First Unitarian Portland

*Registration Closed* Grief and the Holidays
2025-11-23 11:45 - 13:15, 2025-11-09 11:45 - 13:15 (America/Los_Angeles) | OR
In this class for people who are grieving the loss of a close family member, we will explore the nature of grief, offer the opportunity to share your own grief story, and make a plan to navigate the winter holidays. We will meet in person on four Sunday afternoons, from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., on November 9 and 23 and December 7 and 14. The Rev. Duane Fickeisen and Dr. Bill Yasnoff will facilitate the group. Both are members of First Unitarian and have personal experience with being widowed and in facilitating grief groups.
There is no cost, but pre-registration is required. More info and preregister here.

Children and Youth Learning Community
2025-11-23 10:15 - 11:30, 2025-11-16 10:15 - 11:30, 2025-11-09 10:15 - 11:30, 2025-11-02 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
2025-11-23 10:15 - 11:30, 2025-11-16 10:15 - 11:30, 2025-11-09 10:15 - 11:30, 2025-11-02 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

Vespers
2025-11-21 17:00 - 17:40, 2025-11-14 17:00 - 17:40, 2025-11-07 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
2025-11-20 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.

Loving Kindness Meditation
2025-11-17 20:00 - 20:30, 2025-11-10 20:00 - 20:30, 2025-11-03 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* How to Write Your Ethical Will
2025-11-16 12:00 - 14:00, 2025-11-02 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.

*Registration Closed* Journey to Articulating Your Faith
2025-11-12 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.

Office CLOSED
2025-11-11 | OR
The office will be closed on this date in observance of Veterans Day.

*Registration Closed* Writing Life Stories
2025-11-10 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.

Transitions and Housing Options
2025-11-09 12:00 - 14:00 | Buchan Hall, 1226 SW Salmon St, Portland, OR, 97205, United States
First Unitarian Senior Engagement (FUSE) presents this forum on transitions and housing options:

Should you “age-in-place” and/or build an Accessory Dwelling Unit?
Would you prefer to move to a senior community? How do you get rid of your stuff?!
Do you wonder if you qualify for affordable senior housing?
What if you need medical or memory care?

Come hear a panel of First Unitarian members about their search for the best housing for them as they grow older. This forum is for people of all ages, including older members wondering where to live as they age and younger members wondering what might be the best housing option for a beloved older relative or friend.
Come at 11:30 a.m. for soup, sides & conversation. No registration required.

Drop-In Parenting Circle
2025-11-09 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
2025-11-09 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.

Contemplative Practices Group
2025-11-06 13:00 - 14:30 | Channing, A101

Monthly Board Meeting
2025-11-05 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 "It Takes a Village to Support Justice and Healing"
2025-11-05 10:30 - 14:00 | Eliot Chapel, 1011 SW 12th Ave, Portland, OR, 97205
Slava Jovanovic and Kelly Manzo Hernandez (Victim Services Specialists, Portland Police Bureau) will share their insights on the reality of sex trafficking in Portland and their involvement in recognizing and assisting survivors or trafficking. Their collaboration with community and system partners is the key component of their unit’s success at the PPB.
Kay Mosby (Director, Giving Connection) will describe how Giving Connection, a previous Alliance grantee, offers the community a way to answer the question, “What can I do to help?”
Bring your lunch for after the program. Email AllianceRSVP@firstunitarianportland.org to join for the dessert ($5).

Fall Forum
2025-11-02 12:15 - 13:45 | Eliot Chapel, 1011 SW 12th Ave, Portland, OR, 97205
Join Rev. Alison and your Board of Trustees for this update. Topics include…

Priorities for 2026 – 2027 budget
Update on congregational life
Report on last Spring’s congregational survey
Report on Board goals 2025-2026

Childcare available!

First Steps Orientation and Campus Tour
2025-11-02 11:45 - 13:00 | Narthex/Lobby, 1211 SW Main St, Portland, OR, 97205, United States
First Steps Orientation and Campus Tour is a welcoming 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.
