First Unitarian Portland

Vespers
2025-02-28 17:00 - 17:40, 2025-02-21 17:00 - 17:40, 2025-02-14 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

*Registration Required* Journey to Articulating Your Faith
2025-02-27 19:00 - 21:00 | OR
A Spiritual Development Opportunity for People in Their 20s and 30s
Join Rev. Alison and Danielle Garrett for an 8-session course of theological exploration and discovery for young adults. 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! To register or for more information, contact Danielle.

Learn about Activism for Peace in the Middle East
2025-02-25 18:30 - 20:00 | Buchan Hall, 1226 SW Salmon St, Portland, OR, 97205, United States
Are you disturbed by the ongoing Israeli bombardment of Gaza with over 50,000 Palestinians killed and rampant human rights violations? Are you upset about the billions of United States dollars in unconditional military aid to Israel? Were you appalled by President Trump’s call for ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from Gaza? Are you ready to learn what UUs can do to work for peace and human rights in Palestine/Israel?
If the answer to any of these questions is yes, we hope you will join us on Tuesday, February 25th to learn about Unitarian Universalists for Justice in the Middle East (UUJME) and how we can take action together. UUJME was founded in 1971 to educate and mobilize UUs to greater understanding and action for a just peace in Palestine/Israel. There are over 12 UUJME chapters with over 2,000 members.
In June of 2024, the UUA General Assembly adopted an Action of Immediate Witness (AIW) called Solidarity with Palestinians. Our work is made more urgent by the calls for ethnic cleansing in Gaza and the increase in violence and forced removal of Palestinians in the West Bank. We hope that you will join our efforts in alignment with this denominational call to action.
Join us on February 25th to learn more about UUJME and to get to know other congregants who are seeking community as we work for peace and human rights. Let us know if you are coming, or if you can’t come but want to stay informed, by filling out this RSVP.

Connect & Reflect
2025-02-25 17:30 - 18:15, 2025-02-18 17:30 - 18:15, 2025-02-11 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.

Finance Committee / Rescheduled from Feb. 11
2025-02-25 17:00 - 18:30 | OR
Click here to join on Zoom.

Loving Kindness Meditation
2025-02-24 20:00 - 20:30, 2025-02-17 20:00 - 20:30, 2025-02-10 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.

Celebration of Life for Martha Westgate
2025-02-24 16:00 - 17:30 | Virtual
A celebration of life for long-time member Martha Westgate will be held on February 24, which would have been her 90th birthday. Martha died on May 31, 2024. She was one of the founding members of our church’s 7th Principle Group, now called Community for Earth. Martha and her husband John were active members of our church for many decades. The service will be held online at 4 p.m. so relatives in West Virginia and California can attend. Sign up here to receive a link for the service.

Gordon Ware Memorial
2025-02-23 14:00 - 17:00 | Eliot Chapel, 1011 SW 12th Ave, Portland, OR, 97205
A memorial will be held for member Gordon Ware on Sunday, February 23, at 2 p.m. in Eliot Chapel, with a reception to follow at 3:30 p.m. in Buchan Reception Hall.
Longtime member Gordon Ware died on December 8 after a lengthy struggle with Alzheimer’s at the age of 83. Gordon was a physicist, an architect, and an artist. Even after he lost the ability to speak, he continued to express himself, including through painting up until his last weeks of life.

Children and Youth Learning Community
2025-02-23 10:15 - 11:30, 2025-02-16 10:15 - 11:30, 2025-02-09 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
2025-02-23 10:15 - 11:30, 2025-02-16 10:15 - 11:30, 2025-02-09 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
2025-02-20 13:00 - 14:30 | OR
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!
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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.

Good Times Book Group: Origin, a Genetic History of the Americas by Jennifer Raff
2025-02-18 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
2025-02-17 | OR
The office will be closed on this date in observance of Presidents’ Day.

Membership Orientation Series: UU History
2025-02-16 12:15 - 13:30 | OR
Journey into the past with our assistant minister, Danielle Garrett, and Jen Thomas as we discuss:

The history of Unitarian Universalism
Our church’s history as a UU congregation

Come with us to explore our past and how it connects to our present.

Sign-ups through Front Steps are requested but not mandatory. Drop-ins are welcome.
Keep an eye out for announcements in the Front Steps E-news and on our website.

Climate Teach-in: Acting to Address Climate Change
2025-02-16 11:45 - 14:00 | Buchan Hall, 1226 SW Salmon St, Portland, OR, 97205, United States
Learn the latest on climate related legislation in Oregon from 350PDX. This teach-in is open to anyone who wants to learn how to talk to their legislator!
A light lunch will be served.

Communications Committee Meeting
2025-02-11 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.

XL'D/RESCH'D Finance Committee Meeting
2025-02-11 17:00 - 18:30 | Virtual
Rescheduled to February 25. (The Board Finance Committee usually meets on the second Tuesday of each month, 5 – 6:30 p.m.) Meetings are open to congregants.
Click here to join on Zoom.

Finance Committee Meeting
2025-02-11 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.

Membership Orientation Series: Spiritual Practices for All
2025-02-09 12:15 - 13:30 | Classroom A108
Join our assistant minister, Danielle Garrett, and Jen Thomas as we dig into:

Why cultivating personal spiritual practices is crucial.
A variety of practices to consider for your own journey.
How these practices can deepen your connection to our community and enhance your overall experience at First U PDX.

Whether you’re new to spiritual practices or looking to expand your existing routine, this session offers valuable insights and practical guidance.

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

Drop-In Parenting Circle
2025-02-09 11:45 - 14:00 | Daisy Bingham Room, 1011 SW 12th Ave, Portland, OR, 97205
Join the community of parents at First Unitarian and share stories, wisdom, and explore spiritual reflection. These circles are great for long-time families and newcomers alike to build community with those who share a parenting journey. Meets the 2nd Sunday of most months from October to May. You are welcome to bring your lunch. Childcare provided.
For more info, check out the flyer.
