Rev. Bill Sinkford spoke at an Interfaith Gathering for Abortion Justice in support of Planned Parenthood Oregon on December 1 at Temple Beth Israel. His talk was on the morning the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in the Mississippi Abortion Law case. He was one of a number of faith leaders who spoke. At this time when women’s reproductive rights are under threat, the voices of faith leaders is especially important. https://vimeo.com/653087476/105159e539

I'm skeptical of "devotion". Don't get me wrong, I'm deeply in love with the concept of it, but I have not been sure it's real. In the name of devotion, I've seen conservatives cling more closely to personal gain than to integrity. I've seen liberals cling more closely to aspirations than to justice. I've seen radical leftist progressives cling more closely to ideas than to people. I’ve seen institutions cling more closely to budgets than to livelihoods. And, somehow, all of them would say they are deeply devoted to God or Love (which are the same thing). I like what…

On November 14, Celebration Sunday, I asked those in worship to name their hopes for First Unitarian as we begin to regather and the intentions or commitments they were ready to make as well. The pandemic has changed so much and we all know that our lives and our church will change. As we move to complete our annual fundraising, it seemed a good time to do some “taking stock.”  We received 107 responses, most from those in the sanctuary, but a number from those on-line as well.  In addition to very personal hopes and commitments, I also saw clear themes as I read and organized the…

I’ve struggled with what to write today. I have too many thoughts to organize, and too few words to express all that is swirling in my heart and mind. How can I make meaning of the broken-heartedness I feel -- for my cousin whose 26 year old son took his own life earlier this month, for the crushing impact that the Kyle Rittenhouse acquittal has on the freedom to assemble and its implicit support for white vigilantism, for the hateful incitement of violence within our halls of government, for the relentless news of mass extinction and climate disasters, and more...?…

If you are reading this and you have already made a gift to First Unitarian, a heartfelt Thank You! Please feel free to read on. My message is a good message for all of us to hear. But I especially want to talk to those individuals and families who have not yet made a gift to support our staff, programs, services and ministry during this our “Season of Giving.” Our special Celebration Sunday service that celebrates the generosity of our members and friends was very different this year. Thankfully we could welcome congregants to the Sanctuary, for only our second…

Sunday was a good day at the church. For the first time in over 18 months we had congregants back in the Sanctuary for worship. There were plenty of tears and lots of joy. I didn’t know what to expect going into the day. Would it be awkward after all this time? Would it feel different? Would our reservation system and the process for checking vaccinations work? Would it get in the way of having church? The systems seemed to work just fine on Sunday, except for problems with viewing the service through our website. We are not sure what…

It was recently pointed out to me that this week marks the beginning of my fourth month as Intern Minister here at First Unitarian Church. Wow! In some ways it feels like time has been flying, like I’m still really new here and am just trying to get my feet on the ground. In other ways, it feels like so much has happened in this time, and this past August seems quite long ago. I’ve found the process of getting to know you all to be so fun and gratifying, and I’m sure it will be even more so once…

I am inpatient for justice. Perhaps I am impatient as a matter of identity anyway, but that does not diminish my rabid impatience for justice. Further, I am impatient for people and systems that need to take time to weigh the pros and cons of pursuing justice when the cons relate to capital security. I am impatient for the people and systems that need to process the gains and losses when the potential losses are systemic gatekeepers and progress-blockers. I am a universalist, and I believe fervently that there is room for everyone. However, I do not believe there is…

Love of life means hope for meBorne on a new dayYou are the new day… At First Unitarian, we aspire to nurture the individual spirit and, together, work toward Beloved Community. Whether we are in-person or at a distance, the liberating mission of our faith calls us to welcome the new day that is dawning. Though much around has changed, we look to the church to remind us of what is most important. Though it must alter with the trials of these times, we need the church to abide. Most of us have moved or are moving back into a…

“Native People relate to rock art with our hearts. I regularly visit one rock art site that is a holy site. It provides us knowledge of our past and future. We do not view these panels as just art, but almost like a coded message that exists to help us understand. This knowledge informs our life and reality as humans.”              —Malcolm Lehi, Ute Mountain Ute Council Member, from “Bears Ears: A Native Perspective on America’s Most Significant Unprotected Cultural Landscape” Love for Place A reflection on our October spiritual theme: Love To love a place. Can one love...a place?…