Please Join Our Live Stream
Sunday, April 18, 2021Family Worship Service at 9:15 a.m.
Worship Service at 10:15 a.m.
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This is an annual tradition at First Unitarian—a service led by our high school youth in YRUU (Young Religious Unitarian Universalists). It’s a wonderful opportunity to experience what our church nurtures in young people. The service will include their musical gifts and insightful homilies.
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Bill's BlogHow Long, O Lord, How Long
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Rev. Egbert Ethelred Brown
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| I want to thank the members of the First Unitarian community who reached out to me, as news of the latest murder in Minnesota spread and news coverage of it surpassed even that of the Chauvin trial.Â
There is no surprise in that news for me, and therefore little shock. ”Open Season” on Black and Brown bodies seems never to end in the land of the free...continued.
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Family WorshipAnnual Youth Service
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| This Sunday members of our high school youth group, YRUU (Young Religious Unitarian Universalists), will share a few worship elements from their annual Youth Service.Â
Dustin will offer hymns alongside our high schoolers who will share music, dancing, and stories.Â
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Q&A with Rev. Bill and the Board’s Financial Update
Sunday, April 18, at 11:30 a.m.
What’s on your mind? Bring all manner of questions to ask our Senior Minister at this periodic Q&A.
Hear about the church’s financial position. Members of the Board’s Finance Committee will be on hand to answer your questions.
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| Featured News & EventsTimestamps are Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) 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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NEW! - Exploring the 8th Principle: A Virtual Workshop
Sunday, May 2, 12 p.m.
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Church ballots will be mailed to all members of First Unitarian Church at the end of April. In addition to voting for new Board of Trustees, Nominating Committee, and Foundation candidates, and approving the annual operating budget, members will vote on whether or not to incorporate the 8th Principle into our church bylaws. On May 2nd, the Board of Trustees and Reverend Bill will offer the workshop, "Exploring the 8th Principle."
If you have yet to attend one of these workshops, we invite you to come learn about the 8th Principle and why the Board of Trustees has endorsed its adoption. Learn more about the 8th Principle and congregational endorsements on our church website.
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First Unitarian Church Goals for 2021-2024Â
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The Board, in collaboration with the congregation, will be developing church-wide goals to guide us for the next three years. In the past the church has set five-year goals, but with the uncertainty of the pandemic and because we will be settling a new Senior Minister next year, the Board believes three-year goals make the most sense for this cycle. Get involved by adding your feedback!
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| | Upcoming Events, Workshops & Classes
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UPCOMING - Saturday Eco-Meditations at Mount Tabor
Saturdays, 9 a.m. April 17; May 8, 15, and 22
Intern Minister Stacey Mitchell will lead outdoor meditations (using Covid safety protocols). There will be a guided meditation component to each session, as we connect to our sacred earth. Beginners are welcome.Â
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LAST CHANCE! - Antiracism Learning Circle
The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America
Mondays at 6 p.m.
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Join this antiracism book group cohort! Read the synopsis and discover further details, by clicking on the button below.
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LAST CHANCE! - Antiracism Learning CirclesCaste: The Origins of Our DiscontentsTuesdays at 3 p.m.
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Join this antiracism book group cohort! Read the synopsis and discover further details, by clicking on the button below.
Caste, by Isabel Wilkerson [Begins 4/20]
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NEW - Music as a Spiritual Practice Workshop
Saturday, April 24, 3 p.m.
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Together, we will learn the ways in which music can be incorporated into deepening your spiritual practice. No musical experience is necessary.
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NEW - White Supremacy in Oregon: History & Current IssuesWednesdays, Starting May 5 at 6 p.m.
A Five Week Zoom Course
We will collectively build an understanding of how Oregon’s whiteness, historically and today, has functioned, an understanding that will help us move forward to develop a better future for us all.
Instructor:Â Kristin Teigen, MA, M.Ed. educator at PSU
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Program ResourcesAdult Programs, Social Justice, Learning Community, Music & Arts
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Vesper Prayer Service
Fridays 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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Caring Circle for Parents
Monday, April 19 at 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
 An ongoing commitment is not required.
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UU's & Elders Build Momentum for Drawdown InitiativeÂ
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For the past few weeks, UUs and Elders Climate Action have been busy with the UUÂ Project Drawdown Initiative 2021. UU DD 21 mobilizes teams or individuals to earn points for taking a variety of actions for climate and environmental justice.
You can SIGN UP and take part in the challenge at any time until June, when the collective efforts will be compiled in a video to be shared and celebrated at UUA General Assembly. Get inspired with these highlights of progress so far.Â
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Action Item
Immigrant Justice Action Group (IJAG) supports the 2021 legislative priorities established by the Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice (IMIrJ): HB 3265 which would update and strengthen our 30+ year old sanctuary law;Â HB 2417 which would expand the CAHOOTS program, a proven safety alternative to policing, and the Oregon Clean Energy Opportunity Campaign (HB 2812, HB 2475, & HB 20) which acknowledges the intersection of immigrant, racial and climate justice. To keep abreast of current actions related to these IMIrJ priorities, please refer to the IMIrJÂ Running Action List here. This action list is updated regularly to offer the most timely information about this legislation.
IJAG also supports the following bills endorsed by other Oregon immigrant organizations:Â HB 2819, Leave No Worker Behind; HB 2358, Farmworker Overtime; and HB 3230, Universal Representation.
Watch for additional calls-to-action as the Oregon legislative session continues.
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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.Â
Curated by Ethel Gullette, Speaking of Justice Editorial Team
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Emma’s Revolution et al., Our House is on Fire
A call to action in support of Greta Thunberg, Tokata Iron Eyes, and all the youth climate activists. Performed from the Sacramento Valley and the SF Bay Area, as we shelter-in-place. Emma's Revolution (Pat Humphries & Sandy O) with Shelley Doty (electric guitar), Vicki Randle (voice, bass), Kofy Brown (drums).
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In the Community
A memorial service has been scheduled for Fran Daggett on Saturday, May 1, at 2 p.m. in the Eliot Chapel. Fran died on March 27 at the age of 86. A limited number can gather in person and the service will be live streamed here.
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Member Ted Olson has been hospitalized for pulmonary fibrosis, a condition he has been living with for over two years but which has worsened. We hold Ted and his wife Linda Nelson in our prayers.
Members Jeanna and Ellen Summers are pleased to announce the addition of three family members: Kimani Gordon, KJ Gordon and Kimari Gordon. Ellen and Jeanna's younger daughter, Jordyn, is in a committed relationship with Kimani. Jordyn and Kimani are parenting KJ, age 2, and Kimari, age 2 months. The young family lives in Tucson, AZ, where Kimani is stationed in the Air Force.
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It feels like we are finally leaving winter behind. In keeping with our spiritual theme of “Awe” this month, I have been looking at all we have done together through this past year. One of the things I find awe inspiring is the breadth of our outreach and connection both to those who were here before the pandemic and to those who have joined us as we have journeyed through this year. Though I am experiencing some “Zoom fatigue,” I am grateful that First Unitarian has remained a “beacon of hope“ through these difficult times.Â
Almost two years ago, before our world changed, the Board asked Rev. Bill to convene a task force to look at our physical plant and property to assess what we have, and to begin imagining what we might do with it. We called this “Phase 0” because it was work that needed to be done before we could even start having conversations about what we might do with our property. The task force met through the ’19-’20 church year and gave a report to the Board last spring. They did a tremendous amount of work and I would like to acknowledge them. The Board and I thank Robin Boyce, Ian Carlton, Ryan Deibert, Dev Dion, Rev. Tom Disrud, Lorelei Juntenen, Randy Russell, Karen Shawcross, Rev. Sinkford, and Dan Valliere for their time and their commitment...continue.
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UUA General Assembly - Be a Delegate!Wednesday, June 23 – Sunday, June 27, 2021
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General Assembly is the annual gathering of UUs to do the business of our denomination, and First Unitarian is now seeking applicants to represent our church as a delegate.  This year GA will be held virtually June 23-27, 2021. It's a busy, fun week filled with worship, workshops, community building, business meetings, ceremonies, lectures, witness, singing (this year, a virtual choir) and much more. Don't want to be a delegate? Then register as a participant; you won't be sorry!
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Have you Been Vaccinated?...a message from Rev. Bill
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The Executive Team met this morning with our new congregant medical advisory team to talk about Covid and coming back to church in person. It was an extremely helpful first meeting -- one of many to come.Â
There are lots of open questions; but one thing was clear: all four of our medical experts strongly urge everyone to get vaccinated – staff, congregants, and friends of congregants! Everyone. Moderna. Pfizer. Doesn’t matter. Just go for it.
If you’re already vaccinated, or have your appointment(s) in the pipeline, thank you! If you need help setting up an appointment, please call the church office and we’ll get you connected to someone who can help. We’re all in this together.
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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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April Shared PlateCully Neighborhood Renter Relief Fund: Living Cully started in 2010 as a collaboration between community organizations to improve the quality of life for people of color and low-income people in Northeast Portland’s Cully neighborhood...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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Moved recently? Changed your phone number or e-mail? Fill out this form.
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