Watch the service live on YouTube.

Please note: This Sunday, in honor of Veterans Day we will lift up the names of those who served. If you would like the name of a veteran loved one or ancestor read aloud during our service, please send Rev. Hillary their name (firstuminister@gmail.com), by 9am Sunday. 

This year, we'd like to see and share what your thankful for during our 11/22 Thanksgiving service. Here is how to participate:

Excerpted from “The Unknown Soldier” by Melvin Tolson 

Dear First Universalist Friends,

I know many ancestors, relatives, friends, and loved ones who served, fought, lived, and died in battle have been on our minds this Veteran’s Day week. If you would like me to read the name of a veteran loved one or ancestor during our service on Sunday, please send me their name (firstuminister@gmail.com), by 9am Sunday. 

I’m aware that it’s nothing novel to think about the concept of sacrifice right now, but nonetheless, sacrifice is the word that always and arrives and stays with me this week of November 11th. I think of those who sacrifice their youth, their safety, their time with their lovers, families and young children, those who sacrifice their warmth and comfort, their bodies, their minds, their lives. 

I think of my grandfather, Arthur Frank Gilpatrick of Hiram, Maine, who lost his leg as a paratrooper in World War II and lived in chronic pain for the rest of his life. He died when I was only 4 or 5, so admittedly I didn’t know him very well - but my foggy memories of him are all fond. I remember him telling me the story of jumping out of a plane, pulling the parachute chord, feeling a sting in his leg mid air, and realizing he was about to get caught in a tree. I was in awe every single time he told it. Can you imagine!?! Maybe you can. 

It likely comes as no surprise to any of you that I am not a proponent of war, but I’ve come to accept that war seems to be an unavoidable part of human existence on this shared planet. With these two truths in mind, each Veterans Day I make time to offer awe and gratitude and to pray for our veterans. I pray for those who are in active duty right now, and I pray for those who grieve and support those who served. I pray for an end to the homelessness, the mental anguish, and the economic disparity that afflicts far too many of our veterans in life shattering ways. And I pray with equal might that we find alternatives to war that require far less devastating sacrifices of those who enact them and those who feel their wrath. 

On Veterans Day I pray for all affected by war and I pray for peace. 

I welcome you to join me in these prayers - any of them that feel right and good to you. As always, I am glad we are together this tender time of year. 

Yours in radical gratitude, radical acceptance, and peace,

Rev. Hillary 

All are welcome and encouraged to join us (virtually!) on Saturday, December 5, where we will reflect on and celebrate our past and imagine our future, together.

At this facilitated mini-retreat, we will be invited to DREAM BIG & DRAW FROM OUR HEARTS. This is a chance to share your hopes and dreams for First Universalist – your church!

In the coming weeks and months, we will distill all the dreams and wishes that surfaced in the morning, to help inform and build our goals for 2021 and beyond.

Stay tuned for more details, but please come! Your voice matters! FMI contact Joanna Landsman at jslandsman@gmail.com.

Unfortunately, phishing (scammers using email or text messages to trick you into giving them personal information or sending them money) is common in our virtual world, and recently, an email has gone out claiming to be from Rev. Hillary that was NOT from her (you will notice that the email address is incorrect - see Rev. Hillary's message above). Learn more about how to recognize and avoid phishing scams from the FTC. If you accidentally give away any information, visit IdentityTheft.gov to receive specific steps to take to help protect yourself.

The Worship Council and the congregation enjoyed seeing lots of our faces as we worshipped together last Sunday in our first Gathering Sunday. Things to know about this new monthly experiment:

As the Transgender Day of Remembrance approaches, one way to act as allies to the transgender community is to honor the expansiveness of gender and arm ourselves with knowledge.

In this workshop and discussion, come deepen your understanding of transgender identities as we examine how language relates to identity, the components of gender, and how to create a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere. We'll also take time to honor, mourn, and remember those trans and gender nonconforming individuals who passed away due to fatal violence this year.

This workshop, facilitated by Gwen Matthews, is one that has been adapted from a longer form that she's previously used to educated social workers, health care employees, advocates, teachers, and others.

Join Anna during Children's Chapel this week as we continue

our theme of Healing and talk about welcoming all.

Children's Chapel & password: CHAPEL

This week, in recognition of the upcoming Trans Day of Remembrance,

we'll have the opportunity to more deeply understand the trans experience. There will also be an opportunity for fellowship.

Learning & Social Hour Zoom Link & password: COMMUNITY

Join Christy and Ben as we explore what social justice

is and what causes are meaningful to us.

Junior Youth Group & password: JYG

This is our once monthly senior youth group! Join facilitators Gwen and Joanna in to check-in, chat, and build community.

Senior Youth Group & password: SPIRIT

Read the letter from the anti-racism working group and find out answers to these questions and more on our website and at 8thprincipleuu.org.

This week's half plate honors our first principle (the inherent worth and dignity of every person), to help Preble Street serve over 1,600 meals daily. During Covid-19 Preble Street provides boxes filled with fresh and non-perishable food to meet basic nutritional needs for 3 meals a day per person for 3 days, and also delivers 3 meals per day to guests staying at area shelters, as well as other stops around Portland. Now as much as ever, your support saves lives.