Join us for Sunday Worship
Sunday, July 31, 2022 // 10 a.m. PT
No Family Service. Childcare is available during the Sanctuary Service for children three and under (located in the nursery).
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Enlisting Our Conscience in Our Democratic Process
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A shift is taking place—we widen our circles and center those who have waited too long on the margins. We recognize both our individual worth and also the value of community in our congregations and beyond. How does a democratic process support these shifts and where does it fall short?
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Jennifer Springsteen is a seminary student at Starr King School for the Ministry in Oakland and has been a member of this church for thirteen years.
She is the co-founder of PDX Writers and her writing has won several awards including Regional Arts and Culture Council grants, an Oregon Literary Arts Fellowship, and two Pushcart Prize nominations. She writes, teaches, and studies in Portland, OR.
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Staying Connected Blog
UU the Vote 2022
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When I was in college, at a small state school in North Carolina, legislators in my home state were in the throes of waging a long campaign against voter participation, targeting students, among other groups. With Voter ID laws being passed and struck down in courts every few months, redistricting after redistricting, and unclear rules for absentee balloting, so many of my friends felt frustrated and out of touch with our electoral system...continue.
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Happening this Sunday
Timestamps are Pacific Time (PT) unless stated otherwise. Check out our Events Calendar for First U PDX gatherings.
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UU The Vote In-Person Launch Party at First Unitarian
THIS SUNDAY! - July 31, at 12 p.m.
Location: First Unitarian Porland, in Buchan Reception
Proof of vaccination and masks required.
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Are you outraged by the continued erosion of our human rights, destruction of systems to protect and promote climate justice, and total disregard for fundamental democratic principles?
Let's do something about it -- TOGETHER!
Join us to learn about UU The Vote, our faith-based electoral campaign to mobilize voters in this midterm elections on the issues that matter to us. We will connect with each other and prepare loads of letters to be sent through Vote Forward/UU the Vote. JaZahn Hicks, the UU the Vote Campaign manager will join us to share about UU the Vote and ongoing plans for our congregation to engage in turning out progressive voters.
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Please bring with you: minimum of twenty #10 letter envelopes; twenty (minimum) First-class Forever stamps; pens and highlighters for writing your letters.
Light lunch: Middle Eastern dip with veggies and pita, stuffed grape leaves, fruit, cookies and beverages will be provided.
Donations for our UU the Vote efforts and lunch will be gratefully accepted.
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JOIN US! - Summer Pick-Up Choir
Sunday Mornings at 8:30 a.m.
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Love to sing? Coming to church on Sunday? Then come join the Summer Pick-Up Choir!
The choir is open to anyone who would like to participate on a week-to-week basis. If interested, simply show up to the sanctuary on the Sunday mornings of your choice at 8:30 a.m. Music will be provided when you arrive, and we'll all learn together for the 10 a.m. service.
For more information, please reach out to DeReau. Thank you!
No experience or on-going commitment necessary.
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Featured News & Events
Timestamps 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.
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REMINDER! - Vigil for Troubling Times
Monday, August 8 // 8 - 8:30 a.m.
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Join us in inspirational music and readings to hold a prayerful time of quiet comfort in community. You may listen in private contemplation, without conversation or expectation, as we respond to grief with the faith, hope and love we cherish in our tradition.
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NEW! - All’s Well That Ends Well: End-of-Life Planning Workshop
Thursday, August 11, 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
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Oregon Memorial Association's “All’s Well That Ends Well” workshops offer you a chance to make end-of-life and plans in a thoughtful and supportive environment.
Learn more about how to plan, what to consider, and how best to make your wishes known to your loved ones and end-of-life care providers.
Masks and advance registration are required. Click the button below for registration information.
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REMINDER! - Vesper Prayer Service
This Friday at 5 p.m.
***PRAYER VESPERS WILL BE ON BREAK August 19 & 26
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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.
An ongoing commitment is not required.
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NEW - Remembering Hiroshima & Nagasaki: Building Toward Nuclear Justice
Monday, August 8 at 6 - 7:15 p.m.
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Members of the PAG and Oregon PSR invite Church congregants to attend the annual Portland-area memorial to the victims of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
We are thrilled to announce a truly stellar lineup of performances this year including LaRhonda Steele and the Grace Gospel Quartet; Portland Taiko drummers; Tsubaki Buyo Doukoukai traditional Japanese dancers; a Marshallese youth dance troupe; and a sing-along with Hiru Gohan Group.
This in-person event is free and open to all; attendees must be fully vaccinated.
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In the Community
The Rev. Rob Eller-Isaacs, who just joined our church last November, died peacefully at home on July 23 after an intense six months of living with pancreatic cancer. Rob was surrounded by, and leaves behind wife Janne, daughters Jessie and Hannah, son Jonah, sons-in-law Tim and Andy, and grandchildren Lewis, Mira and Levi. Jessie, Andy and family are also First Unitarian members. We hold them all at this time of loss.
Former member Horace Nealey died on July 17 at the age of 91 after a long illness. Horace served on our Board of Trustees when he was a member and also sang in the church choir. We hold his wife Diane and their family at this time of loss.
We celebrate with Linda and Ron Popkin who had their 60th wedding anniversary last weekend. May they be blessed with many more years of joy.
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The Art Wall Committee is showing our work during the summer!
Come down to Fuller Hall to see the paintings of Connie Cleaton, Matt Schiewe, and Tupper Malone; the etchings of Leslie Pohl-Kosbau; and the assemblages of Julie Forbes.
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Do you have a reason to celebrate? Say it with flowers!
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Do you have a birth in the family, a graduation, an anniversary, a memorial, or other reason to celebrate? You can acknowledge it to the entire congregation by sponsoring a floral bouquet. As we reconnect with friends, say it with flowers on the Chancel.
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Having trouble viewing our services through the website?
Find our Livestreams 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 Tuesdays.
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| Sunday Livestream
& Summer Schedule
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July 31 Shared Plate
Today is our special annual collection that we share with the Unitarian Universalist Association Office at the United Nations. From involvement in drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to addressing the climate crisis and climate displacement, to overcoming UN apathy about sexual orientation & gender identity issues, the UUA Office at the UN has a long history of providing strong leadership in all aspects of human rights at a policy level.
The office represents the UUA and the Canadian Unitarian Council at the United Nations, where it promotes the goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all, as reflected in the United Nations Charter. Through targeted education, advocacy, and outreach, the Office engages Unitarian Universalists in support of international cooperation and the work of the UN. For many years running, First Unitarian has been an award-winning congregation uplifting the faithful work of the UUA Office at the UN.
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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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