Join us on Sunday!September 18, 2022Â
NEW WORSHIP TIME: 10:30 a.m. PT
| |
Childcare is available during our worship service for children three and under (located in the nursery).Â
| |
Welcome to the first Sunday of Children’s Classes and Youth Group. As we re-commit to our children’s future and as we engage with UU the Vote, which includes a focus on climate justice, let us examine our relationship to the earth and her waters, the source of all life on earth.
| |
Staying Connected BlogBuilding Community
| |
Homecoming Sunday was filled with energy, excitement, and people of all ages. 480 people were in-person and over 300 of you were on Boxcast, YouTube, and Facebook at the same time. And, many of you are watching throughout this week. (If you missed my opening message, here is the YouTube link beginning at the sermon.
We kicked off our theme for this year, “Rooted in Relationship,” we had a rousing afterparty for homecoming, our children and youth got to meet their teachers, and we renewed our commitment to strengthening our democracy through UU the Vote. What a meaningful, moving beginning for our shared ministry!
Thank you to all who planned, who ushered, who sang, who tabled, who hosted, who made our facility shine. As a newcomer, I am so impressed by our team – both our staff and our volunteers. You are all a blessing to this congregation...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.
| |
|
CLASSES OPEN! - Learning Community Classes
Childcare, Pre-school-6th Grade & Youth Classes
Classes Begin This Sunday, September 18 at 10:30 a.m.
| |
|
New families, please come to the Welcome Desk in the Buchan building for an opportunity to visit classes.
Masks required for everyone over two years old.
| |
|
YOU'RE INVITED - Join COHHO in their First Meeting of the New Church Year
Sunday, September 18 at 1 p.m. on Zoom
| |
|
We will start by remembering Donna Richards, an active and long-time member who passed away last month. Then we will hold our regular meeting (see attached agenda).
| |
|
REGISTER NOW! - 2022 Social Justice In Gathering
A Retreat Open to All of First Unitarian Portland
On Saturday, September 24
In-person: Buchan Reception Hall, 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Online:Â Zoom workshop, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
From the Social Justice Program
| |
| If social justice is an important part of your spirituality, this gathering is for you. Whether you are an active member of our social justice groups or are exploring how your values for justice can be put into action, please join us in-person for a day of community-building, learning and fun. We will have a hybrid workshop (in-person and on Zoom) with our UU siblings at All Souls Church in Washington, DC. If you can’t be with us for the day, we would love to see you during the workshop that will focus on skill-building and our commitment to living into the 8th Principle.
The in-person program will start with a light breakfast and time to connect with our Social Justice Action Groups. Following the hybrid workshop with All Souls Church, we’ll have lunch with the Board of Trustees and the Executive Team. Then after lunch will be a time for fun together with singing, mural-making and a social justice book swap!
| |
|
Upcoming Events, Workshops & ClassesÂ
| |
|
ACTION! - Turn Out the Vote & Turn DeReau's Hair Blue!
Thursdays starting September 15 with Special Challenge:Â Thursday, September 29
| |
|
This fall the Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry of NC and Carolina Jews for Justice have teamed up with The New North Carolina Project to host eight straight weeks of non-partisan phone banking on Thursday afternoons (3:30-5:30 p.m. Pacific Time), September 15 - November 3. UUs, Jews and other people of faith are invited to join us put our Faith In Action by calling North Carolina voters of color about the midterm elections. We will help inspire and equip NC voters to vote for justice and defeat hate this fall.
When you register, you'll get a Zoom link where we'll gather on-line, get inspired, get trained and get going to make our calls -- together. All you need is a phone and a computer. No previous experience needed.
| |
| Up-ing the Ante: How You Can Turn DeReau's Hair Blue!
First Unitarian Portland has joined this effort as a congregational partner. On September 29, we will host the phone bank and we want you to join us!
The Action: If we get 20 First Unitarian Portland congregants to phone bank that afternoon, our Director of Music DeReau Farrar will dye his hair bright blue through the midterm election! If we get 40 folks to register, he'll dye his beard, too! Help us to turn out the vote and turn DeReau's hair blue.
| |
|
Our phone banking and letter-writing efforts are in partnership with the Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry of North Carolina. Watch this recording of our UU the Vote Fall Kickoff when our UU siblings and the founder and CEO of the New North Carolina Project shared what's at stake in NC and why our partnership matters. In addition to the phone bank, First Unitarian has committed to writing 10,000 voter letters by the end of October. We're past the 3,000 mark. Here's how you can get your letter packets and clear instructions to get us to our goal 10K voter letters:
- Sundays before and after worship service, pick up packets and join others to write letters in Fuller Hall.
- Monday afternoon from 2-4 p.m. in Buchan from 9/26-10/24 bring twenty stamps and #10 envelopes to join a letter-writing party.
- Pick up/drop off letters in our church office Monday-Thursday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (1034 SW 13th Ave.)
| |
|
Heart Space: Spiritual Small Group
Next Meeting: Tuesday, October 4, 7 - 8 p.m.
We will meet on Zoom every other week for four sessions with the option to extend if the group chooses.
| |
Are you looking for connection, reflection, grounding in these challenging times? Heart Space will offer an intimate small group setting to discuss spiritual themes such as “resilience” and “trust.”
| |
|
NEW! -Â Day of Mindfulness: Practicing Presence, Kindling Connection
Saturday, October 8, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m
In-person and Zoom event. Advance registration is required.Â
| |
|
As the fall season approaches, taking a contemplative day can help us feel grounded. In a supportive group, through guided meditation, deep relaxation, shared discussion, and silence, we will practice the presence needed for deepening and developing connections.
Katie Radditz teaches meditation, and is a First Unitarian Portland Spiritual Director. John Wadsworth is a Zen teacher in Thich Nhat Hanh’s Order of Interbeing.
| |
|
Welcome to First Unitarian with Rev. Thomas Disrud
Sunday October 9, from 12:30 - 1:45 p.m.
In-person and on Zoom
Location: Channing Room (near Eliot Chapel)
| |
|
Are you new to First Unitarian Portland? We are so glad you are here. You may choose to attend either in-person or virtually on Zoom.
This class will offer an orientation to the church, to Unitarian Universalism and what it means to be a member. This will be a chance to meet other newcomers and to have your questions about the church answered.Â
| |
One of our goals as a church is to build a multicultural, diverse, engaged, spiritual community that works to dismantle racism and other oppressions. Antiracism Learning Circles are opportunities to do some of that work, to expose ourselves to our real history, to increase awareness of ongoing oppressions, and to explore and reveal our individual reactions to issues on race in America.
| |
Open to all; please invite your friends and neighbors to join our Circles on Zoom.
| |
|
Loving Kindness Meditation
Mondays at 8 p.m.
| |
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.Â
| |
|
Friday Vesper Prayer ServicesÂ
Every Friday // Â 5 p.m.
| |
Gather for a quiet time of prayer, reflection, meditation and music.
An ongoing commitment is not required.
| |
|
Transforming Hearts: A Free Course for Congregants
Complete at your own pace. Join anytime!
| |
This course is for everyone from novices on trans identity to those with decades of life experience. Rather than simply offering a “trans 101,” this class pushes participants to the next level of congregational welcome, relationship-building, and skills-building.
| |
| VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY - Teach in the Learning Community this Year!
| |
|
We are thrilled to begin this church year with in-person classes for all ages Preschool through High School!Â
We are in need of volunteers to journey alongside our young people, co-leading with other volunteers. We have flexible options for balancing teaching with attending worship services and are looking for volunteers who can commit to teaching at least two Sundays per month.
We offer training and lots of support. Previous experience with children is helpful but not required. If you have never volunteered in the Learning Community previously or are considering returning to teaching after some time away, please consider making the commitment this year. We need you!
| |
|
THIS FALL! -Â Come Sing and/or Ring with Us!Â
| |
Our Music Ministry is preparing for the fall and would love to have you come sing and/or ring with us! Rehearsals for the fall term begin soon. Information can be found on our webpage.Â
| |
 |
Click still to get directed to YouTube.
| |
| | |
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
| |
Melanie DeMore, Saint Swagger
Vocal activist and singer-songwriter Melanie DeMore weaves the fibers of African American folk music with soulful ballads, spirituals and her own original music. DeMore describes her music as “in the African-American folk tradition of Odetta,” to whom she has often been compared, noting, “I have a very, very, very low voice.”
| |
|
Building Unity:Â Effectively Countering Divisiveness
You are invited to Oregons UU for Justice annual conference!
Saturday, September 17, 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
| |
We will all be seeking, learning and talking about how to enact social, political, economic justice via policy enactment and real personal engagement.
| |
|
NEW -Â Global Impacts of Climate Change: Are We Doing Enough?
Sunday, September 25, 9 - 10 a.m.
| |
|
Join Community for Earth members for a presentation on the global impacts of the climate crisis and how we all need to be involved.
The program will include reports about:
- African villages in Kenya impacted by climate change (Marlene, Imani Project, and Mary Ann, Quilts for Empowerment)
-
the United Nations and our U.S. pledge; upcoming COP 27 (Ann, CFE and Africa Connections)
-
the key role of U.S. legislation: the Inflation Reduction Act and next steps (Jeff Hammarlund, Senior Fellow at the PSU Center for Public Service - School of Government)
| |
In the Community
Several weeks ago, Gary Vinson, husband of member Kathleen and father and grandfather to members Scott, Jennie and Oscar Vinson, had to have emergency surgery to address an obstructed bowel while on vacation in Wallowa County. Since that time there have been many complications and Gary has now entered hospice care. In Jennie’s words, “The time is now for us to be still and give Gary the peaceful, graceful exit that he deserves.” We hold Gary and his family in the days ahead.
Patricia Rimmer married Gene McManus in a small ceremony at their home in Vancouver on September 8. Rev. Tom officiated. Patricia has been involved in our church for many years. We wish them much happiness.
Longtime member Irene Etlinger turned 100 Saturday, September 10. Happy birthday, Irene!
| |
|
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.
| |
|
Travel from Portland to Paris with Jack Robinson. (You don’t even have to go through the TSA line!)
| |
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 LivestreamÂ
& Summer Schedule
| |
September Shared Plate
For the month of September, we share our offering with Sunrise Movement PDX. Sunrise began with a group of young people heeding the call to create a space in Portland’s climate justice community for youth to come together and uplift each other’s voices. They strive to empower generations to become active and take leadership in this movement...continue.
| |
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.
| |
|
