Join us for Sunday Worship
Sunday, August 21, 2022 Â //Â 10 a.m. PT
Childcare is available during our worship service for children three and under (located in the nursery).
| |
This summer has been a time to explore our Unitarian Universalist Principles—at a moment in history when they are being reviewed and transformed. An important part of that has been the move for an 8th Principle that would put in place our commitment to be anti-racist and multi-cultural. Where have we been and where are we going as our faith looks to the future?
| |
Stayng Connected Blog
Rooted in Relationship
| |
I am delighted to share that I have arrived in Portland! I am very excited to begin our work together. Here is an early report from my office in our beautiful church grounds. Â
I have already had the chance to meet with our staff, our board, and to enjoy Carter Smith’s last Sunday Service with us. Â
The staff and I are meeting to imagine and plan a year filled with opportunities for inspiration, connection, justice-making, and service. There will be lots more to share soon, but for now I will let you know that our Annual Spiritual Theme for 2022 – 2023 is “Rooted in Relationship.”...continue.
| |
|
Happening this Sunday
Timestamps are Pacific Time (PT) unless stated otherwise. Check out our Events Calendar for First U PDX gatherings.Â
| |
| Welcome to First Unitarian with Rev. Thomas Disrud
VIRTUAL CLASS! - Sunday, August 21, 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.Â
| |
Are you new to First Unitarian Portland? We are so glad you are here. This virtual class will offer an orientation to the church, to Unitarian Universalism and what it means to be a member.
This will be a chance to meet other newcomers and to have your questions about the church answered.
| |
|
Sundays Following Worship Service in Fuller Hall
August 21 - October 23
| |
|
Volunteers will staff a UU the Vote table in Fuller Hall during social hour. Sign out packets of 20 letters to complete on your own and then return to church once completed. We are holding all completed and stamped letters until the end of October when we will mail all the letters at once with "the Big Send."
Please come by the table to learn more about UU the Vote and pick up and/or drop off voter-engagement letters.Â
| |
|
THIS FALL! -Â Come Sing and/or Ring with Us!Â
| |
Our Music Ministry is preparing for the fall and would love to have you come sing and/or ring with us! Rehearsals for the fall term begin soon. Information can be found on our webpage.Â
| |
Summer Pick-Up Choir
Sunday Mornings at 8:30 a.m.
The choir is open to anyone who would like to participate on a week-to-week basis. If interested, simply show up to the sanctuary on the Sunday mornings of your choice at 8:30 a.m. Music will be provided when you arrive, and we'll all learn together for the 10 a.m. service.Â
No experience or on-going commitment necessary.
| |
|
Featured News & Events
Timestamps are Pacific Time (PT) unless stated otherwise. Check out our Events Calendar for First U PDX gatherings.
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.
| |
|
NEW! - Teach in the Learning Community this Year!
| |
|
We are thrilled to begin this church year with in person classes for all ages Preschool through High School!Â
We are in need of volunteers to journey alongside our young people, co-leading with other volunteers. We have flexible options for balancing teaching with attending worship services and are looking for volunteers who can commit to teaching at least two Sundays per month.
We offer training and lots of support. Previous experience with children is helpful but not required. If you have never volunteered in the Learning Community previously or are considering returning to teaching after some time away, please consider making the commitment this year. We need you!
| |
|
REGISTRATION IS OPEN! -Â Wellspring Sources: 10-month Small Group Experience
Virtual gatherings start October 19, 7 - 9 p.m., first and third Wednesdays, Fall 2022 - Spring 2023
Eli Poore, Intern Minister & Facilitator
| |
Would you like the opportunity to engage in spiritual deepening within our UU tradition? Would you like to learn more about yourself, others, and our faith through a 10-month virtual small group experience? Each year, many members of our church participate in this amazing journey.Â
If you have been involved with Unitarian Universalism for at least 12 months and have never participated in Wellspring in the past, please click the button below for more information.
(Wellspring alumni: information on advanced curriculum will be available soon.)
| |
|
Upcoming Events, Workshops & ClassesÂ
| |
|
Bi-weekly Letter Writing Events at First Unitarian
UU The Vote Volunteer Opportunity
Monday Afternoon Letter-Writing Event
August 22, 2Â - 4Â p.m.Â
Location: Buchan Reception Hall (Enter Reception Hall Directly from SW 13th Avenue: Door nearest to the corner of SW Salmon and SW 13th Ave.)
| |
|
Leaders from our Social Justice Program will hold letter writing events every other Monday afternoon. Come share a snack, get oriented to the voter engagement letter-writing process, and enjoy the fellowship of other congregants as you UU the Vote together.Â
| |
|
If possible, please bring with you:
- #10 letter envelopes; twenty (minimum)
- First-class Forever letter stamps; twenty (minimum)
- Pens and highlighters for writing your letters
We will have envelopes and stamps available if that makes your participation possible.
Proof of vaccination and masks required.
| |
|
Transforming Hearts: A Free Course for Congregants
Complete at your own pace. Join anytime!
| |
This course is for everyone from novices on trans identity to those with decades of life experience. Rather than simply offering a “trans 101,” this class pushes participants to the next level of congregational welcome, relationship-building, and skills-building.
| |
|
Vesper Prayer Service
***PRAYER VESPERS ARE ON BREAK August 19 & 26.
| |
Gather once again on Friday, September 2, at 5 p.m. PT for a quiet time of prayer, reflection, meditation and music.
An ongoing commitment is not required.
| |
|
TAKE ACTION! - Build Solidarity for Abortion Justice!Sunday, August 21 // 12 - 4 p.m.
| |
Portland will bring together reproductive freedom supporters to take action, listen, learn, heal and build power for abortion justice.
After a decades-long fight, this summer the U.S. Supreme Court revoked the constitutional right to abortion by overturning Roe v. Wade. While we are outraged, we refuse to be swallowed by despair. It’s time for us to build the future we want — centered on community care, liberation and self-determination.
By building power for the multi-generational fight in front of us, another world is possible.Â
This is a family friendly event.
| |
|
WFWA 2022 Back to School Drive Please support the Western Farm Workers Association annual Back to School drive.
| |
Each year WFWA provides school supplies for approximately 100 families and 300 children.
IJAG invites the congregation to donate school supplies which will be delivered to WFWA during the month of August.
| |
Where to drop-off donations:
- IJAG table in Fuller Hall before or after services on the following THIS SUNDAY: August 21
- NE Portland: Email Mary Ann
- SW Portland: Email Laurie
Other ways to help:
- Interested in donating cash? This purchases supplies for an individual student, please email Mary Ann.
- Volunteers needed! Saturday, August 27 folks are invited to assist with sorting and distributing school supplies. For more information please email Mary Ann.
| |
|
Your Church Bookstore Has Re-opened!Â
Every Sunday after the service.
| |
We have lots of books on sale at 50% off, and we have many new titles for you to peruse. The most recent Meditation Manuals are now in stock, as well as many other titles from Beacon Press and Skinner House. AND Rev. Bill Sinkford has given us hundreds of books from his personal library to offer you at 50% off also. We are brimming with great titles – come visit us after Sunday service.
| |
The Art Wall Committee is showing our work during the summer!
Come down to Fuller Hall to see the paintings of Connie Cleaton, Matt Schiewe, and Tupper Malone; the etchings of Leslie Pohl-Kosbau; and the assemblages of Julie Forbes.
| |
Do you have a reason to celebrate? Say it with flowers!
| |
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.
| |
Having trouble viewing our services through the website?
Find our Livestreams on Boxcast, YouTube or on Facebook.
| |
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.
| |
|
| Sunday LivestreamÂ
& Summer Schedule
| |
August 21 Shared Plate
This week, we share our plate with TRUUsT (Transgender Religious professional UUs Together). TRUUsT is an organization of trans Unitarian Universalists who are living out a call to ministry within Unitarian Universalism. Its mission is to advocate for the gifts, safety, liberation, and leadership of trans religious professionals in Unitarian Universalist ministries and institutions.
| |
Want to know what this church has to offer? Show up for events/classes/socials and  stay engaged!
| |
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.
| |
Moved recently? Changed your phone number or e-mail? Fill out this form.
| |
|
