Contemplative Practices Group
2026-02-05 13:00 - 14:30, 2026-03-05 13:00 - 14:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Channing, A101
First Thursdays in Channing (A101)
Third Thursdays in Eliot Chapel

Join with us on the first and third Thursdays of the month from 1 to 2:30 p.m. to sit together in silence. Connect to your inner self as well as something bigger than yourself. Bring more peace and joy into your life, increase mindfulness and develop more perspective.
“Contemplative spirituality is about slowing down and relaxing our action, our striving, and all of our ‘doings.’ In order to ‘wake up’ to the Reality in which we are already immersed, we must slow down and gently transition ‘from doing to being.’ “ – Keith Kristich
This is a drop-in group. Any silent sitting practice is welcomed and no prior meditation experience is needed. If you would like to learn a contemplative practice for use during the group, let the facilitators know and they will meet with you half an hour before the group sit begins.
Each group meeting consists of a 20-minute meditation, a check-in on a spiritually oriented topic, and deep discussion of a poem or short reading. Facilitator is Patty C. We look forward to being with you!
—
Patty has been a UU since childhood and has attended First Unitarian for 20 years. She has taught spiritual practice classes and been involved with Wellspring, the Labyrinth and other church programs. She learned meditation in college and has had a daily meditation practice since joining First Unitarian. She has been an active Spiritual Director since 2012.

Vespers
2026-02-06 17:00 - 17:40, 2026-02-13 17:00 - 17:40, 2026-02-20 17:00 - 17:40, 2026-02-27 17:00 - 17:40, 2026-03-06 17:00 - 17:40, 2026-03-13 17:00 - 17:40, 2026-03-20 17:00 - 17:40, 2026-03-27 17:00 - 17:40 | Virtual
Our Lay Ministers will offer inspirational readings, guided meditation, and quiet music in a contemplative program at week’s end.
Congregants and visitors are invited to bring their prayer requests to be held during the service. They are received in real-time through the Zoom chat box, seen, and read aloud anonymously by the hosts. This is a time to join in prayer not only for our community but also for the world.
We look forward to sharing this time of quiet reflection with you when we are all holding so much in our hearts.
Details: Fridays, 5 – 5:40 p.m.
Join here (SAVE THIS LINK! It works every Friday.)
https://tinyurl.com/Vespers-1stU

🥣 Souper Sunday
2026-02-08 11:30 - 14:00, 2026-03-08 11:30 - 14:00
On the second Sunday of most months, we offer two different soups as part of our Social Hour, including at least one gluten-free option and at least one vegetarian option. To learn what type of soups will be offered at the next Souper Sunday, subscribe to our Front Steps e-newsletter.
If you are able, the suggested cost for the soup is $5 to help us cover the cost of ingredients.
Please supplement the offering by bringing the following to share:

Breads
Treats
Snacks/sides
Kid-friendly prepackaged drinks

Spoons and cups for soup will be provided. Please consider bringing your own containers and utensils to be more environmentally friendly.
It takes a lot of folks to put on Souper Sunday every month: organizers, cooks, servers, shoppers and clean up team to name a few. We are appreciative of all who volunteer. If you are interested in helping out, please contact Barbara M.

Drop-In Parenting Circle
2026-02-08 11:45 - 14:00, 2026-03-08 11:45 - 14:00
Join our community of parents and caregivers. Share stories and wisdom, and take time to explore spiritual reflection. Long-time families and new folks are welcome. Meets most months from September to June. Childcare provided. Drop-ins welcome.

Loving Kindness Meditation
2026-02-09 20:00 - 20:30, 2026-02-16 20:00 - 20:30, 2026-02-23 20:00 - 20:30, 2026-03-02 20:00 - 20:30, 2026-03-09 20:00 - 20:30, 2026-03-16 20:00 - 20:30, 2026-03-23 20:00 - 20:30 | Virtual
The teachings of Loving Kindness, or Metta, are about finding a path with heart. Jack Kornfield says, “It’s about undertaking a path that transforms and touches us in the center of our being. To do so is to find a way of practice that allows us to live in the world wholly and fully from our heart.”
With this Spiritual Practice, one can cultivate feelings of happiness, dispel loneliness, let go of fear and anxiety. If you are feeling stuck, this practice can help you enjoy a more compassionate life for yourself and others.
Join us on Zoom on Monday evenings to extend Loving-Kindness to yourself, to those around you and to the world.
No previous meditation practice is necessary, and new participants are always welcome. Join on an ongoing basis, or drop in as you’re able.
May we be at peace and keep our hearts open.
Contact Katie R. for more information.
Click here to join.

Young Adult Book Club
2026-02-12 18:00 - 20:00
Announcing a young adult’s book club! We will be meeting monthly, starting on February 12. Our first book will be All About Love by author bell hooks. Our first meeting will be mostly social with a Valentine’s Theme. All About Love will be available for purchase at the church bookstore — we ask that you strongly consider purchasing your copy there to support the church.
If you are interested, please complete this Google Form by Tuesday, February 10.
Any questions can be emailed to Eden T. and Amelia W.

Contemplative Practices Group
2026-02-19 13:00 - 14:30, 2026-03-19 13:00 - 14:30

Vigils for Troubling Times
2026-02-24 17:30 - 18:10, 2026-03-24 17:30 - 18:10 | Virtual
Are you struggling to cope with the daily news and events in these dark days? We invite you to join Vigils for Troubling Times, a quiet service of music, poetry, readings, reflection, and meditation offered on Zoom.
Beginning on Tuesday, February 24, from 5:30 – 6:10 p.m. on Zoom, we will gather in community for lament, solace, inspiration and hope. The series will continue on the 4th Tuesday of each month through June.
Click here to join.

🥞 Pancake Breakfast
2026-03-01 08:45 - 10:00 | Buchan Hall, 1226 SW Salmon St, Portland, OR, 97205, United States
Join us for free, delicious pancakes in Buchan Reception Hall from 8:45 to 10 a.m. on the first Sunday of the month. We will have plain, blueberry, chocolate, and blueberry-chocolate pancakes fresh off the griddle. All are welcome!
Hosted by the UU Men’s Community.

🌀 Labyrinth
2026-03-01 09:00 - 12:00 | Fuller Hall, 1211 SW Main St, Portland, OR, 97205
Our 7-circuit canvas labyrinth will be available in Fuller Hall for walking meditation from 9 a.m. until noon this Sunday, March 1.
A labyrinth is “a spiraled sanctuary where your old ways fade, the ego begins to molt, and outlived stories fall away. Like the caterpillar in chrysalis, you may feel undone, uncertain, unformed – suspended in the in-between. But trust this: something holy is happening in the hidden depths. Within the sacred space of this quiet cocoon, your calling ripens, your courage stretches new wings. The soul rearranges itself. You are not lost. You are becoming. Trust the dark. Trust the pause. The path will open again when it is time to emerge: revealed, radiant, resplendent.” To learn more about the modern labyrinth movement and its leader Lauren Artress, who penned this description of labyrinths, visit the Veriditas website.
Teri M. will answer questions and welcome volunteers to help set up or put away the labyrinth. Email her here.

Considering Membership Class
2026-03-01 11:45 - 13:30 | Channing, A101
Every community is like a tapestry—each person adding their own color and texture to the whole. If you’ve been attending First Unitarian Portland and are feeling ready to become a woven part of the fabric of this congregation, we invite you to our Considering Membership class.
In this one-session gathering, you’ll learn about the commitments and joys of membership, ask questions, and—if you’re ready—complete the necessary steps to officially join, including signing the membership book.
Please let us know you’re coming by filling out this RSVP form. Childcare will be available.
Whether you’re new to Unitarian Universalism or simply new to Portland, we’d be honored to help you find your place in the weave of our shared spiritual community.

*Registration Closed* Seder Luncheon
2026-03-29 12:00 - 13:30 | Buchan Hall, 1226 SW Salmon St, Portland, OR, 97205, United States
You are cordially invited to our First Unitarian Seder in celebration of Passover, the Jewish holiday that symbolizes the universal human quest for liberty. Our Seder celebration will be held on Sunday, March 29 at 12:15 p.m. This special ceremonial UU interfaith event, beautifully structured for all ages, is a remembrance of the Jews’ flight from slavery in Egypt long ago. Our community Passover Seder will be led by Rev. Alison Miller and her family, Bill Y., Rich S., and the Seder team. It is a worship service, a songfest, a banquet, and a blend of goodness, goodies, gravity, and joy. Children, Youth, Adults, Elders – All are welcome. We will provide a delicious lunch of traditional Seder foods.
Adults $30 each / Children $15 each
Come one and all to enjoy food, fellowship, candlelight, stories, music and more!
Registration is now closed.
