Join us for Sunday WorshipSunday, December 4, 2022
Sunday Worship at 10:30 a.m.
Learning Community Classes 10:30 a.m.
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Childcare is available during our worship service for children two and under (located in the nursery).Â
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Unitarian Universalists are atheists, agnostics, and theists of many stripes. We are free to explore what we believe to be sacred, holy, or divine. Our experiences of what is holy vary widely, and we are encouraged to share and to listen with an open heart. Today, let us make room for the ways god(s)/goddess/Gaia and theism(s)/pantheism/panentheism and the like have shaped our faith.
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Staying Connected BlogThe Journey of Advent
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We lament the Christmas Season beginning earlier and earlier these days. What we usually reference in this complaint is the commercial aspect of Christmas and the pressure to buy, buy, buy, beginning even before Thanksgiving. Christmas decorations go up in some stores the day after Halloween!
I feel the same way. However, this year on the heels of a lengthy pandemic that continues to lay bare the ways we live in a world that has grown dim with injustice, isolationism, and oppression, I remember that Christmas is not merely about December 25th. The Christmas Season does, in fact, begin right after Thanksgiving with the first Sunday in Advent, which was November 27th. What is more, the spirit of Advent cannot be purchased in a store...continue.
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Happening This Sunday
Gmail Users: You may have to scroll down to the bottom of this message and click on "View Entire Message" to see the complete Front Steps.
Covid Reminder: As we head into winter and into the cold and flu season, please remember: If you are sick we hope you will attend church online. It’s a gift that we have that option, and it’s a gift to your fellow congregants when you attend virtually when you are not feeling well. And finally a reminder that if you haven’t gotten your COVID boosters we hope that you will!
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"T” Time: A Trans, Nonbinary, and Gender-Expansive, Exclusive Event!
Sunday, December 4, from Noon – 1 p.m.Â
Location:Â Channing Room
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Join “T” Time, a gathering exclusively for trans, nonbinary, 2Spirit, and gender-expansive members and friends!Â
We will have a small selection of complimentary teas available. You do not need to be a member of First Unitarian or consider yourself a Unitarian Universalist to join us – come one, come all!Â
No registration is required.
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NEW! -Â Can the Oregon Tax Structure Be Changed to Encourage More Affordable Housing? Ask an Expert
Sunday, December 4, After the Service at the EJAG table
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This is one question that needs to be asked as we face the current crisis in homeownership and houselessness.
How do we control the rapid inflation of land prices to counteract rapidly rising home prices? Could we develop a resident’s dividend or "people's rebate" funded by a land-value property tax?
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Thank you to everyone who has given in support of "Rooted & Ready" to fund the church for 2023. Â
Every pledge and every gift helps fund the life and work of the church. Please know that your gift here is cherished.
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| We still need to raise an additional $290,000Â to meet our budget for the coming year. Please help us reach our goal and pledge a gift today before the Holiday season.Â
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ALLIANCE PRESENTS - When in Our Music God is Glorified
Wednesday, December 7, from 10:30 a.m. – Noon
Location: Eliot Chapel
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You are invited to hear from DeReau Farrar, Director of Music at First Unitarian Portland.
Catered lunch following the program.
If not an Alliance member, for a Zoom link, email aliance@firstunitarianportland.orgÂ
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Upcoming Events, Workshops & ClassesÂ
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YOU'RE INVITED! - LGBTQ+ Pride Holiday Potluck
Saturday, December 3, from 1 – 4 p.m.
Location: Buchan Reception Hall (1226 SW Salmon St.)
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| Please bring a favorite dish to share with a list of ingredients for those with dietary preferences. We will also have some fun with a White Elephant Gift Exchange. If participating, bring a wrapped, repurposed, homemade, or new gift to exchange (max $20). Newspaper, paper bags, and recycled paper are encouraged for wrapping!
All are welcome, including families with children. Hope to see you there as we gather in community.
Also, Volunteers are needed to assist with set up and take down. Please let us know if you need a ride or can provide a lift.
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Matins for Advent Â
You are invited to a new series of four virtual services to help you prepare for the holiday season with a spiritual focus.
Zoom gathering: December 5, 12, 19 on Monday mornings from 8 – 8:30 a.m.
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| Offered by members of the Spiritual Directors Guild, the services provide a 30-minute space with music, poetry, meditation, and prayer for the Advent season. Join us in private contemplation without conversation or expectation.
Ongoing participation is not required.
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VIDEO & DISCUSSION - The Urgency of Intersectionality
Sunday, December 11
We are offering TWO facilitated options:Â
- In Person: Sunday, December 11, 12:30 p.m. in the Buchan Reception Room, with light snacks starting at 12:15 p.m.
- Via Zoom: Sunday, December 11, at 1:30 p.m. Click this ZOOM LINK to join.
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As adopters of the 8th Principle, it is essential that we understand “intersectionality.”
Join ARJAG to watch and discuss KimberlĂ©Â Crenshaw’s (15 min) Ted Talk and the implications for our church. In this moving talk, Prof. Crenshaw explains intersectionality, and she then calls on us to bear witness to its reality and speak up for victims of oppression.Â
***Note that there is some depiction of violence, so the video is not appropriate for children.Â
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Your Giving Guide This Holiday SeasonThis holiday season, we invite you to give back! First Unitarian Portland takes great pride in giving back to the community. Each year our congregation comes together with a spirit of generosity and service to give back in various ways. Whether it's volunteering, donating, or fundraising, we want to help you find a way to make a difference.Â
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Alliance Treasures and Bake Sale
Sunday, December 4 and 11, After Church
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| Join us for a unique shopping experience! We will have gifts and baked goods to enjoy while knowing that you are supporting marginalized women and children with your purchases. A true sweet spot!
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DONATE! - Give to the Mitten Tree!
Collecting Items: December 4 – 11
Mitten Tree is located in the Buchan Atrium
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| The Learning Community is collecting donations as part of our annual holiday season community giving projects.
Please bring winter accessories for adults and children, including new, gently used, or handmade hats, scarves, gloves, mittens, and new socks, all sizes, that will go to Home Free Domestic Violence Services.
Drop off items to our “mitten tree” in the Buchan Atrium. You may hang donations on the tree or place more oversized items in the adjacent box.
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DONATE! - Let's Keep Them Warm! Support the WFWA Holiday Gift Drive
Collecting: Sundays, December 4 and 11
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| Immigrant Justice Action Group invites you to support farmworkers this holiday!Â
About Western Farm Workers Association (WFWA)
WFWA is an all-volunteer, independent, unincorporated membership organizing drive of low-income farm and seasonal workers. Members can access our free-of-charge self-help benefit program – built by members for members – which offers emergency food, clothing, preventive medical care, legal advice, and more. This benefit program is supported entirely by WFWA allies throughout the community. WFWA accepts no government money or other money with strings attached.
The following items (new only) are needed:
- Pajamas: children's sizes 2T - 12
- Hoodies: adult sizes S, M, L, XL
- Gloves: adult sizes S, M, L
Drop off gifts at the IJAG table after the service.
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DONATE! -Â Last Two Weeks to Take Action: Path Home Holiday Gift Drive
Drop-off: Sunday, December 4 and 11
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| COHHO invites you to participate in our Holiday Gift Drive for Path Home (formerly Portland Homeless Family Solutions - PHFS) families. The link below has the list of items you can purchase and details about dropping them off.
COHHO thanks you for your generosity and help in making this particular time of the year very special for Path Home families!
Drop off gifts at the COHHO table after the service.
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| Thank you to all of you who have made your pledge or gift. If you haven’t done so yet, there is still time.Â
Following our celebration last Sunday, Rev. Alison and the Board collaborated on an informational meeting about the draft of proposed changes to Article II of the UUA bylaws. This is the section that lists our purposes, principles, and sources. Congregations across the country are reviewing the new language, and we encourage everyone to....continue.Â
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Friday Vesper Prayer ServicesÂ
Every Friday at 5 p.m.
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Gather for a quiet time of prayer, reflection, meditation, and music.
An ongoing commitment is not required.
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Loving Kindness Meditation
Mondays at 8 p.m.Â
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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. No previous meditation practice necessary.Â
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Gratitude, Action, and Prayer: UU the Vote Continues
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| GRATITUDE
First Unitarian is grateful for our congregation's commitment to electoral justice and voter mobilization through our UU the Vote efforts. This includes our very successful letter-writing campaign during the midterms. We wrote and mailed over 10,000 letters and postcards to potential voters and made calls through the Carolina UUs and Jews Faith in Action Phone Bank. We now have ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY to virtually support UU the Vote during this Georgia runoff Senate election.
ACTION
Please join UU the Vote with the Center for Common Ground as we call Georgia voters to GOTV for their December 6 Senate runoff election. You can participate in phonebanks the next two Mondays at 5 p.m. Congregant Rick Lathrop reports that in his three years of phone banking experience, this is the easiest and most fun phone banking experience he has had. The brief training offered at the beginning of each session is excellent.
PRAYER
And while we are making calls from Oregon, please hold in your prayers Dana Buhl, Director of Social Justice, and congregant Jeff Jackson, who traveled to support the Georgia Senate runoff election! They have knocked on doors with UU the Vote and the New Georgia Project canvas in Clayton County and Savannah, Georgia. Dana and Jeff will be with the national UU Vote team through election day, December 6.Â
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Are You Going Through a Tough Time?
Would it help to talk with someone?
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| Our church’s Lay Ministry team provides caring listening for individuals experiencing grief, illness, isolation, depression, loss of a job or relationship, or other life challenges. Meetings may be one time or over time, depending on the need—and are always confidential.
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Karen Miller blended her lifetime passions of science and fiber art to create her "Octopus Garden." Japanese culture and techniques also inform her work as she brings out the patterns nature creates.
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Do you have a birth in the family, a graduation, an anniversary, a memorial, or other events 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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| The Speaking of Justice Editorial Team offers weekly art to deepen our connection to the work for social justice and to build the Beloved Community.
Curated by Ethel Gullette, Speaking of Justice Editorial Team
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Chris Abani at the 2008 Dodge Poetry Festival.
- Geography Lesson
- The New Religion
- Histories, #1
Chris Abani is a novelist, poet, essayist, screenwriter, and playwright. Born in Nigeria to an Igbo father and English mother, he grew up in Afikpo, Nigeria, received a BA in English from Imo State University, Nigeria, an MA in English, Gender and Culture from Birkbeck College, University of London, and a Ph.D. in Literature and Creative Writing from the University of Southern California. He has resided in the United States since 2001.
Through his TED Talks, public speaking, and essays, Abani is an international voice on humanitarianism, art, ethics, and our shared political responsibility. He is also in Residency in the MFA in Writing Program of Pacific University in Portland.
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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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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 Livestream
Schedule
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December Shared Plate
For December, First Unitarian shares our offering with Next Up. Dedicated to amplifying youth voices from marginalized communities, Next Up develops and strengthens youth-led movements across Oregon. Their advocacy efforts have helped to expand voting rights, including voter pre-registration for 16- and 17-year-olds, while their leadership programs create opportunities for young people to build practical organizing skills.
Nationally, November’s midterm elections saw the second-highest voter turnout in the last 30 years among young people. We're grateful for this opportunity to support young leaders in Oregon who are working toward an inclusive and equitable democracy.
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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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