Ministerial Blog

A Season of Gratitude

Rev. Alison Miller, Senior Minister

We enter a season of deep gratitude for our Associate Minister, the Reverend Tom Disrud, as he approaches his retirement on June 30. Our community has benefited from his ministry for 31 years now, which is truly an incredible feat. There will be opportunities in the coming months and weeks to say goodbye and to give thanks, and I want to be sure that you all are aware of what’s happening...MORE

NEW! — Last Chance to Donate An Event to the Auction!

April 13 is your last day to donate an event to the Auction!

"The earlier the better,” say Evie and Sharon! Come to the Fuller Hall Auction table to share your plans and donate an event. If you registered in 2025, you’re already signed up for this year. Register online here.

From April 19 to May 3, you can bid or become a sponsor. The catalog will become public on Thursday, April 16, and bidding starts online on Sunday, April 19. Fun stuff ahead! 

Submit your donation here!

NEW! — Last Week's Sermon

To view Rev. Alison's homily on "Threat of Resurrection" with only a minimal amount of beeping, click here to watch the service automatically starting at her homily.

NEW! — Strategic Planning... What's Happening?

A number of you have asked about the status of our Strategic Planning Process. We are continuing to move forward, but given the number of staffing transitions we are working on this spring - the energy around strategic planning has shifted there for the moment. The timeline to engage the whole congregation in mission and vision work has moved to our next program year, but this work remains a key priority. We’ll continue to invite input from groups and individuals across the community and will share updates as things progress.

New Member Bios

This Sunday is a very happy day... April 12! We'll welcome all the new folks and families that have decided to make the deeper commitment and connection by becoming or returning to membership of the church community! Several have submitted biographies that you can review.

Please visit the "Connection" tab of our church website and then the "Becoming a Member" page and you will find the new member biographies on the right of the page, or you can click here to go right to the page. Hope you enjoy getting to know a few of the new folks that you will see this Sunday, April 12, in the service.

NEW! — All-Church Forum: Church Election is Coming!

This Sunday, April 12, noon - 1 p.m.
Location: Eliot Chapel

Hear all about it at our all-church forum:

• Budget for next year
• Introduction to Committee on Right Relations and related Bylaws Amendments

And mark your calendars for the year-end forum on Sunday, May 17, where we'll learn the results of voting plus year-end reports!

With thanks, 

Your Board of Trustees

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER — Good Grief: Navigating Personal Loss

Sundays, April 12, 19, and 26, and May 17, 11:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.

Register by tomorrow, Friday, April 10, at noon

Location: First Unitarian

In this four-session class for people who are grieving the loss of a close family member, we will explore the nature of grief, offer the opportunity to share your own grief story, and conduct a ritual of remembrance. We will offer suggestions for coping with significant anniversaries and holidays. Resources will be provided.

There is no cost, but pre-registration is required. Register here. There is a limit of ten participants.

The group is facilitated by the Rev. Duane Fickeisen and Dr. Bill Yasnoff. Both are members of First Unitarian and have personal experience with being widowed and in facilitating grief groups.

Questions can be emailed to either Duane or Bill. Registrants will receive confirmation and the room location at First Unitarian before the first gathering.

NEW! — An Announcement from the Foundation

Dear Friends,

The First Unitarian Church of Portland Foundation Board of Stewards recently completed a comprehensive review of investment advisory services for our $3 million endowment fund.

Following a structured evaluation process, the Board has selected a new investment advisory firm to manage the endowment going forward. This decision reflects our commitment to:

• Long-term financial sustainability;
• Responsible annual distributions of 4–5%; and
• Strong alignment with our Environment, Social and Governance values in our investments.

The Board is grateful for the service provided by our prior advisor and is confident that this transition positions the Foundation for continued strength and mission alignment.

The new investment advisory firm is Becker Capital Management, a Portland firm with 50+ years of experience.

The transition is being conducted carefully and methodically to ensure continuity, minimize transaction costs, and maintain portfolio integrity.

As always, the Foundation exists to support the long-term mission of First Unitarian. We remain committed to prudent stewardship of these entrusted resources.

If you have questions, please feel free to email me or Sarabelle Hitchner, Chair of our Investment Advisory Committee.

With appreciation,

Dev Dion, President, First Unitarian Church of Portland Foundation

NEW! — Photo Request

What did you make with your Easter Sunday playdough or silly putty?

Thank you to Kim S. for her creation "Transformation" (left) and to Corbett G. for her "Happy Dog." (below)

Send us a picture here by email!

We All Need a Village: Weaving Community as We Age

Sunday, April 19, 11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Location: Buchan Hall

First Unitarian's Senior Engagement (FUSE)

Rev. Tom Disrud will facilitate panelists from NW Villages. Learn about aging in place, community resources, and social engagement! Snacks & beverages provided.

FUSE works to increase meaningful connections, help members experiencing loneliness, and enhance the spiritual well-being and centeredness of members.

NEW! — Thank You To Our First U Gardening Crew!

Many thanks to our volunteer gardeners who pitched in last week to spruce up the beds for Easter Sunday. 

And thanks to ALL of you who have given hours and labor—time and again—to keep the church gardens looking their best. It is a collective effort with the sextons, this group, Prosper Portland (which provides regular hosing down of our steps) and numerous volunteer and civic groups picking up trash in the neighborhood and on our block. Because of this combined effort, and the momentum we've built, the gardens are a lot easier to maintain each time -- with beautiful results.

Marilyn Sewell Social Justice Lecture 

Saturday, April 25, 1 - 4:30 pm

Location: Main Street Sanctuary

Sylvester Johnson, Professor of Black Studies at Northwestern University and one of the leading scholars in the country on Artificial Intelligence, race, religion, and society, will present a lecture entitled “AI as a Tool for Oppression and for Resistance & Liberation”. This lecture will explore tensions between state-sponsored surveillance and the growth of civic technology. Will AI ultimately serve to reinforce systems of oppression or will it enable new forms of resistance and liberation? It’s up to us! 

Following the lecture and Q&A, there will be a brief reception from 2:30-3:00 and then an optional workshop from 3:00 – 4:30, where we gather to identify specific actions that we can take in our community focused on social justice.

Tickets are free but registration is required. Click here to register for either the lecture or the lecture plus the workshop. Free parking will be available in the church parking lot on SW 12th. 

NEW! — Your Bookstore: A Resource

This week has felt especially chaotic. In days like these, a small book to keep by your reading chair or next to your office keyboard might be just the thing.  The Bookstore is a resource for you. We have dozens of books with short readings, inspirational prose, poetry, our own hymnals full of words we know bring comfort. Sometimes a quiet pause to breathe and then a few words from a wise person to focus your spirit is just the thing required. Take a look in the three sections to your left as you come into the Bookstore and you’ll find lots of choices. Or turn to the right as you come through the door and check out the section on prayer and meditation. Need words to inspire your action: the whole Bookstore is aimed to provide just that.  

CHECK WEEKLY — April 12 Newsletter

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

As we often do on the second Sunday of the month, we have childcare available after the service at 11:45 am to support parents being present as OWL teachers, for committee meetings, and to attend the Board Forum. You can meet childcare providers Ellen and Emma in Buchan Atrium to drop off children. Depending on weather and ages of children, they might play in one of our classrooms or in an outside courtyard...MORE

NEW! — The Sound of Democracy, Round 3: A Sing-Along Protest at ICE

Sunday, April 12, 1:30 - 3 p.m.
Location: 4310 SW Macadam Ave

Immigrant Justice Action Group (IJAG)

Join members of IJAG at a sing-along protest at ICE this Sunday. Please print out lyrics ahead of time. Song lyrics and videos can be found here.

View the flyer here for more information.

Sign up here to let us know you're coming!

Prayers for Peace

Sundays during social hour


Peace Action Group

For three Sundays since the beginning of the Iran war, we invited congregants to stop by the Peace Action table in coffee hour to write a prayer, commitment, reflection or plea on slips of paper hung from bare winter branches clustered in a basket. Thanks to each of you who participated in this silent time of seeking peace. For the next several Sundays, we will have those prayers nested in a basket and invite you to take one or more home with you to place on your altar, send to a friend in a card or perhaps hang outside on a tree.

A sampling of some of the prayers offered: Let your North star guide you ...Please soften the hearts of the hardhearted ... May we see the divine in all .. Stay soft, empathetic and vulnerable ... Hope keeps us going ... A better world where wealth is shared and we're all allowed to be our best selves...Kindness counts ...Love is louder ...May we all find peace and the root of peace ... May we have the courage to witness suffering without turning away...Every day, everyone everywhere imagines a just, peaceful, loving world and gives the dream power...Forgiveness, Inclusion... May you be safe and protected, free from suffering and filled with joy ...May we see the beauty that is all around when we take the time to stop and observe.

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.

Carlos Andrés Gómez is a Colombian American poet, speaker, actor, and author.

March & April Art Wall Exhibition

Photographs by Dave Gallison