First Unitarian Portland

Targeting Doctors in Gaza: Breaking the Silence
2025-10-30 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Eliot Chapel, 1011 SW 12th Ave, Portland, OR, 97205
Join us for a vigil for murdered Palestinian health care workers, followed by a screening of Jan Haaken’s short film, “SUMUD: A Doctor’s Report on Genocide and Survival in Gaza,” and a presentation and Q&A with Dr. Travis Meleen on his experiences in Gaza in summer 2025.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. $5 – 20 suggested donation; no one turned away for lack of funds.
To learn more, visit the Facebook event.
Hosted by Nadia Hasan, Beaverton City Councilor. Co-sponsored by our Economic Justice Action Group, Peace Action Group, and UUs for Justice in the Middle East, as well as Americans United for Palestinian Human Rights, Jewish-Palestinian Alliance of Oregon, Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility, Portland for Palestine, and Veterans for Peace.

Loving Kindness Meditation
2025-10-27 20:00 - 20:30, 2025-10-20 20:00 - 20:30, 2025-10-13 20:00 - 20:30, 2025-10-06 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.

*Registration Closed* Writing Life Stories
2025-10-27 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-10-13 10:00 - 12:00 | Buchan Hall, 1226 SW Salmon St, Portland, OR, 97205, United States
We all have stories to tell — perhaps big and important events and accomplishments, or small and quiet everyday happenings that give life meaning.
Join fellow congregants to begin or continue writing the narratives of our lives. We will write together, share if desired, and create connections with one another through our stories. All levels of writing experience and those with works in progress are welcome.
Dates: September 29, October 13 and 27, and November 10
Please commit to all sessions. Class is limited to 12.
Registration is now closed!
For questions, email facilitator Jennifer O.

🎃 Halloween Party
2025-10-26 11:45 - 13:00 | Buchan Hall, 1226 SW Salmon St, Portland, OR, 97205, United States
Join us after the service for an afternoon of fun and treats—no tricks! Friends welcome, and costumes encouraged!

Children and Youth Learning Community
2025-10-26 10:15 - 11:30, 2025-10-19 10:15 - 11:30, 2025-10-12 10:15 - 11:30 | OR
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
2025-10-26 10:15 - 11:30, 2025-10-19 10:15 - 11:30, 2025-10-12 10:15 - 11:30 | 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

Vespers
2025-10-24 17:00 - 17:40, 2025-10-17 17:00 - 17:40, 2025-10-10 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

Judy Wilder Celebration of Life
2025-10-24 11:00 - 12:30 | Eliot Chapel, 1011 SW 12th Ave, Portland, OR, 97205
Member Judy Wilder died on Monday, October 6, at the age of 83. Judy was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer just a few weeks before her death. Judy joined our church in 2017 and was involved in our Community for Earth, the Sojourners Group, and our Alliance. She leaves two daughters and we hold them and Judy’s extended family in our thoughts and prayers.
Join us in Eliot Chapel for the memorial service, followed by a reception in Buchan Reception Hall.

🐾 Pet Blessing
2025-10-19 16:00 - 17:00 | Eliot Chapel, 1011 SW 12th Ave, Portland, OR, 97205
Bring your pets to the steps of Eliot Chapel (or inside Fuller Hall if raining) for a special blessing from Rev. Alison and Rev. Tom!
All animals welcome, including stuffed animals and photos of animals.
Please note: We are asking that all animals are suitably restrained – i.e. dogs on leads, cats/small animals in suitable carry bags/containers, insects and reptiles in secure containers. If you are bringing a larger animal, please let us know in advance. Please don’t worry about your pet making a mess — there will be clean-up materials on hand.

Carol Santesson Memorial
2025-10-19 14:00 - 18:00 | Eliot Chapel, 1011 SW 12th Ave, Portland, OR, 97205
Longtime member Carol Santesson died on May 17 at the age of 86. Carol was the daughter of longtime member Margaret Denison and mother of member Heather Santesson.
Join us in Eliot Chapel at 2 p.m. to celebrate Carol’s life, followed by a reception in Buchan Reception Hall.

*Registration Closed* How to Write Your Ethical Will
2025-10-19 12:00 - 14:00, 2025-10-05 12:00 - 14:00 | Classroom B304
How can you pass on the values and experiences that have given your life its deepest meaning? An Ethical Will can complement a traditional will, and can be written as a letter or in several other formats. Through facilitator presentations, class discussions, sharing in pairs, writing in and outside of class, and sharing writing (if desired), participants will leave the last class with at least a draft of an Ethical Will.
Dates: October 5 and 19, and November 2 and 16
Class will be supportive and confidential. List is limited to 12.
Registration is now closed!
Email facilitator Patty C. with any questions.

Contemplative Practices Group
2025-10-16 13:00 - 14:30 | OR
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!
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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.

*Registration Required* De-Escalation Training
2025-10-12 13:00 - 16:00 | Buchan Hall, 1226 SW Salmon St, Portland, OR, 97205, United States
Please join us to learn the basics of nonviolent resistance and hone your de-escalation techniques in this dynamic workshop featuring role-playing and other skills embodiment exercises. Facilitated by long-time activist and trainer Malcom Scott. Please register here.
Malcom Gregory Scott is a long-time AIDS survivor, activist, and writer with decades of experience organizing and participating in nonviolent direct actions. He currently serves as East Portland Indivisible’s Safety Team Co-lead responsible for training and on an advisory group developing protest safety guidance for the Consolidated Oregon Indivisible Network (COIN).

Drop-In Parenting Circle
2025-10-12 11:45 - 14:00 | OR
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.

🥣 Souper Sunday
2025-10-12 11:30 - 14:00 | OR
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.

Toni Paget Celebration of Life
2025-10-11 15:00 - 17:00 | Eliot Chapel, 1011 SW 12th Ave, Portland, OR, 97205
Longtime member Toni Paget died on the morning of September 4 at the age of 85 after living with cancer in her last year. Toni was a retired school teacher and here at the church she was a part of our Quilts of Love group as well as the Alliance. She was a faithful attender of the Eliot Institute retreats for many years. One friend said no matter the setting, she was always ready to take on some creative project. Her creativity and generosity are evident in all of her many artistic endeavors, especially her quilts which give comfort to all who have received them. She will be sorely missed by her fellow quilters.
Join us in Eliot Chapel to celebrate her life, followed by a reception in Buchan Reception Hall.

Public Grids and Rumble on the River #26
2025-10-10 17:00 - 21:00 | Fuller Hall, 1211 SW Main St, Portland, OR, 97205
“Portland’s Future: It’s In Our Hands”
Join our Economic Justice Action Group (EJAG) for a panel featuring Rumble on the River and Public Grids, a national organization empowering people to ensure that our utilities serve the public and the planet.
This conversation will include guests who are a part of transformative, grassroots campaigns here and across the nation. Hosts: Mitch Green, Portland District 4 City Councilor, and Isaac Sevier of Public Grids. Learn more here.
For questions, email Susan W.

5:30 p.m. – Community Reception and Organizational Tabling in Fuller Hall
6:30 p.m. – Doors open to Main Sanctuary
7 p.m. – Event begins in Main Sanctuary

Monthly Board Meeting
2025-10-08 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]

Accompaniment Workshop
2025-10-05 11:45 - 13:00 | Eliot Chapel, 1011 SW 12th Ave, Portland, OR, 97205
Please join Heather Vickery from the UU Service Committee after the service in Eliot Chapel for a workshop on “Accompaniment.” In these times, members of our community — including immigrants, trans and nonbinary kin, and houseless neighbors — are often pushed to the margins and treated as “other.” This workshop will explore how we can show up and accompany those most affected.
