Please Join Our Live Stream
Sunday, February 21, 2021Family Worship Service at 9:15 a.m.
Worship Service at 10:15 a.m.
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In the Beginning...1619Rev. Bill Sinkford
Is freedom really the central theme of the American story? Is exceptionalism really our destiny? From 1619 forward, liberation and oppression have existed together, in deep tension and sometimes in open conflict. Reparations and reconciliation may be a goal, but the religious disciplines of confession and repentance may need to preface any journey toward wholeness.
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Bill's Blog In the Along
Wholeness is a challenging spiritual theme, in part because we are so ambivalent about it. Wholeness suggests finality. “To do list” complete. Check.
Most of us are such goal-directed folks that living without a destination is a disorienting experience.Â
Gwendolyn Brooks describes, poetically, a different understanding of the way the universe works and how we might best approach our own lives. The title of the poem is almost as long as the poem itself...continued.
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Family WorshipThe Little Cracked Pot
This week we’ll explore the wholeness theme with the story of “The Little Cracked Pot.” Just because it couldn’t carry as much water as another pot, it still brought a lot of beauty to the world. Rev. Tom will bring the story this week, Cassandra Scheffman will offer the meditation and Dustin Hunley will lead the music.
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Exploration Workshop: The 8th Principle
Congregation-wide Invitation!
Sunday, February 21, 11:45 a.m.
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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| 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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Updated - COVID-19 Vaccination Eligibility & Appointments
How to Schedule a Vaccination Appointment
The following is updated information about how to schedule your COVID-19 Vaccination. If you would like help with scheduling your vaccination appointment, please send an email to The Alliance.
We recommend reading the instructions before signing up...continue.
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| | Upcoming Events, Workshops & Classes
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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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'Til Earth & Heaven 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 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 Unitarian Portland’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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Last Wishes with Rev. Disrud and Attorney Tabitha Koh
Sunday, March 14, 1 - 3:00 p.m.Â
We don’t like to think about or plan for death, but if we can make our wishes known we give a gift to those we leave behind. This class offers a space to think through the decisions related to the end of life. During this seminar, participants will make a checklist for a “last wishes” file: a will, final services, legal and medical issues.Â
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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 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, Feb. 22,  Mar. 8, 22, Apr. 5, and 19, 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.  (An ongoing commitment is not required.)
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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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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.
aja monet on Black Power Live 6/27/20Â
1. #sayhername 2. My love 3. Black joy
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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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NEW - February Moderator Letter
We have nearly hit the one-year mark in our move to being a virtual church. It has been a year requiring creativity and resilience from our ministers and staff. They have all done a wonderful job reimagining how we “do church,” and keeping us all connected during this time of separation. Our move to becoming a virtual church was made smoother and easier by our forwarding thinking ministers, who put us on the path to upgrading our technology and starting live streaming of our services several years ago...continued.
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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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