Please Join Our Live Stream
Sunday, January 31, 2021Family Worship Service at 9:15 a.m.
Worship Service at 10:15 a.m.
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Bending the Arc: Lessons & Lapses
 Rev. Meg Riley & Rev. Bill Sinkford
Rev. Meg Riley, Co-Moderator of the UUA, and Rev. Bill will dialogue about Unitarian Universalist progress toward Beloved Community and the tests that remain ahead.
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Bio:Â Rev. Meg Riley is Co-Moderator and Chief Governance Officer of the Unitarian Universalist Association and recently retired Senior Minister of the Church of the Larger Fellowship.
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Bill's Blog What’s Theology Got to Do With It?
I have heard from many of you how much you appreciated Rev. Connie Simon’s sermon, From the Inside Out, last Sunday. A book group of elders that has been meeting for more than 50 years with whom I met wanted to talk about it. A group of racial justice activists praised it. More individual folks wrote to me with comments, praise, or critique than I receive most weeks.Â
Connie addressed, in a more focused way than I have from the pulpit, what Process Theology suggests about how the world works and how love works in our lives. Â
Perhaps the eagerness to understand, to have at least a working hypothesis about how the world works and how change can come, is a natural response to this time...continued.
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Family WorshipPatience, Presence & Pets!
The six paramitas of Buddhism include patience and generosity. How do we apply these when we are practicing being present to someone else? Stacey will bring a special guest of the four-legged kind. Dustin will share music with us and lead our hymns, and Nicole will offer a meditation celebrating our furry companions.Â
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After Service Q&A with Rev. Meg RileySunday, January 31, 2021 at 11:30 a.m.
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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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LAST CHANCE - Seminary for a DaySuccess, Failure, & Everything In Between.
Saturday, January 30, 2021 from 9:30 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
Are you yearning for greater depth in your spiritual life? Join us virtually and delve deeper with Rev. Meg Riley, Co-Moderator of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA).
At Seminary for a Day she is eager to share what she has learned and reflect on how our faith's past weaknesses, successes and failures can help us now in our on-going pursuits of equality and justice. She will explore the topic through the lens of our work in welcoming LGBTQ+ people and the lessons that have come from that work.Â
Registration ends Friday/TOMORROW at 11 a.m.Â
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NEW NAME & CIRCLEÂ - Antiracism Learning Circles
Read one book or several! Join other congregants and folks in this new winter session.
To join a cohort, read a synopsis, or if you would like further details, click on a book title you are interested in listed below:
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Subscribe to the First U PDX YouTube Channel!
Never Miss a Sunday Live StreamÂ
Get linked to upcoming family, main, special services & events.Â
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| | Upcoming Events, Workshops & Classes
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Antiracism Learning Circle: Podcast Group
10 Sessions - Every other Tuesday Starting January 26
"Seeing White” is an acclaimed documentary series that turns the lens on our true history. Join a learning circle cohort as we listen to this podcast series and share our reactions in a small group setting.  Space is limited, so register today!
Seeing White Evening Cohort [Few slots still available! 7:30-9 p.m]
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Honoring the Indigenous People on Whose Land Our Church Stands: Who are the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Today?
Wednesday, February 3 at 12:30 p.m.
All welcome!
Presented by Angela Fasna, Education Dept. Manager; CTGR.
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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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Program ResourcesAdult Programs, Social Justice, Learning Community, Music & Arts
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NEW GATHERING - Friendship & Fun Wednesdays
Every Wednesday, starting February 3, 5 p.m. - 6 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?
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The facilitator will lead with an ice-breaker topic/question each week. Come with your favorite beverage or treat and be together through conversation
For our first week feel free to bring your pet or a favorite item from nature to share with others. (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).Â
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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).Â
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Caring Circle for Parents
Mondays, February 8 and 22
From 7-8 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).Â
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Send Us Your Photos & Be Part of Family WorshipÂ
We invite you to submit photos of your family members for inclusion in our weekly worship. Seeing each other in this way helps us stay connected. Send pictures of your family tuning in at home, of activities we do during worship, projects worked on from our monthly mailers, or any other photos you want to share. Thank you to those of you who have sent pictures! Please send photos to this email.Â
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Monthly Mailers & Zoom Gatherings
January mailers for the monthly theme presence have been mailed. Please contact us if you haven't received yours. Watch your email for information about monthly zoom sessions for our younger age groups.
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The People's Oath of First Unitarian Church of Portland
Love is what calls us to the sacred work of seeking justice.
We as Unitarian Universalists were called to create this People’s Oath:
I vow to practice our faith principles that uphold democracy and justice for all peoples and beings. To the best of my ability, I will engage in collective action to dismantle systems of white supremacy, imperialism and oppression, protect our shared Earth home, and build the beloved community. I will strive to listen to and be guided by those most impacted by injustice and not deny painful truths. I vow to be courageous, learn from my mistakes and stay engaged with compassion and love.
This is my resolution.
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Masks Offer Safety for Immigrant Communities
First Unitarian Members Distributes 500 Masks
With a generous donation of pandemic safety masks sewn by volunteers of the Portland Mask Project and donated by local company, Rumpl, First Unitarian’s Immigrant Justice Action Group (IJAG) distributed 500 masks to our community partners focused on immigrant justice and support.
IJAG member Mary Ann Barham delivered 250 adult and children’s masks to the Western Farmworkers Association for their January food distribution to 100 families. The remaining masks were split between the Immigrant Mutual Aid Coalition and VOZ Workers’ Rights Education Project. It is a blessing to have relationships with all of these groups.
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Speaking of Justice: Faith in Action
First U PDX Joined Amicus Brief to Oppose Trump’s Border Wall
As an outspoken faith community on issues of justice, First Unitarian Portland is periodically invited to sign on to amicus briefs, as a “friend of the court” for various lawsuits aligned with our faith principles. In 2019, we joined a Supreme Court case as one of many faith communities defending DACA ( Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). On June 18, 2020, the Supreme Court ruled to protect DACA by overturning the Trump Administration’s termination of the program...continued.
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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.
Joy Oladokun - if you got a problem (Live From Hales Marina)
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In the Community
Joanna Katherine Wiebe, birthmother of congregant Bill Smith and mother-in-law of staff member Dana Buhl, died on January 14 at the age of 71, nine short weeks after learning she had cancer. She died peacefully at home, accompanied by her loving husband and two of her three sons, including Bill. Joanna, or Grandma Ojanna as Zola called her, expressed her boundless love, creativity and curiosity in every aspect of her life -- from prolific drawing to her job as a creative executive at Amazon -- and did so with the humility of one who knows the Divine. Her memory is a blessing to her expansive family, her coworkers and to the hundreds of people who were fortunate to call her friend.
John Rosette, our office receptionist, has been diagnosed with COVID-19, and is recovering at home. We hold John and his partner Steve as John makes his recovery.
Member Laurie Shentalevenn has been recovering from complications that followed a knee replacement at the end of December. Those complications included an aneurysm behind her knee and a severe infection. The good news is that Laurie moved to a rehab facility this week and reports good progress. We hold Laurie and wish her continued progress in her recovery.Â
Member Cindy Metcalf, her husband Eric and big brother Collin are excited to announce the birth of Wyatt Thomas Metcalf on January 19. Wyatt and Cindy are at home and doing well. They are receiving lots of help from Daddy, big brother, and Grandma and Grandpa. Cindy is a member of our Grace Choir.
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Message from our Board Moderator
The past few weeks have been a tumultuous time in the life of our country. Amidst the turmoil, First Unitarian has continued to be a beacon of hope.
Our holiday services were very different this year and, though virtual, they refreshed my soul and my connection to our traditions. On behalf of the Board, I thank ministry and staff for all the work they put into all our holiday activities.
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The church has completed its third round of outreach calls to congregants. It’s a big task and I thank the ministers, staff and lay leaders for continuing to stay in touch with us one-to-one as most of our time together still must be virtual....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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January Shared PlateStarted in response to the unjust murder of George Floyd, the Black Resilience Fund is dedicated to healing and resilience by providing immediate resources to Black Portlanders. The Fund works with hundreds of Portlanders from all backgrounds to make an immediate difference in the lives of Black Portlanders and to advocate for systemic change.Â
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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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