Please Join Our Live Stream
Sunday, May 30, 2021Family Worship Service at 9:15 a.m.
Worship Service at 10:15 a.m.
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Proselytizing Love
Stacey Mitchell, Intern Minister
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Our Unitarian Universalist motto often used is “On the Side of Love." How can this motto guide us in our faith into the future, as we build beloved community together?
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Bill's BlogForgiveness or Permission
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I used to think about Memorial Day as the beginning of summer. The long weekend with the weather almost surely summer-like.Â
OK. That was before I moved to Oregon where I’ve grown accustomed to waiting longer for summer’s arrival. But, especially this year, my need for respite is not waiting for summer.Â
So many people that I know tell me they feel like they’ve been working non-stop. Working at jobs, some of them. Somehow working from home has made work more unavoidable. Working at child-rearing, for those with younger children, has been a marathon, with parents in the roles of teachers, on top of everything else. Or caring for parents or siblings. Working at justice-making, for the activists among us and activism has never been more necessary...continued.
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Family WorshipThe First Memorial Day
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This week Rev. Tom will tell the story of the First Memorial Day that was organized by freed slaves at the end of the Civil War. Cassandra will offer a meditation and Dustin will offer music. Join us this Sunday.
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| Featured News & EventsTimestamps are Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) unless stated otherwise.Â
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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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NEW - Congregational Survey: Senior Minister Search 2021Your participation is wanted!
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Your Ministerial Search Committee is asking your opinion and assessment of First Unitarian Church Portland, and what could shape the future for the congregation in this all-member survey.Â
It is most important to have a “picture” of who we are and what we want to become. Please keep the whole congregation in mind.
Congregational Survey is to be completed by June 14, 2021:
Results will be shared with the Congregation later this summer or early fall. Thank you for your help in this important task that will shape our Congregational profile.
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UPDATE! -Â Church Ballots Due on May 30
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The deadline is fast approaching to get your annual postal-mailed ballot back to First Unitarian.Â
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?Â
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And a reminder 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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| | Upcoming Events, Workshops & Classes
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EVERY SUNDAY! - Virtual After Service Social Hour All Are Welcome!
Sunday, May 30, 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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COMING THIS FALL! -Â 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.Â
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.Â
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Program ResourcesAdult Programs, 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! - Support These Legislative Bills & Actions
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From the Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice:
Postcard Campaign: HB 2475 Energy Affordability passed and is on its way to the Governor’s desk! Now, our partners at the Oregon Clean Energy Opportunity campaign are organizing a postcard campaign to flood legislators' offices with postcards from their constituents urging them to vote YES on the Healthy Homes and 100% Clean Energy bills.Â
From Farm Worker Ministry Northwest and PCUN:
HB 2358 - Overtime Pay for Farm Workers in Oregon!
Farm workers deserve the same labor protections that other workers have. They deserve overtime pay! Let your Oregon legislator know that you want farm workers to receive overtime compensation by clicking the following link and emailing your legislators. TAKE ACTION - Click Here!
These and many other bills are moving forward in these last days of the legislative session. Keep up with legislative action here . IMIrJ publishes a Running Action List with comprehensive information on bills and actions. Contact your legislators to show your support.Â
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ACTION ITEM! - Treaty People Gathering: Join the Multifaith Delegation
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Indigenous women are leading the struggle against the Line 3 pipeline and have been strong in their resistance. They are calling on everyone — from White Earth to Washington, DC — to come to the frontlines in northern Minnesota and rise for the treaties alongside them.
People from all faith traditions and spiritual practices are welcome to join this multi-faith delegation, organized by Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light (MNIPL), the national body of IPL, GreenFaith, MUUSJA (Minnesota Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Alliance), Dayenu and more.
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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! - 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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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.Â
Curated by Ethel Gullette, Speaking of Justice Editorial Team
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"Under the Underpass: Stand by Me" by Renaissance Ensemble
Resonance Ensemble’s imaginative 12th season, including an exciting series shot under Portland’s bridges, continues to respond to the striking new challenges of the pandemic and to those that always were: racial and gender violence, inequality, and loss.
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REMINDER! - Board of Trustees Meeting
Thursday, June 3
Board Meeting 7-9 p.m.
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NEW! - May Moderator’s Letter
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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 MurrayÂ
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.Â
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Sunday Live StreamÂ
& Social Schedule
Join us LIVE from your computer or smart device by clicking on the links below.Â
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May Shared Plate
First Unitarian shares our plate offering with the Pacific Northwest Family Circle, an all-volunteer community group that supports Oregon and Washington Families whose Loved Ones were killed or injured by police officers. When a Loved One is killed by the police, it puts the families into a club they never wanted to be in...continue.
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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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