Join us for Sunday WorshipSunday, October 23, 2022
Sunday Worship at 10:30 a.m.
Learning Community Classes 10:30 a.m.
| |
Childcare is available during our worship service for children three and under (located in the nursery).
| |
When we tell our story, who are the people in it? And, by extension, who are not? And how are the commitments we make in life reflected in that? In times when so much is in peril, are there ways we are being asked to imagine a different perspective, a different story? As the hymn notes, “family and friends and strangers show us who we are. We are not our own.”
| |
Staying Connected BlogSeason of Giving
| |
We are glad and grateful to be launching our Season of Giving, or the “Rooted and Ready” Campaign for 2023.
If you missed Saturday’s letter kick-off letter, Marilyn Mays’ moving testimonial, or my Rooted and Ready Sermon, here are the links:
We are glad to start this campaign because we know that our ministries make a difference in the lives of many children, youth, and adults of all ages who participate in person, online, or both. We are glad because we know that what we do here matters and that our values and actions ripple out, impacting the people of our city, around our country, and our Unitarian Universalist Association.
We are grateful because you are a part of the collective ‘WE’ who make all of this possible. It is the gifts of time, talent, and treasure that we offer one another that add up to our ministries of worship & music, learning, advocacy, caring, and community building. These ministries come into existence because of our members and friends…continue.
| |
| Happening This SundayTimestamps 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.
| |
|
Welcome to Our Season of Giving
Rooted & Ready: 2023
| |
|
Your Pledge = Your Gift
When you pledge a gift to “Rooted & Ready: 2023” you are helping fund all that this church is and does. It takes all of us to fund the work of the Church.
What is pledging? The members and friends of our congregation share financial gifts to support the mission and ministries of our congregation throughout the year. A pledge is the amount you plan to give to First Unitarian between January 2023 and December 2023. While a pledge is a promise, we also recognize that circumstances may change. If you cannot fulfill your pledge, just please communicate with us to let us know what is going on.
If you participate in our congregation in-person or online, and you haven’t given before, please join the 2023 campaign. If you aren’t ready yet to commit to a pledge, you have another opportunity to give this month. You can make a one-time gift during this Season of Giving, and it will go towards the 2023 Fund.
| |
|
Thank you to our “Sustainer” Pledgers whose commitment to a pledge with First Unitarian that renews automatically each year has allowed us to launch at 58% of goal.
Total Goal: $1,600,000
Sustainer Pledges: $924,431
Number of Pledges: 470
“Sustainer” pledges are not about how or when you pay, only that your commitment to giving is sustained from year to year. Consider making this your year to make your gift a “Sustainer” commitment.
Help fund our ministry, services, programs and staff by pledging a gift today!
Questions? Email here: Stewardship@firstunitarianportland.org
| |
|
NEW! - Send Us Your Video Clips
October 20 - November 6
We want to hear from you! We are grateful because you are a part of the collective ‘WE’ who makes all of our work possible. Send us your 20 second video clips inspired by one of the questions below.
These should be short, casual, self-made and from the heart! Please hold your cell phone on its side to capture your video horizontally.
- What keeps you coming back Sunday after Sunday?
- What calls you to make First Unitarian your spiritual home?
- What work does the church do that impacts you the most?
- What ministries are you glad to support for the sake of others?
Send your clips here: Stewardship@firstunitarianportland.org
| |
|  |
Click the image to send clips to Stewardship@firstunitarianportland.org
| |
| | |
|
SUNDAY MEETING - "Rising Tide" Sermon Discussion
October 23 from 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
| |
|
Join members of Community for Earth for an online discussion of Rev. Alison’s September 18 sermon about climate justice. If you missed the sermon or would like to review it, you can read the transcript or watch the recording of the service. All are welcome!
Questions? Contact CFE.
| |
|
SUNDAY EVENT! - UU the Vote Finish Line Celebration
October 23 from 12 - 2 p.m.
Location: Buchan Reception Hall
| |
|
We are nearing the finish line of writing 10,000 letters for our UU the Vote partnership North Carolina UU Justice Ministry.
The letters are to underrepresented voters in North Carolina, urging them to cast their vote in the midterm election. Please join us for our final Sunday letter-writing jam in Buchan Reception Hall. Enjoy light lunch/snacky foods as well as UU the Vote cake!! We'll write letters and celebrate our massive solidarity action! Please bring twenty #10 envelopes and Forever stamps with you if possible.
| |
|
The Alliance Virtual Greens Sale
| |
|
It's that time of year! Place online orders for beautiful holiday wreaths and garlands for yourself or to send as gifts. Proceeds from this anticipated annual sale support charitable agencies that care for women, children, and marginalized communities.
The online store will be open through November 13.
| |
| Voting Our Values: 2022 Ballot Measures Presentation
REGISTER! - Tuesday, October 25, 6:30 - 8 p.m. on Zoom
| |
Join us for this virtual event to learn about State, County, and Portland Ballot Measures supported by First Unitarian social justice action groups.
We will have speakers from the campaigns for Oregon Measure 111, Right to Healthcare Amendment; Oregon Measure 112, Remove Slavery as Punishment for Crime from Constitution Amendment; and Oregon Measure 114, Changes to Firearm Ownership and Purchase Requirements Initiative.
We'll also have presenters address Multnomah County Measure 26-232, Ranked-Choice Voting for County Elections, and Measure 26-231 to Authorize Noncitizens to Vote in County Elections. The evening will end with hearing from proponents of Portland Measure 26-228 regarding the structure of city government.
After each speaker, there will be a Q&A. Oregon midterm election ballots will be mailed to voters starting October 19. Bring your ballots and questions to this informative evening to help us discern how we can vote for our values in 2022.
| |
|
Join Us to Call Voters in North Carolina
Every Thursday from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. through November 3
| |
|
Don't forget to sign up with the New North Carolina Project and the Carolina Jews and UUs Faith in Action Phone Bank.
When you Register Here you'll receive a Zoom link. All you'll need is your computer and the North Carolina team will tell you everything you need to know to make the calls with support right on the screen.
| |
|
SPECIAL SERVICE - All Souls Requiem Service
Sunday, October 30
| |
|
Our annual All Souls Requiem will be held during our regular October 30 worship service. This service will include a litany of those in our community who have died in the last year.
The cutoff for name submissions is October 25.
| |
|
Board Forum
Sunday, October 30 from 12 - 1:15 p.m.
Location: Eliot Chapel and Zoom
| |
|
Please join the Board for its first forum of the church year. We will be talking about governance, the role of the Board, and supporting our transition to our new Senior Minister. There will be time for Q & A. You can attend in person in Eliot Chapel or via Zoom.
| |
|
"T” Time: A Trans, Nonbinary, & Gender-Expansive, EXCLUSIVE EVENT
Sunday, November 6, 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Location: Channing Room or Zoom
| |
| Join our first “T” Time, a gathering exclusively for trans, nonbinary, 2Spirit, and gender-expansive members and friends. You may choose to attend in person or online via zoom. We will have a small selection of complimentary teas and coffee available.
You do not need to be a member of First Unitarian or consider yourself a Unitarian Universalist to join us – come one, come all!
| |
|
VOLUNTEER NEEDED! - Join our Front Desk Team!
John Rosette, Executive Team Assistant / Receptionist
| |
| A volunteer floater is needed in the church's front office to occasionally fill in for volunteers who need to take a day off here and there. Shifts could pop up on any weekday, and are typically between the hours of 10 a.m.-1 p.m., or 1-4 p.m. The volunteer floater may be called upon for 4-5 shifts a month. As you can see: flexibility is the key!
Most important duties are answering the phones and greeting visitors to our office. Other basic office duties and computer skills are optional. It’s a great way to get to know our ministers and staff a little better.
Interested? Questions? Email John or call our office (503) 228-6389.
| |
|
Upcoming Events, Workshops & Classes
| |
|
Contemplative Practice is Back!
Meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month from 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Location: Channing Room (next to Eliot Chapel)
| |
|
This is a welcoming group, open to all. The format includes a twenty-minute meditation sit, a check-in on a spiritual topic, a lectio divina (reading of a spiritual text, usually a poem), and a discussion. We practice deep listening from the ear of the heart and are respectful of all spiritual views.
Our intent is to offer a regular opportunity for silent meditation, meditation on texts, and deep discussion and sharing.
| |
|
Friday Vesper Prayer Services
Every Friday at 5 p.m.
| |
Gather for a quiet time of prayer, reflection, meditation and music.
An ongoing commitment is not required.
| |
|
Hi. Pleased to meet you. My name is Economic Person (historically, the male economist Adam Smith dubbed me “Economic Man”), and my pronouns are “Mine/Mine/and Mine.”
I’m sure we’ve all run across Economic Person in some form, usually in textbooks, sometimes in person. Either way, you know them: the person always looking out for their own benefit first. The person who never acts on feelings but only on data, always looking to optimize their return on investment...continue.
| |
|
Loving Kindness Meditation
Mondays at 8 p.m.
UPDATE: No meditation Monday, October 24.
| |
|
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. No previous meditation practice necessary.
| |
Art for Social Justice
The Speaking of Justice Editorial Team offers weekly art to deepen our connection to the work for social justice and building the Beloved Community.
Curated by Ethel Gullette, Speaking of Justice Editorial Team
| |
Eric Bibb, son of the legendary Leon Bibb, has known many different Americas, the good, the bad, and the ugly. Born in New York City on August 16, 1951, the thunderbolt of the Sixties folk revival remains an era so alive in the 69-year-old’s memory that he can still recall the idealism on the night air of Greenwich Village and picture Bob Dylan standing in his living room.
Yet just as vivid are the dark societal flashpoints of the last year, when protesters highlighted the open wound of US race relations while a bitter Presidential election scrawled jagged battlelines.
| |
In the Community
Pat Wallace has moved to a rehabilitation facility as his recovery from back surgery continues. He asks for our good thoughts and prayers for healing.
Nick Harrington, one of our longtime sextons, married Lee Milligan in a ceremony in Astoria on October 14. We wish them much happiness.
| |
|
Are You Going Through a Tough Time?
Would it help to talk with someone?
| |
| Our church’s Lay Ministry team provides caring listening for individuals experiencing grief, illness, isolation, depression, loss of a job or relationship, or other life challenges. Meetings may be one time or over time, depending on the need—and are always confidential.
| |
|
The Book Store Now Carries Wellspring Titles
From The Book Store
Titles for the Wellspring groups are available at your bookstore, including Sustainable Soul by Rebecca James Hecking. Also just in: the new UUA Common Read – Mistakes and Miracles by Nancy Palmer Jones. Come peruse the bookstore to find these and lots of other great titles.
Our bookstore will be open in Fuller Hall most Sundays; we will be closed in Fuller Hall on the Sundays that social hour is scheduled in Buchan Reception, but will have a selection of books in Buchan on those Sundays.
| |
|
Be sure to visit Fuller Hall after the service to view our new art exhibit featuring the work of Mila Raphael.
Mila has been traveling to Oaxaca, Mexico, for years and has been inspired by the indigenous women from the surrounding villages. As she shared her paintings with them, it became a path toward connection to their rich culture.
| |
Much gratitude goes to the Weller-Filz family, the sponsor of this Sunday's beautiful chancel bouquet in honor of Diwali.
| |
Do you have a birth in the family, a graduation, an anniversary, a memorial, or other events 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.
| |
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 Livestream
Schedule
| |
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.
| |
|
