Sunday Worship at 10:15 a.m. | |
Children & youth start in the Sanctuary at 10:15 a.m. then younger children head to RE classes, while the older children and youth stay for the service. Nursery and toddler care available all service.
Social Hour: Fuller Hall after the service.
| Music and Worship Service: Requiem for a Troubled World
Garrett Bond, Interim Director of Music Ministries | |
For this Spring Music and Worship Service, the combined choirs at First Unitarian will be presenting a major work titled “Requiem for a Troubled World,” written by our Interim Music Director, Garrett Bond. This 7-movement work for Choir, Strings, Piano, and Soloists takes traditional movements from the Requiem Mass and uses them as a lens for the pain and injustice in this world. Join us as we present this work, while also celebrating Mother’s Day and discussing the various ways that music is present in our lives and in our world.
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Ministerial Blog
The Legacy Continues
Rev. Alison Miller, Senior Minister
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 ...more
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Honoring Rev. Tom
Deadline: May 18
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Thank you to all of you who have created a page for Rev Tom’s book to help celebrate his 31-year legacy in our church!
For those of you who are planning to submit a page - now is a good time. We have about two weeks before compiling and printing need to happen.
Please take a bit of time and help us create a lasting gift of love for Rev Tom by sharing your memories, photos and well wishes.
To create your page, click on this link and follow the instructions.
If you are feeling a bit daunted by creating this on-line or if you want to add a photo and can’t figure out how, or any other questions, email Kathy L.
Please complete your page by May 18. We will present it to Rev. Tom at his retirement celebration on June 14.
| Making Neighborhood Connections | |
First Unitarian is a vibrant community that draws from the entire metropolitan area and beyond—and many of us live just minutes from one another without realizing it.
We’re exploring neighborhood-based connections: small, informal gatherings perhaps in local parks, coffee shops, homes or libraries. A chance to meet nearby folks, build relationships, and feel more connected close to home.
We’re looking for two things:
- People who are interested in connecting with others in their neighborhood
- Folks who might be willing to serve as neighborhood leaders and help organize gatherings
You can express interest in either—or both—through this form. We’ll follow up to help connect neighbors and identify leaders in each area.
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Around the Church
Learn more about upcoming events on our website's Events Calendar.
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Become a UUA General Assembly Delegate
Sunday, June 14, through Tuesday, June 16
| If you are interested in connecting with others in the Unitarian Universalist Association, you can be a delegate for First U and represent us at the business sessions on June 14-16. The times will be morning to early afternoon. To volunteer or get more information, email the Denomination Connections Committee. |
NEW! — Auction 2026: We Exceeded Our Goal! | |
Thanks to all the great donated events, services, and items and the winning bidders, we are thrilled to announce that we smashed our goal of $40,000 by over $15,000!
The Auction Team will be in Fuller Hall the next two Sundays to help people pay your bills with a check or credit card and to hand out your auction wins.
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NEW! — Bookstore – Events Coming Up! | |
We have three book events coming up in the next 5 week! Your Beacon Bookstore has all three of these books, available for purchase.
Our Minister Emerita, Rev. Dr. Marilyn Sewell, will be doing a reading of her newest book, Life Reimagined: Retirement as a Spiritual Journey, on Sunday afternoon May 24 at 1 p.m. in the Buchan Building. The reading will be both in person and online. Additional information will be in next week’s Front Steps and at the bookstore.
George Takei, who played the iconic character Hikaru Sulu, the helmsman of the USS Enterprise in the original Star Trek television series (1966–1969) was a child during WWII and spent several of his childhood years in an incarceration camp as part of the United States “War Relocation” program for people of Japanese ancestry. He recently wrote a graphic memoir titled They Called Us Enemy. Oregon is partnering with California and Washington to participate in “One Book, One Coast” – the largest book club on the west coast! The club is meant to spark conversations and to achieve more. “By exploring this period in our nation’s history, together we can learn, gain a deeper understanding of one another, and discover our shared humanity,” said LA Director of Libraries, Annie Lewis.
Mr. Takai will be speaking on his book on Sunday, May 31 from 2 – 4 p.m. at the East Los Angeles Library. Register to watch online.
Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon will present John Fogelsang speaking about his New York Times best-selling book, The Separation of Church and Hate, on Saturday evening, June 6 from 7-9 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church in NW Portland. Tickets available for both in-person and online attendance. First Unitarian is a member of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon. Mr. Fogelsang has been seen on The Daily Show and a number of other programs recently – speaking on the greater faith community and white Christian nationalism.
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NEW! — Gardening around the Church! | |
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Gardening the street beds, preparing the Eliot Chapel Entrance, and the Buchan interior garden for the ordination of church member Jennifer Springsteen and the goodbye party for Reverend Tom Disrud. If you can join us, please bring garden gloves, a hand shovel and water bottle.
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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.
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NEW — May 10 Newsletter
Rev. Leah Ongiri, Acting Director of Lifespan Faith Formation and Family Ministries
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Mother’s Day can be a special, tender, and/or painful time for many. However it may find you this Sunday, I invite you to reflect on (or learn about for the first time) the UU roots of what eventually became this holiday.
One hundred fifty five years ago, Unitarian Julia Ward Howe, who was also a nurse, abolitionist, feminist and poet, declared that women must demand global peace. This brief Peace Alliance article includes the proclamation, and other important and inspiring history.
Wishing you a day of peace, whatever that might mean to you!
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Social Justice
Learn more about our Social Justice program.
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NEW — DRUUM Public Worship 2026
"We Ride at Dawn: Showing Up, No Matter What"
Thursday, May 14, 5 p.m.
Location: Online - Register
In a time of rising fear, political uncertainty, and deep fatigue, DRUUMM invites all souls into a bold and grounding public worship experience. Guest preacher Rev. Summer Albayati and music director Rev. Verdis L. Robinson will lead us in a visionary call to courage, resilience, and collective spiritual discipline. “We Ride at Dawn” evokes the sacred resolve of those who have come before us—our ancestors moved by divine clarity, reminding us that liberation has always required people of faith to show up, again and again for a love that demands freedom.
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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)
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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!
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CHECK WEEKLY — Art for Social Justice
Curated by Ethel G., Speaking of Justice Editorial Team
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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.
Launched in 2017 in response to the Trump presidency, the Resistance Revival Chorus is a collective of more than 60 women who join together to breathe joy and song into the resistance, and to uplift and center women’s voices. We believe that art and culture are essential to changing hearts, minds, and history; and we commit to the principle that joy is in itself an act of resistance.
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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.
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May & June Art Wall Exhibition
Poetry & Photographs by Jeff Howard
| The May/June Art Wall features Jeff Howard's "Prayers of the New Earth." Most of us most of the time feel profoundly separate from the Earth – on it, rather than of it. And in this crucial moment, as ecosystems crumble, we must decide, at last, whether to return the embrace. Prayers of the New Earth is Jeff's initial effort to articulate this need – and this opportunity – through poetry and photography. | | |
Livestream Schedule
Sanctuary Service – 10:15 a.m.
In-Person & Livestream
Monday Loving Kindness Meditation – 8 - 8:30 p.m.
via Zoom
Friday Vespers – 5 - 5:40 p.m.
via Zoom
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May's
Shared Plate
This May, we share our plate with community partner 350PDX. A grassroots movement with deep roots in the community and a tireless focus on climate justice, 350PDX focuses on climate justice policy, forest defense, and fossil fuel resistance. They envision a future in which marginalized and underserved communities no longer disproportionately suffer the effects of climate change; and where sustaining life and the needs of communities take precedence over corporate profits, leading to a healthy world for all. First Unitarian's Community for Earth has been partnering with 350PDX for over a decade to champion climate action.
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In the Community
Please visit our website here if you have any joys or concerns to share
We hold member Jean Kempe-Ware this morning. Jean’s beloved sister, Patty Kempe, died on April 18 in Santa Fe of sepsis. She was 79 years old. Her career was in fashion. Her family said this of her: “She was, above all, a strong woman, a cancer survivor who spoke with trademark candor—courageous, independent, and a risk-taker in both life and work."
Member Jill Duren took a bad fall on April 26 and broke her arm and elbow. She also really banged up her face. She was able to go home from the hospital late last week and will continue her recovery there. She appreciates being held in our thoughts and prayers. She also appreciates cards.
Christopher Doo had unexpected surgery late last month and last weekend traveled across the country to support his mother while she has shoulder surgery. It’s been a rough time and he appreciates having a church community to hold him in care.
Ardie Fogelsong has been attending First Unitarian for more than a year while her ship was in drydock at Port of Portland. Last week Ardie learned that their ship, the USS John S. McCain, will retire to its home port in Everett, Washington. Ardie was active in the Balcony Cohort and also made and served vegan borscht on several Souper Sundays.
Hearty congratulations to the 7th-9th grade Our Whole Lives (or OWL) cohort as they held their final class last Sunday. Gregory, Ky’Lee, Kealah, Deming, Zwi, Pascale, Maren, Joaquin, Asher, Iris, Eloise, Noor, Ari, and Alaria have completed four months of fact-based, comprehensive sexuality education. It’s been an intensive (and sometimes embarrassing) program and we are proud of our youth and their families for devoting themselves to it. Special appreciation for the hard work and dedication of volunteer member teachers Stephani Skalak, Melissa Laurie, and Christopher Doo.
| Want to know what this church has to offer? Show up for events/classes/socials and stay engaged! | |
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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