Join us for Sunday WorshipSunday, May 22, 2022
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Family Service 10 a.m. // In-Person & LivestreamedÂ
Sanctuary Service 11 a.m. // In-Person & Livestreamed
Learning Community Classes // In-Person K-12
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Holding the Door Open
In-Person & LivestreamÂ
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We are moving across a threshold together and ushering in the beginning of a new shared ministry. What are the possibilities before us as we embark on this journey? May it be a partnership that is grounded in covenant and guided by love.
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Family Worship
The Proudest Blue
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Our story this week was written by Ibtihaj Muhammad, an Olympic Medalist, and is about a young girl’s first day of wearing a hijab at school.
Rev. Alison Miller will share the story, Rev. Tom will share a meditation and Dustin will offer music.Â
This will be the final Family Worship of the church year.
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Staying Connected
Making Connections
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We are about to embark on a covenantal relationship, which is grounded in trust and mutual support for the flourishing of our shared ministries at First Unitarian Portland. The very first step is getting to meet and to know each other. Â
The process of beginning to know you began with your thoughtful and dedicated Ministerial Search Team – Lia, Sarah, Chris, Ruth, David, Leslie, Saranna, and Mark. We first learned about each other in our online profiles and website, then we met on Zoom, and then finally in-person in March. We both owe them a debt of gratitude for all they have done for this beloved community. The Search Team spent two years in reflection and discernment, preparing First U Portland's search materials, reviewing ministers’ materials, and finally interviewing candidates. Through them I started to learn about your history, your hopes, and your passions...continue.
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| 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.
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Have you turned in your Senior Minister ballot yet, voting on Rev. Alison Miller’s candidacy? If not, bring it to the church this Sunday, May 22. You can drop it off in the church narthex/lobby, or you can use the “drive-by drop-off” on 12th Avenue in front of the church Sunday morning. All Senior Minister ballots are due by 12:15 p.m. this Sunday.
Ballots will be counted by the Board of Trustees and the results announced from the pulpit in our Sanctuary as soon as possible after the service ends. The announcement will also be livestreamed so that all of you in our “virtual universe” can hear the news at the same time.
If you have not received a ballot and you believe you are a voting/pledging member of the church, there will be provisional ballots at the ballot table in the narthex for you to complete.
Please vote!
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| | Upcoming Events, Workshops & Classes
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RALLY & MARCH! - Portland Youth Climate Strike
This Friday, May 20 at 10:45 a.m.
Flow: Eliot Chapel > Portland City Hall > Revolution Hall
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Join fellow congregants and the CFE team to join the Portland Youth Climate Strike! Gather on the steps of Eliot Chapel at 10:45am to head to Portland City Hall to demand a green future for ourselves and future generations. We will hear the demands of the Youth Climate Leaders at City Hall, march together and end up at Revolution Hall where there will be a festival with arts, information, and community building. All are welcome and encouraged to march in solidarity!
- Meet up: Eliot Chapel Steps, SW 12th Ave & SW Salmon St.
- Wear: Wear yellow Side with Love t-shirts if you like or come as you are! Masks are encouraged, but not required.
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| Nourishing the Spirit: Practice for the Long Haul with Rev.
Katherine Jesch
THIS SATURDAY! - May 21, 10:30 a.m.Â
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In a world of violence, injustice, and loss, the spirit struggles to stay hopeful when many of us feel burned out, discouraged, and exhausted. It is helpful to gather in community to share our journeys and affirm each other’s experience. In community we reawaken the hope, imagination, and passion that sustains us as we work to build the world we see in our dreams.
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REMINDER! - Reproductive Dignity Action Meeting (Virtual)
Monday, May 23, 6:30-8:30pm
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The leak from SCOTUS about the near certain reversal of Roe vs. Wade and all of the implications for the most personal choices we make about our lives, has many of us fired up.Â
If you are interested in joining others at First Unitarian in taking faithful and collective action for Reproductive Dignity please join us for this organizing meeting.
Some of those in attendance will have just finished a curriculum offered by SACReD, the Spiritual Alliance of Communities for Reproductive Dignity, which is building a multi-racial, multi-faith, movement of congregations across the country that publicly proclaim their support for reproductive dignity. Some also attended an initial meeting we had in February to tee up our organizing efforts. Whether or not you were able to attend either of those earlier efforts, and you are ready to take action for reproductive dignity, please join us to get organized!Â
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Men's Retreat Summer 2022
Friday, June 10, through Sunday, June 12
Join us for the annual retreat of the First Unitarian Men's Community. It will be a weekend of fellowship, spiritual growth, and community. You do not need to be a member of the group to participate. All Men and Non-Binary individuals are welcome. Â
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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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Rev. Alison Miller: Learning Community Meet & Greet
REMINDER! - Saturday, May 21, 10 a.m. (Zoom or In-Person)
Location:Â Buchan Reception Hall
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Members of our Learning Community, including families, prospective families, and volunteers are invited to join us in the Buchan Reception Hall and courtyard or Zoom for an opportunity to meet senior minister candidate, Rev. Alison Miller.
The theme for Candidating Week is shared ministry. What does shared ministry mean to you? Please bring proof of vaccination (including booster) for all those eligible and wear masks for those age two and older. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Saranna (MSC Candidating Week lead).
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JOB OPPORTUNITY! - Childcare Staff Position
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Our Learning Community is seeking an experienced childcare provider for a paid position on Sunday mornings in our nursery with children ages 0-2. We require at least six months of childcare experience, including with infants.
Our nursery is a gentle and loving space where we support infants and toddlers in free play and building trust during time apart from their primary caregivers attending the sanctuary worship service. Hours are 10:30am-12:30pm with a co-provider every Sunday with provisions for occasional Sundays off.
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SPIRITUAL CONNECTION - 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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Nina Simone sings "Mississippi Goddam"
Last Saturday, ten Black people were murdered, and many more injured, in a racist massacre in Buffalo, New York. We mourn their lives, we grieve the irreparable loss of precious family and community members, and lament the trauma this attack by an avowed white supremacist has inflicted.
We recommit to rooting out violence and hate fueled by the manufactured illusion of race and of white supremacy. Whether in Mississippi, New York or Oregon, we recommit.
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In the Community
John Hamnett, brother of member Jean Robinson, died on May 9 in Gresham from congestive heart illness. John had just turned 77 in April and besides Jean, leaves a daughter and two step sons.
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NEW! - Get to Know Our GA Visitors!
Wednesday, June 22, 6:30 p.m.
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For volunteers Get to know our General Assembly visitors in a special way. Accompany those who sign up to a local restaurant. Let's welcome people who have come from other Unitarian Universalist congregations by offering this form of hospitality on one of their first days in Portland.
Contact Leslie or Stan with your name, contact info, and restaurant suggestion near a MAX stop in Central Portland.
Sign up by Monday, May 30.
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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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This letter will find us in the midst of Rev. Alison Miller’s candidating week. Rev. Alison preached last Sunday and will preach again this coming Sunday. She is meeting with various groups across the church during the week. We hope you have a chance to meet her. The vote to call her as our next Senior Minister will be tallied on Sunday after service and the results will be announced that afternoon. This is an exciting time in the life of First Unitarian!
There are three ballots this year. The week after we vote on the call for Rev. Alison, ballots for the church’s annual elections will be due. Members should have received their ballots in the mail. On the ballot this year are members of the Board of Trustee, Nominating Committee, Foundation Board Stewards, and the church budget for next year. Please vote!
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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
In-Person Social Hour – in Fuller Hall after the service
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May Shared Plate
 East County Rising Community Projects develops and harnesses the community’s power through civic engagement, organizing, and leadership training to create an equitable and livable community centered on the needs of the most underrepresented and marginalized residents. It has been the hub for successful coalition work to preserve and expand the tree canopy and green spaces for climate resilience and human health. Their work to build grassroots leadership utilizes an intersectional framework of race, gender, disability, sexuality, immigration status, age, and class, to advance policies that are good for the wellbeing of all community members.Â
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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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