Join Us for Worship this SundaySunday, August 22, 2021 // 10:15 a.m.
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Questions and AnswersRev. Bill Sinkford
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Liberal religion seems to offer more questions than answers. Rev. Bill will offer his answers to questions from the congregation and perhaps pose a few of his own.
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This Fall at First Unitarian
We have decided to change our plans for this fall.
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Rather than return to in-person worship next month, as we had hoped, we will begin the new church year worshipping on-line only.
So many of us were looking forward to gathering once again in person, to returning to worship in the Sanctuary, singing together and feeling safe enough to be in one another’s physical presence. Speaking for myself, I was so looking forward to being able to see your faces when I preach.
Our plan had been to offer in-person worship beginning September 12, Homecoming...continued.
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Staying Connected Blog
A Scene from the Gift Economy
Carter Smith, Intern Minister
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This weekend, my housemate got word of a neighbor in distress. Her yard, driveway, and sidewalk were being overtaken by great lavender bushes! So, we pulled together a rescue squad, armed with garden shears and cotton bags, to liberate as many of the little purple flowers as we could.
Now I love lavender. Sitting there, gathering it into bouquets, the smell washing over me, I remembered so many sweet memories: of an old friend who made the best lavender shortbread, of similar moments surrounded by lovely people picking chamomile on a farm I lived on a few years ago. And, my mind also turned to the future, dreaming of all the lavender syrups, eye masks, and room fresheners I would make with it. Our neighbor came out to thank us, to chat, and to offer us water in the hot afternoon...continued.
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Emergency Response in Haiti
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On August 14, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit Haiti, causing widespread destruction and devastating communities. The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) has been in contact with long-term grassroots partners in Haiti to assess and respond to the most pressing needs. Help UUSC get resources to grassroots groups in Haiti by making a gift to their Emergency Response Fund today.
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Unitarian Universalist Association at the United Nations
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On Sunday, August 22, First Unitarian's plate collection will be shared with the UUA Office at the United Nations (UUA@UN). Here at First Unitarian Church, the UUA@UN is represented by an "Envoy Team," working through the Peace Action Group (PAG). The Envoys are Barbara LaCombe, Pete Guest, Teresa Hill, and Silas Dermer. The late Roger Meyer was active as an Envoy for several years before his death. Silas is our Youth Envoy, and as such, he has attended the annual Intergenerational Spring Seminar for the past two years. The PAG planned to send Silas to New York City in 2020, but the in-person gathering was cancelled, so he attended by Zoom last year, and again in 2021.
Our congregation has earned the UUA@UN "Sixth Principle Award," (formerly the "Blue Ribbon Congregation Award") for the past several years, by meeting certain criteria, such as having a United Nations Sunday and donating money to the UUA@UN from the plate collection. We also need a minimum of 15 members. You can join the UUA@UN here. You can also send a check to UU Association, Att: Gift Processing, 24 Farnsworth St., Boston, Ma. 02210-1409. Membership is $60 for Adults; $30 for Retired or Student members. Be sure to specify that this is for UUA@UN membership from our church.
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Welcome to First Unitarian with Rev. Thomas Disrud
COMING SOON! - Sunday, August 29, 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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| | Upcoming Events, Workshops & Classes
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General Assembly 2022 Theme Contest
Submission Deadline: Monday, September 13
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Submission deadline is September 13th. And did you know? GA 2022 will be held in-person right here in Portland, Oregon!
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Program ResourcesAdult Programs, Social Justice, Learning Community, Music & Arts
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Vesper Prayer ServiceFridays at 5 p.m.
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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. Registration is required to receive the Zoom link. An ongoing commitment is not required.
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ACTION - Western Farm Workers: Back to School Drive
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Please help Western Farm Workers Association (WFWA) provide back-to-school supplies to their membership. Every fall WFWA provides school materials -- from backpacks and markers to binders and notebooks -- for approximately 60 families with 200 children. A list of supplies that are needed can be found here.
Supplies can be dropped off from now through Friday, August 27.
Please call or text to schedule and get the locations for drop off from these IJAG members:
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NE Portland - Mary Ann (503) 887-7455
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SW Portland - Laurie (240) 298-4211
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N Portland - Margot (479) 790-2056
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In the Community
Frankie Taylor, a 19-year-old member of the church, had an accidental overdose on July 31 while he was living in a residential treatment program in California. He died at the hospital after several attempts to revive him. Frankie had been working on his recovery very deeply and bravely over the last nine months, and his beautiful life ending so soon has devastated all who knew him and loved him. Frankie leaves behind a loving family, including his mom, Jennifer Villarreal and sister Ryanne, and his dad and stepmom Brad and Meg Taylor and brother Jackson. The family appreciates prayers and welcomes cards.
Barbara Lewton asks for prayers for her son, Ronin Helsing, who took his life on May 29. Ronin spent his formative years in UU churches in Corvallis and Portland and Barbara says he will be forever missed and loved. We hold Barbara at this time of loss.
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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 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 Tuesdays.
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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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August 22 Shared Plate
We share our plate with the UUA Office at the United Nations. From involvement in drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to leading the faith caucus to establish the International Criminal Court, 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.
It represents the UUA and the Canadian Unitarian Council at the United Nations, where we promote 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, we engage Unitarian Universalists in support of international cooperation and the work of 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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