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Sunday Worship at 10:15 a.m.
Children & youth head directly to A106 in Buchan at 10:15 a.m. for Multigen Garden Club. No Together Time. Nursery and toddler care available during service.
Social Hour: Fuller Hall after the service.
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The Moon is Following Me; Beauty, Insignificance, and Self
Rev. Leah Ongiri, Acting Director of Lifespan Faith Formation & Family Ministries
As humans, we make meaning by contemplating our place in the order of things. We may not be the center of the universe but we still matter. Join us to explore how we discover who we are amid the magnitude of it all.
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NEW! — Last Sunday with Garrett Bond as Interim Music Director!
This will be the last Sunday that our Interim Music Director, Garrett Bond, will be on our chancel. We will be honoring him in the service and hosting a Festive Coffee Hour afterwards. There will be a table where people can leave thank you notes and blessings for Garrett as he begins his journey in New York City.
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UPDATED — Don't miss Summer Yoga!
Date: Sundays July 26 & August 16, 9 - 10 a.m.
Location: Buchan A 108
Ginny K will offer summer yoga sessions before church. All abilities and ages are welcome. To reserve a space and for more information, go here.
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UPDATED — Fireside Chat with Rev. Mitra Rahnema
The last fireside chat!
Date: Thursday, July 30, 6 - 7:30 p.m.
Location: Buchan - B102
First Unitarian Church is experiencing a season of significant change, making this a good time to come together and talk about what’s on our minds. Join our summer minister, Rev. Mitra Rahnema, for an informal community conversation where you are invited to share thoughts, questions, joys, and concerns.
Perhaps you’d like to discuss what’s happening in our church, explore questions about our Unitarian Universalist faith, or reflect on events affecting our wider community. Whatever is on your mind, this is an opportunity to connect, listen, and learn from one another.
Let’s come together to share, ask questions, listen, and maybe even laugh a little. Let’s chat.
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UPDATED —Summer Community Choir: Last One with Garrett as our Interim Music Director!
Rehearsal: Today / Thursday, July 23 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. and July 26, 8:45 a.m.
Location: Sanctuary
The Community Choir sings at our Sunday services throughout July and August but this is our final Sunday with Garrett Bond directing! Show up to rehearse at 8:45 a.m. in the Main Sanctuary to sing at our 10:15 service. No sign-up required. No commitment required! Sing once or every week, or anything in between. Whatever fits for you.
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Around the Church
Learn more about upcoming events on our website's Events Calendar.
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Save the Date for the Annual UU Summer Picnic
Date: Sunday, August 23, 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Location: Peninsula Park
| UPDATED — Multigenerational Garden Club - Keep up the Momentum! | |
Location: Eliot Courtyard
Date: Every Sunday during service 10:15 a.m. - 12 p.m.
continuing through August 30.
Help prune, weed, rebuild usable planters and eventually painting the walls of the atrium.
For those who like to paint, we will also work over the summer to create a mural on nature themes to be a companion piece of sorts to the 1960s mosaics formerly housed in the Eliot Courtyard, which were restored and installed more recently in the Buchan Courtyard. Leslie Pohl-Kosbau, one of the children who worked on the mural who also was one of the leaders in the restoration, will come speak to us on July 19. We welcome any other church members who worked on the mosaics or their restoration (and those who didn't!) to join us any time over the summer. See you in the garden!
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Have you just read something you think others would enjoy and/or find helpful? We’re seeking recommendations for our Self-Help, Poetry, and Books for Young People (ages 8-13) in particular. Fill out a form at the Cashier Table in Fuller Hall with title, author, subject, a couple sentences about why you recommend it, your name, and your email. Please check to make sure it is in current publication and that it can be purchased as a paperback. We sincerely appreciate your help!
We are looking for black and white designs from children, young people, and those who identify as adults to turn into bookmarks this summer. Black pen, black paint, black crayon or black paper cut out glued onto a white background will work. The original art work should be 3” x 11” and drawn on 1 side of the paper. The artist’s first name may be included on the same side as the design if you like. Typing paper is fine, or heavier paper if you like. Suggested themes are nature, garden, vacations, books, family, or something from your imagination . Please bring your design to the Bookstore Cashier Table any Sunday in July or August!
We have lots of First Unitarian T-Shirts in stock for your summer demonstrations or just to wear at the grocery store.
You are invited to bring your water or coffee cup into the Bookstore to browse.
Thank you for supporting our little store!
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Learning Community
Learn more about our Learning Community program.
Register your child for the 2025-26 program year here.
Subscribe to the Learning Community e-news here.
| July Newsletter
Rev. Leah Ongiri, Acting Director of Lifespan Faith Formation and Family Ministries |
Social Justice
Learn more about our Social Justice program.
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NEW! Join the Election Protection Team!
Date: Sunday, August 9, 12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
Location: Eliot Chapel
Common Cause Oregon, a non-partisan democracy watchdog & champion, will be offering a training in the Eliot Chapel after the service on August 9, as part of a nationwide effort to ensure that our elections are fair and free. Get trained to join the Election Protection Team, where we will learn how to 1) combat election disinformation; 2) monitor our election drop boxes to ensure that they are not tampered with and that voters are not intimidated; and 3) be the boots on the ground when emergencies pop up. Snacks will be provided before the event. Please register here.
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UUs for Justice in the Middle East (UUJME)
Recently, the Defense bill was defeated in the US Senate with a vote of 50-46. They did so to allow time to discuss the provisions in the bill calling for close cooperation on assets between the US and Israeli military. Go here to read the story on Al Jazeera.
We hope you'll stop by the UUJME table this Sunday after service for a free, cold Palestine Soda, orange and lime are available.
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UPDATED — Summer Food Drive Continues
Hunger and food insecurity aren't taking a summer vacation in the Portland area and neither are we!
COHHO (Committee on Hunger & Homelessness) invites you to join us in our Summer Food Drive. We want to increase the monthly amount of food that we deliver to Lift UP to help make a difference to the many people they will serve this summer.
All you have to do is bring some protein-rich foods to church with you. To make it easier, we’ve placed a Lift UP barrel in the narthex for food donations. And, we’ve placed COHHO bins in Fuller Hall under the clock to receive food items, especially cans and/or cartons of tuna, chicken, nut butter, chili, beans and low-sodium soups.
If you're booked all/most Sundays this summer and won't be coming to church, you can choose to donate directly to Lift UP here. They're good at maximizing financial donations by buying in bulk through their networks. Then, please let us know that you've made a donation for our running tally. Email COHHO
However you decide to pitch in, we thank you so much! 💖
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Slash Pentagon Act introduced in Congress
Location: Peace Action Group table in Fuller Hall
Pres. Trump has demanded a 2027 national “defense” budget of $1.5 TRILLION, an increase of about 50% over the current year’s war budget. In response, a new bill in Congress would take $750 billion of that $1.5 trillion budget and move it from “defense” to fund other programs which support real human needs, like food stamps and food programs, Medicare and health care needs, addressing infrastructure needs and mass transit and the climate crisis. Learn more about the “Slash Pentagon Act” at the Peace Action Group table in Fuller Hall following service and how you can help move this legislation forward.
For more information, email David D.
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Every Wednesday & Thursday, the Shower Project offers our unhoused neighbors a secure place to take a shower, get clean clothing, enjoy a meal and respite from conditions on the street.
There are several ways you can help! You can volunteer to work a 2-hour shift which is a fun and meaningful way to connect with other congregants and be in service to our guests. If you’re not sure this would be up your alley, you can shadow for a day to check it out. If you’re interested, please click here.
Donation of clothing and other items makes a big difference in the lives of our guests.
Urgent needs this week:
- Men & women’s shorts
- Men’s clothes, especially jeans/pants/sweats (size 30-36)
- Men’s summer-weight shirts and tanks, all sizes
- Baseball hats and other hats to protect against sun
- Hoodies and sweatshirts
- Men’s boxer briefs - NEW (M,L)
- Women’s underwear - NEW (S,M)
These items are always needed:
- Men’s clothes, especially jeans/pants/sweats (size 30-36)
- Hoodies, sweatshirts, coats and rain gear
- Sneakers or other sturdy shoes in all sizes
- Box briefs, new, size med-large
- Women’s underwear, new, size small-medium
- Direct monetary donations
Donation drop off: please deposit items in the marked cabinet in Fuller Hall during Sunday church hours or during Shower Project hours (Wednesdays & Thursdays between 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. For questions, email Casey C. Thank you!
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Say It With Flowers!
Do you have a birth in the family, a graduation, an anniversary, a memorial, or other milestones to share?
You can acknowledge it to the entire congregation by sponsoring a floral bouquet. As we connect with friends, say it with flowers on the Chancel.
Email Marsha W. to make arrangements.
| July & August Art Wall Exhibition | The July/August Art Wall will feature the work of four members of the Art Wall Committee: Leslie P, Sam M, Richard S, and Connie C. Come down to Fuller Hall and see work by a few of the artists who attend First Unitarian! | | |
Livestream Schedule
Sunday Service – 10:15 a.m.
In-Person & Livestream
Monday Loving Kindness Meditation – On summer break and will return on September 14.
Friday Vespers – 5 - 5:40 p.m.
via Zoom
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On June 24, Venezuela was struck by two devastating earthquakes. Disaster recovery will take a long time. The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee guided us to the Urgent Action Fund for Feminist Activism because they have strong community connections in Venezuela, and a current focus on disaster relief there.
Urgent Action Fund for Feminist Activism has funded feminist activists to keep each other and their communities safe while building lasting, resilient movements for justice, equity and liberation. Their flexible approach enables frontline feminists to respond to real-time threats and opportunities, protect and care for themselves and one another, and sustain and propel solutions to the most critical crises and injustices of our time. We are grateful for the opportunity to share our plate with a trusted, on-the-ground organization to help in this devastating time.
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In the Community
Please visit our website here if you have any joys or concerns to share
On July 9, Dave Kovich welcomed into the world his granddaughter, Riley Quinn Kovich. She was born in Sun Valley, ID and weighed in at a healthy 5 lbs 15.5 oz. Her Mom and Dad, Heather and Sean, are happy and grateful for such a beautiful daughter.
We hold members Kim Heron and her partner, Kat Henson. Kim’s mother, Betty Mohr, of Nokomis, FL, died peacefully on July 10 at the age of 102. Mother of 5, grandmother of 7, great grandmother of 3, and friend to all, she will be missed and remembered with love.
Anne Stipe, who was active in our church for most of her life, died on July 3 at the age of 62. Anne was the daughter of longtime members Tom and Pat Stipe. She accompanied her mother to Sunday services as well as to other church events including the Alliance. Anne is survived by her brothers Bob and Paul and her extended family. A memorial service for Anne is scheduled at Riverview Cemetery on July 22 at 11 a.m.
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Pastoral Care Resources
Contact a Minister or Lay Minister: Our ministers are available for pastoral support to congregants in need and to officiate at rites of passages including memorial services and weddings. Lay Ministers support the pastoral work of the ministerial staff. They are church members who offer one-to-one caring and support for folks in times of need. Call the church office at 503-228-6389, visit our website, or send an email. You can learn more about Lay Ministry here.
Friend to Friend Outreach Program: This program provides connection to seniors and individuals who may be homebound and unable to attend church regularly. It offers members up to four in-person visits per year from a Lay Minister. Send an email to Lay Minister Steve K.
Lotsa Helping Hands Support Network: This care calendar enables volunteers to provide meals or visits for congregants going through challenging times. For support or questions, email coordinator Leslie C. To volunteer, send a request here.
Join an Affinity or Support Group: Build community through our identity-based affinity groups and experience-specific support groups. Learn about them here.
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