Dear Fellow Congregants, 

Excited

relieved, 

happy, and

nervous (a little bit) 

were the emotions I felt when I heard the news from our ministers that in-person services will begin on November 7. It has been a long time coming (approximately 19 months) but I am deeply appreciative that First Unitarian took a measured, science-based approach to resuming in-person gatherings. 

Reverend Bill acknowledged the Church’s volunteer Public Health Team at the Sunday service and post-service Q&A Session held on October 17.  I plan to get my vaccine records registered with the Church as soon as that online tool is up and running. I also recognize that all of us – the Church, ministers and staff, and the congregation – will be navigating uncharted waters during this transition. We should expect that “change of plans” and “speed bumps” will undoubtedly occur. I hope that we will have the capacity to confer grace to each other as we come back together. 

The theme for our 2021- 2022 Season of Giving is “Meeting the New Day!” which seems particularly apt as we start in-person services. We launched our Season of Giving on October 17. At that service, Rev. Bill called out the importance of Sustaining Pledgers, congregants who allow their gift to be automatically renewed each year. Gifts made in this manner enable predictability, help the Church make programmatic commitments, and save on the Church’s limited administrative resources. Over 55% of our operating budget now comes from Sustaining Pledges. This year, Board of Trustee members have already made over 100 phone calls to thank members and friends who have committed to a Sustaining Pledge. If you are a Sustaining Pledger, thank you!   

We recognize—indeed celebrate—the diversity of congregants’ ability to give. No matter what you are able to contribute, I hope you will consider pledging your gift as a Sustaining Pledge. In doing so, your love for the church will be enduring. Please read the Meeting the New Day letter mailed earlier this month to learn about all the Church has been able to achieve through the gifts you have pledged, especially the Social Justice Highlights. This year’s Season of Giving will go through November 14.

Last, but not least, I am pleased to share with you our new Church Goals, adopted in provisional form by our Board of Trustees at our October meeting.

First Unitarian’s Church Goals for 2021-2024  

As we work to embrace our call as a justice-seeking community in the emerging post-pandemic era, we recognize the unique value First Unitarian Church and liberal religion bring to Portland and the larger community. We will:

• Successfully complete the ministerial transition and establish covenantal relationships among the new minister, the congregation, staff, and Board.
• Take the next steps toward living into the 8th Principle by examining all parts of the church structure to ensure we are accountably creating a multicultural and anti-racist environment where each person is welcomed and finds connection.
• Create a long-term plan for development and sustainability of the church campus given congregational needs and resources, community needs, and the evolving dynamics of downtown Portland.
• Enhance and promote an ever-growing culture of generosity and financial sustainability.

As provided in the by-laws, it is a responsibility of the Board to set Church goals. The Board conducted an outreach and data collection process during the 2020-21 church year and drafted these goals during the summer months. We are still calling the goals provisional because we want to give congregants time to review them and provide input prior to final adoption in our December Board meeting. To that end, we’ve scheduled a virtual forum for November 14 at 12:45. Please look for a Zoom link to the Forum in the Front Steps or a QR code provided after Sunday services that day. 

The Board’s business meetings (which are the first Thursday of each month beginning at 7:00 pm) will continue to be held on Zoom until we can once again gather at the church. Meetings are open to congregants to observe or to share comments. Look for the Zoom link in the Board meeting packet, normally posted by the Friday before each Board meeting. 

As always, you are welcome to contact the Board at board@firstunitarianportland.org.  

In service, 

Mindy Clark 

Moderator, Board of Trustees