First Unitarian Portland

*Registration Required* Autumn Yoga
2025-09-21 09:00 - 10:00, 2025-09-07 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Classroom A108
We will have yoga classes led by our own Ginny K. on September 7 and 21 before service at 9 a.m. in room A108. LIMIT of 15 participants. First come, first served. We release the sign-up form through our Front Steps e-news.
Please bring your own yoga mat and water bottle. Wear clothing appropriate for yoga and then join the congregation for Sunday service at 10:15 a.m.

Vespers
2025-09-19 17:00 - 17:40, 2025-09-12 17:00 - 17:40, 2025-09-05 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

Contemplative Practices Group
2025-09-18 13:00 - 14:30
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.

Loving Kindness Meditation
2025-09-15 20:00 - 20:30, 2025-09-08 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.

Therese DesCamp Author Reading
2025-09-14 14:30 - 16:00 | Buchan Hall, 1226 SW Salmon St, Portland, OR, 97205, United States
Former Portland resident and longtime author Therese DesCamp will read from her newly published book, Hands Like Roots: Notes on an Entangled Contemplative Path (Santos Books, 2025) on Sunday, September 14, at 2:30 p.m. DesCamp’s essays explore life as a contemplative firmly planted in and entwined with community. She weaves seemingly disparate topics—hydrology, cognitive linguistics, political chaos, the nature of causality, climate instability and embodiment—with the inner world of meditation and prayer, to offer an intelligent, accessible, sometimes hilarious, and always heart-opening whole. Early reviewers have called Hands Like Roots “foundational and funny, poetic and practical,” “an extraordinary work of hope in a moment that often feels completely bereft of hope,” and “essential spiritual nourishment for weary hearts.”
Sponsored by First Unitarian Beacon Bookstore, the reading will take place in the Buchan Reception Hall at First Unitarian Church in Portland from 2:30-4:00 p.m. on September 14th. Free parking is available in the church lot on 12th between Salmon and Main; entrance to the Buchan Reception Hall is on Salmon Street, between 12th and 13th.
Therese DesCamp claimed Portland as her hometown as a young adult. She spent a dozen years working as an advocate for differently-abled persons before moving to Berkeley for graduate school. Following completion of an MDiv and PhD—and a peripatetic life following jobs in California—DesCamp settled in the Kootenay Mountains of rural British Columbia, where she founded a retreat centre with her husband, George Meier. Therese was long-listed for the 2023 CBC nonfiction award, and her writing has appeared in professional journals, books, popular magazines, newspapers and online.

Drop-In Parenting Circle
2025-09-14 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.

Children and Youth Learning Community
2025-09-14 10:15 - 11:30, 2025-09-07 10:15 - 11:30
The Learning Community, also referred to as R.E. (Religious Education), meets at 10:15 a.m. on Sunday mornings. On the first Sunday of the month, children and youth start out in the main Sanctuary for our monthly “Together Time” before moving on to their classrooms in our Eliot Center/Buchan Building, right next door to our Sanctuary building. Stop by the R.E. Information Desk in the Eliot Center if you need to register your children or youth, or have questions for us. All are welcome!
Click here to view more information about our Learning Community.

🕯️ Sunday Worship
2025-09-14 10:15 - 11:30, 2025-09-07 10:15 - 11:30, 2025-08-31 10:15 - 11:30, 2025-08-24 10:15 - 11:30 | Main Sanctuary, 1211 SW Main St, Portland, OR, 97205, United States
In-person
Sanctuary
1211 SW Main St.
Portland, OR 97205

Join us on livestream here

*Canceled* Grief Group
2025-09-10 14:00 - 15:30
This group has been canceled due to a scheduling conflict.
Please keep an eye out for an announcement in our Front Steps e-news for the grief group running in November and December.

UU Common Read Discussion
2025-09-07 12:00 - 13:30 | Eliot Chapel, 1011 SW 12th Ave, Portland, OR, 97205
Join your fellow UUs across the globe this summer in reading Authentic Selves: Celebrating Trans and Nonbinary People and their Families (Skinner House, 2023).
You can purchase this book from the Beacon Bookstore in Fuller Hall during social hour. On September 7, Dr. Amy O. and Aileen M. of our congregation will lead a discussion around the book and its topics.
The UUA states, “Through interviews and photo portraits, the subjects of this book invite readers into their real lives—their revelations, challenges, joys, and networks of support. This Common Read invites UU groups to explore the nature of living authentically and the ways connections among us help us thrive.”
Learn more about the Common Read here on the UUA’s website.

First Steps Orientation and Campus Tour
2025-09-07 11:45 - 13:00
Due to all of the other exciting activities taking place this date, we have decided to cancel September’s class. Join us in October for the next session!
First Steps Orientation and Campus Tour is a welcoming regular event held on the first Sunday of most months, designed for new and returning members of First Unitarian Portland (First U PDX). This session offers an overview of the church’s history, core values, and vibrant community, encouraging participants to explore their connection and discover ways to engage.
For assistance in finding your way, please check in with the Welcome Desk in the main sanctuary narthex/lobby.
Attendees will meet church leaders, learn about various activities and programs, ask questions about Unitarian Universalism, and tour the campus. This informal setting fosters connections among newcomers and long-time members, enhancing the sense of belonging.
For those interested in deepening their commitment, the orientation covers membership requirements, including signing the Membership Record Book and making an annual financial pledge. Participants can also submit their membership application during the session, taking a significant step in their spiritual journey with First U PDX.
Hosted by Jen Thomas, Director of Congregational Life.

🥞 Pancake Breakfast
2025-09-07 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.

Mike Couch Celebration of Life
2025-09-06 14:00 - 17:00 | Eliot Chapel, 1011 SW 12th Ave, Portland, OR, 97205
Member Mike Couch died early on the morning of June 25 at the age of 68, after living with Alzheimer’s Disease for the past twelve years. Mike was a long-time member of First Unitarian, and leaves behind his wife Kathy, son Jack, siblings, and the many people who loved him.
Join us in Eliot Chapel to celebrate his life, followed by a reception in Buchan Reception Hall.

Contemplative Practices Group
2025-09-04 13:00 - 14:30 | Channing, A101

Monthly Board Meeting
2025-09-03 19:00 - 21:00 | Buchan Hall, 1226 SW Salmon St, Portland, OR, 97205, United States
Congregants are welcome to join us in person (Buchan Reception Hall) or on Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82930223125?pwd=[REDACTED]
Tonight’s agenda and additional materials can be found here:
Click to access Board-Packet-Final-1.pdf

The Alliance Presents "Weaving Together Through Storytelling"
2025-09-03 10:30 - 14:00 | Eliot Chapel, 1011 SW 12th Ave, Portland, OR, 97205
Kelly Clendenon will show and discuss “Helpers,” a new documentary that weaves his story of recovering from addiction and incarceration with the inspiring work of the 13 Salmon Shower Project. His film addresses the twin crises of fentanyl addiction and homelessness. Told through the lens of Kelly’s personal journey and people working on the frontlines in Portland.
Bring your lunch for after the program. Email AllianceRSVP@firstunitarianportland.org to join for the dessert ($5).

Office CLOSED
2025-09-01
The office will be closed on this date in observance of Labor Day.

Shower Project Open House
2025-08-24 11:30 - 13:00 | Buchan Hall, 1226 SW Salmon St, Portland, OR, 97205, United States
Curious about our 13 Salmon Shower Project that our congregation runs weekly on Wednesdays and Thursdays in the lower level of the Buchan Building? Come to the Open House after church on Sunday, August 24, from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Meet us in the Buchan Reception Hall for snacks and a brief movie about the Shower Project. We’ll then head downstairs to tour our shower, day room, and clothing closet and experience the welcome our unhoused guests receive. The Open House is open to all – with stickers for the kids! The space is ADA accessible.
If you’d like to contribute to the Shower Project, feel free to bring NEW men’s or women’s underwear (size M boxer briefs, sports bras, etc.) or USED clothes, shoes, and belts for the clothing closet.

RE Summer Schedule
2025-08-24 10:15 - 11:30, 2025-08-17 10:15 - 11:30
This summer we have classes for children up to about six years of age during worship. They explore Unitarian Universalist values and themes like friendship, justice, ritual, world religions, self-expression, art, history, science, adventure, and more. Plus we have a lot of fun!

Nursery/toddlers: Play & explore with Milena and Rhionne.
3 to 6-ish years old: Games & crafts with Emma, Ayanna, and Ellen.

Children of any age are always welcome in the service!

Full programming through high school will resume in September.

Click here to view more information about our Learning Community.

Contemplative Practices Group
2025-08-21 13:00 - 14:30
First Thursdays in Channing (A101)
Third Thursdays in Classroom A108

The Contemplative Practices Group is returning! 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. Facilitators are Patty and Ron. They look forward to being with you!
—
Patty has been a UU since childhood and has attended First Church 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 Church. She has been an active Spiritual Director since 2012.
Ron is a spiritual director and has been a lay minister, Wellspring facilitator and taught in the learning community at First Church. He has maintained a centering prayer and lectio divina practice for over twenty years.

All-Church Picnic
2025-08-17 12:30 - 15:00 | Off Campus: Peninsula Park, 700 N Rosa Parks Way, Portland, OR, 97217
Join us at Peninsula Park on August 17 from 12:30 – 3 p.m.
Fun for all ages—games and activities for kids and adults.
Bring your own lunch and a dessert to share.
Sponsored by First Unitarian’s Good Times Committee.
Look in upcoming editions of our Front Steps e-news for more details!
