Sunday Worship at 10:30 a.m.
Learning Community at 10:30 a.m.
Childcare is available during our worship service for children six months to 3 years old (in the nursery.)
Social Hour: Buchan Reception Hall after the service
| |
|
This service will explore the ways all of us must learn to create, give birth, co-parent, and let go.
| |
Minister's Blog
Join Our Learning Community: Volunteer Leadership Call
Rev. Leah Ongiri, Acting Director of Lifespan Faith Formation & Family Ministries
| |
|
As I wind down my first year on staff here, I can only express appreciation and amazement for the many committed and creative members of our community who share the ministry by volunteering their time and talent in many arenas. Please consider this your personal invitation to consider a leadership role in the Learning Community by working with your children and youth! We’re recruiting now for fall...continued.
| |
|
NEW! — Annual Auction Raises Over $55,000!
| |
| Wow! We are absolutely thrilled to announce that this year's auction was a huge success, raising over $55,000 - surpassing our initial goal! Thank you to everyone who contributed to this incredible achievement!
For those with winning bids, the auction table will be set up in Fuller Hall this Sunday for item pick-up and payment by check or credit card. Statements were emailed to all winning bidders on Tuesday. Please stop by the auction table if you did not receive yours or need a copy.
If you provided your credit card information and have not yet checked out via Auctria's app, your card will be charged today for the balance due (please note that the church's credit card transaction fee will not be included in the payment amount).
Thank you again to everyone who made this possible!
| |
|
SAVE THE DATE — Social Justice End-of-Year Gather-In
Sunday, June 2, 12:15 - 1:45 p.m.
Location: Buchan Reception Hall
| |
|
Join us for an end-of-year Social Justice Gather-In. We'll shout out to all the amazing ministries we've co-created this year, "harvest" some of what we've learned, deepen our connections for resilience and solidarity, and cast our organizing sites on the horizon.
This is an all-come event and will be an opportunity to learn about the breadth of our Social Justice ministry and share what calls us as we move into the election season and beyond.
| |
|
NEW! — Young Adult Bagel Breakfast
Sunday, June 2, at noon
Location: Fireside Room
| |
|
Are you a young adult (18-35) interested in deepening your engagement with the church and meeting other folks your age?
Join intern minister Danielle Garrett, member engagement coordinator Jen Thomas, and other young adults for an end-of-the-year brunch! We’ll gather in the Fireside room after service on June 2 to get to know one another, enjoy some bagels, and discuss how we can strengthen young adult programming in the coming church year. Please join us! This event is open to all young adults, whether you’re a long-time member or it's your first Sunday at church.
| |
Upcoming Classes, Events & Gatherings
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!
| |
|
MUSIC & WORSHIP SERVICE — "Freedom..." The Sacred Music of Duke Ellington
Sunday, May 19, 10:30 - Noon
Location: Sanctuary (1211 SW Main St.)
| |
|
With the choir, big band, and soloist Cecille Elliott, the First Unitarian Church of Portland will worship to the soundtrack of selections from Duke Ellington's iconic "Concerts of Sacred Music." We honor one of America's greatest composers during the week of the 50th anniversary of his death while contemplating his vision for freedom—an increasingly relevant and desperate vision, even for today.
| |
|
FILM SCREENING — Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America
In-Person: Sunday, May 19, 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Location: Room A108
Via Zoom: Monday, May 20, 7 - 8:30 p.m.
RSVP here by 4 p.m. to receive the link
| |
|
This documentary film is an outgrowth of a talk that Jeffery Robinson has been giving for over 10 years on the history of anti-Black racism and white supremacy in the U.S.
Jeffrey Robinson is a criminal defense lawyer, CEO, and founder of The Who We Are Project, former ACLU Deputy Legal Director, and Director of the Trone Center for Justice.
| |
|
THREE-PART SERIES — Learning in Community: Human Rights & the Crisis in Gaza
Tuesdays, May 21, May 28, June 11 / 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.,
Location: Buchan Reception Hall
- May 21: UN Human Rights processes and the Right to Food
- May 28: Health and Human Rights in Gaza
- June 11: Student movements and Freedom of Speech
| |
|
Join Senior Minister Rev. Alison Miller and Director of Social Justice Dana Buhl to learn together about the current human rights crisis unfolding in Gaza due to the Israeli government's policies. Our in-person sessions will focus on collective liberation through a human rights lens. Participants will receive resources on the historical context and present-day situations.
We hold the complexity of this conflict and hope that our gathering will inform future actions for peace and liberation. We will include space for rituals to acknowledge the grief, anger, confusion, and all that participants may feel. It is designed to give participants a chance to learn in community in small groups.
Limit 30. Registration required.
| |
|
Shower Project Needs Clothes & Snacks
| |
|
The Shower Project is going well, and our guests appreciate the service, especially the clothing donations. To ensure we can continue providing for our guests, we urgently need the items listed below. Your donations of these specific items will make a big difference in the lives of those we serve. Thank you for your support!
- Men's new white tee shirts: medium and large
- Men's boxer briefs: medium and large
- Razors and shaving cream
- Power and/or granola bars
- Chocolates
- Single-serving, microwaveable snacks like mac and cheese and/or oatmeal
Items can be left in the COHHO bins in Fuller Hall.
| |
|
ON THE RADIO — 13 Salmon Shower Project on Think Out Loud!
| |
"The kindness of other strangers." Kelly Clendenon, our 13 Salmon Shower Project Coordinator, shares gratitude for strangers' kindness in providing shower access while living on the street.
| |
|
UPDATE — Our Soup Drive for LiftUp Continues until 5/31
| |
|
Please drop off any size can/carton/cup of soup to the COHHO food bins in Fuller Hall next to the kitchen. Thanks so much for your generous donations!
| |
|
BOOK DISCUSSION — Saving Democracy: A User's Manual for Every American
| |
|
The group, co-led by David Delk and Jean Pierce, will meet the first week of each month beginning in June, with the exact time determined by the participants' schedules.
| |
|
Learning Community E-NewsMother's Day, A Complex Experience
Rev. Leah Ongiri, Acting Director of Lifespan Faith Formation & Family Ministries
| |
|
Mother’s Day is a complex experience for many of us!
Let us mark how beautiful and heartbreaking it can be to mother and be mothered:
To those who have mothered, we thank you.
To those who rejoice in the work, the role,
the presence of mothering and mothers, we celebrate with you.
To those who are in the thick of parenting children of any age, we appreciate you.
To those who experience loss through infertility, abortion, miscarriage, adoption, or running away, we mourn with you.
To those who have lost their mothers, we grieve with you.
To those who have endured abuse at the hands of their mothers, we acknowledge you...continue reading.
| |
Social Justice Ministries
| |
In the Community
Longtime member Mary Bothwell died on April 30. Mary was doing well at the age of 98 1/2 but developed a cold that quickly progressed to pneumonia. Mary was a teacher by profession and joined the church in 1960. For many years, she was a matriarch of the church, serving the church in several capacities, including as a member of the search committee that brought Rev. Marilyn Sewell to the church back in 1992. She was also a leader of our Alliance and a champion of the church’s anti-racism work through the years. Mary was a resident of Willamette View Retirement Community in her last years. A memorial service is planned for Mary on June 15 at 2 p.m. here at the church.
Member Barbara Ulman had successful aortic valve replacement surgery on May 6 and is now back at home recovering.
Ember Wigmore is continuing on their path towards Unitarian Universalist ministry. Ember will spend the summer completing their chaplaincy training at Legacy Emmanuel Hospital, and then, in August, they will begin their internship at the congregation in Eugene. We wish them blessings on this journey!
| |
No May 12 Meeting — Parent/Family Community Circles
| |
Please note: Parent/Family Community Circles will not convene on May 12. Instead, mark your calendars for our next gathering on May 19. We look forward to seeing you then!"
| |
Nametags are available for pickup at the narthex!
| |
Due to printer complications, the most recent requests made before May 11 are not available. We hope to have them ready to distribute next week. Thanks for your patience!
| |
Join Us for Cake and Ice Cream in Fuller Hall on June 9!
| |
Celebrate the end of the program year with cake and ice cream in Fuller Hall immediately following the service on June 9.
| |
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.
| |
|
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.
Curated by Ethel, Speaking of Justice Editorial Team
| |
|
Recurring Workshops, Classes & Gatherings
| |
|
Beloved Community of Color: Every second Thursday evening and fourth Saturday morning of the month. Email for more info.
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 third Sunday of each month. From 12:15 – 1:45 in Fireside.
First Connections: We meet monthly on the third Sunday for all new and returning folks! And it is a terrific way to meet new folks just coming into the community. Bring a brown bag lunch. Questions? Email Pat.
First Steps: Every first Sunday of the month at Noon // Location: Channing Room. Discover additional insights into life at First Unitarian Portland, avenues for connection, and delve deeper into Unitarian Universalism. Questions? Email Jen Thomas.
- Sunday Gathering at Church
Sunday, May 19, at 9:30 a.m. || Location: Channing Room - Lunch Gathering at Elephants
Monday, June 24 at 12:30 p.m. || Location: Elephants Delicatessen S. Corbett
Sojourners: Lollygagging Our Way To The Inevitable: Sojourners and Sojourners 2 are two separate groups that meet for two hours in person at First Unitarian. Members support each other through the aging journey by engaging in facilitated discussion and activities, sharing personal stories and concerns, inspiring individual growth, and promoting friendship through social activities. All are welcome, but both groups are limited in size; no drop-ins, please. || Email Lucy with questions.
THIS SUNDAY — "T” Time: A Trans, Nonbinary, and Gender-Expansive, Exclusive Gathering: Meet on the second and fourth Sundays in Channing Room at noon.
UPDATE — UU the Vote: Join Us For Community and Letter Writing
We're putting our Tuesday sessions on hold. Our final session before the break will be on May 21. Tuesday sessions will kick back into gear in September, just in time for the big mail drop in early October.
The blue tablecloth will be available every Sunday until October. Letters can be dropped off and picked up at the church office.
Letter Writing Schedule:
- Every Sunday until October / Social Hour
- Every Tuesday, through May 21 / 10 - 11:30 a.m. / B101
Women's Circle II: Meets most second and fourth Mondays of the month. Email Kim.
Women's Circle III: Meets on the first and third Mondays from 10 - 11:30 a.m. Questions? Contact Dorothy or Maryann. (We are currently on pause from accepting new members.)
Women's Circle IV: Meets first and third Wednesdays from 7 - 8:30 p.m. Questions? Contact Anne. (We are currently on pause from accepting new members.)
| |
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 noon.
| |
|
Our community's focus this year is to support the dignity of our houseless neighbors.
Sisters of the Road is a social justice organization that uplifts the dignity and autonomy of people experiencing poverty through low/no-cost meals, education and training, a barter work program, advocacy, and a welcoming community space for all.
| |
|
