Please Join Our Live Stream
Sunday, May 23, 2021Family Worship Service at 9:15 a.m.
Worship Service at 10:15 a.m.
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The New World: Music & Worship
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Our quartet provides music by Jason Robert Brown as a vehicle for looking forward to a time that neither was nor is, but that is wholly new and of our careful crafting. Join us as we worship together and contemplate songs for a new world.
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Bill's BlogGood News or Not So Much?
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Last week, most of us were shocked to hear the Centers for Disease Control say that vaccinated people can just stop wearing masks and, for the most part, stop being concerned about distancing. At least that is what I heard.
My initial reaction was such relief, but then I began hearing questions about that new guidance.
Even in an era when the formal vehicles for decision making are committed to truth and science…and reasonableness, we are clearly still struggling for clarity in this changing public health environment...continued.
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Family WorshipWorld Turtle Day 🌎🐢
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May 23 is World Turtle Day! We will celebrate this day by recognizing the beautiful qualities of turtles and all of mother earth's creatures, while recognizing one very special turtle from Robin Wall Kimmerer's book "Braiding Sweetgrass."
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Welcome to First Unitarian with Rev. Thomas Disrud
Sunday, May 23, 11:30 a.m.
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Are you new to First Unitarian Portland? We are so glad you are here. This virtual 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.
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| Featured News & EventsTimestamps are Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) 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 Front Steps.
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Creating 3-year Church Goals: A Forum
TONIGHT! - Thursday, May 20 at 7 p.m.
Next: Sunday, May 23 at 11:30 a.m.
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Please join the Board of Trustees to share your ideas for our 3-year church goals. Forums are open to all congregants. You can also get involved by adding your feedback to the questionnaire.
Join by clicking the links below:
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NEW! - UUs Can Help Bring Real Peace to Palestine/Israel
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Most UUs are looking on with horror at what is happening in Palestine/Israel right now. But we can do more than watch by helping to bring justice and peace to Palestine/Israel. Unitarian Universalists for Justice in the Middle East (UUJME) works in solidarity with a broad and interfaith coalition of organizations working to protect human rights.
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UPDATE! - Update on First Unitarian Federal Lawsuit
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In July 2020 First Unitarian Church of Portland joined the Western States Center as a co-plaintiff in the lawsuit claiming that our right to free speech and the expression of our religious imperative to protest injustice was violated when the Trump Administration sent federal Customs and Border Patrol agents to violently repress protests in the streets of Portland.
The Biden Administration issued an Executive Order reversing those actions of the previous administration. Federal Judge Mosman, who presided over this lawsuit, dismissed the case as a result of President Biden’s Executive Order.
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PLEASE VOTE! - Voting Members - It's That Time Again!
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This is the month when voting members should be on the lookout for their annual postal-mailed ballot packet from First Unitarian.
This year you are asked to vote on the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year, the adoption of the 8th Principle bylaw and two other bylaw changes, two candidates for the Foundation board, and a ballot of seven recommended candidates to serve on the Church’s Nominating Committee and Board of Trustees. See brief bios of the Church’s candidates.
It’s important that every voting member’s voice be heard.
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NOTICE! - Was Your Mailed Ballot Returned?
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With no explanation? No postage due? If that’s the case, or if you haven't yet mailed your ballot back, please cross out the bar code in the return address section before sending it again. If your returned ballot has a post mark on it, it's probably best to put it in a new envelope and send it back to the church.
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Speaking of Justice
The Abolition Movement Today: Study Group Reflections
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What are we learning about “abolition” and why is it relevant today? Please check out our updated Speaking of Justice article to read reflections from participants in our 6-week action/study group: “The Abolition Movement Today.”
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| | Upcoming Events, Workshops & Classes
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UPCOMING! - Saturday Eco-Meditations at Mount Tabor
Saturday, May 22 at 9 a.m.
Intern Minister Stacey Mitchell will lead outdoor meditations. There will be a guided meditation component to each session, as we connect to our sacred earth. Beginners are welcome.
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EVERY SUNDAY! - Virtual After Service Social Hour All Are Welcome!
Sunday, May 23, 11:30 a.m.
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Come and make new friends or reconnect with old ones. Whether you are a long-time member or new to First Unitarian, our Virtual Sunday Social Hour is for everyone. Join us for informal conversation and fellowship.
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NEW! - Climate Change CommunicationHow to talk about a topic most people would rather ignore?
Sunday, May 23 at 9 a.m.
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NEW! - Pop-Up Auction to End FistulaBidding is May 23 at 10 a.m. - June 5 at 5 p.m.
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This Sunday, May 23, is International Day to End Fistula. On this day, people from around the world raise awareness about fistula and mobilize worldwide support for child-bearers.
Quilts for Empowerment and members of First Unitarian's Africa Connections are participating through hosting this Pop-Up Auction showcasing quilts made by fistula survivors in Kenya. All proceeds go toward helping them recover, rebuild, and re-enter society as financially independent and empowered women.
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THIS OCTOBER! - Are You a Wellspring Alumni?
Registration is now open for an exciting new curriculum!
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First Unitarian Portland was chosen as one of the first congregations in the country to offer an exciting new advanced curriculum entitled, Spiritual Ancestors, in which we will explore the cultural and religious traditions that Unitarian Universalists bring to this faith.
If you are a Wellspring Alumni, which means that you have already completed the 10-month Sources curriculum, you are invited to join us!
Note: If you are new to Wellspring, the application for our introductory curriculum entitled, Sources, will be available very soon.
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Program ResourcesAdult Programs, Social Justice, Learning Community, Music & Arts
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Decluttering during the Pandemic
Thursday, May 27, 1 p.m.
We have more time at home during this pandemic to be reminded of all the organizing projects we meant to complete but didn’t. We will share some tried-and-true techniques for cutting through the clutter and open it up for group sharing. Come join the conversation and get ideas to jump start your plans!
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Vesper Prayer Service
Fridays 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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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
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Rhiannon Giddons, 3 songs, NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert
"Ten Thousand Voices," the first song in the set, was inspired by Rhiannon reading about the sub-Saharan slave trade. The follow-up piece was inspired by the American slave trade and a New England newspaper ad in the late 1700s of a young woman "for sale" and her 9-month old baby who was "at the purchaser's option." Rhiannon Giddens' thoughts of this young woman and how her life and her child were not under her control prompted the song "At the Purchaser's Option." "So much beauty and so much horribleness wrapped up together seems to be our story," she says.
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In the Community
We hold Pastor Matt Hennessee of Vancouver Avenue First Baptist Church here in Portland and his wife, Elder Twauna Hennessee. Twauna’s son and Matt’s stepson was gunned down and killed on May 12. We bear witness to one more young African American killed and one more family facing enormous loss. Pastor Hennessee is a leader in the larger faith community of Portland. If you would like to send condolences to Matt and Twauna Hennessee, you may send them in care of their church, Vancouver Avenue First Baptist Church, 3138 N Vancouver Ave, Portland, OR 97227.
Member Melinda McGann has a new grandchild: Kinnick Addie Sky Walker was born to Melinda’s son, Dale, and his wife, Gillian, on May 2 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. New mom, dad, and two big dogs are adjusting to the newcomer and doing great.
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As we near the end of our most unusual church year we are winding up our meetings with congregants to hear their thoughts on our church-wide goals for the next three years. Many congregants have given their input through group meetings or individually. We are already seeing themes emerge across the congregation...continue.
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Cards of Thanks for Stacey
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Stacey Mitchell, who has served as our intern minister this year, will be ending her internship in June. We won’t have the usual in-person reception to thank her for her ministry that we might normally have, so the Ministerial Internship Committee invites congregants to send cards to Stacey as a way of saying goodbye and thanking her.
Please send a card, by June 1, to:
Stacey Mitchell c/o Michael Murray
14978 NW Mill Rd. Portland, OR 97231
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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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May 23 Shared Plate
First Unitarian shares our plate offering with the First Unitarian's Music Ministry.
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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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