First Unitarian Portland

Board Meeting
2025-02-05 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Buchan Hall, 1226 SW Salmon St, Portland, OR, 97205, United States
The Board of Trustees meets on the first Wednesday of most months, 7 – 9 p.m. Meetings are open to congregants.
Join us in Buchan Reception Hall (B102), or click here to join on Zoom.
Meeting ID: 829 3022 3125
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Or join by phone: +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

The Alliance Presents "Friends of Tryon Creek"
2025-02-05 10:30 - 14:00 | Eliot Chapel, 1011 SW 12th Ave, Portland, OR, 97205
Friends of Tryon Creek Executive Director, Gabe Sheoships, will share a presentation that draws cultural differences and parallels between Indigenous stewardship practices and Western models of environmental engagement, sharing examples and lessons from his work.
To join us for a brown bag lunch & dessert ($5) following the program, email AllianceRSVP@firstunitarianportland.org.

Connect & Reflect
2025-02-04 17:30 - 18:15 | Virtual
Join Rev. Alison Miller and Jen Thomas on the 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of most months 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 during preservice slides and order of service.

Loving Kindness Meditation
2025-02-03 20:00 - 20:30, 2025-01-27 20:00 - 20:30, 2025-01-20 20:00 - 20:30, 2025-01-13 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.

First Steps Orientation and Campus Tour
2025-02-02 11:45 - 13:00 | Narthex/Lobby, 1211 SW Main St, Portland, OR, 97205, United States
First Steps Orientation and Campus Tour is a welcoming monthly event held on the first Sunday, 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, Member Engagement Coordinator.

Children and Youth Learning Community: Together Time
2025-02-02 10:15 - 11:30 | Main Sanctuary, 1211 SW Main St, Portland, OR, 97205, United States
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
2025-02-02 10:15 - 11:30, 2025-01-26 10:15 - 11:30, 2025-01-19 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

🌀 Labyrinth
2025-02-02 09:30 - 12:00 | Fuller Hall, 1211 SW Main St, Portland, OR, 97205
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, reach out to Teri.

🥞 Pancake Breakfast
2025-02-02 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.

Vespers
2025-01-31 17:00 - 17:40, 2025-01-24 17:00 - 17:40, 2025-01-17 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

How Will We Defend Attacks on Immigrants?
2025-01-28 19:00 - 20:30 | Virtual
With the incoming administration, we know that big changes are coming that will impact immigrant communities. We want to be informed, prepared, and ready for action.
ARJAG and IJAG will co-host a three-part series of events addressing immigrant justice. Through an anti-racist lens, we will explore immigration status issues, the lived experience of immigrants in Oregon, and strategic ways we can act in solidarity to promote and defend the human dignity of Oregon immigrants.
Come meet our panelists and learn more about challenges being faced by immigrants.

Karla Castenada, VOZ Workers’ Rights Education Project
Isa Peña, Innovation Law Lab
Ellie Gluhosky, Oregon for All Coalition

Please mark Tuesday, January 28, 7 – 8:30 p.m. (via Zoom) on your calendar for our first forum/workshop.
Register here
Tentative dates for the subsequent events are Tuesday, March 4, and Tuesday, May 6. Watch for additional information in upcoming Front Steps!

Membership Orientation Series: Social Justice
2025-01-26 12:15 - 13:30
Come and learn about the rich history and vital importance of social justice work. Hosted by Jen Thomas and a Social Justice Council member, this session will delve into:

How we live out our commitment to social justice.
The many ways you can get involved in our diverse program offerings that support meaningful work in the world.

From education and advocacy to direct action and community partnerships, you will find numerous opportunities to engage and make a difference.

Registration not required!
Keep an eye out for announcements in the Front Steps E-news and on our website.

Winter All-Church Forum
2025-01-26 12:00 - 13:30 | Eliot Chapel, 1011 SW 12th Ave, Portland, OR, 97205
Join Rev. Alison and members of your Board of Trustees for a forum on January 26. Rev. Alison and Treasurer Roger Robinson will provide an update on the Annual Fund Drive and priorities for next year’s budget.
The Board will also introduce two proposed changes to the church’s bylaws. One will address privacy and security of our membership information; this follows the request last Fall by congregants to receive the member mailing list. The other will propose a reduction in the size of the Board from 12 members to 9; this follows an initial 2019 proposal by the board and subsequent research and deliberations.
All of this is in preparation for our annual congregational vote in May. Additional presentations will be provided to learn more about these important items are planned for March and April.

Children and Youth Learning Community
2025-01-26 10:15 - 11:30, 2025-01-19 10:15 - 11:30

COP29 and Beyond – Climate Action in the Wake of the November Elections
2025-01-26 08:45 - 10:00 | Buchan Hall, 1226 SW Salmon St, Portland, OR, 97205, United States
Join members of Community for Earth for a presentation by Dr. Frank Granshaw, who will summarize some of the key takeaways from the most recent U.N. climate summit held in Baku, Azerbaijan, and share his insights about next steps for climate action as the world braces for a new U.S. administration. Dr. Granshaw is a retired geoscience instructor and a glacial geologist who remains active in climate education and advocacy.
Contact CFEUUPDX@gmail.com for questions about this gathering or to learn more about Community for Earth. Watch for more information about our upcoming Climate Justice Action Series, starting with a session on legislative advocacy scheduled for February 16th.

Good Times Book Group: Educated by Tara Westover
2025-01-21 19:00 - 20:30 | Virtual
We meet by Zoom from 7 – 8:30 pm. Please contact Sue L. to get on the email list for Zoom links.

Office CLOSED
2025-01-20
The office will be closed on this date in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Contemplative Practices Group
2025-01-16 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.

Communications Committee Meeting
2025-01-14 18:30 - 20:00 | Virtual
The Board Communications Committee meets on the second Tuesday of each month, 6:30 – 8 p.m. Meetings are open to congregants.
Click here to join on Zoom.

Finance Committee Meeting
2025-01-14 17:00 - 18:30 | Virtual
The Board Finance Committee meets on the second Tuesday of most months, 5 – 6:30 p.m. Meetings are open to congregants.
Click here to join on Zoom.

*Registration Required* Countering Antisemitism in Our Movements
2025-01-12 16:00 - 18:00 | Buchan Hall, 1226 SW Salmon St, Portland, OR, 97205, United States
With the rise of Christian Nationalism in the US and abroad, overt antisemitism is resurging to fuel these movements. We’ve seen violent attacks on Jews in recent years, including the murder of congregants worshipping at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh and right-wing marchers carrying tiki-torches and yelling anti-Jewish slogans. Antisemitism is real and it is deeply woven into our culture. It is both subtle and overt and has had traumatizing impacts on Jewish communities for generations.

Antisemitism is also confusing, including when claims of antisemitism are used to divert and divide justice seeking movements or when progressive people perpetuate antisemitic tropes. UU efforts to address the unspeakable violence in Israel and Palestine have activated people’s trauma, confusion, and frustration. We believe that in order to act effectively and accountably within our UU communities, we must understand how antisemitism is present and how we can counter it as we fight for justice and human rights.

If you’d like to learn alongside us, we invite you to join us for a two-part in-person program, taking place on January 12 and January 26. Registration is required. Attendance at the first session is required to join the second session. Read more and register here.

Membership Orientation Series: Governance
2025-01-12 12:15 - 13:30
Join us for an interactive and informative session led by a member of our Governing Board and Jen Thomas. During this orientation, you will:

Learn about First U PDX’s governance structure.
Explore the values that guide our decision-making.
Discover how you can actively participate in our community.

This is a great opportunity to ask questions and engage with fellow members!

Registration not required!
Keep an eye out for announcements in the Front Steps E-news and on our website.
