When I was in college, at a small state school in North Carolina, legislators in my home state were in the throes of waging a long campaign against voter participation, … Continue reading UU the Vote 2022

From Tom: The wrapping up of the church year has felt especially full this year with the calling of a new senior minister, Rev. Alison, and with saying goodbye and … Continue reading Summer at First Unitarian

This will be my last “Staying Connected” blog as Senior Minister. For twelve years I have had the privilege of reflecting on events in the world and in the life … Continue reading Lasts

School children have been massacred.  Again. What are we called to do in response to the Texas shooting? I want to name, first, my own rage and frustration because I … Continue reading AGAIN

We are about to embark on a covenantal relationship, which is grounded in trust and mutual support for the flourishing of our shared ministries at First Unitarian Portland. The very … Continue reading Making Connections

“Things are not getting worse, they are being revealed…” -adrienne maree brown The leaked Supreme Court opinion promising to overturn Roe v Wade sent shock waves through our community and … Continue reading Refusing to Go Back

You Can Never Lose a Thing, If It Belongs to You – Abbey Lincoln This is a liminal time at First Unitarian. The candidate for the minister who will follow … Continue reading You Can Never Lose a Thing, if it Belongs to You – Abbey Lincoln

As we look to the end of our church year, I’m very much aware of the endings as well as the beginnings in our community. Rev. Bill Sinkford just preached … Continue reading To Everything, Turn, Turn, Turn

Before moving to Portland, I had been here only once. In the summer of 2015, I was an intern at the UUA Side With Love offices in Washington, DC, and … Continue reading Connecting GA to First U: An Invitation

The Daffodils are starting to droop a bit. The flowering trees are giving up their spectacular colors to carpet the streets and paths near my house. The Camellias remain in … Continue reading The Progress of Spring