UUA Outreach Group
Your Gateway to the larger UU World
The Committee meets monthly on the last Wednesday, 7:00–8:30 p.m., in B310. Visitors are always welcome.
Mission of the UUA Outreach Group
“The mission of the UUA Outreach Group is to help the congregation connect with, and support, the larger UU faith movement, collaborate with other congregations, and facilitate our participation in the UUA governance process.”
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISM IS A RELIGIOUS MOVEMENT
Unitarian Universalism is a religious movement with many moving parts. You can find descriptions of the Unitarian Universalist Association and its component elements on this page or on the UUA webstie.
Unitarian Universalist Association: www.uua.org
First Unitarian is a member of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations located in Boston, MA. Formed from the merger of Unitarian and Universalist organizations in 1961, the Association provides key communications and services for us. Our annual support of the UUA brings national leadership and visibility, support services and focus for our professional personnel. To learn more about our involvement in Association affairs contact stan.jewett@earthlink.net.
General Assembly: www.uua.org/ga
Each summer UU’s from 1100 congregations on this continent gather to conduct business, explore faith issues and work 
on social justice matters that impact our world. This year’s meeting is June 21-25 here in New Orleans, LA. Look for more details and links to General Assembly on the Assemblies and Events page.
We go to General Assembly (GA) to be grounded in our faith, energized for justice and with resources to bring this work home to our congregations. Members of First Unitarian attend as delegates and to enrich their own UU experience. If you have questions about General Assembly or about attending as a delegate, click on the link above or contact any member of the First Unitarian UUA Outreach Group. Stan Jewett. Right now is the time to be asking questions and/or filling out a delegate application. The delegate designation process concludes in February.
Pacific Western Region ( including Pacific Northwest District): www.uua.org/pacific-western
UU member congregations in the western states are served by the Pacific Northwest District, whose executive and specialist staff and programs are located in Bellevue, WA. Congregations of all sizes call on the District for help in such areas as: ministerial search, religious education program development, capital fund raising and building programs, church finance, membership growth and development, and personnel transitions. The region publishes a periodic newsletter. Access and subscribe to it at the link above. Click here to read more about the District and Region
Chalice Lighters:
For the Pacific Northwest District of the UUA, Chalice Lighters is a group of forward-thinking UUs who want to help the Association grow regionally in very practical ways through targeted cash donations. Learn more about Chalice Lighters by clicking on www.pnwd.org/ or to learn more about the current call for support, click here.
Eliot Institute Camps at the Seabeck, WA, Conf. Center
Eliot Institute creates and supports an inclusive community of celebration, friendship, exploration, relaxation and joy for Unitarian Universalists, their families and friends. The Institute has been fulfilling that mission for over 50 years by organizing multigenerational camps at the Seabeck Conference Center (www.seabeck.org) in Seabeck, WA. Further information and directions to the website are found on the Assemblies and Events page.
UU World: www.uuworld.org/Each member of First Unitarian receives a subscription to UU World, the six times yearly publication of the UUA. Feature articles on faith issues, UUA news bulletins, General Assembly programs, and activities of individual UU’s and affiliated organizations provide readers with regular information and understanding about the UUA and its presence in our national life. Featured in the current issue is the following story:
Unitarian Universalism Denomination Resources
Unitarian Universalism is a religious movement with many moving parts. You can find descriptions of the Unitarian Universalist Association and its component elements on the Denomination page. Click here to visit this page.
Unitarian Universalist Association
To learn more about our involvement in Association affairs contact Stan.
Pacific Western Region ( including Pacific Northwest District)
Seminaries
Religion and religious practice can find a home in our lives and spirit. For those who feel a special calling to minister, our faith offers two seminaries whose teaching is within the Unitarian Universalist tradition. We invite you to talk about ministry as a career with any of our ministerial staff, and to further your exploration by contacting these seminaries.
Meadville Lombard Theological School, Chicago, IL, www.meadville.edu has educated people for the 
liberal religious ministry — specifically, but not exclusively – for service in the Unitarian Universalist tradition for 165 years. It is academically rigorous, spiritually grounded, and unapologetically progressive. The website provides descriptions of masters and doctoral degrees including coursework as well as information about life as a Meadville Lombard student and information about the admissions process and financial aid. Meadville Lombard’s TouchPoint Theological Education enables students to live, work, and study in their own communities across North America or around the world. Students and faculty build community online, through telephone networking, and in person when intensive classes and convocations meet in Chicago several times annually.
Starr-King School for the Ministry, Berkeley, CA, www.sksm.edu Educates Unitarian Universalist members and progressive 
religious leaders for society using an educational approach rooted in Unitarian Universalist values. Founded in 1904, we value scholarly study united with practical, experiential learning and offer personalized attention in the learning process. We respect the beauty of cultural diversity, honor interfaith and ecumenical engagement, and seek to counter oppressions. Rooted in Unitarian Universalism’s liberal religious heritage, we believe in the importance of congregational life as well as individual spiritual practice and are devoted to creating a more hopeful future that reverences life, embodies justice and sustains peace. Our website provides a virtual visit to the campus, and you are welcome to visit in person.
Regions and Clusters
Our church is one of more than 1000 churches and fellowships that belong to the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) which is headquartered in Boston. Almost all these congregations are smaller than First Unitarian; the great majority are fewer than 100 members. Both large churches and small congregations have many developmental needs that the UUA supports. Some of these are provided in/by Boston, such as the website, Beacon Press, and General Assembly planning. Many more are provided directly to congregations through the District and Regional offices.
Such consulting activities as ministerial search and settlement, building funds and campaigns, conflict resolution and religious education programming have been provided through a network of 5 regions, each staffed by trained professionals dedicated to strengthening our congregations’ presence in their communities. Ours is the Pacific Western Region, headquartered in Denver. Future Regional Assemblies are on the drawing board.
Nine congregations in the greater Portland area collaborate on projects to showcase UU values.
Portland-Area UU Churches and Fellowships
Atkinson Memorial Church
Oregon City, OR
Eastrose Fellowship UU
Gresham, OR
Mid Columbia UU Fellowship
Hood River, OR
South Park UU Fellowship
West Linn, OR
UU Community Church of Washington County
Hillsboro, OR
UU Church of Vancouver
Vancouver, WA
Wy’east UU Congregation
Portland, OR
West Hills UU Fellowship
Portland, OR
Networking for Justice
Members and friends of First Unitarian have interests or involvement in a great many of our affiliated societies and justice ministries. Church program and staff have never been broad enough to support all member justice interest, and this will continue to be the case as church focus on priority issues is maintained.
Members can link with other UU churches and individuals to coordinate, combine and amplify their efforts through the Northwest UU Justice Network. If your interest could use some help, contact DD Hike, Executive Director, 17250, NE 156th Ct., Woodinville, WA 98072, 425-205-8207, NWuuJN.Exec@gmail.com. The network helps UUs support congregational focus, event publicity, special alerts, cover multiple issues, connect with colleagues, and/or jump-start a justice year.
Church of the Larger Fellowship 
CLF is a Unitarian Universalist congregation without walls, comprised of thousands of people from all over the world. As a spiritual community rooted in profound love, we cultivate wonder, gratitude, and the courage to act. We strive to carry the flame of liberal religion to all who yearn for its warmth and light.
Quest for Meaning, an online multi-faith community rooted in Unitarian Universalism. It offers both fellowship and resources for people on a variety of spiritual paths who are seeking meaning, wholeness and healing in their lives.
Online Worship: We offer weekly online worship using video and live chat. Broadcasts are on Sundays at 8 pm Eastern, Mondays at 9 am Eastern, and Mondays at 1:30 pm Eastern.
Quest, CLF’s Monthly Magazine
Quest is our highly regarded Unitarian Universalist magazine that goes deep into a particular theme using sermons, poetry, reflections, prayers and meditations.
Personal Resources: CLF offers a variety of opportunities for people on spiritual journeys to connect, learn and grow with one another. They include: class (listed on our events page) or be part of an online community through an email distribution list or one of our Facebook groups. Additionally:
The VUU, a weekly talk show; Family Ministry; Online Worship Resources; Church of the Younger Fellowship; Outreach Ministry to Prisoners; Outreach Ministry to Military Personnel and Families.
Oregon UU Resources
UU Voices for Justice
A statewide advocacy network that mobilizes Unitarian Universalists and their congregations to work for public policies in the state of Oregon that embody our UU principles of justice, equity, compassion in human relations and global stewardship. Current efforts focus on climate change, health care reform, and sentence reform/death penalty abolition. Oregon UU Voices for Justice is one of fifteen statewide UU advocacy networks nationwide, and sponsors a legislative advocacy day every February. Each fall priorities are set for the next State legislative session. Folks can get involved by contacting the working group connecting with each issue via http://www.uuvoicesoregon.org or email to oregonuuvoices@yahoo.com. For further information contact Oregon UU Voices Consulting Executive, Rev. Katie Larsell, katielarsell@gmail.com.
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee
The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) is a nonsectarian organization that advances human rights and social justice in the United States and around the world. It envisions a world free from oppression and injustice, where all can realize their full human rights. Through a combination of advocacy, education, and partnerships with grassroots organizations, UUSC promotes economic rights, advances environmental justice, defends civil liberties, and preserves the rights of people in times of humanitarian crisis.
It also engages local communities through our service-learning program, JustWorks, 
which introduces participants to the work of our domestic and overseas partners — who are often on the front lines of addressing social-justice issues.This work is built on the conviction that all people are entitled to basic human rights, which transcend divisions of class, race, nationality, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, and gender. It relies on members and supporters — people just like you — to fund its programs. Anyone wishing to support human rights and social justice is welcome to join us.
UUSC is an associate member of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), but receives no general financial support from the UUA. Neither does it receive funding from federal or state governments or institutions, ensuring an independent voice. Headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, UUSC is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. For UUSC activities at First Unitarian, contact Ann Zawaski or Helena Lee
Unitarian Universalist College of Social Justice
We’re Growing Our Programs!
Read More!
Experiential Learning Journeys: Our transformative journeys to Haiti, Mexico, India, and several U.S. locations will introduce you and your congregation to the justice work of UUA and UUSC partners, and help you make the connection to struggles in your own community.
Youth Justice Trainings: We’re adding new trainings each year! Our high school youth gain inspiration through a terrific combination of justice theory and hands-on experience with our partners. This summer we’ll be in Boston, New Orleans, and Seattle, with a daylong intro session at UUA General Assembly in Providence.
Global Justice Internships: College-age young adults get powerful, summer-long placements with UUA and UUSC partners around the world and receive lots of support for faith development and vocational discernment. We’ll place 20 young-adult interns this summer! Sign up for our e-mail newsletter! It’s free. It’s easy. Subscribe now!
Unitarian Universalist College of Social Justice, 689 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139-3302, 617-868-6600, www.uucsj.org
UU United Nations Office:
The Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office (UU-UNO) serves UU congregatio
ns as the center of information, advocacy and action at the United Nations and its affiliated agencies in NewYork City. The UU UN Office provides UUs a locus to join hands with the international community to build world community with peace and justice. Faith and action intersect forUUs in the global arena of the United Nations and its affiliated non-governmentalorganizations. The UU UN Office joins about 400 other faith-based organizations withconsultative status at the United Nations; each exercising influence to foster the values of their faith.
The UU UN Office has succeeded in helping to set up the International Criminal Court and to ensure that the rights of women and the GLBT community are on the UN agenda. The office has partnered with other NGOs to advocate major reductions in military spending and global reductions in both nuclear and smalls arms production and sales. The UU UNO has played a major role to end criminal sanctions based on sexual orientation. First Unitarian Church has been named a Blue Ribbon Congregation for its support of the UU-UNO.
The Board of Trustees recently completed a 3 year project to develop a vision for First Unitarian and its place in the community. That new vision statement guides the work of our staff and committees.
First Unitarian is a beacon of hope for us and for our community, a spiritual center in the heart of our city that helps each of us to find our moral compass, calling and challenging us to build the beloved community with an ever deepening sense of spirit, diversity and inclusion.
During the visioning process four pillar concepts framed the discussion as it went forward. These central ideas project First Unitarian as:
• Center for Spiritual Deepening
• Welcoming, Inclusive and Diverse Community
• Center for Community Involvement and Justice Making
• Center for Strengthening UU’s Connections.
The UUA Outreach group is central to our church’s success in this last item. Explore the pages that follow to see how we do this work.
Goals of the UUA Outreach Group for 2017-18
1. The UUA Outreach Group is recognized in First Unitarian Church by its activities that involve and link our congregation with the broader Unitarian Universalist movement.
Task: Welcome and communicate at Fuller Hall table each Sunday
Task: Promote and publicize UUA activities and connections to congregation
Task: Connect congregants with UUA affiliates and UUA activities
Task: Raise awareness of the benefits of First Church membership in the UUA
2. UUAOG participates in Mt. Hood Cluster meetings and activities and promotes them to members of First Unitarian Church
Task: The UUAOG represents First Unitarian at Cluster meetings, and provides information to the Church membership, leaders, Board and Executive Team
Task: Collaborate with cluster congregations on agreed upon projects/activities of common concern.”
3. UUAOG recruits, trains, supports and proposes delegates from First Church to General Assembly, Regional and District activities and meetings.
Task: meet deadlines for delegates and publicize UU Association issues in the congregation
Task: request funds for delegate registrations in Church budget
4. UUAOG reaches out to First Church congregation and staff to involve( achieve) our active participation in UUA activities and support.
Task: Support Chalice Lighters with information and recruitment for “calls”
Task: Strengthen communication between UUAOG and the Board and Executive Team.
Task: Recruit new UUA Outreach Group members from GA reps and leadership
Task: Invite leaders of UUA groups within our congregation to inform us and the congregation of their purpose and work
Task: Facilitate discussion in the congregation about our role in the larger movement (e.g. Fair Share).
In most UU congregations there are members who see Unitarian Universalism as a movement that has impact in our communities and the world here and now. They often gather under the name of Denominational Affairs. They help members connect with the activities of the UUA, other congregations and activist interest groups. Here at First Unitarian, a growing membership, an active social justice scene and the emerging Mt Hood Area Cluster mean our Committee is more active than ever. Committee members have often held other church leadership positions, and frequently represent the Church as delegates to District and General Assemblies. If your interest lies in the larger picture of UU ministry, join us! Stan Jewett, 503-310-0679, would love to hear from you.