Greetings,

      As much as I enjoy the holidays here at First Unitarian with the holiday sale, amazing music, and special services, I find myself longing for the quiet of January at a certain point. Being retired, I have the luxury of time. I feel very fortunate as I know many do not have the time. It is right on New Year’s Eve, when we turn to the new year, that I find my emotions all over the place. I remember as a child, being with my parents and grandparents and listening to them laugh about the fun they had on New Year’s Eve. I recall them talking about dancing on the tables as my grandfather played drums in a local band. My brothers and I forced ourselves to stay awake, waiting for the moment we would stand out on the porch beating our pots and pans. So many memories of days long gone. These days, I often attend the music program at Trinity Cathedral in Northwest Portland, which is usually filled (pre-pandemic) and has a spectacular ending with everyone holding lighted candles and a bagpiper marching down that long aisle playing Auld Lang Syne. That song always makes me tear up as I think of those days long ago and the many friends and family no longer with me. The season’s beauty masks the realities of war that are only clicks away. The people in distress right outside our doors.

We’ve had many wonderful events this year, like Rev. Bill’s last service and our welcome week with Rev. Alison and her family.  I so enjoyed our celebration of Hanukkah, which started on a Sunday this year: lighting the candles has always seemed special to me. It inspired me to go home and call a friend in California to wish him a Happy Hanukkah. He is not what I would call a practicing Jew, but it is his heritage, and I could tell he was pleased. 

I honestly don’t think I’ve ever been to church on New Year’s Day before, but I decided to attend this year, and I’m so glad I did. As usual, our service was carefully created by our ministers and staff.  Our intern Eli Poole had a YouTube video projected on the screen that was titled “The Time You Have (In Jelly Beans)” (about 29,000 in total). The jelly beans were spread out on the floor and then pushed aside as the narrator separated how many jelly beans were spent sleeping, eating, & working (you get the idea) until there was only a small two ft square of jelly beans remaining that represented the time left over. The time left to play, laugh, travel, or gaze at the moon. So what will we do with those remaining jelly beans? What will we do on our last day? Kathryn and Eli handed one jelly bean in a small cup to all in attendance. My red jelly bean sits in its cup on my kitchen windowsill and reminds me that January is a good time to sit and think about what this new year will bring and what I will choose for those last jelly beans.

Here are a few more details about upcoming events:

The first Board Forum of the year will be on February 26 at the Church and online. The UUA is working on updating our Seven Principles and Purposes, and they want your input. This is your chance to see their proposals and make your views known.

Seminary for a Day with Rev. John Buehrens will be on January 28, from 8:45 a.m. to 2:35 p.m. Rev. Buehrens won’t preach on Sunday, so the only opportunity to hear him speak is in Seminary for a Day.  Check your Front Steps email for how to get tickets.

Also, we are grateful that so many of you have chosen to donate money to keep our Church moving forward through the “Rooted and Ready” campaign. Thank you so much.

Barbara Morrison

Board of Trustees