Tis the season when the world insists that gift giving take center stage in our lives. Though many of us resist the commercialism, generosity of spirit is certainly a spiritual value. The giving of gifts can be an expression of our love.  

In this season, at First Unitarian, we collect gifts and hang gift cards on the Giving Trees outside the Sanctuary and in the Buchan Atrium. Those gifts go to Central City Concern (for those living with mental illness), for youth at Outside In, houseless pet owners through Paw Team and others. Our Social Justice Action Groups and Learning Community organize this gift giving. 

But, gift-giving, for First Unitarian, is not limited to the holiday season. 

Each month, the offering collected in worship is shared, almost always with a local community-based organization. Occasionally we support a national UU cause and in December we replenish the Emergency Fund for Members that we use to help folks in our community who have emergency needs. 

But almost always, the money in our collection plate is shared with non-profit groups that are working to support our values and our mission as a church here in Portland. 

This year, we will have made gifts of over $50,000 to our plate recipients. That is a lot of money. For the often small non-profits we support, our gifts make a real difference. 

Family Forward Oregon received our support last March, almost $4,000. Amy Hojnowski, their Development Director, wrote: 

“Your support will help us build a family-centered economy in Oregon, one that makes it possible for every one of us to both provide for and care for our family.” Family Forward advocates for family-friendly public policies like paid family leave, flex work arrangements, affordable childcare and more. They also assist employers to improve their workplace policies. 

The Living Room, which supports LGBTQ+ youth, received our contribution in June. They sent a lovely card, signed by their staff members: “Your contribution makes a huge impact on an organization of our size. Your gift could cover our food costs at the drop-in center for a whole year or pay rent and utilities for three months or provide all the costs for an Alternative Prom.” 

And just last month, we shared our plate with Portland United Against Hate. Diego Hernandez, Coalition Director wrote, “We are proud to stand alongside you in working towards a more just and compassionate world.  Your donation will help us track, respond to, prevent and heal from acts of hate. Thank you for being in coalition with us as we strive to create an inclusive city that protects, embraces, and celebrates its diverse communities.” 

In this season when hope can be hard to sustain, remember that First Unitarian, in ways both difficult and easy to measure, is helping bring more love and more justice into the world. We use our gifts throughout the year to help bring the Beloved Community into being in our community and in our world. 

I close each worship service with these words: “Go in Peace. Practice Love.” It is in the practice of love that we use our gifts in this holiday season and throughout the year. 

Blessings, 

Bill