NEW! — The Auction Kicks Off This Sunday!

The 2026 Auction kicks off during Sunday's service with a video of Jason, our Facilities Manager, on our many roofs!

Look for the “Creating Connections” banner in Fuller Hall after the service this Sunday, March 22, where you will get help donating to the Auction either electronically or using paper forms, or follow this link to submit on your own until April 6!

Come One, Come All for Community Choir

Sunday, March 22, 8:45 a.m.

Location: Main Sanctuary

No time to get to choir rehearsals on a weekly basis, but you love to sing? Come join our "One and Done" Community Choir on March 22. Show up in the Main Sanctuary at 8:45 a.m. before the service to learn that day’s music.



No ongoing commitment required. Our Community Choir Sundays are always lots of fun!

NEW! — Vigils for Troubling Times

Tuesday, March 24, 5:30 p.m. and every 4th Tuesday through June

Location: Virtual

Are you struggling to cope with the daily news and events in these dark times? Join us for Vigils for Troubling Times, a quiet service of music, poetry, prayer, reflection, and meditation offered online.

Join us on Tuesday, March 24th at 5:30 p.m. and continuing on the 4th Tuesday of each month.

Click here to join on Zoom. If you would like a monthly reminder, email Karen S.

Know Your Rights Training

Tuesday, March 24, 6 - 7:30 p.m.

Location: Downtown Portland

Sponsored by First U's Democracy in Action team

Know Your Rights (KYR) is a training that movement lawyers offer to protestors, activists, and organizers to support their understanding of all our constitutional rights and how to assert them in the context of struggles for justice.

This KYR will cover your legal rights, security culture basics, types of charges, bailing someone out of jail, and more!

Exact location will be shared one week before the training by Signal and/or e-mail to those who RSVP. Sign up here on the "3/24 Know Your Rights" tab.

Next No Kings March & Bridge Brigade!

Saturday, March 28, varying times

Location: SW Portland

Join Rev. Alison and fellow congregants as we unite with communities all across the country to speak out against rising authoritarianism and injustice. As Unitarian Universalists, we recognize that a healthy democracy is critical to building a just and caring world! First Unitarian will be gathering at our church and marching together down to the Battleship Oregon Memorial (SW Naito between SW Oak & Pine). Click here for more details and safety tips. Here is the list of events: 

• Bridge Brigade from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.: Meet at Yamhill Street Bridge, at the corner of SW 13th & SW Yamhill, 2 blocks from church. We’ll provide banners and flags for waving to passing cars. This is part of a collective action on bridges all along the I-5 and I-84 corridors. 
• Sign Making from 11 - 11:30 a.m.: Meet in Fuller Hall. We’ll have pens, slogan ideas, and other sign-making supplies. Bring cardboard. 
• Gathering for March from 11:30 - 12 p.m.: Meet in Fuller Hall. We’ll hear inspirational words from Rev. Alison, go over safety protocols, and walk together to the march. 
• No Kings March from 12 - 4 p.m.: Meet at the Battleship Oregon Memorial, Waterfront Park. Look for our large "Side with Love" banner and "RESIST" sign if you want to try finding us there (but it will be crowded, so don’t count on finding us!). 

There will be events in many other towns and neighborhoods here and around the country. You can go to the No Kings Map to find details for events near you – please register so that planners can get a headcount.  

2026 Passover Seder

Sunday, March 29, 12:15 p.m.

Location: Buchan Hall

Registration Deadline: This Sunday, March 22, at the close of social hour

You are cordially invited to our First Unitarian Seder in celebration of Passover, the Jewish holiday that symbolizes the universal human quest for liberty. Our Seder celebration will be held on Sunday, March 29 at 12:15 p.m. This special ceremonial UU interfaith event, beautifully structured for all ages, is a remembrance of the Jews’ flight from slavery in Egypt long ago. Our community Passover Seder will be led by Rev. Alison Miller and her family, Bill Y., Rich S., and the Seder team. It is a worship service, a songfest, a banquet, and a blend of goodness, goodies, gravity, and joy. Children, Youth, Adults, Elders - All are welcome. We will provide a delicious lunch of traditional Seder foods.

Adults $30 each / Children $15 each

Come one and all to enjoy food, fellowship, candlelight, stories, music and more!

Please register now here.

NEW! — The Alliance Presents "Hope in Action"

Wednesday, April 1, 10:30 a.m.

Location: Eliot Chapel or online

The Alliance

Hope in Action: Supporting and Empowering Immigrant Oregonians

Join Dr. Elizabeth Aguilera, Director of Communications at Adelante Mujeres, for a conversation about how Adelante Mujeres is supporting families impacted by immigration enforcement. For nearly 25 years, Adelante Mujeres has responded to the needs of the Latine community in Washington County with urgency and compassion. Their programs are built by the community and for the community, ensuring that no matter the challenge, their families can thrive.

Bring your lunch and $5 to enjoy dessert & beverage after the program. Email the Alliance here to RSVP.

To watch online, join us here.

NEW! — Souper Thanks!

March 8 was the last Souper Sunday of this program year. What a success! We estimate that we have served an average of 140 people at each of our seven Souper Sundays. We brought folks together to talk and the energy and enthusiasm was truly engaging. 

Thank you to our volunteers who made the soup and organized the monthly plans and for serving the soup: Barbara M. and Kathleen V. (our co-chairs) and Marti Y., Dave H., Robin M., Barbara H., Dave K., Steve T., Ardie F., Jan C., and Les K. all made up a terrific team. 

It takes about 12 people to put on the event, and we are always looking for soup makers, shoppers, pot scrubbers and hosts for the days. If you are willing to be part of this community building event, please email Barbara M. We already have our plans in the works for this coming program year and we can officially announce that September 13 will be the kick off! 

Once again, thank you to this wonderful team and please consider signing up to help make the next season even better!

NEW! — Beacon Bookstore

Our store carries books about spiritual paths from a variety of perspectives and from differing faith traditions. Just as Unitarian Universalism draws from many sources, our store tries to offer both scripture and explanation to enrich each adult’s personal path. Current new books include essays and poetry from authors digging in their own spiritual soil to uncover their own truth, as well as a variety of new Thich Nhat Hanh books from his Buddhist perspective.

Interested in revisiting what you might have been taught in Sunday School or Saturday School? We have several explorations of the Torah and Christian scriptures, and a thought-provoking and humorous look at scripture by Portland Rabbi Brian Mayer. You’ll find information about the Bahai faith; founded in Persia (present day Iran) and sounding as though it has much in common with Unitarianism.

In the Unitarian Universalist section, we have books by several UU authors including our own Minister Emerita, Rev. Dr. Marilyn Sewell’s newest book, Life Reimagined: Retirement as a Spiritual Journey.

CHECK WEEKLY — March 22 Newsletter

Rev. Leah Ongiri, Acting Director of Lifespan Faith Formation and Family Ministries

This Sunday will be your last chance to register for our annual Passover Seder. Click the "MORE" for details...MORE

NEW! — Meet with UUMFE Climate Justice Movement Chaplain Chelsea McCoy

This Sunday, March 22, 9 - 10 a.m. (8:45 a.m. - 9 a.m. social time)

Location: Buchan 102 or online

Community for Earth (CFE)

Join members of Community for Earth for a spiritual renewal session led by Climate Justice Chaplain Chelsea McCoy from UUMFE, Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth. Intern Chaplain Chelsea McCoy is a seminarian with lived experience in social movements as a Black woman. Chelsea writes, “Experiencing climate anxiety? I can support with that. Worrying about the state of the world adding weight to your shoulders? I can support with that. Want to increase your understanding and awareness of different social justice issues? I can support with that too!" The session will center healing for activists and is specifically curated to help others build or increase their own revolutionary optimism. 

Chaplain Chelsea will be joining us online. Join CFE members before the worship service this Sunday for this hybrid session, either in person in Buchan 102 or online by Zoom. For more information, email CFE.

Shower Project Requests

Each week we offer unhoused neighbors a secure space to shower, enjoy a meal, get clean clothing, and experience refuge from conditions on the street.

We are always looking for more helping hands. Volunteers sign up for 2-hour shifts that work for their schedule - and enjoy meeting other congregants this way. If you're interested, please click here.

Your donations make a big difference in the lives of those we serve. We are in special need of the following items:

• Men's clothes, especially jeans/pants/sweats (30 - 36)
• Hoodies, sweatshirts, coats, and rain gear
• Boxer briefs - NEW (M, L)
• Women's underwear - NEW (S, M)
• Direct monetary donations

Drop off your items in the marked cabinet in Fuller Hall during Sunday church hours or during Shower Project hours (Wednesdays and Thursdays between noon and 4 p.m.).

For questions, email Casey C. Thank you!

CHECK WEEKLY — Art for Social Justice

Curated by Ethel G., Speaking of Justice Editorial Team

The Speaking of Justice Editorial Team offers weekly art to deepen our connection to the work for social justice and to build the Beloved Community.

In honor of Women’s History Month, we offer a tribute to working women by Bev Grant, a native of Portland, now 83 years old, who has been a musician, a photographer, a filmmaker, and an activist based in New York City. Radicalized by the anti-war movement and the SDS at Princeton, she became as well a feminist, a civil rights organizer, and an anti-imperialist. She founded and directed the Brooklyn Women’s Chorus.

March & April Art Wall Exhibition

Photographs by Dave Gallison