The end of June will mark a significant moment in the life of our congregation as Rev. Thomas Disrud retires after 31 years of ministry here at First Unitarian. For more than three decades, Rev. Tom has been a steady and trusted presence in our community. He has offered deeply caring pastoral support, thoughtful leadership, and a consistent ministry that has helped shape the life of this congregation.
One of the most enduring expressions of Rev. Tom’s ministry has been his work with our intern ministers. Over the years, he has guided, supported, and mentored many emerging ministers, helping them grow into their own callings. That legacy continues far beyond our walls. As we’ve spoken with Rev. Tom about how we could best honor his ministry here, he shared that support for our Intern Minister Fund would be especially meaningful to him. This fund supports interns serving our church as they train to become future ministers — a commitment Rev. Tom has championed throughout his time with us.
We are reaching out to ask that you reflect on what Tom’s ministry has meant to you, and to join us in making a gift in his honor. A contribution to this fund is both a thank-you and a continuation: a way of ensuring that the care, guidance, and commitment he has offered will carry forward. It costs about $60,000 to support an intern minister for a year. We hope you might consider a gift in Rev. Tom’s honor to help grow this fund. If you would like to make a tribute gift, you can give on Vanco here or you can send a check payable to the church to:
First Unitarian Portland
Attn: Tribute Gift
1034 SW 13th Ave.
Portland, OR 97205
Feel free to reach out to any of us if you have questions or comments.
There will be opportunities in the coming weeks to celebrate Tom’s ministry together, and we look forward to honoring him as a congregation. In the meantime, please join us in recognizing his remarkable tenure in a way that reflects what mattered most to him.
With gratitude,
Rev. Alison Miller
Dev Dion, Foundation President
Roger Robinson, Board Moderator