Greetings! 

In years past, we sent out a monthly letter from the Board Moderator. This year we are expanding the letter to be a Board letter and it will include thoughts from others on the Board. The Board Communications Committee is taking the lead in putting the letters together. This month’s letter comes from Theo Harper, Chair of the Communications Committee.

First, we want to welcome everyone back to church this year, especially our youth who will be returning to in-person Religious Education classes (RE). If you still need to register your youth for RE classes, please use this link: RE Registration, or call the office at 503-228-6389 for more information. 

Homecoming Sunday was amazing! Almost 450 of us came to church in person and many more joined by livestream. We welcomed Rev. Alison Miller as our new Senior Minister, the choir was in full voice, and the joy in the sanctuary radiated beyond our walls. It was delightful seeing your faces and connecting in real time.

We are no longer requiring proof of vaccination to attend services, though we encourage everyone to get vaccinated. Our masking guidelines are currently under review. Given that we do not know what might happen in the future, our Public Health Team will continue to provide guidance.

We want to acknowledge the support of our staff and recognize that they are integral to the life of the church. Our sextants and administrative staff continue to make sure that we have a clean, safe environment as well as a robust and healthy church in which to worship. The Executive Team is actively working to provide excellent services. The Music Ministry is strong and providing new opportunities to participate. The Board is excited and delighted to be working with Rev. Alison Miller, Rev. Tom Disrud, Church Administrator Kathryn Estey, and to be welcoming our new Intern Minister, Eli Poore.

The Board is revisiting and updating its goals for this year and next. We are planning to hold more Board Forums this year to better connect with congregants. If you have topics you think might be appropriate for a forum, please send an email with your ideas to: Board@firstunitarianportland.org.  

This year’s Board officers are Ryan Deibert, Moderator; Theo Harper, First Vice Moderator and Communications Committee Chair; Caitlynn Hill, Second Vice Moderator, and Governance Committee Chair, as well as the Co-Chair of our Board Liberation Team with Marilyn Mays, Mindy Clark, Board Secretary; and Andrew Wilson, Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair. Board members returning to service this year are Barbara Morrison and Adam House. We welcome Julia Griffiths, John Bishop, Leslie Pohl-Kosbau and Roger Robinson as our newest members of the Board. 

Again, welcome and we are looking forward to an exciting new church year.

Theo Harper

Communications Committee