Greetings,

Much has been happening in our church. As you know from the Front Steps, the board has asked Rev. Bill to continue as our Senior Minister for an additional year. He has agreed to postpone his retirement and will remain with us through the 2021-2022 church year.

With the end of our church year we celebrated – our graduating youth, naming Mark Woodlief as our Unitarian Universalist of the Year, and through our flower communion, the uniqueness we each bring to the beloved community. These celebrations are welcome during these difficult times yet stand in such contrast to the physical and emotional separation that still continues with COVID-19, and the inhumanity and racism we see throughout our country and in our community. We are truly blessed to have ministers and staff who speak their truth while holding us as we learn to open our hearts to each other and to change.

We also celebrated the 25th Anniversary of Rev. Tom Disrud’s call to our church. Tom’s compassionate voice and steady presence in so many aspects of our church continue to bring us closer to the beloved community. Thank you, Tom, and we look forward to celebrating with you in person when that is possible.

We will not see the normal summer slowdown in the activities of the church that we are accustomed to. The Executive Team and staff are continuing their work looking ahead to next church year. The budget that was passed in April will be adjusted as needed to reflect changes in how we are now doing church. And the board will continue to meet as necessary over the summer.

I want to welcome our new board members once again – Caitlynn Hill, Adam House, Marilyn Mays. We are so pleased to have them join our board. And I want to thank our retiring board members – Kathy Ludlow, Andy Parker, Randy Russell. All three completed six years on the board and will be missed.

The board will continue meeting on Zoom until we can once again gather at the church. Board meetings are open to congregants to observe or to share comments. Look for the Zoom link in the agenda of our board packet. Regular board meetings will begin again in September.

You can always contact the board at board@firstunitarianportland.org.

Blessings.

Mindy Clark

Moderator, Board of Trustees