Our Mission Statement:
"As Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People at First Unitarian Church, we come together to explore our spirituality, build community, and strive for justice."

First Unitarian church of Portland has had a long and eventful  history of providing a safe and welcoming home to lesbians, gays,  bisexuals and transgender people and those who are questioning their sexual orientation or gender.  Unitarian Universalism has been on record as supporting our rights since 1970.  Members and ministers of our community will be found serving on the Board of Trustees, teaching religious education, singing in the choirs, ringing bells, staffing tables at coffee hour, performing weddings, —anything and everything.

What we do...
Unitarian Pride is responsive to the needs of the LGBT congregants and strives to fulfill its mission statement by providing social activities, education, special worship services, and leadership when political activism is needed.

Along with social activities such as pot lucks, art walks, ski trips, etc. we have three ongoing monthly events:

• Second Sunday Brunch after second service at The Goose Hollow Inn, 1927 SW Jefferson.
• Fourth Friday Movie Night.  Doors open at 6:30 for snacks and  socialization,  movie at 7.  This event is free and open to the public and usually is held in room B002-003.
• Fourth Sunday General Meeting.  1-2:30 pm, Room B002-003.  Our programs vary,  often featuring a speaker.  Some past speakers have been representatives from Basic Rights Oregon, Oregon Safe Schools, The Community of Welcoming Congregations and QDoc.

We put our volunteers to good use and what better way to meet other LGBT people and co-create the programs that feed your soul than to participate.  Stop by the Pride Table in Fuller Hall during coffee hour on Sunday  or join our list serve by sending an email to  FUULGBT_pdx-subscribe@yahoogroups.com, or email byron@newwind.com and ask to be added to the Unitarian Pride list. (There's an underscore between FUULGBT and pdx which is hard to discern in written materials.)

Contact:  Julia Ingram at juliaingram@mac.com or 503-257-2604.

Steering Committee:
Julia Ingram

Bill Cunninghame

Steve Nelson

Susan Bishop

Helena Hessle

Upcoming Events:

Pride General Meeting, free and open to the public

Sunday, April 27th, 1 pm, Buchan Building 002-3

What does it take to create and sustain a LGBTQ family in our current social climate?  Lori Whittaker, LCSW and Mike Binks, LPC, CADC, will introduce their upcoming LGBTQ Relationship Enrichment Series which is based on John Gottman's "Love Lab" in Seattle and offered through partnership between Unitarian Pride at First Unitarian Church of Portland and Samaritan Counseling Centers. 

LGBTQ Relationship Enrichment Series: Five-weeks of workshops, beginning June 2, 2008, 7 to 9 p.m.

$75.00/couple or $50.00/individual for full series

Description:

How many couples do you know that have never struggled in their relationship? Truth is, every couple will hit some rough spots along their path. Life requires that we work at what is important. We often exercise and diet to keep our bodies fit; we get regular tune-ups for our vehicles; and we frequently clean our homes. Doesn’t it make sense that we offer the same care and support to our most intimate bonds? Couples and individuals alike will benefit from our focus on communication, conflict, and intimacy, all within the context of what it means to create and sustain LGBTQ family in our current social climate.

Workshop 1 – Let’s Talk: (June 2nd) Communication I for Couples A look at how communication can affect the quality and depth of your relationship. Learn how to express yourself in a way you will be heard and understood, and learn the types of communication to avoid.

Workshop 2 – Setting the Stage: (June 9th) Communication II for Couples Relationships go through normal stages. However, being in a different stage from one’s partner can complicate communication. We’ll discuss this, as well as the importance of maintaining individuality in a committed, interdependent relationship.

Workshop 3 – Everyone Fights: (June 16th) Conflict Regulation I for Couples While it’s not possible to eliminate conflict, it is possible to learn how to navigate it more effectively. We’ll give you practical tools to handle conflict in a way that supports your relationship instead of eroding it.

Workshop 4 – Getting Out of Gridlock: (June 23rd) Conflict Regulation II for Couples Getting clear about the past, our “old baggage,” allows us to be more present in our current relationship. We’ll look at how our emotional history can cause us to get stuck in a conflict rut. Unspoken dreams can keep us gridlocked in a never-ending pattern of conflict. We’ll give you tools to help break out of gridlocked patterns.

Workshop 5 – The Nuts and Bolts of Love: (June 30th) Friendship – Intimacy – Commitment Learn what may be stopping you from getting the relationship you’ve always wanted. You can get back the passion you may have lost in your relationship, or that you wanted but never had.

Location:

First Unitarian Church of Portland – 1011 SW 12th Avenue – Portland, OR 97205

Register:

To register for this class please call (503) 281- 3318 or if you would like, you can email us at: register@sccpdx.org

* Fees cover a portion of the cost of materials and facilitator. Additional costs subsidized by donations from community partners.

To register for a single workshop in the series please contact the front office at (503) 281-3318x0

Sponsors:

Offered through partnership between Unitarian Pride at First Unitarian Church of Portland and Samaritan Counseling Centers.