Welcome! We hope that your relationship with First Unitarian Church will be spiritually, intellectually, and emotionally challenging... and rewarding! We are pleased that you have chosen to worship with us, and invite you to participate in our wide variety of programs and activities, whether you are considering full membership or not. When you are ready, however, church membership will be a natural step, a way to express your deepening connection to your faith community.

Membership Deepens Commitment

If you have been with us for a while; if you are growing to know us and understand your place in our corporate life; if you have taken some classes (particularly, the Path to Membership class) and have attended some of our events; and if you believe that you could be even more deeply engaged in your own spiritual journey, we invite you to consider membership. As with any form of commitment, Membership will open doors--in your heart and along your spiritual path. Membership will encourage you to focus more intentionally on exploring, questioning and growing; to send your roots deeper and lift your branches higher. We offer support and encouragement, and in return, expect you to share your gifts and talents in our faith community. Ours is an open, non-creedal faith. Your own conscience is your best spiritual guide. We will celebrate with you and mourn with you, and throughout the days of your life, we will seek hope and meaning, truth, wisdom and inspiration...together.

How do I become a member?

All individuals, age 16 years or older, are welcome to join. While there are no "belief" requirements for membership - such as creeds or statements of faith - it is important for members to support our Principles, as developed by the Unitarian Universalist Association. These Principles are the foundation for how we choose to be in relationship with each other and with the world. We also encourage all prospective members to attend the Path to Membership class and other Adult Religious Education classes that focus on Unitarian-Universalism. See the "UU Core Curriculum" section in the All Church Program Guide for current classes and schedules.

When you are ready to become a member, pick up an Enrollment Kit (download here, or pick up a hard copy at the Newcomer Table any Sunday in Fuller Hall, or at the Church Office during business hours). Complete the two simple enrollment forms and bring them with you to the Enrollment Ceremony.

The Enrollment Ceremony is offered on the first Sunday of every month, immediately following the worship service, in the Channing Room (ground floor, Eliot Complex). During the ceremony, you will sign our historic Membership Record Book. Your signature and financial pledge (see Financial Responsibility, below) indicate that you are making a stronger commitment to participate in the life, health, and vision of this historic Portland congregation.

What are some benefits of Membership?

As a member in good standing,*

• You will have the right to vote at the Annual Meeting of First Church each spring, as well as at other times when important issues arise.
• You will receive regular church mailings - including our newsletter, the Front Steps.
• You will receive a subscription to UUWorld, the journal of the Unitarian Universalist Association, published quarterly.
• And, most importantly, you will be a part of this vital urban and progressive institution. Your voice will join hundreds of others who speak for social justice, freedom of thought, the worth and dignity of every human being, and respect for our precious environment.

If you have any questions regarding the membership process, please contact our Membership Coordinator at 503-228-6389, ext. 13.

*A Member (as defined in our bylaws) is an individual who has signed the Membership Record Book; a Voting Member in good standing is an individual who is also current with her or his annual financial pledge.

What is my financial responsibility as a Member?

We recognize one of the great truths of all the world's major religions:
Generosity is central to a healthy spiritual life.

All Members and Participants (individually or as a family unit) are expected to support the work and mission of the church by contributing generously to our Annual Fund Drive. This is done by making a pledge of financial support. Please note that First Church is supported almost entirely by the congregants who consider this church to be their spiritual home. (The annual pledge may be paid through a variety of options; see below.) Part of your pledge each year goes to support the work of the Unitarian Universalist Association, headquartered in Boston, of which First Church is a member.

What is a Pledge?

A pledge is a commitment made by each congregant to financially support this Church to the best of her or his ability. In return, the ministers and program staff promise to provide the broad range of worship experiences, educational programs, community building, and social justice activities that make First Church all that it is today. A high level of commitment and a spirit of generosity develop over time, and are the results of active participation in our programs (see All Church Program Guide for ways to become actively engaged in church life).

How often do I make a pledge?

When you join the church as a new member, you will be asked to make your first pledge. Shortly after participating in the Enrollment Ceremony, you will receive a Pledge Card and guidelines in the mail, for you to consider. This will be followed by a personal contact from a church member representing the Stewardship Committee. Your pledge will be for the remainder of the calendar year, ending December 31. After that, as a member, you will be asked to make a new pledge each November during our Annual Fund Drive.

How much should I plan to give each year?

Our current budget is nearly $1.5 million. Meeting this goal is shared by everyone who participates in our community. Since each congregant is at a different place financially, as a guideline, we suggest an annual church pledge equal to 5% of one's income. (Traditionally, in religious settings, "tithing" represents a gift of 10% of one's income. In our suggested formula of generosity, each congregant would allocate 5% to First Church, and 5% to other causes that he or she supports.)

Many congregants can easily reach the 5% commitment, or surpass it. For others, such a goal may be a challenge. If so, we ask you to consider starting your pledge at 2% of your annual income, and increasing that amount by ½ % each year, until you can comfortably reach the goal of 5%. This year we are asking pledging households, on average, to consider a gift to the church of $2,000, or more if they are able.

A high level of commitment -- and a spirit of generosity -- develop over time, and are the result of active participation in our programs. We encourage everyone, members and participants, to join a small group ministry within the larger church community... one that matches their interest and needs. Consult the All Church Program Guide, for listings of all church programs for adults.

May I Use My Credit Card or Automatic Withdrawal for Monthly Payment?

Yes. Simply complete the pledge card with your credit card number, or, to establish automatic checking withdrawal, submit a voided check when you turn in your pledge card. Paying your pledge through automatic checking withdrawal actually enhances the value of your pledge, as it is less costly for the church to administer. If you pay your pledge with cash, please use one of the white envelopes located in the Sanctuary and mark it with your name, so we may credit your account. Loose cash is appreciated but impossible to track. We issue statements throughout the year to let you know where you stand regarding your pledge.

If you have questions about your pledge, contact the Accounting Department, 503-228-6389, ext. 21.

Suggested Readings for Prospective Members

These books and pamphlets are available through our own Beacon Bookstore in Fuller Hall on Sundays or from the UUA Bookstore (http://www.uua.org/bookstore/), and are fine introductions to Unitarian/Universalism:
- Unitarian Universalist Pocket Guide
- A Chosen Faith
- 100 Questions
- Unitarian Universalist View of God
- Discovering Unitarian Universalism from a Catholic and Jewish Perspective
- Unitarian Universalizm, A religious home for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people
- Soulful Journeys, the faith of African American Unitarian

Membership-related Events and Classes

Newcomer Table

Visiting? Seeking a church home? New to Portland, First Church, or Unitarian-Universalism? Welcome! Please visit our Newcomer table any Sunday after worship service, during social hour, in fully accessible Fuller Hall, and chat with the friendly hosts who are on hand to answer your questions. Make a name tag for yourself. Sign-up to be on our mailing list (complimentary for 6 months), and start receiving our informative weekly "e-news". Pick up a copy of our newsletter, The Front Steps. Sign-up to attend an orientation class. Pick up literature about our church and our faith. This is where your path to membership begins.

Membership Enrollment Ceremony

Opportunities to join First Church are offered the first Sunday of each month, immediately following the worship service, in the Channing Room. Pickup your individual Membership Enrollment Kit prior to joining or print a copy from this site by clicking above. Bring the completed Enrollment Forms to the Enrollment Ceremony. Details about membership are included in the Enrollment Kit.

Learn More About Us:
Classes for Newcomers and Prospective Members

The Membership Department offers two classes designed to help newcomers better understand First Church theologically, spiritually and institutionally. You will meet our ministers and learn about the roots of our faith, church history and current programs. You will also learn what the church can offer, what is expected, and how it operates. Classes are held throughout the year starting in September; see the Sunday Bulletin for exact date, time and location. 

Introduction to Unitarian Universalism for Newcomers (one session) is designed for newcomers who are searching for a church home, and who want to learn more about Unitarian Universalism. Path to Membership Class (two sessions) is strongly recommended for congregants who are considering church members. This class provides a range of experiences and information to help you decide whether church membership is right for you. Pre-register for either class at the Newcomer Table in Fuller Hall on Sunday mornings. See also Membership Calendar of Events.

UU Core Curriculum

This series of informative classes, coordinated by the Adult Religious Education department, is designed to help newcomers and new members become better informed about Unitarian Universalism. Classes are offered during our fall and winter/spring semesters. See the All Church Program Guide for details.

New Member Recognition Sunday

On this Sunday, recent new members are introduced to the congregation during the worship service, and honored by a reception. See the All Church Program Guide for details.

The Membership Committee

The mission of the committee is to welcome newcomers to First Unitarian Church and shepherd them through the membership process by teaching them about the church, helping them make their initial connections within the congregation, and by assisting them in sustaining their relationship with the church.

The committee meets every other month as a whole throughout the church year (Sept. through June), and individual task-force teams meet as needed. Committee members participate in the various membership-related activities held throughout the church year which are designed to welcome, educate and integrate new members into the church community.

Committee Chairs serve on a rotating basis. For more information, contact the Membership coordinator at 503-228-6389, ext. 13.

MEMBERSHIP STAFF

Craig Towers (ctowers@firstunitarianportland.org), Membership Coordinator, 503-228-6389, ext. 13

About Craig Towers:

Craig joined the church staff in the fall of 1999, after moving to Portland from Boston, Mass. His career in New England had been in advertising, marketing and graphic design. Craig attended the Arlington Street Church (Unitarian) in Boston for many years, and volunteered in its weekly soup kitchen. Craig is an alumni of Lead Boston, a diversity awareness training program.

A geography major at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, Craig spent a year studying in Basel, Switzerland, and has done post-graduate work in art, design and regional planning at the University of Pennsylvania and New England School of Art. He has traveled extensively throughout Europe, Russia and China.

Craig was raised in Westfield, New Jersey, where he and his family were very active in the 4,000 member Presbyterian Church. Craig is married to Linda Towers, and they have two grown daughters.