Ministerial Blog

Mad Libs Prayer

Rev. Alison Miller, Senior Minister

There are folks who speak about a “fourth wall” in worship. This is the invisible barrier between those of us on the chancel – the worship leaders and musicians – and the congregation in the sanctuary seats or with us online. Over time, I have enjoyed breaking that metaphorical wall and co-creating with you in the moment. We did that last Sunday. We co-authored a prayer together, which we playfully called a “Mad Libs” Prayer.

Here are some of the words we shared with one another in the physical and virtual sanctuary...MORE

LAST CHANCE — Immigrant Aid Baskets

Our church is continuing to collect items for our boxes of support for immigrants in our area. RE students will be putting the boxes to gather on March 15 for their classes. Here are the items they need:

• Toilet paper (4-6 roll pack)
• Bar soap (2 bars)
• Small bottle laundry detergent
• Small pack razors (unisex if possible) & shave cream
• Deodorant 
• Small pack Kotex or similar pads
• Roll of paper towel
• Bottle dish soap & sponge
• Bottle of shampoo/conditioner

Please bring donations to Buchan Reception this Sunday before the service.

Thank you!

NEW! — Ostara / Spring Equinox Ritual

This Wednesday, March 18, 6 - 8 p.m.

Location: Buchan Hall

Rev. Charlotte Cramer

Join Rev. Charlotte Cramer for a series of earth-based rituals following the Wheel of the Year. These rituals will be simple and accessible to all, rooted in the earth and human experience, and for any faith background or belief system. Click here for more information about the full series.

On Wednesday, March 18, we will be celebrating Ostara, the Spring Equinox, through honoring the lessons we have learned this past winter, and sending out wishes for the coming season and reemergence of the sun. Welcome the return of light and the season of new growth with an earth-based, simple yet transformative community ritual.

Potluck to follow! Please bring your favorite dish.

Note: This event will take place in Buchan Hall. Please enter through the Salmon Street entrance (1226 SW Salmon St).

NEW! — Final Neighbor-to-Neighbor Interfaith Witness at ICE for the Season

Wednesday, March 18, 2 - 2:45 p.m.

Location: Next to the ICE building, at the intersection of SW Moody & SW Bancroft

Please join Rev Alison and other downtown faith leaders for the final Neighbor-to-Neighbor Interfaith Witness at ICE for the season. These gatherings have been an opportunity for faith communities to be in solidarity, declaring our moral outrage at the cruel practices of abducting community members, terrorizing communities, and separating families, in the name of an inhumane political agenda. We've been shoulder-to-shoulder to bear witness to our outrage, deepen our relationships, and build solidarity among our interfaith communities.

The series of gatherings has been supported by Together Lab, which has been organizing interfaith clergy to be a daily moral presence at the ICE facility on Macadam and at the Federal Courthouse downtown, as well as organizing neighbor-to-neighbor solidarity with teachers and families around Portland. 

Please dress accordingly for the weather. No need for signs, but do bring your love, solidarity, and passion for liberation. 

NEW! — 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! — 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.  

REGISTER NOW — 2026 Passover Seder

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

Location: Buchan Hall

Registration Deadline: Next 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.

UPDATED — The Auction Begins Thursday, March 19!

Many of you have already been planning an activity that would raise funds for our roof repair. Already on our list: a Greek dinner, vacation home, game nights, sing alongs, hikes! Donate and register to bid at the Auction table on Sunday, March 22. Submit your event electronically or in person with plenty of help from the Auction team!

CREATING CONNECTIONS:

MANY BELIEFS, MANY ROOFS: Bid High, Keep Us Dry!

NEW! — Beacon Bookstore

So many good books, so little time! Come visit your Beacon Bookstore during Coffee Hour (your coffee cup is welcome) to see what we’re finding at the top of our “Read This!” list. Click here to read the longer version of this article with more information on each book.

Finally!! We have received the first part of our order of Rev. Dr. Marilyn Sewell’s newest book, Life Reimagined: Retirement as a Spiritual Journey. Watch the Front Steps for information about Rev. Sewell’s upcoming reading being scheduled for later this Spring.  

Another New Book

Marilynne Eichinger’s new book, Antheia in the Thorns, is in stock in our shop. It is the second book in her Rightfully Mine series. Marilynne is a longtime First Unitarian congregant, author, and former president of the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.

We’re Taking Orders…

…for John Fugelsang’s newest book and New York Times Bestseller: Separation of Church and Hate: A sane person’s guide to taking back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists, and Flock-Fleecing Frauds. Mr. Fugelsang will be speaking at Trinity Episcopal in NW Portland in a few weeks. The event, being sponsored by Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, will also be live-streamed. Watch Front Steps for further information.

CHECK WEEKLY — March 15 Newsletter

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

An important note to our children and youth from Rev. Tom:

Some of you may have heard the news that I have decided to retire this coming June. I have been here for 31 years and it has been a great blessing for me. I have seen some people who were quite young when I arrived and who are now adults with their own children. I hope in these next months that we will have time to say goodbye. I'm feeling many emotions right now, I'm excited to be looking ahead to a new chapter for me. I'm also feeling sad about leaving. But mostly I'm grateful for having had this opportunity.

Love,

Rev. Tom 



Please consider sharing this message with your young ones. We'll make sure each one of us—young, old, and inbetween—has a chance to celebrate with Rev. Tom and say goodbye as the months unfold...MORE

NEW! — A Day Without An Immigrant Action

This Monday, March 16, noon - 2 p.m.

Location: SE Ash & SE Grand

Immigrant Justice Action Group (IJAG)

Please join fellow congregants on Monday, March 16, for “A Day Without an Immigrant” Action: Clear Clinic’s “Human Billboard". Show up at the corner of SE Ash & SE Grand.

Clear Clinic, a non-profit collective of legal workers working to dismantle oppressive legal systems, is hosting this event in support of PCUN's monthly "Day Without an Immigrant" actions leading up to their call for a May 1st general strike.  Bring your own signs or participate in our shared sign holding.

For more information, contact Mary Ann B. 

NEW! — 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.

CARD Meeting

This Saturday, March 14, 10:30 a.m.

Location: SW Portland

Care & Action for Reproductive Dignity (CARD)

Join us for an informative potluck on Saturday, March 14, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Marni T.’s house in SW Portland. Our potlucks are a fun blend of socializing, eating homemade dishes and collaborating on ways to continue improving access to reproductive healthcare. In this meeting we plan to watch Vessel, a documentary about the pro-choice Dutch physician Rebecca Gomperts who sailed the seas to provide abortions to women who had limited or no abortion access. This meeting will be a little longer than usual to allow time to watch and discuss the documentary which runs 1-1/2 hours.

Please email Marni T. for street address, your food offering, and beverage preference. Decaf, regular coffee or tea? Thanks! 

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.

Rhiannon Giddens, Crys Matthews, and Resistance Revival Chorus reimagine folk icon Peggy Seeger’s “How I Long for Peace" as a powerful call for community and civic engagement in partnership with Joy To The Polls and HeadCount. Every election season, we get a chance to show up at the polls and vote the world we want to see closer to existence – a more just and peaceful society envisioned in this incantation of a song. We dedicate this recording to survivors and victims of war, injustice, and poverty everywhere. 

March & April Art Wall Exhibition

Photographs by Dave Gallison