Join us for WorshipSunday, April 10, 2022
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Sanctuary Service 11 a.m. // In-Person & Livestream
No Family Service or Learning Community classes today so that everyone can enjoy our Annual Youth Service at 11 a.m.
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Annual Youth Service
In-Person & LivestreamÂ
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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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Staying Connected BlogThe Progress of Spring
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The Daffodils are starting to droop a bit. The flowering trees are giving up their spectacular colors to carpet the streets and paths near my house. The Camellias remain in riotous bloom but the signs of spring have been with us for some time.
Still, the Sweet Gum tree outside my kitchen window waits. There are buds to be sure but no leaves yet. That tree has always been a late bloomer in this climate. I could be wrong, but it feels particularly late this year...continued.
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Board & MSC Forum on Ministerial TransitionTHIS SUNDAY! - April 10, 1:30 p.m. via Zoom
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"...Where we are betwixt and between the familiar & the completely unknown."
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Welcome Rev. Alison MillerÂ
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The Ministerial Search Committee is thrilled to announce that we have a candidate for our new senior minister, who we are convinced will be phenomenal for First Unitarian Church now and into the future.Â
Her name is Rev. Alison Miller. You might recognize her from her sermon from the last General Assembly in Portland or from her campaign for UUA President in the last election. She will be here with us May 15th through May 22nd for Candidating Week, along with her husband David Snedden and their son Asher. During that week, she will preach both Sundays, take part in Family Worship, and meet with congregants and our staff to begin relationships. Her time here will culminate in a congregation-wide vote to call her as our new senior minister...continue.
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Honoring Rev. Bill As He Retires
Please submit contributions from now until April 16
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As we welcomed Rev. Bill to First Unitarian twelve years ago with our hopes for his time with us, we now want to wish him well as he leaves to begin the next chapter in his life.Â
We’re putting together a book of memories, photos, stories and well wishes. Please take a bit of time and join us to create a lasting gift of love for Rev. Bill and Maria by sharing your words, memories, photos.
Please submit by April 16 so we can have the book printed in time for the Farewell Reception honoring Rev. Bill on June 19.
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NEW! - General Assembly Delegates Sought
The UUA General Assembly is in Portland, June 22-26
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The church is seeking 19 delegates to represent First Unitarian Portland at this year's General Assembly. Participation is possible both in-person and virtually.
This is a great opportunity to become engaged in the larger work of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations. And, it is not all work; there will be the Ware Lecture, on-line worship, speakers, and workshops. As GA draws nearer much more information will become available here.
Interested? Contact Stan or Bill by May 31 for an application.
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| | Upcoming Events, Workshops & Classes
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Matins for Lent:Â An Uplifting Start to Your Week
FINAL MONDAY! - April 11, 8 - 8:30 a.m.Â
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The season of Lent is traditionally a time for renewal and self-reflection. The Lenten metaphors are universal and can speak to UUs, just as Easter might.Â
Join us on Monday morning for thirty minutes filled with music, inspirational readings, and prayer. Together, we will provide comfort and peace in worshipful community that will serve as an uplifting start to the week.Â
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Ally Conversations Toolkit Workshop
April 21-23
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Join Dr. David Campt and Allison Mahaley at Westminster Presbyterian Church to learn how compassion, rooted in antiracism as a spiritual practice, can transform your approach to better allyship. Based on cognitive research and best-practice communication methodology, these ACT Workshops will empower you to make the world a better place by confronting everyday racism in your family, neighborhood, and workplace.
Financial hardship should not be a barrier to attending. For discount information contact the ARJAG.
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Re-Charge Your Grassroots Activism!Necessity: Climate Resistance & the Thin Green Line
Sunday, April 24
Movie at 1 p.m. // Panelist Discussion at 2 p.m.
Location: In-person at Eliot Chapel, First Unitarian Portland
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Grounded in people and places at the heart of the climate crisis, Necessity traces the fight against corporations transporting highly toxic flammable fossil fuels across the Pacific Northwest.
This new documentary follows activists and Indigenous leaders as they enlist the necessity defense after being prosecuted for a non-violent demonstration at the Zenith Energy facility in Portland.
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Program ResourcesAdult Programs, Social Justice, Learning Community, Music & Arts
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REMINDER! -Â Vesper Prayer Service
Fridays at 5 p.m.
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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.Â
An ongoing commitment is not required.
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REMINDER! -Â Loving Kindness Mediation
Mondays at 8 p.m.
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Join us for a moment each week to extend Loving Kindness to yourself, to those around you and to the world. Surround yourself in the blessings from those who have loved you and those who love you now. With this Meditation, over time, one can cultivate feelings of happiness and dispel loneliness, while letting go of fear and anxiety. No previous meditation experience necessary. An ongoing commitment is not required.
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The Learning Community Re-Opens
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Speaking of Justice Blog
UUs & International Peace: We Can Do More
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A plea for greater involvement of the UU community in the international struggle for peace, the rule of law, and respect for the human rights of all people.
As I write this in March of 2022, the news is all about the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The costs of the invasion are already high – thousands of Ukrainian and Russian casualties, more than four million refugees, and rapidly rising prices for energy and food across the world. The costs are sure to grow higher. Thus, many countries have already announced an increase in military spending, meaning that less money will be available for social goods...continue.
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NEW! - Art for Social JusticeThe 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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Patricia Smith, "That Chile Emmett in That Casket"
This poem honors the memory of fourteen-year-old Emmett Till, who was lynched in Mississippi in 1955. He was brutally killed for having purportedly whistled at a white woman. Last week, on March 29, 2022, the Emmett Till Antilynching Act was at long, long last signed into law in these United States of America. A federal antilynching bill had been in discussion for over a century and had been proposed hundreds of times.
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VOLUNTEER LEAD NEEDED! - The GA Ambiance TeamÂ
General Assembly: June 22-26
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Would YOU like to be the ambiance team leader? Or can you suggest someone who might?Â
The local ambiance team for General Assembly in Portland is looking for a leader. First Unitarian has a robust team of members eager to help with making the Oregon Convention Center welcoming to the attendees.
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Home Hospitality for General Assembly
Offer up a room for UU visitors for GA
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First Unitarian Portland will offer home hospitality for the UUA General Assembly taking place at the Oregon Convention Center on June 22-26.
If you are able to offer a room or two to UU guests, please let us know. Visitors will contribute $100 per room per night to the church. You may offer a simple breakfast, but that is optional.
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Do you have a reason to celebrate? Say it with flowers!
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Do you have a birth in the family, a graduation, an anniversary, a memorial, or other reason to celebrate? You can acknowledge it to the entire congregation by sponsoring a floral bouquet. As we reconnect with friends, say it with flowers on the Chancel.
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Having trouble viewing our services through the website?
Find our Livestreams on Boxcast, Youtube or on Facebook.
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In this transition year, your input is especially valuable because it will give the new Senior Minister a picture of First Unitarian as they begin their new ministry here.
Thank you so much for taking a moment to share your thoughts about the ministry of First Unitarian Portland.
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A Reminder from the Nominating Committee
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Any voting member who wishes to self-nominate as a candidate for a Board or Nominating Committee position may do so by petition. Forms are available here.
Petitions are due back to the committee chairs or church office by April 29.
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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 Tuesdays.
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| Sunday LivestreamÂ
& Social Schedule
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April Shared Plate For the month of April, we share our plate with the Braided River Campaign, a community-based organization dedicated to environmental justice for communities in the North Portland Harbor, from the Broadway Bridge to Sauvie Island. Braided River refers to the natural course of an unchanneled river, a meandering, rich ecosystem for fish and river life. It also refers to the braided interests in that watershed: clean river, fishing, river transport, jobs and industry, livable space with clean air and water.
The activists, artists and organizers continue to champion a community-driven vision of an economic paradigm that centers environmental justice.
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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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