First Unitarian Portland

Vespers
2026-01-23 17:00 - 17:40, 2026-01-16 17:00 - 17:40, 2026-01-09 17:00 - 17:40, 2026-01-02 17:00 - 17:40 (America/Los_Angeles) | 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

Neighbor-to-Neighbor Interfaith Witness at ICE
2026-01-21 14:00 - 14:45, 2026-01-07 14:00 - 14:45 | Portland ICE Facility, 4310 S Macadam Ave, Portland, OR, 97239, United States
Neighbor-to-Neighbor Interfaith Witness at ICE is an opportunity for faith communities to be in solidarity, declaring our moral outrage at the cruel practices of abducting community members, terrorizing communities, and separating families, in the name of an inhumane political agenda. We will demonstrate that neighbors show up for neighbors. We will be shoulder-to-shoulder to bear witness to our outrage, deepen our relationships, and build solidarity among our interfaith communities. Please dress accordingly for the weather. Please do not bring signs. We will provide whatever is needed for the ritual.

This series is supported by Together Lab, which has been organizing interfaith clergy to be a daily moral presence at the ICE facility on Macadam and at the Federal Courthouse downtown, as well as organizing neighbor-to-neighbor solidarity with teachers and families around Portland.

Loving Kindness Meditation
2026-01-19 20:00 - 20:30, 2026-01-12 20:00 - 20:30, 2026-01-05 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.

Office CLOSED
2026-01-19 | OR
The office will be closed on this date in observance of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Children and Youth Learning Community
2026-01-18 10:15 - 11:30, 2026-01-11 10:15 - 11:30, 2026-01-04 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
2026-01-18 10:15 - 11:30, 2026-01-11 10:15 - 11:30, 2026-01-04 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

Contemplative Practices Group
2026-01-15 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!
—
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 Closed* Journey to Articulating Your Faith
2026-01-14 17:30 - 19:30 | OR
A Spiritual Development Opportunity for Adults of All Ages
Join Rev. Alison and Rev. Tom for an 8-session course of theological exploration and discovery. Together, we will trace our spiritual paths, explore our understandings of the sacred, human nature, and religious practice, and develop our personal credos: an expression of our most sacred beliefs and fundamental values that guide our lives. We will also get a chance to learn a little more about Unitarian Universalist history and build community with one another!
**Registration is now closed.**
Schedule: 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. on November 12, December 10, January 14, February 11, March 11, April 8, May 13, and June 10.

*Canceled* Lay Ministry Grief Group
2026-01-14 14:00 - 15:30 | Channing, A101
This group has been cancelled. For support, visit this page to contact our ministers and lay ministers.

*Registration Required* Writing Life Stories: Trying New Approaches
2026-01-12 10:00 - 12:00 | OR
Why join a writing group? Maybe you’ve been trying to make sense of the confusing event in your past or a puzzling family member. Maybe you want to write down and self-publish family stories to share with family and friends. Maybe writing stretches your brain and you like the feeling. Our general process will be to use an idea or prompt that inspires us to write for 10 to 15 minutes, followed by reading aloud to the group (you’ll have an option to pass). All levels of experience are welcome. Please commit to all four sessions. Facilitated by Suzanne K.
Meets in person at the church from 10 a.m. to noon on Mondays, January 12 and 26, and February 9 and 23.
Additional details will be shared once you register here: https://forms.gle/DfGe51BeFoxf5Qcz8

Drop-In Parenting Circle
2026-01-11 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
2026-01-11 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.

Jean Robinson Celebration of Life
2026-01-10 13:00 - 16:00 | Eliot Chapel, 1011 SW 12th Ave, Portland, OR, 97205
Member Jean Robinson died on October 10 at the age of 90. She was a member since 2004 and in recent years mostly watched services online. Jean was a teacher at Vernon Elementary School and Jefferson High School.
Join us in Eliot Chapel to celebrate her life, followed by a reception in Buchan Hall.

Monthly Board Meeting
2026-01-07 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]

The Alliance Presents "Weaving Community with Ukrainians"
2026-01-07 10:30 - 13:00 | Eliot Chapel, 1011 SW 12th Ave, Portland, OR, 97205
Join Rick and Maxine Lathrop, Global Service Corps Ukraine Program founders and 1st U members, for a community gathering with other Alliance members and virtually with their friends in Ukraine who participate in their Drop-in Café Conversation Clubs. Hear their story of the Ukraine Program, listen as Alliance and Ukrainian participants share their experiences, and enjoy a chance to connect directly with Ukrainians. What began as wartime support has grown into a vibrant community of friendship across the miles.
Bring your lunch and $5 to enjoy dessert & beverage after the program. RSVP by emailing AllianceRSVP@firstunitarianportland.org.
To watch online, join us here.

First Steps Orientation and Campus Tour
2026-01-04 11:45 - 13:00 | Narthex/Lobby, 1211 SW Main St, Portland, OR, 97205, United States
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
2026-01-04 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.

Contemplative Practices Group
2026-01-01 13:00 - 14:30 | Channing, A101

Office CLOSED
2026-01-01 | OR
The office will be closed on this date in observance of New Year’s Day.

Office CLOSED
2025-12-31 | OR
The office will be closed on this date in observance of New Year’s Eve.
