| Sunday ServicesSunday, April 21: Services at 9:15 and 11:15 a.m.
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“To Rise” | Easter SundayThe rebirth of spring rises all around us. Can we find the courage to follow the example we are being offered once again, and rise?
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Bill's BlogAlmost Biblical
“Almost Biblical.” That is how one staff member at the church described this week. Between the flood in our own Buchan Building and the fire at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, that description had me nodding my head in agreement.
When the tulips have finally opened at my house, when we look forward to Easter Sunday and singing “Hallelujah,” one temptation is to focus only on the miracle of rebirth around us and within us in this season. But religious life calls us also to hold disappointment and even the disasters of life. Religious life is a call to be present to the truth of life, all of life, not just the glories of the spring.
It is during the hard times that we need faith to keep on keeping on. It is during those hard times when faith is most often tested and questioned. I can’t recall ever hearing someone question their faith because they were experiencing too much joy ...Continued
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FIRST CONNECTIONS
No Class this Sunday! Join us April 28 at 1 p.m. in in A108 for a Q and A with Rev. Bill Sinkford. Join fellow church members for this special session with our Senior Minister. Bring your questions.
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| Buchan Building Sustains Water Damage
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In the early morning hours of Tues., April 16, a sprinkler head on the 3rd floor of our Buchan Building burst. Fortunately, our alarm system alerted the fire department, and our alarm monitoring company immediately notified Jason Chapman, our facilities manager. Despite the quick response of everyone involved, there is extensive water damage throughout the building, including the Buchan Reception Hall and our lower level family shelter space. Jason and the Kennedy Restoration company began mitigation efforts at 3:30 a.m., and we’ve been in close contact with our insurer, Church Mutual. Our sexton staff immediately went to work, making arrangements for our long-time partner and renter, Northwest Academy, to move their classes out of the Buchan Building into other classrooms on the “A” side. So far, that has gone very well. Click here to see a few moments of our “flood.”
In the coming weeks we’ll need to do additional shifting and juggling of events to accommodate the many activities here at the church. If you have a meeting scheduled here, please be patient as we make arrangements for space usage going forward. It's unclear how long the Buchan Building will be out of commission, but it’s probably accurate to say weeks if not months. Stay tuned for updates as they are available.
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| Registration Now Open for UU Chalice Summer Day Camp!
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Join us this summer for a week of community building, nature exploration, spiritual practice, and lots of fun, all grounded in Unitarian Universalist values and principles. Options include leadership training for youth to be youth counselors or aides.
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| Early Auction Registration: April 21 & 27
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Early registration will be open on April 21 and 27 for this year's "Reboot for the Future" in Margaret Fuller Hall at the Auction Committee table after services. *Registration will also be available at the time of the auction on May 5, 12, 19 in Margaret Fuller Hall, where the auction will be.
We are happy to announce that this year we will have 123 unique events and items for auction. Thank you to everyone who donated for their generosity and creativity. Time to make some new connections and improve some of our technological capabilities!
Weren’t able to donate something but still want to support our Auction mission? Please contact Ron Yoder or Pat Malone for sponsorship information.
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UU Knitting Group
Second and Fourth Thursdays, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Our needlers (knitting group) are looking for some hookers (crocheters) to round out our needle crafting skills. The picture shows a knit prayer shawl with a crocheted border. Plenty of yarn available. Contact Susan Pryor at 503-894-9945 for more information.
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Necessity: Oil, Water, and Climate ResistanceMonday, April 22, 6:30 p.m.–9 p.m.
Eliot Chapel Necessity traces the fight in Minnesota against the expansion of pipelines carrying toxic tar sands oil through North America. Home to much of the world's precious freshwater resources, the state is also the site of expanding oil industry infrastructure. The film follows indigenous activists and non-indigenous allies in their resistance to the pipelines traversing native lands and essential waterways.
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Nourishing the Spirit: Practice for the Long HaulSaturday, April 27, 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m.
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Toward Peace with IranSunday, April 28, 1–3 p.m. Come and hear about the recent Code Pink Peace Delegation to Iran. The Peace Action Committee and Unitarian Universalists for Justice in the Middle East of First Unitarian Church invite you to a presentation by Jackie Spurlock, returned Iran Peace Corps volunteer and co-founder of Peace Corps Iran Association. She will share highlights from Code Pink’s recent delegation to Iran, including their meeting with Iran Foreign Minister Javad Zarif and a close-up look at the effects of U.S. economic sanctions on Iran’s people.
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Police Peace PDX
Monday, April 29, 5:30–8 p.m.
Youth-Police Community Forum, an effort to decrease animosity and foster community. Presented by Youth Educating Police, sponsored by First Unitarian's Ending Mass Incarceration/Advancing Racial Justice Action Group. Dinner provided. Paid focus group opportunity for youth under age 18. RSVP: PolicePeacePdx.com.
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Poetry of Place
Saturday
May, 4, 1–3 p.m. Explore your inner life through the landscapes you know, have traveled to or have imagined.
This complimentary workshop is open to all, from beginners to seasoned writers. Facilitator: John Sibley Williams is the author of several books. He has received numerous awards, including the Philip Booth Award, American Literary Review Poetry Contest, Phyllis Smart-Young Prize, The 46er Prize, Nancy D. Hargrove Editors’ Prize, Confrontation Poetry Prize, and Laux/Millar Prize.
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A Walk Among the Dead: Unitarians of River View Cemetery
Sunday, May 5, 1:30 p.m.
Join us for a walking history tour of Portland’s River View Cemetery and visit the graves of many early members of First Unitarian Church. Your tour guide is long time member Kate Brickey who has over 20 years' experience developing and leading our church history tours.
Fee: $5
Details: Click here for more details and to register.
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Spiritual Director Training Program
Sunday, May 5, 1:30 p.m.
Join us for a presentation regarding the spiritual director training program at the Urban Spirituality Center. This training runs from Sept. 2019 through June 2020 and consists of ten training sessions as well as projects. Come to hear about the programs and to ask your questions!
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Pursuing Racial Justice with LoveA Board-sponsored screening of and conversation about the 2018 General Assembly's Ware Lecture, featuring Brittany Packnett.
Sunday, May 5, 1:30 p.m.
Eliot Chapel At the 2018 General Assembly's Ware Lecture, Brittany Packnett–educator, organizer, writer and speaker–offered a powerful, humbling and inspiring call for UUs to commit to the daily work of racial justice from a deeply spiritual center of love. The lecture touched on themes of expectancy, identity and committed action, with implications for how we practice love through working for justice in our homes, our congregation and our community. Members of the Board of Trustees will screen the lecture (~45 minutes), and lead reflective conversation.
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Speaking of Justice: Faith in ActionYouth Speak, our 6th issue, April–May 2019 Welcome to the Youth Speak issue of Speaking of Justice! This issue comes to you from YRUU (Young Religious Unitarian Universalists), our high school youth group. In it you will find poetry, art, commentary, and reflections of youth congregants. This is from the minds and hearts of our youth. Enjoy! Click here to open this issue.
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Give the Joy of Flowers for Sunday’s Service
Have you ever wondered where the beautiful flowers come from each week? You can be one of the generous donors of the chancel flowers.
If you have an upcoming birthday, anniversary, or memorial that you’d like to recognize, what better way than to provide flowers in honor of your loved one? For details about giving flowers for the chancel, contact Marsha at 503-954-3534, marshamwarner@comcast.net.
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April Art Wall
The weavings of Ron Bloom are featured on the Art Wall in April. He
mixes images of New York tenements, Oregon landscapes, and today's
immigrant experience in colorful textures.
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BookstoreEaster is coming! Earth Day is coming! The bookstore has books to celebrate both. And the Sewell Lecture is coming on April 16. We have the book “Real American: A Memoir” written by the guest speaker, Julie Lythcott-Haims, available.
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Program EventsAdult Programs, Social Justice, Learning Community, Music & Arts
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Pick up our Spring Paths to Engagement Publication!
Check out the Paths to Engagement guide available this Sunday at the Adult Programs table.
Learn about the classes, retreats, and other special events happening at First Unitarian this spring.
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Plastic-Free PilgrimageOngoing through Earth Day
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Community for Earth of First Unitarian, Planet Earth Group of the First Methodist Church, and congregations of downtown Portland and other communities have joined together to raise awareness of how to reduce our plastic pollution. Find our pledge sheets for daily action and sign up at the Community for Earth table in Margaret Fuller Hall. This week we are also featuring an info display from the Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability. Check it out!
More information is located at www.PlasticFreePilgrimage.org
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Sunday Afternoon ChildcareWe offer childcare for all ages every Sunday from 1–3 p.m. while you attend an event or meeting at church. Please request care for your child(ren) at the Eliot Center Info Desk by 1 p.m. that day. Staff are released at 1 p.m. if care has not been requested.
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| Get InvolvedMake a difference in the First Unitarian Portland community
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Sunday Drivers Needed
Can you provide an occasional ride to Sunday services for a neighbor? Do you, or someone you know, need help getting to church?
Our First Unitarian Neighborhood Connections rideshare program helps match riders with drivers in Portland and Lake Oswego and is organized by ZIP code. To learn more, contact Maina Ptolemy ( mainaptolemy@gmail.com) at (503) 803-8991.
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Interested in Working on Disability Issues?If you are interested in a group that would bring together persons living with a range of disabilities, a member of the church is interested in exploring such a group. It would be a place for support as well as education and advocacy. If you are interested in being part of such a group, contact Pat Wallace at 971-400-0841, or patjw100@gmail.com.
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| Seeking UshersUshers are needed. Looking for a way to serve in our community? Consider being an usher one Sunday a month. You’ll be part of a team that is the welcoming face of the congregation. For information, see Dev Dion after services on Sunday or contact him at 1stuushers@gmail.com.
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Time-Limited Projects Await!While there are many opportunities for long-term commitments within our congregation, there are also myriad options for people desiring time-limited projects for a contribution of effort and energy. Questions? Marti Yoder at marti.yoder@gmail.com.
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| Seeking Sunday Welcoming Volunteers
If you like to greet people and make them feel welcome, this volunteer opportunity is for you: become a Welcome Desk or Newcomer Table host before or after a Sunday service.
This is a great way to connect with congregation members and newcomers. Contact Membership Chair Ed McClaran or call 971-279-2778.
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In the CommunityCommunity milestones, joys, and sorrows
Elizabeth June Thompson, mother of member Larry Frager, died on April 7, at the age of 99 and a half. She was in good health until the last couple months of her life. We hold Larry and his wife Fritzi in our thoughts and prayers. Mele Howland’s dear mother, Peggy Howland, died on April 5 in her home in Bremerton, Washington. She had just celebrated her 99th birthday in February with a Roaring 20s themed party. Her four children continue to celebrate her life as they gather together to honor their mother. She will be missed. Former member Paul Dahlquist died on April 10, in Seattle at the age of 90. Paul was a photographer and he led the Art Wall Committee at the church for many years. A memorial gathering for Paul is planned for later in the spring. We hold his sons and his many friends at this time of loss.
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April Moderator’s LetterThe April Moderator’s Letter has been published. Follow this link to read the full letter. For the latest updates on Board activities, visit the Board's webpage, which includes the latest time/location for all Board-related events.
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Naming First Unitarian Foundation in Your Will or Estate PlanHelp assure the long-term sustainability of this beloved congregation by including First Unitarian Portland in your will or estate plan.
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Sunday, April 14 Attendance:1st Service: 260
2nd Service: 407
Musicians: 36
Total: 703
Livestream: 139
Grand Total: 842
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Help Us Be a Welcoming CongregationDo you have a spare bedroom you are willing to share with other UUs visiting Portland for a few days? You would provide a bed, bath, and a simple breakfast. We often have more requests than hosts! More hosts are needed in NE Portland, but anywhere in the city is good. Our B & B program is personally enriching. Many lasting bonds of friendship have been made between guests and hosts. Our coffers are also enriched. All rental proceeds go to the church. Remember our program if you are having out of town guests who need housing. For details, contact Ruth Robinson, mickrob@comcast.net.
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Add to Our Media Collection
Taken any nice photos of First Unitarian Portland or its events? Send them our way to help build our media collection! Sending us your photos gives us permission to publish and/or use images for publications, website content, and social media. If you'd like to limit your permission, just let us know. Please email your photos to photos@firstunitarianportland.org or click here.
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Why Pronouns MatterAt church and elsewhere, it’s becoming more common for people to introduce themselves with the pronouns they use, and to ask, “What pronouns do you use?” Though this may be an unfamiliar question for you, becoming comfortable with it is a way to live our UU principles. Here’s why: Gender is a primary way our creative identities interact with the world. Many people feel comfortable with the gender assigned to them at birth based on their genitals, assigned male or female, and are called cisgender. (Cis means “on the same side of,” so for these people, gender and sex-at-birth align.) For many others, their assigned gender is not a true or comfortable identity. Read more here.
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Ongoing GroupsThe following church groups meet on a regular schedule during our program year (approximately September through May or June). Many groups meet on an irregular basis or take the summer months off, so if you are unsure about a particular group's schedule, please contact the individual listed.
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| Africa Connections
This church social justice group supports advocacy and outreach work in communities in Kenya and Zimbabwe that have been deeply impacted by HIV AIDS. We do this through support of the IMANI Project, Zimbabwe Artists Project, and Quilts for Empowerment. Questions? Email Annie Bennett.
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Aging Together Learning GroupWe use books, movies, poems, and various art forms to catalyze group dialogue about our personal experience of aging. Meetings are held monthly on the first Monday from 1 –3 p.m. For more information or to register, please contact Lucy Garrick, lucygarrick@icloud.com.
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The Alliance
The Alliance meets September through May, usually on the first Wednesday of the month, for a luncheon, business meeting, and program. Visit the Alliance web page. Questions? Email Alliance.
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| Animal Ministry Group
Normally meets on the fourth Sunday, 12:45 p.m., A303. Visit the Animal Ministry web page for special meeting times. Questions? 503-520-9012.
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Caregiver Support GroupWe usually meet on the fourth Sunday of the month, September through May.
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| Children's Mosaic Restoration Group
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| Committee on Hunger & Homelessness (COHHO)Meets monthly September through May on the third Sunday at 12:30 p.m. in A303, the Fireside Room, or visit our table in Margaret Fuller Hall on the second and fourth Sundays. Questions? Email co-chairs John Elizalde, Ingrid Gjestvang, and Cynthia Sulaski.
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| Contemplative Practice Group Second and fourth Tuesdays, 6:30–8 p.m., A301. Offers a regular opportunity for building community through silent meditation, mindfulness poetry, and deep discussion on church themes. Questions? Ron Walker.
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| Economic Justice Action Group (EJAG)The Economic Justice Action Group (EJAG) educates and advocates on issues of economic justice. Watch for our speaker, book, and movie events. Stop by our table for the latest information on fair trade, health care, democracy, and inequality and its dimensions. We meet the third Sunday of every month, September to June, at 9 a.m. in the Fireside Room. Contact: Michael Wade for more information.
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| Ending Mass Incarceration/Advancing Racial Justice Usually, monthly on the fourth Tuesday, 6:30–8 p.m., B302. Questions? Kathryn Scotten.
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Good Times Committee
Join with fellow congregants for social gatherings, from happy hour to hikes, from dinners to plays. Learn more and sign up with Good Times during social hour on Sundays. Questions? Laura Gadley, 847-525-8700.
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Immigrant Justice Action Group (IJAG)The Immigrant Justice Action Group (IJAG) has begun meeting the second Sunday of every month from 1:30–3 p.m. Our focus is on making connections, education, and action on immigrant justice. We offer quarterly educational meetings on topics of relevance to the congregation, focused on issues/needs of immigrant and refugee communities. Through the IJAG Google group, recommended actions are disseminated. Our meetings include time for reflection, sharing, and an educational program about one of the many dimensions of the immigration challenge. We also share opportunities for engagement and collaboration with our partners in the community and develop strategies and arrangements for our participation. We hope you'll join us for the important work of immigrant justice! Contact Ann Zawaski for questions: annzawaski@gmail.com.
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LGBTQIA Pride Group
Find out the latest social events by picking up a flyer at our Pride Table in Margaret Fuller Hall for our monthly movie game night, monthly PDX roller skating, potlucks, and any projects being planned. Visit our Facebook page: First Unitarian Pride, Portland, OR for all of our events and the LGBTQIA events we are supporting in the Portland area.
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Meditation Group
Wednesday nights
Group meets in the Elliot Chapel, 7 –8:30 p.m. Silent meditation for 30 minutes, followed by reading and discussing a book by a Buddhist author. Please email with your phone number if you are considering coming. Mary Ann Harman.
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| Parents of Teens Support Group, 1–2 p.m.Second and fourth Sundays
Connect with other parents of teens to talk and share around parenting topics and the joys and challenges of navigating this phase of life as parents, with the guidance of a lay minister. We are an open group and parents are welcome to come as you are able. Childcare is provided 15 minutes before an event. Gathers at 12:30 p.m. after the second service, and meet formally from 12:45–1:45 p.m. every other week. If you’d like to be added to our contact email list, please contact Sara Robertson, sara.seely@gmail.com.
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| Peace Action Group Monthly on the second Saturday, 10 a.m.–12 p.m., Channing Room. Questions? Tess Beistel, Terri Shofner, Brianna Bragg.
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| Quilts of Love GroupThird Thursday meeting is now 10–11:30 a.m., B310. Sew-in is on the first Thursday at Modern Domestic, 1408 NE Alberta St., from 10:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. This group creates quilts for families served by Portland Homeless Family Solutions as they transition from the shelter to a permanent home. More. Questions? Contact Kathleen Vinson, 503-477-6001.
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| Sunday Morning T'ai Chi Chih
Sunday morning T'ai Chi Chih, 8:30–9 a.m.; check the sign board in the Buchan building for meeting locations. Questions? Email Adult Programs.
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UU Knitting GroupThe knitting circle meets on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month during the church year. Questions? Susan Pryor, 503-894-9945.
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| UU Men's Community
Third Saturday, 9 a.m., Channing Room. An open group where men of all ages can share life experiences, learn from each other, develop friendships, support one another, and have fun. Questions? Richard Turner at 503-734-5854; more info here.
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| UU Movie Group
Meets on the fourth Sunday of the month over a potluck meal at members’ homes. For more information, contact Nancy Panitch, 503-318-0776, or Ellie Kirkham, 971-544-7003. More info at the Good Times table in Margaret Fuller Hall.
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| UU Poetry Group
Twice monthly, on the second and fourth Thursdays, 7 p.m., Channing Room. Questions? Rodger Blackburn, 503-519-3494.
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| UUA Outreach GroupMonthly on the last Wednesday at 7 p.m., usually in B310, but check the sign board when entering.
If your interest lies in the larger picture of UU ministry, join us! Questions? Bill Pryor, 503-894-9945. We'd love to hear from you.
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Women’s CirclesI: First and third Mondays at 7 p.m. Questions? Tess Beistel, 503-257-2042.
II: Second and fourth Mondays at 7 p.m. We are currently welcoming new members. Questions? Kim, 503-869-1486. III: First and third Wednesdays from 10–11:30 a.m. Not accepting new members at this time. IV: Twice a month on Wednesday evenings. We are looking for participants of all ages for supportive sharing and discussion about such topics as parenting and spirituality. Questions? Amy, 503-241-5451.
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Update Your Records with UsHave you moved recently? Changed your phone number or e-mail address? Anything else you'd like to let First Unitarian know?
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Do You Have an Item for E-news and/or the Sunday Bulletin?If you have an item you’d like published in our weekly Front Steps (eNews) or the Sunday Bulletin, please submit it to:
Communications@firstunitarianportland.org and include in the subject line “For eNews” –or– “For Sunday Bulletin” –or– “For eNews and Sunday Bulletin.”
This will get to all the right people. Deadline for submissions is noon on Wednesday. Because space is limited in our Sunday Bulletin, we’re unable to run articles for more than a week or two in advance, depending on the number of submissions. Articles may need to be shortened if space is tight.
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| Sunday Livestream
Join us LIVE from your computer or smartphone on Sunday at 9:15 & 11:15 a.m.
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Sunday Parking ReminderU-Park: SW 12th between Main and Salmon: No charge Sundays, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. NOTE: This parking lot is free only on Sundays until 4 p.m. City Center: SW 11th and Main: No charge Sundays, 8 a.m.–2 p.m Lawyer’s Lot: SW Main between 12th and 13th: No charge Sundays, 8 a.m.–2 p.m. This lot is never available weekday evenings.
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In April, we share our plate offering with Verde.
Since 2005, Verde has brought new environmental investments to Portland’s neighborhoods, involved community members in the planning and building of these investments, and ensured that low-income people and people of color directly benefited from the investments. Their environmental investments include green spaces, habitat, energy efficiency and renewable energy, green jobs, and more.
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