unitarian's UN Committee
Tuesday, March 9, 7 p.m.Â
First Portland Unitarian’s United Nations Committee is pleased to invite the congregation to learn more about United Nations Rep. Chrissy Stonebraker-Martinez’s human rights work in Central and South America.
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Program ResourcesAdult Programs, Social Justice, Learning Community, Music & Arts
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Friendship & Fun Wednesdays
Every Wednesday, 5 p.m.
We are learning on how to be together in new ways during the pandemic.  Do you want to simply have fun and interesting conversations with new folks or folks you haven’t seen for a while at First Unitarian?
The facilitator will lead with an ice-breaker topic/question each week. Come with your favorite beverage or treat and be together through conversation. (An on-going commitment is not required.)
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Caregivers Support Group
Now Open to Newcomers
Every 4th Sunday at 11:30 a.m.
If you are caring for a partner or other family member with an ongoing health condition, you may benefit from the support of others in the same situation. Our Caregivers Support Group is facilitated by lay ministers and the format is confidential and informal.
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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. (An ongoing commitment is not required.)
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Loving Kindness Meditation
Mondays, from 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. (An ongoing commitment is not required.)
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Caring Circle for Parents
Monday, February 22, 7 p.m.
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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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.
Tracy Chapman - Talkin' bout a Revolution (Live)
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In the Community
Church sexton Calvin Hanson completed his Bachelor of Science in Psychology in December and is now applying for Master’s degree programs. We share our congratulations to Calvin and our best wishes as he figures out the next stage on his journey.
Isabel Sheridan’s cousins in Atlanta, Lindsay and Brian Richards, are rejoicing in the birth of their daughter, Isabel Jacqueline Annette, on January 11. Brothers Davis and Murph are delighted to have a sister. She is named after Isabel and two grandmothers. Isabel is beyond delighted.
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Memorial Service for Everett Goodwin
Saturday, February 27, 1 p.m.Â
A memorial service via Zoom has been scheduled for former member Everett Goodwin who died on December 5, 2020, in Pocatello, ID, where Everett lived in recent years.Â
Everett was 78 and a regular attender of First Unitarian during his years in Portland. He was a poet and loved to share his work and the work of fellow writers. He was also part of our men’s community.Â
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Ministerial Search CommitteeÂ
The Board of Trustees and the Ministerial Search Committee (MSC) would like to inform you of a change in committee membership. The decision to delay our search for a new Senior Minister and to ask Rev. Bill to stay for an additional year created a different level of commitment for members of the MSC. The extension of the time commitment from one year to two and having to do all their work over Zoom has resulted in three members of the committee deciding not to continue. We are very grateful for the time given to the search by Evie Zaic, Kristin Guest, and Darin Stewart; we thank them all.Â
The Board reviewed the list of people who applied to be on the MSC last year and we are pleased to announce that Chris Jakel, Ruth Lewellen-Dix, and David Livermore have all agreed to step onto the MSC. They will be joining Lia Nagase, Saranna Weller-Filz, Mark Woodlief, Sarah Hardin, Jess Parker, and Leslie Pohl-Kosbau. The MSC will be moving into a more active phase in the next two months, and you will be hearing more from them. The MSC is in covenant with each other and the congregation as they do this important work.
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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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Having trouble viewing our services through the website?
Find our Live Streams on 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 “For E-News.”
Submission deadline is noon on Tuesday.Â
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Sunday Live StreamÂ
& Social Schedule
Join us LIVE from your computer or smart device by clicking on the links below.Â
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February Shared PlateFor the month of February, First Unitarian shares our plate collection with the Portland Downtown Neighborhood Association’s Good Neighbor Project. As a coalition of several downtown organizations and community members, The Good Neighbor Project helps approximately 200 unhoused downtown neighbors by distributing essential goods for survival such as water, cold and wet weather clothing, and bedding...continue.
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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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