Join Us for Worship this SundaySunday, June 27, 2021 at 10:15 a.m.
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General Assembly Sunday Morning Worship
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We will join with fellow Unitarian Universalists around the world for the Sunday Worship at the UU General Assembly held virtually this year. The theme for the General Assembly will be āCircle āRound for Justice, Healing, Courage."
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Staying Connected BlogSummer Blessings
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The weather forecast predicts temperatures well over 100 Fahrenheit this Sunday. The āheat domeā that has been bringing record temperatures to much of the desert west is arriving in Portland. I love the warmth and light of summer, but I find myself so thankful for the blessing of NOT preaching from our Sanctuary this Sunday.Ā
It is a reminder, as we emerge from the pandemic, of all the challengesā¦climate change, income inequality,Ā white supremacy, police violenceā¦that continueĀ to demandĀ our attention. I am holding that truth at the same time I welcome the more relaxed pace of summer and some time off...continued.
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| Featured News & EventsTimestamps are Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) unless stated otherwise.Ā
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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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First Unitarian Portland is Honored with...
The Sixth Principle Congregation Award!
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| We are honored to receive this award! Watch this video from the UUA Office at the United Nations congratulating First Unitarian Church of Portland for achieving the 2020-2021 Sixth Principle Congregation Award. Click the image above to watch!
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| | Upcoming Events, Workshops & Classes
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REGISTER NOW! - Jubilee 3: Antiracism Virtual Workshop
Friday, 7/16 - 6 p.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday 7/17, 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m.; & Sunday 7/18, 12-6:30 p.m.
Cost $170
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ThisĀ July, Paula Cole Jones, Dr. Leon Spencer, and Lutricia Callair will co-lead a 3-day, virtual anti-racism workshopĀ that covers the history of racism, societal and institutional mechanisms maintaining racism, the personal injury of racism, and analysis of racism in our immediate communities.
This engaging virtual workshop is a fabulousĀ opportunity to delve more deeply into the work of dismantling racism in the company of otherĀ congregants and UUs on the West Coast.Ā Jubilee 3Ā is the third incarnation of this anti-racism training that has been finely developed over time and has been shared with UU congregations across the country.Ā
Questions? EmailĀ communications.
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Are you Interested in Spiritual Deepening in a Small Group? Registration for Wellspring Sources is now open!
Starts virtually in October, click the button below for details.Ā
āWhat will you do with this one wild and precious life?ā asks the poet Mary Oliver. UU Wellspringā¢ is a 10-month program of distinctly Unitarian Universalist spiritual development designed to help participants answer that provocative question.
Each year, manyĀ members of our church participate in this amazing journey. Wellspring offers spiritual deepening within our Unitarian Universalist tradition, an opportunity for learning more about ourselves and our faith through a year-long virtual small group experience.
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Program ResourcesAdult Programs,Ā Social Justice, Learning Community, Music & Arts
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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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NEW! - Reflection, Celebration &Ā Appreciation
Sunday, June 27 atĀ 1 p.m.
Please join the Immigrant Justice Action Group (IJAG) at its June meeting for a time of reflection, celebration and appreciation. The virtual gathering will also include a review of past year activities and legislative updates.
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Volunteer Opportunity
Support our Downtown Unhoused NeighborsĀ
The Portland Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA) is seeking volunteers to support their "Good Neighbor Project".
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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.Ā
Curated by Ethel Gullette,Ā Speaking of Justice Editorial Team
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In the Community
Member Jan Harris died early on June 19 at Holladay Park Plaza where she lived. Jan was 80 years old and had recently experienced a recurrence of leukemia. Jan was part of the community at Holladay Park Plaza that watches services together. She also served as an usher and Learning Community teacher here at the church. We hold her family at this time of loss.
Member Ron Lansing died on May 28 at the age of 89 after living with dementia for some years. Ron and his wife Jewell joined the church in 1994 and before that they were active in the West Hills UU Fellowship for many years. Ronās family hopes to have a memorial service later this summer.
We hold members Barbara Surovell and Dean Baker. Their son-in-law David Korn died June 13 in New York City. He was 59 and had been ill with cancer for several months. Barbara is back east now to support her daughter.
Member Cary Lewis is improving after emergency open heart surgery June 12. He is now in intermediate care after several days in ICU. Cary and his wife Dorothy welcome our good thoughts and wishes.
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NEW! - June Moderatorās Letter
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We have reached the end of our church year and are finding our way to the new normal. 300 of us gathered in Pioneer Square on June 13 to hear our service in person for the first time in 15 months. It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces and to sing and dance together.
We also concluded the year by revising our bylaws to include the 8th Principle, which states:
āWe, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote: journeying 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.ā ...continue.
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Naming First Unitarian Foundation in Your Will or Estate PlanHelp 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 servicesĀ through the website?
Find our Live Streams onĀ 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 āFor E-News.ā
Submission deadline is noon on Tuesdays.
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Sunday Live StreamĀ
& Social Schedule
Join us LIVE from your computer or smart device by clicking on the links below.Ā
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June/July Shared Plate
We share our plate with Black & Beyond the Binary Collective. BBBC is dedicated to advocacy and healing for transgender and gender-variant Oregonians who are Black and have lived experiences as a member of the African diaspora. They seek to uphold the dignity of the Black transgender and nonbinary community in Portland Metro by providing resources without stipulations, sharing Black joy, and combatting transmisogyny and anti-Black racism...continue.
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Want to know what this church has to offer?Ā Show up for events/classes/socials and Ā 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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