Welcome! We hope that your relationship with First Unitarian Church will be spiritually, mentally, and emotionally rewarding. We are very pleased when you choose to worship with us, and invite you to participate in our programs and activities, whether or not you are ready for full membership. But when you are, church membership will be a natural step, a way to express your joy in --and responsibility for -- this faith community.

Membership Deepens Commitment

If you have been with us for a while; if you are growing to know us and your place in our corporate life; if you have taken some classes (and particularly, the Orientation class) and have attended some events; and if you believe that you could be even more deeply engaged in your spiritual life, we invite you to consider membership. As with any commitment, Membership will open doors--in your heart and on your path. We will encourage you to  take your questing, questioning, spiritual growth further, send your roots deeper and lift your branches higher. We will ask you to share yourself with us, and expect you to share in our community life. Ours is an open, non-creedal faith. Your own conscience is your best spiritual guide. We will celebrate with you and mourn with you, and through the days of your life, we will together seek hope and meaning, truth, and wisdom and inspiration.

How do I become a member?

All individuals, age 16 years or older, are welcome to join. While there are no "belief" requirements for membership - such as creeds or statements of faith - it is important for members to support our Principles and Purposes, as developed by the Unitarian Universalist Association, which are the foundation for how we choose to be in relationship with each other and the world. We also encourage all prospective members to attend the Orientation and/or the other Adult Religious Education classes which focus on Unitarian-Universalism. See the "UU Core Curriculum" in the All Church Program Guide, for current classes and schedules.

When you are ready to become a member, pick up an Enrollment Kit at the Newcomers Table (any Sunday during social hour in Fuller Hall), at the Church Office during business hours, or by downloading the Kit from this web site and printing the documents. Complete the simple enrollment forms and pledge card at home, and bring the forms with you to the Enrollment Ceremony.

The Enrollment Ceremony is offered on the first Sunday of every month, immediately following either service, in the Channing Room. During the ceremony, you will sign the historic Membership Record Book. Your signature, and your financial pledge, indicate that you are making a deeper commitment to participate in the life, health, and vision of this historic Portland congregation.

What are some benefits of Membership?

As a member in good standing,*

• You will have the right to vote at the Annual Meeting of First Church each spring.
• You will receive regular church mailings - including our monthly newsletter, the Front Steps.
• You will receive a subscription to UUWorld, the journal of the Unitarian Universalist Association.
• And, most importantly, you will be a part of this vital, urban, and liberal institution. Your voice will join hundreds of others who speak for social justice, freedom of thought, the worth and dignity of every human being, and environmental respect.

If you have any questions regarding the membership process, please contact our Membership Coordinator at 503-228-6389, ext. 13.

*A member in good standing is one who has signed the Membership Record Book and is current with her or his pledge.

What is my financial responsibility as a Member?

We recognize one of the great truths of all the world's major religions:
Generosity is central to a healthy spiritual life.

Members and Participants (whether as individuals, partners, or as families) are expected to participate in our Annual Fund Drive and make a pledge of financial support. Pledging is the primary means for raising the funds necessary for sustaining the mission of this large and dynamic institution. First Church is completely supported by those who consider themselves to be a part of this community; we receive no outside financial support.

What is a Pledge?

A pledge is a promise made by each congregant to financially support this Church to the best of her or his ability. In return, the ministers and program staff promise to provide the broad range of worship experiences, educational programs, community building, and social justice activities that make First Church all that it is today. A high level of commitment and a spirit of generosity develop over time, and are the results of active participation in our programs (see All Church Program Guide for ways to become actively connected to the church).

How often do I make a pledge?

When you join the church as a new member, you are asked to make your first pledge by using the Pledge Card found in the Enrollment Kit. This initial pledge is for the remainder of this calendar year, ending December 31. After that, as a member, you will be asked to make a new pledge each Autumn during our Annual Fund Drive.

How much should I plan to give each year?

Our current budget is over $1.3 million. Meeting this goal is shared by everyone who participates in our community. Since each congregant is at a different place financially, as a guideline, we suggest a church pledge equal to 5% of one's income. (Traditionally, in religious settings, "tithing" would be 10% of one's income. In our suggested formula of generosity, you would allocate 5% to First Church, and 5% to other worthwhile causes that you support.)

Many can easily reach the 5% commitment, or surpass it. For others, such a goal may be difficult. If so, we ask you to consider beginning your pledge at 2% of your annual income, and increase that amount by ½ % each year, until you can comfortably reach 5%. This year we are asking pledging households, on average, to consider a gift of $2,000, or more if they are able.

A high level of commitment -- and a spirit of generosity -- develop over time, and are the result of active participation in our programs. We encourage everyone, member and participants, to connect with a smaller group within the church community, that matches their interest and needs. Consult the All Church Program Guide, for listings of all church programs.

May I Use My Credit Card or Automatic Withdrawal for Monthly Payment?

Yes. Simply complete the pledge card with your credit card number, or, to establish automatic checking withdrawal, submit a voided check when you turn in your pledge card. Paying your pledge by automatic checking withdrawal actually extends the value of your pledge, as it is less costly for the church to administer. If you pay your pledge with cash, please use one of the pew envelopes and mark it with your name, so we may credit your account. Loose cash is appreciated but impossible to track. We issue statements throughout the year to let you know where you stand regarding your pledge.

If you have questions about your pledge, contact the Accounting Department, 503-228-6389, ext. 21.

Suggested Readings for Prospective Members

These books and pamphlets are available through our own Beacon Bookstore in Fuller Hall on Sundays or from the UUA Bookstore (http://www.uua.org/bookstore/), and are fine introductions to Unitarian/Universalism:
- Unitarian Universalist Pocket Guide
- A Chosen Faith
- 100 Questions
- Unitarian Universalist View of God
- Discovering Unitarian Universalism from a Catholic and Jewish Perspective
- Unitarian Universalizm, A religious home for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people
- Soulful Journeys, the faith of African American Unitarian

Membership-related Events and Classes

Newcomer Table

Visiting? Seeking a church home? New to Portland, First Church, or Unitarian-Universalism? Welcome! Please visit our Newcomer table any Sunday after worship service, during social hour, in fully accessible Fuller Hall, and chat with the friendly folks who are on hand to answer your questions. Make a name tag for yourself. Sign-up to be on our mailing list (complimentary for 6 months). Pick up a copy of our newsletter, The Front Steps. Sign-up to attend an Orientation. Pick up literature about our church and our faith. This is where your path to membership begins.

Membership Enrollment Ceremony

Opportunities to join First Church are offered the first Sunday of each month, immediately following either of the services, in the Channing Room. Pickup your individual Membership Enrollment Kit prior to joining or print a copy from this site by clicking above. Bring the completed Enrollment Forms to the Enrollment Ceremony. Details about membership are included in the Enrollment Kit.

Orientation Class: Learn About Us

At these informal, 2-session gatherings, you will meet our ministers and learn more about our church history and programs. Scheduled on alternate months throughout the year, Orientations are held from 7-8:30 p.m. in room A-108, located in the Salmon Street Building (enter through the alley off 12th Ave.). Orientation Session A is primarily for newcomers who are searching for a church home, and who want to learn more about Unitarian Universalism. Orientation Session B is highly recommended for congregants who are ready to become members of the church. The two sessions, offered a week apart, may be taken in tandem, or at different times, depending on individual congregant needs. Pre-register at the Newcomer Table in Fuller Hall on Sunday mornings. See Membership Calendar of Events.

UU Core Curriculum

This series of informative classes is designed to help newcomers and new members become better informed. These classes are offered during our fall and winter/spring semesters. See the All Church Program Guide for details.

New Member Recognition Sunday

On this Sunday, recent new members are introduced to the congregation. See the All Church Program Guide for details.

The Membership Committee

The mission of the committee is to welcome newcomers to First Unitarian Church and shepherd them through the membership process by teaching them about the church, helping them make their initial connections within the congregation, and by assisting them in sustaining their relationship with the church.

The committee meets every other month as a whole throughout the church year (Sept. through June), and individual task-force teams meet as needed. Meetings consist of business, socializing, and spiritual deepening. Committee members participate in the various membership-related activities held throughout the church year which are designed to welcome, educate and integrate new members into the church community.

Committee Chairs serve on a rotating basis. For more information, contact the Membership coordinator at 503-228-6389, ext. 13.

MEMBERSHIP STAFF

Craig Towers (ctowers@firstunitarianportland.org), Membership Coordinator, 503-228-6389, ext. 13

About Craig Towers:

Craig joined the church staff in the fall of 1999, after moving to Portland from Boston, Mass. His career in New England had been in advertising, marketing and graphic design. Craig attended the Arlington Street Church (Unitarian) in Boston for many years, and volunteered in its weekly soup kitchen. Craig is an alumni of Lead Boston, a diversity awareness training program.

A geography major at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, Craig spent a year studying in Basel, Switzerland, and has done post-graduate work in art, design and regional planning at the University of Pennsylvania and New England School of Art. He has traveled extensively throughout Europe, Russia and China.

Craig was raised in Westfield, New Jersey, where he and his family were very active in the 4,000 member Presbyterian Church. Craig is married to Linda Towers, and they have two grown daughters.