Please Join Our Live Stream
Sunday, March 7, 2021Family Worship Service at 9:15 a.m.
Worship Service at 10:15 a.m.
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A Year of COVID: And Then Life Changed
Rev. Bill Sinkford
It was one year ago when our lives—and our ministry—changed with the COVID shutdown. Some of us were shocked. All of us were impacted. How have we survived and been held in these months?
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Bill's Blog Welcoming: A Milestone to Mark
"Sincere congratulations on First Unitarian's on-giong commitment to LGBTQ+ welcome and inclusion."
We received the UUA’s letter earlier this week, recognizing First Unitarian’s successful completion of the Five Practices of Welcome Renewal for 2020. This new version of the original Welcoming Congregation Program focuses attention and asks for commitment to deepening the welcome our congregation offers to individuals with the variety of gender identities/expressions and sexual orientations present within the broad LGBTQ+/TGQNB (Transgender/Queer/Non-Binary) community...continued.
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Family WorshipPracticing Compassion
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For the first Sunday of March, we will bring out the Wonder Box and introduce our new spiritual theme, Intention. Nicole will share a story about nurturing the seed of compassion within us. Dustin will share music and lead our hymns, and Stacey will offer a meditation.
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Monthly Social Justice Gathering
Join First Unitarian Action Groups! All are welcome!
Sunday, March 7, 11:45 a.m.
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Learn what our Social Justice Action Groups are doing and how you can get involved. Enjoy fellowship with other congregants in our social justice community.
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| Featured News & EventsTimestamps are Pacific Standard Time (PST) unless stated otherwise.
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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 FrontSteps.
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Foundation Month Help Secure the Future of First Unitarian
March is Foundation Month, a time when we ask the congregation to reflect on the importance of leaving a legacy gift to help secure the future of First Unitarian Portland as well as celebrate the lasting gifts of those who came before us.
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It is because of those who made planned gifts that The Foundation was able to launch its successful “Burn the Mortgage” campaign three years ago. What a blessing The Foundation is to the church.
In honor of Foundation Month please join us in recognizing the members and friends who are part of our Legacy Society, by clicking here.
Foundation Info Sessions: Members of the Foundation’s Board will be available at a Zoom informational session every Sunday in March after services, starting this Sunday, March 7, from 11:30 a.m.-12 p.m. to answer your questions and share helpful resources for those who are wondering about planned giving to the Foundation to benefit the church.
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Invitation to Spiritual Practice
Occasional Saturdays, starting March 6, at 3 p.m.
First Session "Writing as Spiritual Practice"
If you are looking to explore a new spiritual practice or bring a fresh perspective to a personal practice, please join us.
On March 6, join us for Writing as Spiritual Practice with Patty Clement .
We will discuss several types of writing practice that help you access and express your deepest truths. Limited to 15 participants.
The Spiritual Directors of First Unitarian Portland offer five sessions on exploring spiritual practices. Through discussion and engagement of prayer, poetry, meditation, gratitude and music participants will be guided to respond together in beloved community. (An on-going commitment is not required, but spaces are limited).
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Speaking of Justice: Faith in Action
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A Financial Transaction Tax (FTT) “is designed to discourage economically useless speculation, progressively raise hundreds of billions of dollars for social and economic investments, and help transition to a more equitable tax system in the United States.
An FTT would ensure that high-volume stock market transactions would curb, rather than reinforce inequality, and return needed resources to support vulnerable families.”...continue.
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| | Upcoming Events, Workshops & Classes
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Human Rights with Rep. Chrissy Stonebraker-Martinez & First Unitarian's UN Committee
Tuesday, March 9, 7 p.m.
First Unitarian Portland’s United Nations Committee is pleased to invite the congregation to learn more about United Nations Rep. Chrissy Stonebraker-Martinez’s human rights work in Central and South America.
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Last Wishes with Rev. Disrud & Attorney Tabitha Koh
Sunday, March 14, 1 p.m.
We don’t like to think about or plan for death, but if we can make our wishes known we give a gift to those we leave behind. This class offers a space to think through the decisions related to the end of life. During this seminar, participants will make a checklist for a “last wishes” file: a will, final services, legal and medical issues.
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Voices from the Holy Land Film Salon
Occupation of the American Mind (Film & Forum)
Sunday, March 14, at 12pm
The film takes an eye-opening look at the pro-Israeli public relations efforts within the U.S. and explores how the Israeli government, U.S. government and the pro-Israeli lobby have joined forces to shape American media coverage of the conflict in the Holy Land.
Panelists include Sut Jolly, producer of the film; Phil Weiss, journalist and creator of Mondoweiss ; and Diana Bhuttu, Palestinian-Canadian human rights lawyer.
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How to Survive a Police Stop - Workshop
Tuesday, March 16, 5 p.m.
George Floyd. Ahmaud Arbery. Jacob Blake. Breonna Taylor and the list goes on. Now, more than ever we need practical skills to simply live through a police stop. The purpose of this virtual workshop is to equip our communities with tools, insights and resources necessary to advocate for healing justice.
Sponsored by First Unitarian's Police Accountability Team and facilitated by congregant Brandon Lee.
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Program ResourcesAdult Programs, Social Justice, Learning Community, Music & Arts
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Uncovering Our Resilience, Gratitude, & Connections During COVID-19
First & Third Tuesdays at 10 a.m.
Together, we will share our challenges and through storytelling, discover how we might create a path of healing. This class is formatted for older adults.
Facilitator: Paul Iarrobino is the founder of Our Bold Voices. Paul helps individuals harness their inner strengths to remove barriers and rediscover their purpose.
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Friendship & Fun Wednesdays
Every Wednesday, 5 p.m.
Do you want to simply have fun and interesting conversations with new folks or folks you haven’t seen for a while at First Unitarian?
The facilitator-lead gathering will begin with an ice-breaker topic/question each week. Come with your favorite beverage or treat and be together through conversation. (An on-going commitment is not required.)
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Vesper Prayer Service
Every Friday at 5 p.m.
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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Caring Circle for Parents
Monday, March 8, 22, April 5, and 19 at 7 p.m.
In these challenging times for families, our lay ministers invite you to join a Caring Circle for parents. This small group will meet every other week to provide listening and support to one another. (An ongoing commitment is not required.)
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Help PHFS Jump into Spring!
Requested Donations: Make it a success by donating chalk, bubbles, egg dying kits, etc.
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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
"We Are Rising" Music Video by Taína Asili
Directed by social justice artist Taína Asili — who also wrote and performed the song — the video features studio footage from the recording sessions and activist footage from One Billion Rising actions all over the globe. It is a call to action, to dance, to RISE.
The song celebrates our collective energy, creative resistance, and solidarity as we RISE against the tides of violence against all women, climate crisis, racism, and corporate greed.
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COVID-19 Vaccination Eligibility & Appointments
How to Schedule a Vaccination Appointment
The following is updated information about how to schedule your COVID-19 Vaccination. If you would like help with scheduling your vaccination appointment, please send an email to The Alliance.
We recommend reading the instructions before signing up...continue.
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First Unitarian's Response to Covid-19
Here are a few important updates that affect our life together.
Sunday Worship
Staying Connected
Church Communications: Do you receive messages from the church including this weekly E-News and our Staying Connected emails? To receive church emails send a note to etafuri@firstunitarianportland.org.
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Naming First Unitarian Foundation in Your Will or Estate Plan
Help 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 Tuesday.
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Sunday Live Stream
& Social Schedule
Join us LIVE from your computer or smart device by clicking on the links below.
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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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