Please Join Our Live Stream
Sunday, February 7, 2021Family Worship Service at 9:15 a.m.
Worship Service at 10:15 a.m.
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Our Broken Parts, Too
 Rev. Thomas Disrud
We will introduce our theme of "Wholeness" this Sunday. An important part of knowing wholeness is also about claiming our broken parts, those tender places from our past and from our present. Â
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Guest Blog Recovering From the Last Four Years of Abuse
by Rev. Marilyn Sewell
Rev. Sinkford is on break this week. The following is by Rev. Marilyn Sewell, Minister Emerita of First Unitarian Church.
At last it’s over! I mean the last four years of suffering from an abusive relationship—with our former president.  Why am I not alive with energy, ready to get back to my writing? Wanting to Zoom with friends? Pushing ever harder with my climate activism? I find that I’m simply exhausted, needing to recover...continued.
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Family WorshipGiving from the Heart
For the first Sunday of February, we will bring out the Wonder Box and introduce our new spiritual theme, "wholeness." This is also Black History Month. Cassandra will share a story about giving from the heart. Dustin will share music with us and lead our hymns. Tom will offer our meditation.
Please bring paper and something to draw or write with.
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Monthly Social Justice GatheringJoin First Unitarian Action Groups! All are welcome!Sunday, February 7, 11:45 a.m.
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.Â
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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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Ministerial Search CommitteeÂ
The Board of Trustees and the Ministerial Search Committee (MSC) would like to inform you of a change in committee membership. The decision to delay our search for a new Senior Minister and to ask Rev. Bill to stay for an additional year created a different level of commitment for members of the MSC. The extension of the time commitment from one year to two and having to do all their work over Zoom has resulted in three members of the committee deciding not to continue. We are very grateful for the time given to the search by Evie Zaic, Kristin Guest, and Darin Stewart; we thank them all.Â
The Board reviewed the list of people who applied to be on the MSC last year and we are pleased to announce that Chris Jakel, Ruth Lewellen-Dix, and David Livermore have all agreed to step onto the MSC. They will be joining Lia Nagase, Saranna Weller-Filz, Mark Woodlief, Sarah Hardin, Jess Parker, and Leslie Pohl-Kosbau. The MSC will be moving into a more active phase in the next two months, and you will be hearing more from them. The MSC is in covenant with each other and the congregation as they do this important work.
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Speaking of Justice Blog: Faith in Action
Letter from the Editors
We are happy to announce the reboot of Speaking of Justice: Faith in Action blog. Prior to the pandemic, Speaking of Justice was a periodic e-magazine. Once our church community switched to virtual gathering, we had a Speaking of Justice weekly update as a means to communicate calls to action and activities of our social justice action groups at First Unitarian Church. We’ve rebranded and repackaged!
Going forward, we will be communicating by way of our blog Speaking of Justice: Faith in Action. You’ll be able to find current action items and upcoming events in the weekly Front Steps email sent out to congregants, and there will be a permanent link that will take you to the Speaking of Justice page on the church website. There, you’ll find in-depth articles, our curated collection of art and poetry focused on social justice themes, the occasional voting guide, and more!
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Speaking of Justice: Faith in ActionOur Houseless Neighbors & COVID Response in Kenya
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Downtown Neighborhood Association
First Unitarian Church and our Committee on Hunger and Homelessnes (COHHO) has been collaborating with the Downtown Neighborhood Association to address the housing crisis. Following a symposium the church sponsored in 2019 organized by the Downtown Neighborhood Association, a coalition of groups have come together to form the Good Neighbor Project (GNP)...continue reading by clicking button below.
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Response to Covid19 in Kenya
Africa Connections incorporates the UU principles in its mission to engage the congregation of First Unitarian Church to build a beloved global community. We support the frontline work of congregant-led community organizations in Africa and recognize their work as related to the movement for Black lives...continue reading by clicking button below.
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| | Upcoming Events, Workshops & Classes
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NEW NAME & CIRCLEÂ - Antiracism Learning Circles
Read one book or several! Join other congregants and folks in this new winter session.
To join a cohort, read a synopsis, or if you would like further details, click on a book title you are interested in listed below:
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Younger Adult Gathering
Wednesday, February 16, 7:30 p.m.Â
First Unitarian Portland and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Eugene are joining together to offer younger adult gatherings so we can get to know each other. This gathering will be hosted by Jennifer Hackett, M.Div. (she/her).Â
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This Too Shall Pass
Saturday, February 20, 11 a.m.
According to the CDC, older adults are at the greatest risk for COVID-19, hospitalizations, and death, yet so little has been done to address their social isolation, anxiety, and loneliness.
Early in the pandemic, Paul Iarrobino set out to find ways to support older adults. Determined to make a difference, he started offering weekly virtual peer support calls. These calls became a new lifeline for trust, hope, and new possibilities. He will share powerful lessons learned and how they have shaped his personal understanding of resilience and peace during unsettling times.
This event is limited to 18 participants and will include a Q&A. Â
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The Endangered Columbia: A Native American Scientist Reflects on Climate Change
Saturday, February 20, 1 p.m.
The Mt. Hood Cluster of UU Congregations is pleased to offer a one-time Zoom presentation for all interested congregants by: Don Sampson, a fisheries biologist and Traditional Chief of the Walla Walla Tribe and Climate Change Project Director for the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians.Â
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Exploration Workshop: The 8th Principle
Congregation-Wide Invitation!
Sunday, February 21, 11:45 a.m.
Why has a new principle been proposed, and what would it mean to adopt it as a church, as a denomination? Â
Join Reverend Bill and the Board of Trustees to learn about the proposed 8th Principle of Unitarian Universalism.
The 8th Principle calls us to journey "toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions."Â
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Program ResourcesAdult Programs, Social Justice, Learning Community, Music & Arts
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Friendship & Fun Wednesdays
Every Wednesday, 5 p.m.
We are learning on how to be together in new ways during the pandemic.  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 will lead 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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Caregivers Support Group
Now Open to Newcomers
Every 4th Sunday at 11:30 a.m.
If you are caring for a partner or other family member with an ongoing health condition, you may benefit from the support of others in the same situation. Our Caregivers Support Group is facilitated by lay ministers and the format is confidential and informal.
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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).Â
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Loving Kindness Meditation
Mondays, from 8-8:30 p.m.
Loving-Kindness towards self and others is a basic foundational view of Buddhism and other religions. Intern Minister Stacey Mitchell will gently guide you through this spiritual practice which cultivates benevolence, kindness, and amity. (An ongoing commitment is not required).Â
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Caring Circle for Parents
Next Sessions: Mondays, February 8 and 22, 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).Â
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Send Us Your Photos & Be Part of Family WorshipÂ
We invite you to submit photos of your family members for inclusion in our weekly worship. Seeing each other in this way helps us stay connected. Send pictures of your family tuning in at home, of activities we do during worship, projects worked on from our monthly mailers, or any other photos you want to share. Thank you to those of you who have sent pictures! Please send photos to this email.Â
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The People's Oath of First Unitarian Church of Portland
Love is what calls us to the sacred work of seeking justice.
We as Unitarian Universalists were called to create this People’s Oath:
I vow to practice our faith principles that uphold democracy and justice for all peoples and beings. To the best of my ability, I will engage in collective action to dismantle systems of white supremacy, imperialism and oppression, protect our shared Earth home, and build the beloved community. I will strive to listen to and be guided by those most impacted by injustice and not deny painful truths. I vow to be courageous, learn from my mistakes and stay engaged with compassion and love.
This is my resolution.
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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.
Jericho Brown - Bullet Points
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In the Community
Julie Pooley, sister of member Sandy Hodge, died peacefully on January 23 at the age of 55 in Virginia. Sandy was able to move in and support Julie and her family for her last month. With the support of hospice, Julie died surrounded by close friends and family. Â
Members and friends of First Unitarian who live at Holladay Park Plaza are grieving the loss of fellow HPP resident Jean Gerich. Jean is the pedestrian who lost her life after being hit twice by a reckless driver in the Buckman neighborhood recently. Jean is mourned by her children, grandchildren, and the many friends she had made in the almost 50 years she lived in Portland.
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Memorial Service for Everett Goodwin
Saturday, February 27, 1 p.m.Â
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A memorial service via Zoom has been scheduled for former member Everett Goodwin who died on December 5, 2020, in Pocatello, ID, where Everett lived in recent years.Â
Everett was 78 and a regular attender of First Unitarian during his years in Portland. He was a poet and loved to share his work and the work of fellow writers. He was also part of our men’s community.Â
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Tonight - Reminder Board of Trustees Meeting
Open Board Meeting: 7 p.m. Thursday, February 4, 2021
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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.Â
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Sunday Live StreamÂ
& Social Schedule
Join us LIVE from your computer or smart device by clicking on the links below.Â
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February Shared PlateFor the month of February, First Unitarian shares our plate collection with the Portland Downtown Neighborhood Association’s Good Neighbor Project.
As a coalition of several downtown organizations and community members, The Good Neighbor Project helps approximately 200 unhoused downtown neighbors by distributing essential goods for survival such as water, cold and wet weather clothing, and bedding. Teams of 2-3 volunteers regularly visit the same section of blocks to build relationships and trust necessary for mutual care, and provide referrals and information to help neighbors access resources that will lead to more permanent shelter and self-sufficiency.
 In addition to volunteering and donating items, First Unitarian partners with the Good Neighbor Project to offer pastoral care to our unhoused siblings.
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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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Moved recently? Changed your phone number or e-mail? Fill out this form.
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