Join Us for WorshipSunday, October 10, 2021
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Family Service at 10 a.m. Â // Â Sanctuary Service at 11 a.m.
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Love as a Spiritual Practice
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Love is such a big word in our language, loaded with meaning. What can love look like on a small scale in our daily lives? What are ways we can practice aligning ourselves with love even in the mundane?
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Staying Connected BlogOur Good Bodies
Rev. Abigail Clauhs, Affiliated Community Minister
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Greetings, beloveds. It’s been a while since I’ve been able to see many of you, and since I’ve been in our First Unitarian pulpit (virtually or otherwise!). Yet, when I was invited to write a piece about Body Liberation for our Staying Connected reflections, I welcomed it, because it is something that deeply grounds my own ministry--and, I believe, is an integral part of our communal work for collective liberation, inherently connected to work for anti-racism, disability justice, and ending so many other forms of oppressions...continued.
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Rev. Bill will introduce Bob Marley whose life and music put love at the center. Marley saw love connecting us to family and to community. Marley saw love as a source of joy. Perhaps we can, too.
Dustin will lead our music, which will include Bob Marley, of course, and Cassandra will offer our meditation.Â
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NEW! -Â Learning Community Cottage Meeting with Ministerial Search CommitteeTuesday, October 12, at 5:45 p.m.
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Join RE/Learning Community and representatives from the MSC in a time for families to share their ideas, hopes, and interests as they relate to a new senior minister. We look forward to seeing you!
Questions to think about to prepare for the meeting:
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NEW! - People of Color! What is Important to You in the Search for Our Next Senior Minister?Thursday, October 14, at 7 p.m.
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Join us to meet with members of the Ministerial Search Committee (MSC) to discuss what is important to you in the search for our next senior minister. Beloved Community of Color (BCC), our church's affinity group for people of color, invites you to this special Zoom gathering.
This will be a People of Color POC-only space. No need to have participated in our group before. We welcome you!
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Q&A with Rev. Bill and the Board’s Financial Update
NEW! - Sunday, October 17, at 12:30 p.m.
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What’s on your mind? Bring all manner of questions to ask our Senior Minister at this periodic Q&A. Hear about the church’s financial position. Members of the Board’s Finance Committee will be on hand to answer your questions.
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NEW! - Interested in Being a Lay Minister?Sunday, October 17, at 12:30 p.m. and Wednesday, November 3 at 7 p.m.
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Lay ministers play an important role in how we build Beloved Community in our congregation. Lay ministers offer compassionate listening and support for congregants in times of special need that could include a spiritual crisis, bereavement, major life changes, health issues, or other personal concerns. Support can happen through one-on-one support and through the facilitation of small groups.Â
If you are interested in serving as a lay minister, attend an informational meeting. You can learn more about what lay ministers do, as well as the application process. Applications will be accepted this fall and training will begin in 2022.
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Alliance Wreaths are Almost Here!MARK YOUR CALENDAR! - Sale Starts November 17
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From the comfort of your own home, you can order online and choose from among 3 styles for safe pickup at the church garage on Friday, December 3, and Saturday, December 4, from 10 – 2 p.m.
There is one style of wreath available for shipping anywhere within the U.S., including Portland.
Proceeds benefit women, children and marginalized groups.
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| | Upcoming Events, Workshops & Classes
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What We Don't Talk About When We Talk About Fat
Thursdays, October 14 through November 18 // 7 - 8:30 p.m.
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“Love us enough to take a hard look not just at how you’ve been hurt by anti-fatness, but how you’ve been complicit in it. Love us enough to do a little bit better.” – Aubrey Gordon
Body Liberation is a part of our anti-oppression work and our commitment to the 8th Principle. Body Liberation is a movement to change cultural paradigms which tell us that some bodies are more acceptable and deserving of love and care than others. We know in our hearts that this is not true, don’t we? Then how do we confront the hurt that body judgement has caused us individually, and how do we recognize our unconscious biases so we do not harm others...continue reading. Registration required.
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Welcome to First Unitarian with Rev. Thomas Disrud
NEW! - Sunday, October 24, at 12:30 p.m.Â
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NEW AND IN-PERSON! - All Hallow's Eve/Samhain Celebration and Reflection
Sunday, October 31, at 3 p.m.
Location:Â Mt. Tabor Pavilion
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Join intern minister, Carter Smith, for an in-person pagan New Year celebration, more commonly known as All Hallow’s Eve or Samhain. This outdoor gathering will be a space for altar building, reflection upon the wisdom of deep autumn, and connection with beloved dead who we may feel near us.
In addition to warm clothes and warm hearts, bring images or objects that remind you of those you want to remember, or that connect you to this season. It will be a time of togetherness and spiritual exploration underneath Mt. Tabor’s beautiful tree canopy. Advance registration required.Â
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Program ResourcesAdult Programs, Social Justice, Learning Community, Music & Arts
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Vesper Prayer ServiceFriday's 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. An ongoing commitment is not required.
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Loving Kindness Meditation
Mondays at 8 - 8:30 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.
Facilitated by Pat Malone, Katie Radditz and Steven Storla.
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NEW! - Voices from the Holy Land: Online Film Salon
Sunday, October 10 // 12 p.m.
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Panelists
Abdelfattah Abusrour – author, actor/director, founder of Alrowwad Cultural and Arts Society
Christiane Dabdoub Nasser – cultural operator, heritage consultant, author
Leila Sansour (moderator) – director/producer, founder of OPEN BETHLEHEM
This Voices from the Holy Land Online Film Salon is co-sponsored by the Bethlehem Cultural Festival.
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TOMORROW! - Portland Homeless Family Solutions
Friday, October 8 // 5:30 p.m.
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Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS) will host their annual Family Reunion fundraiser virtually this year (see their events page). Virtual guests will go behind the scenes and hear intimate stories from families and staff to learn the impact of their work.Â
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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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The Sea is Rising and So are We, Extinction Rebellion
Extinction Rebellion is an international movement that uses non-violent civil disobedience in an attempt to halt mass extinction and minimize the risk of social collapse.
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In the Community
Thomas Michael Gawlista, father of member John Gawlista, died on September 18, a few weeks shy of his 79th birthday. He lived with COPD and was vaccinated but still contacted COVID and died. We hold John and his wife Dorcas at this time.
We hold congregant Jerrad Bracamonte and his family. Jerrad’s younger brother, Robert Wesley Terry, Jr., called Cubby by his family, died suddenly on September 24. Jerrad and his family are heartbroken. They will always remember Cubby for his kindness and generosity to strangers and loved ones alike.
Mona Warner who for many years was our children’s choir director, has been in OHSU for over a month having had a number of surgeries. She is gradually improving and she appreciates our prayers. You are also welcome to send cards and phone messages to her home that will get to Mona.
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7x7 Art Galleries Present "FootPrints: Immigration/Migration--Memory, Reality, Responsibility"
This Sunday, October 10 // 1 - 4p.m.
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The 7X7 Art Galleries are a consortium of art galleries in seven downtown Portland churches, including First Unitarian Portland, which supports the work of artists and celebrates the creative spirit through art exhibitions. This is your opportunity to take a downtown walking tour of the current exhibit, “FOOTPRINTS: Immigration/Migration.” Galleries and their addresses are listed on the FOOTPRINTS brochure also linked on the church website. Start wherever you wish and end wherever you must. This is a self-guided tour.
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NEW MEALS NEEDED! - Help a Family with Meals
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A family new to our church could use some help with meals. Heather and Naas recently moved here from out of state and Nass is in treatment for an aggressive cancer. Some good friends of theirs who are active in the church reached out to see if folks from the church could help.
A note from the organizer:Â Thank you everyone who has participated so far! Heather, Naas and the kids are loving the meals and Heather mentioned especially how much she has loved connecting with you all and getting to know such kind and thoughtful people in Portland.
Naas has been very weak lately with many medical procedures designed to give him as much quality time as possible. He may not be able to visit when you bring meals, but please know that he is very grateful for all of you.
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Our church year started with Homecoming Sunday on September 12. Though we all had hoped we would be back together, we find ourselves starting our second year as a virtual church. In the last few weeks, a group of Lay Ministers and volunteers has been calling congregants...continued.
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Naming First Unitarian Foundation in Your Will or Estate PlanHelp assure the long-term sustainability of this beloved congregation by including First Unitarian Portland in your will or estate plan.
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Having trouble viewing our services through the website?
Find our Live Streams 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 Live StreamÂ
& Social Schedule
Join us LIVE from your computer or smart device.
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October Shared Plate For the month of October, we share our plate with Honor the Earth, a Native organization who provides financial and organizing support to Native environmental initiatives. Honor the Earth works closely with other women-led Indigenous groups fighting to Stop Line 3 tar sands oil pipeline...cont.
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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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