Celebration Sunday!Sunday, November 17
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Sunday Worship at 10:15 a.m.
Learning Community (RE) classes are at 10:15 a.m. Nursery and toddler care is always available during our worship service. Learn about our program here. Current news here.
Social Hour: Buchan Reception after the service.
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Generosity & Generativity
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This past month, we have invited one another to Join the Journey of Generosity. Today, we are celebrating the end of the public Campaign for 2025. Let us reflect together on generosity as the fuel that moves us towards creativity, innovation, and the better world we dream about.
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Minister's ColumnNow What?
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You can read below or watch the full sermon, âNow What,â Rev. Alison shared last Sunday following the election as she oriented towards our shared calling in the weeks and months and years ahead.
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Dear Ones,
I love you. I grieve with you. I am angry with you. I am sad with you. I am scared with you. I am getting ready with you. I will act with you. Will you act with me?...MORE
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CELEBRATION SUNDAY!
Sunday, November 17, at 10:15 a.mÂ
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Thanks to the generous gifts of this incredible community, we are at 82% of our goal. With your help, we need to raise an additional $250,000 so we can reach our goal and really celebrate!
Please pledge today to help us ensure we have the resources we need for 2025.
Join us for a special service this Sunday as we honor the spirit of giving that makes this church thrive. After the service, we are celebrating the 100-year anniversary of Eliot Chapel with a brief rededication ceremony followed by cake in our Buchan Reception Hall.
Thank you for "Joining the Journey!"
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THIS SUNDAY! â The 100th Anniversary of Eliot Chapel: Rededication Ceremony
Sunday, November 17, immediately after the service
Location:Â Eliot Chapel
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Right after the worship service this Sunday, proceed to the corner of SW 12th and Salmon and then into the Eliot Sanctuary to rededicate and celebrate our 100 years at this location. Cake and conversation afterwards for Celebration Sunday in Buchan reception.
(Image: Rev. William G. Eliot and contractor in 1924 laying the cornerstone at First Unitarian, SW 12th Ave and Salmon St.)
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LAST CHANCE! â A Picture Paints a Thousand Words... And a Thousand Words Can Paint a Picture!
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Help us create First Unitarian's very own "word cloud."
- What are three words that describe what keeps you coming back to First Unitarian?
- What are three words that describe the culture/community of First Unitarian?
The form will close first thing on Friday morning (tomorrow). Join us this Sunday for the Big Word Cloud Reveal!
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THIS WEEKEND â Eliot Chapel Gardening Meet-up!
Saturday, November 16, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Location: In front of Eliot Chapel on 12th Ave.
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In anticipation of Sunday's centennial activities to rededicate the Eliot Chapel, the gardening crew of First Unitarian will be tidying up garden beds in front of Eliot, as well as on 12th Ave. This will be part of our monthly gardening meet-up and if you're inclined, we'd love to have you join us! Bring gardening glovesâwe have shovels and rakes. Please contact Laurie with questions.
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NEW! â Come Ring with Us!
Wednesday, November 20, 7 - 8:30 p.m.
Location: Daisy Bingham
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Interested in ringing Handbells? The First Unitarian Handbell Choir will begin rehearsals with an open house session next Wednesday in Daisy Bingham from 7 - 8:30 p.m. Rehearsals will be every Wednesday evening from December 4 until the church year ends in early June.
All are invited to attend and participate regardless of age or skill level. Middle- and high-schoolers are welcome, as are families! Email your questions to Garrett Bond⌠or just come!
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NEW! â Letter from the Board: November 2024
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Iâve been thinking about democracy and hard work this week.
This past week in our country, we used a democratic process to elect a president and representatives to the US congress, as well as local leaders to represent us in our community. Iâll be the first to admit that watching the results of this democratic process unfold nationally has been painful, frightening, angering, and disappointing. But this is one event in our countryâs history. We have been down before, way down. Thatâs where the hard work comes in...MORE
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LAST CHANCE â The Alliance Virtual Greens Sale Ends on Sunday
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The Holidays are almost here, and it is time to order wonderful wreaths and garlands. The sale continues through this Sunday at 5 p.m. Use this link to order online from home or order at Church during coffee hours when help will be available.
Wreaths can be picked up on either December 6 or 7, or you can have them mailed to wherever you want.
Each wreath purchased through Alliance will help uplift women, children, and marginalized communities.
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Around the Church
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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Hello! My name is Garrett Bond and I am the new Interim Director of Music Ministries here at First Unitarian. You can read more about me here. It has been an absolute joy stepping into this role only a few weeks ago. On behalf of the entire music community here at First Unitarian, we would like to invite you to join our music program!
Right now there are two vocal choirs and, beginning on November 20, a handbell ensemble. See the "Come Ring with Us" article above. These groups rehearse weekly and serve an active role in our church services and the wider community.
Our Community Choir is non-auditioned, and all are welcome to sing regardless of your previous experience.
Our second vocal ensemble is for those who would like a more in-depth choral experience.
Everyone is encouraged to get involved and to contact me with any questions or comments. The vocal choirs rehearse Thursday evenings: Community Choir 5:30 - 6:45 p.m. and the more advanced ensemble from 7 - 8:30 p.m. Handbells will rehearse Wednesdays from 7 - 8:30 p.m.
Please contact me to schedule a meeting time! We hope to see you soon. Thank you!
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NEW! â November 17 Newsletter
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I hope you will consider staying after the service and RE for Celebration Sunday! During our social time, we will gather in gratitude and joy to mark our pledge campaign. You wonât want to miss the festivities, especially including our church scavenger hunt...MORE
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NEW! â Words for These Times from Peace Action Group
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At our post-election in-person meeting on November 9, the Peace Action Group members were gifted with a wonderful closing reading that one of our group members chose from Rev. Molly Housh Gordon, a Unitarian minister from Columbia, Missouri. We invite you to read these words with your heart and soul wide open:
"Here's one other thing. I think humans in Western cultures often need to feel like there is an upward arc to history and some promised arrival, in order for there to be meaning in our lives.
But the place we are going is just around the sun on a miracle of a planet.
And I want to tell you that we are still alive in a world that is so beautiful and so brutal all at once, and always has been.
And it is all drenched in meaning no matter where it's headed and it matters that we love each other well and that we drink up the beauty and resist the brutality. It matters."
Next week, we will share the opening reading from Barbara Kingsolver which we also found deeply inspiring. The Peace Action Group meets alternate months on Zoom and in person on the second Saturdays of each month. We always welcome new members to our group. Check in with us any Sunday at our table during coffee hour. In peace.
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A Personal Story for November's Plate Share
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Our spiritual theme for November is Story, and we'd like to share one from our community partner and shared plate recipient, Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice (IMIrJ). Read about how IMIrJ supported just one of the many families they serve:
âAn indigenous family from Guatemala has been living in the Salem area for the last several years. Recently the father of the family was deported, leaving the mother & three little girls in Oregon"...MORE
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Because of their model of addressing the homelessness crisis, WeShine is an organization that COHHO has recently chosen to support. WeShine designs, builds, and operates neighborhood-based micro-villages that provide safe, transitional shelter with wrap-around services for underserved and unsheltered adults as they prepare to become successful tenants in permanent, affordable housing.Â
Avalon Village, WeShineâs newest micro-village, is located in Inner Southeast Portland. Accommodating 10 people, Avalon Village serves women and female-identified adults and prioritizes those who are Black, Indigenous, or People of Color, older adults, people with chronic health conditions or disabilities, and individuals who have been camping nearby.
In the coming weeks, we will be inviting you to join us in supporting WeShine in various ways. In the meantime, you can learn more about their work here.
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CHECK WEEKLY â Art for Social Justice
Curated by Ethel, Speaking of Justice Editorial Team
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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.
Dr. Lyla June Johnston, also known as Lyla June, is an Indingeous musician, scholar, and community organizer of DinÊ (Navajo), TsÊtsêhÊstâhese (Cheyenne), and European lineages. Her messages focus on Indigenous rights, supporting youth, traditional land stewardship practices and healing inter-generational and inter-cultural trauma. To listen to her song "All Nations Rise," watch the video below:
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In the Community
Chancel flowers this Sunday are given by Pat McAleer in loving memory and in honor of Brian McAleer, her son. A celebration of life was held for Brian on October 2.
Member Michael Wade died on November 4 at the age of 73. He was diagnosed with cancer about 10 months ago and his illness progressed quickly. Michael was active in our Economic Justice Action Group here along with other groups. Toward the end, Michael said âI guess my ride is hereâŚâ Michael leaves his wife, Elizabeth; son, Alex; and daughter, Catherine. They plan to have a gathering in his honor at some point in the future.
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Notes from the Sextons' Workbench: November 2024
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Fall is up and running, and things are beginning to speed up. Itâs a lot like an old-timey steam locomotive: some huffing and puffing, clanking, bell-ringing, and we are off and moving. Not fast yet, but moving...MORE
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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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November/December Art Wall Exhibitions
The Garden: Prints by Poppy Dully
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Poppy Dullyâs artistic practices span painting, printmaking, and artist books. This exhibit features copper etched botanical prints. She plays with ink colors, moving from the traditional to the unusual. Nature is uninhibited in its array of colors and patterns, challenging us to consider what may be possible.
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Recurring Workshops, Classes & Gatherings
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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 fourth Sunday of each month from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in Fireside and via Zoom. Contact Marni.
Committee on Hunger and Homelessness (COHHO): We meet on the 3rd Sunday of the month after services. Contact Cynthia for details or to be added to our email list.
Community for Earth (CFE):Â We meet on the 2nd Sunday of the month before worship services (hybrid) and on the 4th week of the month at rotating times. Contact our group or visit our calendar for details.
Immigrant Justice Action Group (IJAG): Check the IJAG page on the church website for ways to get involved and groups that need our energy and gifts. For meeting info, contact Laurie.
Lotsa Helping Hands: A care calendar that enables volunteers to provide meals or visits for congregants going through challenging times. To join, send a request here. For questions or to receive support, contact Leslie or Susan.
Mental Health Caregivers Group: Second Wednesday every month via Zoom 7 - 8:30 p.m. Email Ellen for more information.
Sojourners: Lollygagging Our Way To The Inevitable: Sojourners and Sojourners 2 are two groups that meet for two hours at First Unitarian. Members support each other through aging with facilitated discussions, activities, personal stories, and social events, fostering growth and friendship. All are welcome, but both groups are limited in size; no drop-ins, please. Email Lucy with questions.
"Tâ Time: A Trans, Nonbinary, and Gender-Expansive, Exclusive Gathering: Meet on the second and fourth Sundays in Channing Room at 12 - 1 p.m.
Wednesday Night Meditation: Every week from 7 - 8:30 p.m. All mindfulness and Buddhist-based meditations. Beginners welcome. A thirty-five-minute meditation followed by a member-led discussion to increase understanding and integration of Buddhist principles into our daily lives. For the link, contact Robert.
Women's Circle II:Â Meets most second and fourth Mondays of the month. Email Kim.
Women's Circle IV: Meets first and third Wednesdays of the month. Email Anne. Accepting new members!
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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 5 p.m.
If your submission is urgent and couldnât be sent before the deadline, please include âURGENTâ in the subject line.
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| This Week's Shower Project Requests
Your donations make a big difference in the lives of those we serve. All donations are greatly appreciated. At this time, we are in special need of the following items:
- Blankets and sleeping bags
- Winter coats/jackets (all sizes)
- Men's clothes (all sizes)
Our page includes a list of our most frequently-needed items.
Please bring your items to donate to the cabinet in Fuller Hall, next to the kitchen. Thank you for your support!
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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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