Sunday Worship at 10:30 a.m.
Time for All Ages: Families begin in worship service; then, children and youth leave to attend their classes.
Childcare is available during our worship service for children six months to 3 years old (in the nursery.)
Social Hour: Buchan Reception Hall after the service
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Many are curious about how we can build one house of worship that includes theists, atheists, and agnostics sitting side by side. But we do this each time we gather. Many of us may also weave our spiritual understandings from more than one religious tradition. Pluralism is lifted up as one of the six values undergirding the proposed covenant for the wider Unitarian Universalist Association, of which we are a part. Let us reflect on how this value fuels spiritual growth and exploration.
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Ministers BlogTakeaways to Take to Heart
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In the middle of this month, I gathered with Senior Ministers of Large UU Churches from around the country for our annual conference. It was an opportunity for reflection, renewal, and the exchange of insights. I would like to share with you a couple of the highlights I have taken to heart and taken back with me to my work with you.
One of the highlights was meeting with our teacher for the conference, Aurora Levins Morales. Aurora is a Puerto Rican, Jewish, feminist writer and poet engaged in movements for social change. Her ability to imagine another world was a spiritual gift for all of us. On one hand, she is preparing for the end of the world as we know it by tending to an apocalypse garden. On the other hand, she is growing the literal and metaphorical fruits to be able to survive in a post-apocalyptic world. More than that, she hopes to be part of ushering in a world beyond this one, which more closely resembles the beloved community...continue reading.
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Men's Community Pancake Breakfast
THIS SUNDAY, March 3, from 9 - 10:15 a.m.
Location: Buchan Reception Hall
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| We are excited to announce another pancake breakfast, back by popular demand! Join us for a delightful selection of blueberry, chocolate chip, and plain pancakes fresh off the griddle.
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Consider Including First Unitarian in Your Estate Plan
Be a part of growing our endowment.
Be part of the Church’s financial future.
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| March is Foundation Month at First Unitarian Portland. There will be opportunities to learn how you can join our current Foundation Legacy Society members to ensure our church remains a strong and active part of the lives of future generations through a planned gift.
If you have questions or want more information, stop by our table in the lobby this Sunday or email us at stewardship@firstunitarianportland.org.
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First Steps Class
THIS SUNDAY, March 3 at Noon
Location: Fireside Room A303
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Join us this Sunday for our monthly First Steps class with Rev. Tom. Learn more about life at First Unitarian Portland, ways to connect, and about Unitarian Universalism. We look forward to meeting you!
Note: Our April 7 class will focus on membership inquiries. Visit the Front Steps for more information beforehand.
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NEW! — Name Tag Pick-up!
This Sunday, March 3 // Pick up in the Lobby
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| They're ready! If you signed up for a new name tag, you can pick it up in the lobby for the next couple of weeks.
After that, name tags will be available for regular pick-up at the First Connections Table in Fuller Hall during coffee hour.
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Featured News
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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Matins for Lent
March 4, 11, 18 and 25, from 8:30 - 9 a.m. via Zoom
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| You are invited to embark on an inward journey this Lenten season from a unique Unitarian Universalist perspective. We will celebrate the season of Lent from a UU perspective in four quiet Zoom services: music, poetry, prayer, meditation, and reflection.
If you would like a reminder and link each week, email Karen.
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SAVE THE DATE! – Zap The Gap Too Auction
April 21 - May 5
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| The Auction is coming! Get ready for our fantastic community-building auction. Donations start March 17—more information to follow.
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NEW — Good Grief: Navigating Personal Loss
Sunday, April 7, 14, 28, and May 5 // from 1 - 2:30 p.m.
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| This four-session group offers support for those grieving the loss of a partner or close family member. We provide a safe space for sharing emotions and stories and discussing how grief reflects our love for the departed. Resources and a remembrance ritual will be offered. Our approach acknowledges that grief isn't something to 'get over' but rather something to 'get used to,' integrating it as a part of our ongoing love.
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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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ALLIANCE PRESENTS...Gleaning for Good
Wednesday, March 6, from 10:30 a.m. to Noon
Location: Eliot Chapel and via Boxcast Livestream
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Join Robin Lindsley and become a Gleaning Team Leader! Drawing from her Forest Grove experience, Robin will guide you on organizing a local volunteer group to collect surplus food for distribution to food pantries. Your efforts will provide fresh, nutritious vegetables and baked goods sourced from collection points throughout your neighborhood to hundreds of chronically hungry individuals.
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JOIN US! – First Unitarian ALL-CHURCH Democracy Fair: Engaging our UU Values to Deepen Democracy
Sunday, March 17, from Noon 'til 3 p.m.
Location: First Unitarian Portland, Buchan Reception Hall (1226 SW Salmon St.)
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| An important part of living our UU values is learning to share our beliefs and convictions and make them public. Deepen our connections to one another and learn essential skills to strengthen our democracy at this critical time. We’ll have skills workshops on Witness, Advocacy, & Community Organizing and an education session on American Militarism.
As Unitarian Universalists, we believe that “Love is what calls us to the sacred work of seeking justice.” Let us learn and act together.
Need childcare? Please check in at the Info Desk by Noon.
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NEW — Understanding the Climate Crisis through En-ROADS: Helping Us Connect What We Care About to Ensure a Resilient Future
Tuesday, March 12, at 7 p.m. via Zoom
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Please join William Heerdt, En-ROADS Climate Ambassador and Community for Earth (CFE) to learn more about climate solutions by attending an online En-ROADS climate interactive solutions simulator presentation. The En-ROADS solution simulator allows users to quickly see the long-term effects of global climate policies and actions, such as electrifying transport, pricing carbon, and improving agricultural practices, on factors like energy prices, temperature, air quality, and sea level rise.
The goal is to break through the noise and equip us with the knowledge to implement equitable climate solutions. The presentation will educate us about options to reduce climate change and CFE’s local actions.
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Early Registration for the 2024 UUA General Assembly
Deadline is Friday, March 15
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Register by March 15 for $280 to attend an all-online meeting and workshops scheduled for June 20-23, 2024.
Delegates approved by First Unitarian may register for business-only sessions. To request a Delegate application, please email the First Unitarian Board at board@firstunitarianportland.org.
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Learning Community E-News
A Feast of Differences 🥘
Rev. Leah Ongiri, Acting Director of Lifespan Faith Formation & Family Ministries
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Last month was a dear friend’s birthday. I had the honor of hosting a dinner for our households, a total of 11 people. I love cooking and hosting!
Except…our group had two pescatarians, one person each with an allergy to dairy, fish, and soy, and two gluten-free folks. One of my kids heard me musing about menu ''difficulties'' and inquired, “Who’s the difficult one?” Hearing my words in someone else’s mouth stopped me in my tracks. It was a culinary challenge, sure, but no one was being bothersome on purpose.
I shifted my mindset from “difficulty” to creativity and exploration. Of coming together as a body containing diversity...continue reading.
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Nut Butter Drive Success and Appreciation
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Many thanks to all who donated to our recent Nut Butter Drive. We collected 120 jars of high-protein nut butter for LiftUp's neighborhood food program. And we thank COHHO member Lily for her outstanding coordinating and organizing work. Great job, Lily!
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Participatory Budgeting! What is that?
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Explore Participatory Budgeting! With a stroke of luck and signatures, Portlanders may vote on introducing it on the November 2024 ballot.
Visit the Economic Justice Action Group table after Sunday service to discover more, and if you're a registered Portland voter, sign the initiative petition.
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YOU'RE INVITED! — IJAG Community Building Schedule: Alternating Meetings and Lunch Gatherings
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In keeping with our eight principles and as social justice allies, our mission is to support and enhance the rights of refugees, migrants, and immigrants in our community. We provide information and promote understanding and engagement of our fellow UU congregants to these ends.
To build a community for the work we endeavor to do together, IJAG maintains an alternating schedule of meetings.
The schedule for the rest of the program year:
- Social Justice Democracy Fair
Sunday, March 17 || We'll be tabling after the service. Come by and see what we're about!
- Lunch Gathering at Elephants
Monday, April 15 at 12:30 p.m. || Location: Elephants Delicatessen on S. Corbett
- Sunday Gathering at Church
Sunday, May 19, at 9:30 a.m. || Location: Channing Room
- Lunch Gathering at Elephants
Monday, June 17 at 12:30 p.m. || Location: Elephants Delicatessen S. Corbett
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In the Community
A memorial service will be held for member Joanne Hagensick this Sunday, March 3, at 2 p.m. in our Eliot Chapel. Joanne died on December 31 at the age of 70. Joanne was a longtime volunteer in our church office and involved in our knitting group and music program.
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Are You Going Through a Tough Time?
Would it help to talk with someone?
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| Our Lay Ministry team offers caring listening for people going through grief, illness, isolation, depression, job loss, relationship issues, or other life challenges. Meetings are confidential and can be one-time or ongoing, depending on the person's needs.
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NEW! - Church Archives, Our History and Promise
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Some of you may know we have a team of members who work weekly in the Archives. They are Bill Bateman, Leslie Pohl-Kosbau, Ruth Robinson, Suzanne Kosanke and Ruth Lewellen-Dix. We are working on a project about the Eliot building and would like people with pictures and information from the past 100 years to send copies or originals to us.
You can drop items by the Church office, mail them to 1034 SW 13th, Portland, OR 97205, or email Leslie.
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🚨 Emergency Response Plan: Volunteers Needed!
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We're excited to tell you about the progress being made on First Unitarian’s Emergency Response Plan, originally spearheaded by Marilynne Eichinger and now joined by Ronnie-Gail Emden. Much work was accomplished on this plan pre-Covid and we're eager to complete it.
The plan provides information about how to deal with emergencies, including medical, weather (including earthquakes, floods, severe storms, etc.), fire (including prevention and evacuation procedures), and civil disturbances (including active shooters). While much progress has been made, we need your help to finalize it.
We're seeking volunteers for clerical tasks and content creation, especially in church cybersecurity. Also, if you have medical training, your expertise in emergencies is invaluable.
Thank you for your dedication to our community's safety.
If you are interested in working with us in any of the capacities, please email Ronnie.
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I am Marilyn Mays (she/her), and I have the privilege to serve on your Board of Trustees. I joined the Board at the beginning of the Pandemic. When I woke up this morning, I had a song running in my mind. I could hear David Bowie singing “Ch-Ch-Ch Changes”. I have to say that when I agreed to be on the board, none of us knew what was in store in the near future. For me, the last few years have been an incredible learning opportunity, and I have my Board service and connection with the Choir and Social Justice Programs to thank for much of that. I also understand that these years during and since the pandemic have not been that for all...continue reading.
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Beyond Boundaries: The Artistry of Sandra Rowe Sandra Rowe is a visual artist, writer, consultant, curator, and educator. Born in Richmond, Indiana, Sandra Rowe received a Bachelor of Arts from CSU Fresno in 1977 and a Master of Fine Arts from UC Irvine in 1980. She has exhibited in Japan, Paris, Cuba, and Nigeria, as well as in many museums across the United States. Rowe has also produced various public art installations in Southern California.
Rowe’s art focuses on the experimentation, questioning, and overall integrity of ideas. She goes beyond the usual standards of artmaking and breaks down boundaries to develop and display her ideas, such as those of race, gender, relationships, and human nature.
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 | Mt. Hood: Oil on paper, 16” x 24” by Carole Romm
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What We Have to Lose: Carole Romm — Like many, I am anxious about climate change and its existential threat. As an antidote to the hopelessness that can feel overwhelming, I have made it my practice to cherish the beauty of nature as it is right now, at this very moment.
I take refuge in my studio, where I express both the despair of climate chaos and the fragile beauty of our Northwest landscape.
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Kay Myers — My love affair with clouds began early as I flopped beside my best friend on the grass and watched the clouds float by. I spent three days camping alone in the Alford Desert many years ago.
The canvas of the sky began with brilliant blue skies followed by fluffy clouds and morphed into dark rain clouds. I watched with awe as the canvas of the sky connected me to the earth and the vast emptiness.
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The flowers on Sunday are dedicated with love in memory of Joanne Hagensick.
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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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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, Speaking of Justice Editorial Team
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Damian "Jr. Gong” Marley pays tribute to San Basilio De Palenque to celebrate this haven of Afro-Colombian culture by showcasing the city & its citizens while highlighting “the first free town in all of the Americas.”
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Recurring Workshops, Classes & Gatherings
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Alliance Presents… Every first Wednesday of the month at 10:30 a.m. in Eliot Chapel. More information.
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 – 1:45 in Fireside.
First Connections: We meet once a month 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.
THIS SUNDAY (in Fireside) — 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.
Sojourners: Lollygagging Our Way To The Inevitable: Meets monthly on the second Thursday from 1 - 3 p.m. Email Lucy for questions.
"T” Time: A Trans, Nonbinary, and Gender-Expansive, Exclusive Gathering: Meet on the second and fourth Sundays in Channing Room at noon.
Women's Circle II: Meets most second and fourth Mondays of the month. Email Kim.
Women's Circle IV: Meets first and third Wednesdays from 7 - 8:30 p.m. Questions? Contact Anne. (We are currently on pause from accepting new members.)
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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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The Leaven Community Land and Housing Coalition is an interfaith collective that grows neighborhood capacity to stabilize our communities so that all people in Oregon may find a home. We activate the power of our relationships with one another, our financial resources, and our land to create housing equity and immigration and racial justice by moving from isolation into community and collective action.
Through the arts and practices of community organizing, we interrupt processes of colonization and assimilation to shift faith and spiritual leaders and their congregations toward reciprocal relationships with land, neighbors, and one another. The coalition mobilizes faith community land, people, and money towards repair, reparations, and liberation. Collectively, we counter the narratives of ‘Othering’ in our communities and grow a diverse base of leaders trained in and actively practicing community organizing together to change the systems that marginalize our loved ones and neighbors. First Unitarian is an active member of the Land & Housing Coalition.
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