Join Us for Worship this SundaySunday, September 5, 2021 // 10:15 a.m.
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The Day’s Labor Grows Simple Now
Rev. Duane Fickeisen
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We will honor Labor Day and the coming Jewish High Holy Days by examining the call to bring love to our world — simple in concept, yet ever so complex in carrying it out. We fail again and again, and are called back over and over to begin again in the labor of loving.
Duane is a retired UU parish minister and member of First Unitarian Church. He lives in Portland, where he gardens, writes, photographs, walks with his dog, and strives to nourish relationships with grandchildren and friends.
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Staying Connected BlogWhat Is Possible When We Connect to Ourselves and Each Other?
Dana Buhl, Director of Social Justice
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If you are reading this, you are alive. Let’s celebrate that! Take a full breath. Let your face find the shape of a soft smile of contentment. Inhale another breath of celebration: “I am alive.” Exhale with gratitude.
How does that feel? What possibilities does connecting through your breath open for you?
Yesterday I began writing this Staying Connected piece about anxiety, about the constancy of collective stress, fear and struggle in these times that weighs on each of us, and about the anatomy of my own struggle with anxiety over my lifetime. I wrote about how “possibility” seems distant when I am in constant worry; how my breath gets shallow, my world gets small…I feel alone and powerless. I wrote about finding practices for connecting with oneself...continued.
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Public Prayer for Water Protectors
Saturday, September 4 // 9 a.m.
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Join climate activists and faith communities for prayer and solidarity for our planet and be in solidarity with indigenous people around the world. We will focus on water protectors in Oregon and in Minnesota at Stop Line 3.
Join other First Unitarian Congregants and Unitarian Universalists who will be attending. For more information, click here. The event is led by Sunrise Beaverton, 350PDX Defund/Divest Team, EcoFaith Recovery, and Oregon Interfaith Power & Light.
Details: The gathering begins at the Beaverton Library (12375 SW 5th St, Beaverton) at 9 a.m., during the Farmer's Market. The prayer vigil begins at 10 a.m.
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NEW! - Living The Questions
Starts Wednesday, September 22 // 8 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.
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One way we can continue to nurture and support one another is by keeping focus on the perennial values that give meaning to our daily lives.
We invite you to join us each week for contemplative conversation.
An ongoing commitment is not required.
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2021 Social Justice Community Gather-In & Retreat
NEW! - All are invited to join us for spiritual sustenance, relationship & skill-building!
Saturday, September 25 // 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. In gathering to meet UU peers at 8:30 a.m.
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Covid has created some significant obstacles to our congregation’s social justice work, but the explosion of passion for racial and climate justice in our society has opened up many possibilities! The social justice community gather-in and retreat will offer spiritual sustenance, relationship building, and concrete skills for this work and these circumstances, with a focus on the priorities and practices that are most relevant right now.
It’s open to everyone, whether you’re brand new or already involved in one of our action groups. And...it’s collaborative! The Gather-In is a joint project with All Souls Church in Washington, DC.
We seek to nurture our hearts and spirits during this stressful time by building community and grounding our activism, communities and partnerships in our shared UU principles. Join us as we get to know, listen to and learn from each other.
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NEW! - UUSC Responds to Hurricane Ida, Commits to Supporting Most Impacted
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As with Hurricane Katrina 16 years ago, Hurricane Ida has hit Louisiana with devastating and disproportionate impact on Black people, people of color, Indigenous people, elders, people with disabilities, and those who are impacted by income, housing, and economic inequality.
The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee will commit resources to address the short-term impacts of the storm, and—more importantly—advocate in solidarity with these communities so that in the medium and long terms, justice and equity are realized. UUSC will support communities facing injustice to repair and restore the resources they need and change systems and institutions so that every single community is respected and resourced appropriately without fear of inequality, prejudice, or oppression.
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Speaking of Justice BlogAntiracism Learning Circles
by Ethel Gullette
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Looking for meaningful community-building at First Unitarian? Here it is!
Last year, in the midst of the pandemic and the demonstrations in the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, the Advancing Racial Justice Action Group (ARJAG) of First Unitarian sponsored a series of zoom-based Antiracism Learning Circles.
The response was tremendous. We are now rolling out a new cycle of Learning Circles and hope you will join us...continued.
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SIGN UP! - Antiracism Learning Circles are Back!
Offering 8 books/podcasts and 11 Learning Circle CohortsStarting this September
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Learning Circles provide a supportive place to grapple personally and deeply with racism and white supremacy and help inform how we can take action for antiracism in our lives. These are small discussion groups based on a book or a podcast. Some meet weekly and some less often.
Registration required.
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| | Upcoming Events, Workshops & Classes
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RALLY & MARCH - 9/11: Twenty Years of War, Stoking Fear, Erasing Rights and Misdirected Funding
Friday, September 10 // 4:30 p.m.
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Speakers will address issues that have plagued America and thus, the world, after the U.S. chose to start endless wars rather than seek justice. Other than the wars, which expanded from Afghanistan to Iraq, Yemen, Pakistan, Libya, Somalia and Syria, topics will include threats to civil liberties/the prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, and the rise in Islamophobia and anti-immigrant sentiments.
Location: Pioneer Courthouse Square, SW Yamhill and Broadway Please mask up and stay distanced for safety.
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Program ResourcesAdult Programs, Social Justice, Learning Community, Music & Arts
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Interested in Spiritual Deepening in a Small Group?
How will you take care of your soul this year?
Wellspring Sources starts virtually in October, 7-9 p.m.
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Wellspring offers spiritual deepening within our Unitarian Universalist tradition, an opportunity for learning more about ourselves and our faith through a 10-month virtual small group experience.
Spaces are limited.
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Vesper Prayer ServiceFriday, September 17 // 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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Immigrant Mutual Aid Coalition Seeks Volunteers
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The Immigrant Mutual Aid Coalition (IMAC) is seeking volunteers for Friday, September 10th and Saturday, September 11th. Join other members of First Unitarian who regularly volunteer with IMAC to support Latin and immigrant communities in Clackamas County and throughout Oregon.
Volunteers can sign up here. Information about making a donation can be found here.
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Stop Excluding Military Pollution from Climate Agreements
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War and war preparations are major greenhouse gas emitters. All greenhouse gas emissions need to be included in mandatory greenhouse gas emission reduction standards. There must be no more exceptions for military pollution. First Unitarian’s Community for Earth (CFE), Peace Action Group (PAG), Economic Justice Action Group (EJAG) and Africa Connections are signing.
Won’t you sign this petition too? Add your name to ask participants in the COP26 Climate Change Conference to set strict greenhouse gas emissions limits that make no exception for militarism.
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Art for Social JusticeThe 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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Spirits Cradle, with Climbing Poetree, Leah Song , and Biko Casini of Rising Appalachia
Click here for a live recording of Leah Song's "Spirits Cradle" featuring Biko Casini on percussion, and Alixa and Naima of Climbing Poetree on the fierce poetics. A full piece on the travails of the prison industrial complex, and our role in dismantling it.
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In the Community
Member Sara Robertson married Mike Williams in a ceremony in the Arboretum on Aug. 27. They bring together a family that includes Sara’s sons Henry and Simon who are part of our Learning Community and Mike’s son Judson. We wish them much happiness.
Sophie Morris married Eric Zhang in a ceremony at the Jupiter Hotel on Aug. 28. Sophie grew up in the church and is the daughter of Patti Morris and Martin White. We wish them much happiness.
Rev. Disrud officiated at both ceremonies.
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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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Submission deadline is noon on Tuesdays.
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| Sunday Live Stream
& Social ScheduleJoin us LIVE from your computer or smart device by clicking on the links below.
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Sept. 5 Shared Plate
Since the 1970s, SOAR has welcomed and assisted our new neighbors as they arrive in the Portland metro area. SOAR, an affiliate of Church World Service, resettles hundreds of refugees a year. They link sponsors—congregations, friends or community organizations—with refugees before they arrive in the United States....continued.
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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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