Sunday Worship at 10:15 a.m. *NEW TIME*
Childcare is available during our worship service for children six months to 3 years old (in the nursery.)
Social Hour: Fuller Hall after the service
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As we kick off our summer theme of “Rest, Reflect, Renew,” we will spend some time exploring how we can resist our culture’s emphasis on urgency and productivity to create more spaciousness in our lives. How can we make room for rest, play, healing, and care?
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Special Message from our Board Officers Committee and Executive Team
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Dear Members and Friends,
A couple of Sundays ago, Leslie Pohl-Kosbau, our Moderator, spoke from the pulpit regarding the transition in Music Ministry staffing. She shared that the entire Church Board has been engaging in processes over the last 18 months about a personnel issue that predates the current senior minister’s tenure. Leslie also let you know we would be sharing more information about the music transition soon.
Our two previous letters (from June 13, and from June 5) are included below.
We are balancing what transparency and confidentiality call upon us as leaders to share and not to share for the health and wellbeing of our church community...continue reading.
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Young Adult Weekly Meetups All Summer!
Next Meeting: Sunday, June 30, immediately after the service
Location: Channing Room
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Get crafty and decorate some signs with other young adults! The Young Adults group is making some fun handheld signs that will be used to help usher people to meetings after service. It's a great opportunity to connect with members and to decorate. Donuts will also be provided!
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NEW! — Join the Summer Pick-Up Choir
Arrive on Sunday mornings of your choice at 8:45 a.m
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Summer is here, which means we welcome the return of our annual Summer Pick-Up Choir.
The choir is open to anyone who would like to participate weekly. If interested, simply show up to the sanctuary on the Sunday mornings of your choice at 8:45 a.m. Music will be provided when you arrive, and we'll all learn together for the 10:15 a.m. service.
No experience or ongoing commitment necessary.
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NEW! — Join the First U Gardening Crew This Saturday!
Saturday, June 29, from 10 a.m. 'til noon
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Gather with this dedicated group of volunteers who collaborate with church staff to maintain our Backyard-Certified grounds. Your help is essential to keeping our garden clean and thriving!
Our sessions are brief (just two hours) but highly productive. We meet twice a month in spring and fall for cleanup, planting, and transplanting. Summer sessions are less frequent unless we have special projects.
This Saturday's Activities:
- Weeding
- Cutting back abundant asters
- Spreading mulch
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NEWS — UU the Vote Summer Letter Writing Update
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Thank you, letter writers! You've taken over 5,000 letters from the UU the Vote table to write at home. Our goal is 10,000 letters; we've received over 2,000 back for the October mailing.
While we initially had until fall, we've realized that we need more time to prepare the letters for mailing. We kindly request that you start returning your completed letters on Sundays this summer. This will help us avoid a last-minute rush and ensure we can effectively meet our goal. Your commitment to this schedule is greatly appreciated!
UU the Vote will be at Social Hour every Sunday through the summer. Look for the blue tablecloth and keep writing!
Reminders:
- Postage rates increase on July 14, so buy your stamps now.
- Tuesday morning sessions will resume in September.
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UU World
At All-Virtual GA, Unitarian Universalists Center Love and Pledge Bold Social and Climate Justice Action
More than 3,400 Unitarian Universalists came together to explore the faith’s underpinnings, take consequential votes, and be in community with one another.
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With love centered as a core value of the faith, more than 3,400 Unitarian Universalists from around the country and world gathered for an all-virtual Unitarian Universalist Association General Assembly 2024, June 20–23.
The assembly’s theme, “Love Unites, Stories Ignite,” celebrated the profound impact of love as a binding force that transcends boundaries and divisions...continue reading.
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Discover more about the General Assembly!
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Upcoming Classes, Events & Gatherings
Enjoyed coming to gatherings at First Unitarian Portland? Consider contributing to sustaining our community. Your support goes a long way in fostering meaningful connections. Thank you!
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Third Act Oregon Presents: An Evening with Bill McKibben
Friday, July 5, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Location: Main Street Sanctuary
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Don’t miss this rare evening with one of the world’s most beloved and important environmentalists and global thinkers. Mingle with Third Act Oregon volunteers and climate activists from all over the state after the main presentation.
Enjoy light refreshments in First Unitarian's Fuller Hall following the event.
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Pride Kick-Off: Tea and Treats
Next Meeting: Sunday, July 14 from 12 - 1 p.m.
Location: Channing Room
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Join us for "Tea and Treats" during pride kick-off week! All LGBTQ+ and questioning folks are welcome. Meet new friends, share experiences, and celebrate our vibrant community.
Hosted by the folks from First Unitarian's "T Time" meetup group.
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Learning Community E-NewsSummer RE Session!
Rev. Leah Ongiri, Acting Director of Lifespan Faith Formation & Family Ministries
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Join us on July 7th for Together Time in the sanctuary (preschool ages and above) and then head to Buchan to launch our summer RE program based on the 8 UU Principles...continue reading.
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Visit the Soul Box Project Exhibit at Lake Oswego Public Library
Last day Friday, June 28
Location: Lake Oswego Public Library (706 4th Street)
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"The Loss We Carry," part of the Soul Box Project, raises awareness about gun violence. This exhibit, now in 27 states with 59 branches, was created by local artist Leslie Lee. First Unitarian contributed over 9,000 boxes to this impactful effort.
If you can't visit in June, catch the exhibit at West Linn City Hall in September 2024. The Soul Box Project is also available for loan through the Peace Action Group at First Unitarian. Contact us here for more information.
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Support LiftUp This Summer
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We are supporting LiftUp throughout the summer, from June 16 to Labor Day. Please place in the COHHO bins in Fuller Hall by the kitchen any of the following most needed food items: brown rice, whole grain pasta, shelf-stable milk, canned protein (tuna, chicken, salmon), nut butter, any low sodium broths, canned veggies, and sauces.
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How to Support the Shower Project!
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The Shower Project is going well, and our guests appreciate the service, especially the clothing donations. We urgently need the items listed below to continue providing for our guests. Your donations of these specific items will make a big difference in the lives of those we serve. Thank you for your support!
- Men's boxer briefs M/L
- Chocolates (our guests really love sweets), gummy bears, etc.
- Granola bars
- Single-serving, microwaveable snacks like mac and cheese, oatmeal, ramen
- Snacks like protein bars
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HOW TO — Book for the 2024/2025 Church Year
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Social Hour Sunday Tabling: Sign up for Fuller/Buchan Reception tabling on Sundays by emailing John Rosette.
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Do you have a birth in the family, a graduation, an anniversary, a memorial, or other milestones to share?
You can acknowledge it to the entire congregation by sponsoring a floral bouquet. As we connect with friends, say it with flowers on the Chancel.
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Recurring Workshops, Classes & Gatherings
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Beloved Community of Color: Every second Thursday evening and fourth Saturday morning of the month. Email for more info.
Caregivers Support Group: Open to Newcomers. Fourth Sunday of each month at 9 a.m. via Zoom.
Care and Action for Reproductive Dignity (CARD): We meet on the third Sunday of each month from 12:15 to 1:45 in Fireside.
First Connections: We meet monthly on the third Sunday for all new and returning folks! And it is a terrific way to meet new folks just coming into the community. Bring a brown bag lunch. Questions? Email Pat.
First Steps: Every first Sunday of the month at Noon // Location: Channing Room. Discover additional insights into life at First Unitarian Portland, avenues for connection, and delve deeper into Unitarian Universalism. Questions? Email Jen Thomas.
Vespers will be on break on July 5 and 12 and again on August 15, 23, and 30. It will resume on July 19 through August 9 and then again on September 6.
SUMMER BREAK — Loving Kindness Meditation: This will resume in September.
Sojourners: Lollygagging Our Way To The Inevitable: Sojourners and Sojourners 2 are two separate groups that meet for two hours in person at First Unitarian. Members support each other through the aging journey by engaging in facilitated discussion and activities, sharing personal stories and concerns, inspiring individual growth, and promoting friendship through social activities. All are welcome, but both groups are limited in size; no drop-ins, please. || Email Lucy with questions.
"T” Time: A Trans, Nonbinary, and Gender-Expansive, Exclusive Gathering: Meet on the second and fourth Sundays in Channing Room at 12 - 1 p.m.
EVERY SUNDAY — UU the Vote: Join Us For Community and Letter Writing
The blue tablecloth will be available every Sunday until October. Letters can be dropped off and picked up at the church office.
Letter Writing Schedule:
Women's Circle II: Meets most second and fourth Mondays of the month. Email Kim.
THIS SUNDAY — Young Adult Meetup! Every Sunday at 12:15 p.m., the meeting room may vary. Expect fun social events, thought-provoking discussions, and opportunities to connect with the First Unitarian Community. For more info, contact Caroline.
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Got something for Front Steps? Send in your church-related submission for our weekly publication. Use "Front Steps" as the subject line and submit here. Deadline: Tuesdays at noon.
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| Livestream Schedule
Friday Vespers – 5 - 5:40 p.m.
via Zoom (Vespers will be on break on July 5 and 12 and again on August 15, 23, and 30. It will resume on July 19 through August 9 and then again on September 6.)
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For the month of June, we are sharing our plate offering with Street Books. Street Books is a bicycle-powered, mobile library serving people living outside and at the margins in Portland.
Since 2011, Street Books has provided books, reading glasses, and other survival supplies to create relationships and a community of mutual care. They strive to empower people on the streets through access to literature and to create a community of support for people living outside through a shared love of books.
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