The Unitarian Choir presents Thomas Tallis’s 16th-century nativity mass, “Puer natus est nobis” (“A Child is Born Unto Us”), which sets the soundtrack as we read stories from within our community of times and experiences of re-birth and personal renaissance.  

  In the Gospel of Luke, a lawyer…perhaps an immigration lawyer… a lawyer tempts Jesus by asking how he can “inherit eternal life.” “What is written in the law?” Jesus responds. And the lawyer gives the textbook answer from the Torah: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all…

The  service originally planned for Dec. 31 will be replaced by the 93rd performance of the Christmas Pageant, which was cancelled due to inclement weather. It is still the season to sing the carols and light candles against the dark.  Join us for a delayed celebration of the Christmas story.  One …

Due to inclement weather, our 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. candlelight services have been canceled.  Stay warm and safe.  Christmas blessings to all.  -The Ministers and Staff of First Unitarian Church

Due to inclement weather in many parts of Portland, the 4 p.m. Christmas Eve/Christmas Pageant service has been cancelled.  As of this writing (1 p.m.), we anticipate holding the 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. candlelight services as planned.  Check back at 5 p.m. to see if things change.

11:15 a.m. (no 9:15 service) will include performances from our children’s choirs and bell ensembles. Folks of all ages will appreciate this service. Nursery and Childcare available. Click on Worship=>Upcoming Worship Services to see full Christmas Eve Schedule.

Join us as we take back the night. This wonderful, multi-generational service will appeal to all ages. Children are invited to process in at the beginning, with jingle bells and ribbons to deck our halls. Some will be involved in the “calling of the directions.” If you would like your child…

  What gift do you really desire? Are there “things” at the top of your list? Maya Angelou writes: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” What gift will you share in this season?

    I Believe You – Speaking Dana Buhl, Acting Director of Social Justice   I was hurt and ashamed. I had to keep it secret.  What would I say, anyway? The attention the upper classman poured on me at the party was flattering. I was asking for it. Right?…

  “Teenager Mary waited. She waited to know the meaning of her pregnancy. … Troubled Joseph waited… and he knew not why, for it was clear what was expected of him.…” I am quoting from Rev. Burton Carley’s reflection on this religious season…a piece called “Waiting.” “Mary and Joseph waited…

  “If you approach the ocean with a cup, you can only take away a cupful; if you approach it with a bucket you can take away a bucketful.” Ramana Maharshi Scarcity, a shortage of, insufficient, inadequate, not enough. Abundance, plenty, a profusion of, bountiful, oodles. Scarcity and abundance Antonyms,…

  To say that we all, each of us, have inherent worth and dignity…to say that…is necessary but it is somehow not quite sufficient. To say that we are all children of God…it is not enough. Because we are a part, an embodiment, an expression of a creation which we…

  Reading: You Do It When You Do It by Meg Barnhouse Rev. Meg Barnhouse writes: I’ve been in a serious writing slump. I haven’t been doing enough nothing—just sitting around reading or puttering in the yard. Those things free my mind to remember, to enjoy, to create. I don’t…

At this service, we will remember those in and around our community who have died in the past year with the music of Daniel Pinkham'sThe Small Requiem, presented by the Chamber Choir of First Unitarian Church of Portland with mezzo soprano, Amanda DuPriest, and organist, Joe O'Donnell, interspersed with moments of silence…

  To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly; to listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart; to…

  “Turn on, tune in, drop out.” These words defined a movement. They were uttered by Timothy Leary in January of 1967 at a celebration in Golden Gate Park called a “Human Be-In.” People who attended experienced a radically different style music, creative expression, sexual freedom, and psychedelic drugs. As…

  What are you going to be? Halloween will soon be here. In my neighborhood, and perhaps in yours, a few houses have been decorated with ghosts and spider webs for some time now. Carved pumpkins adorn more and more doorsteps. Our Immigrant Justice group just raised over $1000 selling…

  “Stand by this faith…which has comforted us in sorrow, strengthened us for noble purpose and made the world beautiful. … There is nothing in all the world so important as to be loyal to this faith.” With appropriate apologies for her ableist language [stand by this faith], Olympia Brown,…

  As Unitarian Universalists, we affirm and promote: The inherent worth and dignity of every person; Compassion in human relations; Respect for the interdependent web of all existence.   Our theme for the month here at First Unitarian is mercy.  As Rev. Bill shared last week, this is a concept…

  Mercy, Mercy me. This may well be the first time that a Motown hit has been sung as an anthem in this sanctuary. Mercy, mercy me Things ain’t what they used to be Poison in the wind Oil wasted on the seas How much more abuse … Can mother…

Yom Kippur begins at sundown on September 29. This is the Day of Atonement in the Jewish tradition and concludes the High Holy Days. This is a season to remember gratitude, to find and grant forgiveness, and to gather our spirits to move into the New Year. We will celebrate…

Call to worship Words of Reinhold Neibuhr: Nothing worth doing in completed in our lifetime, therefore we are saved by hope. Nothing true or beautiful or good makes complete sense in any immediate context of history, therefore we are saved by faith. Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished…

Have you picked blackberries? Those sweet late summer fruits “hidden beneath leaves barbed like critics.” Sweetness that is guarded and protected. “Peril and abundance” whispered like a prayer through purple lips… If you want the ripest fruit, you must reach in, despite those barbs. You must relinquish safety. Don’t let…

  Come, come whoever you are. There is no more Universalist message. And no more Unitarian Universalist statement of aspiration. Whoever you are, whatever identities you claim…come. Bring your imperfections and your failures. Bring your strengths and your dreams for a better world. Ours is no caravan of despair. Come.…

  Do you have a question you have been wanting to ask? About Unitarian Universalism? About First Unitarian? About theology or our faith? Rev. Sinkford will respond to questions submitted by the congregation. Look for information about how to submit a question in advance or bring your question with you…

  There is something about this time of year that makes me think of going back to school, even though it has been quite a while since I was in school. The end of summer is in sight and fall is around the corner. There is something in me that…