Dear Beloved Community,
On behalf of the Ordination Committee, I wish to extend our deepest gratitude to each and every one of you for the extraordinary outpouring of support, generosity, and love that made the ordination of Rev. Danielle Garrett a truly unforgettable celebration. Thank you to all that attended! If you were unable to, you can watch the recording here.
From the very beginning, your willingness to step forward—whether by donating flowers from your gardens, baking one of the 38 delicious pies, or volunteering your time and energy—transformed this occasion into a living testament to the spirit of Unitarian Universalism and the strength of our congregation.
We are especially grateful to the Governing Board, led by Board Moderator Leslie Pohl-Kosbau, for performing the sacred act of ordination. The presence of over 13 visiting ministers, including Rev. Rob Hardies and Rev. Liz Maclay, alongside our own Rev. Alison Miller and Rev. Tom Disrud, added depth and joy to this milestone in Rev. Danielle’s ministry.
The beauty of the Sanctuary and reception room—adorned with entirely donated flowers and lovingly arranged by volunteers—was matched only by the warmth and hospitality extended to all who attended. Every detail, from ushering and parking attendants to pie cutting and plating, was handled with care and attention. The seamless coordination, the cheerful willingness to help, and the sense of shared purpose were truly inspiring.
We are also deeply appreciative of the photography team Keith and Jeff Iding (father and son) who volunteered to capture the spirit of the day. If you captured your own memories that you’d like to share with Danielle and the wider community, feel free to add them to our shared Google Photo album using this link.
A special thank you goes to the members of the Ordination Committee: Leslie Pohl-Kosbau, Wendy Rankin, Laurie Lester, Dave Kovich, Michael Murray, and Marti Yoder. Your dedication, organization, and leadership were the backbone of this event. And to the many, many more—those who worked behind the scenes, who showed up and simply got it done—please know your efforts did not go unnoticed.
This day was a joyful celebration not only of Rev. Danielle Garrett’s ministry but also of the vibrant, caring, and committed community that is First Unitarian Portland. We are honored and delighted to have marked this important achievement together.
Rev. Danielle shares, “Truly, my cup runneth over. I am so overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support, the time and dedication of all the volunteers, and the hospitality this congregation showed to visiting guests. I will carry it all with me for the rest of my days in the ministry and will return to those memories for inspiration or fortitude whenever I grow weary. It is such a blessing to be forever connected to this community by this sacred day and act. I hope you all felt in the day a sense of celebration of our shared ministry together—the ways we’ve helped one another grow, the love we all have for this church, and our commitment to its ongoing health and flourishing. It has not always been an easy journey, but it’s been well worth travelling together. I’m so grateful for all the hard work Jen and the committee put into making Saturday a day of love, hope, gratitude, and joy!”
With gratitude,
Jen Thomas