Hello there!

We’ve talked often about the “emerging church”, discovering ourselves as we emerge from the isolations of the pandemic. But have we emerged? To me (Julia Lee Griffiths, member of your Board or Trustees), seems like we’re getting close.

So who are we now? What’s our trajectory?

Enrollments in our Religious Education program have increased to the point that new teachers are being recruited. (Contact Rev. Leah to learn more: longiri@firstunitarianportland.org.

Attendance at the recent Sewell Lecture by Steve Phillips was robust, filling the main level of the sanctuary.

The 13 Salmon Shower Project volunteers and staff welcome neighbors every week, to take a warm shower, pick out clean clothes, and rest. Energy is sizzling around the Social Justice Program’s ALL-CHURCH Democracy Fair on March 17, 12-3pm, with skills workshops on Witness, Advocacy, & Community Organizing and an education session on American Militarism.

Anticipation is growing for the Music and Worship Service on Easter Sunday, March 31. Choir friends are very excited, so I’m excited.

Every Sunday we meet new visitors in the welcome circles. Maybe that was you?

And 150 of us are participating in Community Circles.

There’s energy in all this coming together and finding our way with change. It’s almost like dozens of tiny streams were blocked or dry and now are feeding a river, with power and force. Where will all that energy take us? And what about the change that continues to come?

In the near term, the energy takes us to budget conversations. The board has received an early overview of the budget, and the board and Executive Team presented the same briefing at an informal information session for the congregation on March 10. There will be more information and discussion at the Finance Committee meeting on March 12. And there will be a budget forum in the Eliot Chapel on March 24 at 12:15. The board will vote whether on recommending the budget at our meeting on April 4; visitors welcome.

A little further out, the board is examining how we do things. How can we identify and correct systems of oppression at work in our structures and practices? How do we welcome new board members to the circle and prepare them for the work ahead? How many board members should we have? How do we show care for ourselves and each other with the weighty responsibility of holding the history of our church, being present to the needs of the congregation, and setting this institution that we love on a healthy path to the future?

With gratitude for his commitment and thoughtful work, we recognize the resignation of Andy Wilson from our ranks. Andy’s deep caring, strategic gifts, and forthright communication were singular, and his absence from the board is felt, as we give thanks for his continued work on behalf of the church. We thank Roger Robinson for taking on the role of Treasurer.

And now we come to strategic planning. In the coming months and into the next church year, we will create a strategic plan. What are our mission and vision for the future? What priorities do those reveal and what plans can we create to make them real?

This is the work of all of us — congregants, trustees, clergy, and staff — to steer our way and see where the river takes us, together.

I am glad to be with you in this work.