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Meet Member Scott Winters |
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 Scott and his partner, Mike Tchong have been attending Unitarian Universalist congregations since 2002 where they started attending the Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane, WA. Scott has been a member at First Unitarian since 2007. They appreciate the church’s liberal religious perspective, its affirmation of the dignity and worth of all people, and its value of freely exploring for truth and meaning. Mike has degrees in psychology and nursing, and works as an RN for a local home health agency. His interests include raising orchids, breeding fish, hiking, and gardening. Scott has degrees in business administration, institutional development, and a master’s in clinical ministry. His work experience includes non-profit fundraising and working as a chaplain in both hospital and hospice settings. His interests include photography, hiking, spirituality, and the healing arts. He finds meaning in studying about the human experience from a variety of spiritual perspectives. Since becoming a member of First Unitarian, he began to understand the work of social justice as an act of faith. He credits this faith experience for his recent career shift to become a social worker. He attends the Portland State University School of Social Work, and will receive his MSW degree in 2012. He is deepening his understanding of social justice by focusing on community-based practice and hopes to work with older adults who need better access to in-home care services and hospice. Scott has served as an usher since 2007 and is a leader in the LGBTQIA Pride group. He and Mike enjoy creating social events, especially for those who are new to the congregation. |
 Bill Michtom was born in New York, NY, in 1947, raised on Long Island and is Jewish by heritage. Neither his parents, nor he, were religious. Before joining First Unitarian in 2002-03, he had never been part of a religious institution, but he’d been aware of First Unitarian's involvement with social justice since first moving to Portland in the 1970s. That commitment to social justice inspired him to join.
The first thing he became involved with, however, was teaching 3rd/4th and then 5th/6th grades in the Religious Education program. After three years, he discovered the Our Whole Lives program for 8th/9th graders. With a commitment to UU principles and a dedication to reality, honesty, self-respects, and respect of others, Our Whole Lives teaches sexuality, gender, and relationships. The curricula alternate every year between Our Whole Lives and Coming of Age, which is a UU equivalent of bar/bat mitzvah. The goal is to help youth understand their view of the world, their values, and their connection to adulthood. This is Bill’s ninth year teaching.
In social justice, Bill joined and co-led the Freedom For Choice Action Network, a group devoted to protecting women's reproductive rights, and has been volunteering with NARAL Pro-Choice Oregon for more than 20 years.
Three days a week, Bill volunteers at the 13 Salmon Family Center, a day shelter for homeless families. For three hours each day, he takes care of (primarily pre-school) children, giving their parents time to look for new homes, find a job or just take a break from parenting. Since his grandchildren live in Connecticut with his son and daughter-in-law, he has "acquired" local grandchildren. If you have a dedication to children, says Bill, you can help bring joy to children and adults alike by volunteering with 13 Salmon..
Bill has also volunteered with Basic Rights Oregon since its beginning in the mid-'90s and in the LGBT-rights movement here since the original Measure 9. |
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Recognition of Newest Members |
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All members who have joined since November, 2011:
Join us Sunday, Apr. 22 for "New Member Recognition"
If you've signed the Membership Book at any time since November, 2011, we look forward to your participation in this special segment of the worship service. Please attend either the 9:15 or 11:15 a.m. service in the SANCTUARY and let the congregation welcome you!
The minister will invite you to come forward at the appropriate time, where you'll receive a small chalice which you may keep as a souvenir of the day.
After the candles are lit, the congregation will join our newest members in responsive words of welcome.
All new members, close family and friends are invited to a reception in the Channing Room, from 10:15-11:30 a.m. Coffee, tea and light refreshments will be served, and you'll have a chance to meet other new members, some staff and representatives of our ministry team and board of trustees.
The Membership Committee hopes you'll attend, and looks forward to meeting you at the reception.
New Member Recognition is offered each year in October and April. If you became a new member prior to November, 2011, and missed this ceremony in the past, you're welcome to come forward during the service, and to attend the reception.
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