Loving Kindness Meditation

Spiritual reading, meditation, and follow up sharing. Open to all. Meets every Monday from 8 – 8:30 p.m. on Zoom. For more information, email Katie R.

Connect & Reflect

Join Rev. Alison Miller and Jen Thomas (Member Engagement Coordinator) on the 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of the month through June from 5:30 – 6:15 p.m. on Zoom. Come share in conversation centered on the topic of the most recent sermon. Look for the discussion question on our Sunday morning preservice slides and Order of Service.

Vespers

End your week with a quiet pause at the Vespers service each Friday evening on livestream from 5:00 p.m. to 5:40 p.m. Wind down from a busy week and begin your weekend with this service of music, poetry, reflection, prayer, and meditation. To join on Zoom, go to tinyurl.com/Vespers-1stU.

Contemplative Practices

Join with us to sit together in silence. Bring more peace and joy into your life, increase mindfulness, and develop more perspective. First Thursdays (in Channing, A101) and third Thursdays (in Classroom A108) from 1 – 2:30 p.m. This is a drop-in group. Any silent sitting practice is welcomed and no prior meditation experience is needed.

Email Patty C. and Ron W. or visit the event page for more information.

Monthly Labyrinth

This year, as we explore the church theme “Join the Journey,” we will have monthly opportunities to deepen our spiritual practices and focus on our inner journeys through the Labyrinth. The Labyrinth will be set up in Fuller Hall on the first Sunday of most months from 9:30 a.m. to noon.

We’re always looking for more volunteers to help us set up our sacred space and plan other labyrinth related activities throughout the year. If you’d like to volunteer, email Teri M.

Monthly Community Circle

On most third Sundays after the service, we hold a drop-in Community Circle around the month’s theme. All are welcome to join for discussion and engagement! It’s a great opportunity to meet folks and enjoy time together. You are welcome to bring your lunch. Class time is about 90 minutes. Location details are shared in our weekly Front Steps e-news prior to that Sunday and on our Sunday morning preservice slides and Order of Service. Childcare is provided.

The Alliance

The Alliance meets from September through May, usually on the first Wednesday of the month, for a luncheon, business meeting, and program. Visit the Alliance web page. Questions? Email Alliance.

Good Times Committee

Join fellow congregants for social gatherings, from ongoing Friday happy hours to hikes, from dinners to plays. Learn more and sign up with Good Times during Sunday’s social hour, or email Jerry H. or Jan O. to get included in our emails. Visit our page here for more info.

UU Movie Group: A subset of the Good Times group that meets once a month on Sunday afternoons to discuss 3 or 4 films. For more info, email Christine W.

BIPOC Affinity Group

We are currently working to restart this group. If you are interested in joining or facilitating, please email Jen Thomas to learn more.

Caregiver Support Group

MEETING VIRTUALLY – A monthly Caregivers Support Group meets virtually on the 4th Sunday of the month, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. year-round. We gather to provide support, inspiration, and information relevant to those caring for a loved one. 
Questions? Email facilitator Kathleen V. || Website || Click Here to Register

LGBTQIA+ Pride

We are hoping to restart this group. If you are interested in joining or facilitating, please email Jen Thomas to learn more.

Mental Health Caregivers Group

MEETING VIRTUALLY – Living or being close to a person diagnosed with a mental illness can be challenging. Many people with this experience find that being part of a support network can be helpful. This safe, confidential group focuses on recovery, resiliency, resources, and support. First Unitarian Portland offers a group that NAMI-trained Lay Ministers facilitate. Newcomers are warmly welcome! Virtual meetings second Wednesday of each month, 7–8:30 p.m. Questions? Email Ellen Z.

UU Men’s Community

MEETING VIRTUALLY – The UUMen’s Community is a welcoming group where men and nonbinary individuals can share life experiences, learn from one another, develop new friendships, support one another, honor men, remember family and friends, serve our communities, and have fun. || More Info

Parenting Community Circle

Join the community of parents at First Unitarian and share stories, wisdom, and explore spiritual reflection. These circles are great for long-time families and newcomers alike to build community with those who share a parenting journey. Meets every 2nd Sunday of most months from October to May. Lunch and childcare provided.
For more info, check out the flyer.

Sojourners: Lollygagging Our Way to the Inevitable

Sojourners and Sojourners2 are two separate groups that meet for 2 hours, in-person at First Unitarian Members support each other through the aging journey by engaging in facilitated discussion and activities, sharing personal stories and concerns, inspiring individual growth, and promoting friendship through social activities. All are welcome, but both groups are limited in size; no drop-ins please.

Details? Email Lucy G. 

“T” Time: A Trans, Nonbinary, and Gender-Expansive, Exclusive Gathering

When: We meet on 2nd and 4th Sundays
Location: Channing Room (next to Eliot Chapel)
A group for anyone that identifies along the transgender spectrum. There are no requirements for medical transition status or gender presentation to attend. People who are questioning their gender and parents of trans kids (and their kids, too!) are welcome. We meet on the second and fourth Sundays in Channing Room, shortly after the service until around 1:00 PM. Questions? Email Aileen M.

Women’s Circles

Making deep friendships and sharing life’s journey are precious parts of spiritual life. If you seek rewarding connections with other women at First Unitarian, you might consider joining a Women’s Circle. 

• I: First and third Mondays at 7 p.m. Questions? Email Tess B.
• II: Second and fourth Mondays at 7 p.m. Questions? Email Kim S.
• III: We meet on first and third Mondays 10–11:30 a.m. Email Dorothy for questions. (Currently on pause from accepting new members.)
• IV: A multigenerational group focused on personal sharing and mutual support, Women’s Circle IV is open to new members curious to listen, share, and become a part of a close community. Meets 1st and 3rd Wednesdays at 7 p.m. Email Anne M. for questions. (Currently on pause from accepting new members.)

More info on Women’s Circles

The Art Wall

The Art Wall’s mission is to integrate art into the spiritual life of the First Unitarian Portland by providing a venue for congregants to see quality artwork from artists within the church and throughout the metro region.

Would you like to have your artwork considered for a show on the UU Art Wall, or to join the committee? Check out our page for more information.

Children’s Mosaic Restoration Group

Questions? Contact Leslie P.K. at 503-245-6087. More info is on the Children’s Mosaic at First Unitarian Portland Facebook page. 

Gardening Crew

We welcome all gardeners of all skill levels—good humor and persistence a must! We meet once or twice a month—depending on the season—to spruce up and maintain the plantings around the multiple buildings in our block-square church campus.  Our sessions are two hours, generally on a Saturday morning. We try to watch the weather and re-schedule as needed so calendar dates are subject to change. The best way to stay apprised is to join our mailing list and read the e-mails that are sent out for work dates. To join, email Laurie L.

Quilts of Love

1st and 3rd Monday meetings 10 to 1 in the undercroft of Eliot Chapel. 2nd and 4th Mondays on Zoom from 10:30 to 11:30a.
This group creates quilts for families served by Path Home as they transition from the shelter to permanent housing.
Need the link? Questions? Email Kathleen V.

UU Friends with Yarn (Formerly “Yarn Crafters”)

Second and fourth Thursdays each month, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Buchan Reception Hall. The Yarn Crafters are wanting to expand to include crocheters. Yarn provided. All levels welcome. 
Questions? Contact Susan at 503-894-9945.