by Marie Lundstrom

Stewardship Committee

AUUF has $285,000 committed from 113 pledging units (out of 143) with $30,000 yet to go to reach our $315,000 goal and $60,000 away from our stretch goal. We have yet to hear from many folks.

If you are among the 30 unheard-from pledging units, and you are on automatic pay, but you haven’t yet told us to keep expecting your money, please send us an email to [email protected] right away. We can’t just assume your pledge will continue as before; we need you to tell us. We have to know we can count on you.

Going forward, the AUUF Board will decide on March 5 what budget to present to the membership at the May 5 Annual Meeting. That budget will reflect what we have committed to us at the time. If you are among the 30 unheard-from pledging units, but you haven’t pledged at all, think hard on it—even $10 or $25 a month can make a difference in what we can budget for.

Thanks to all who have pledged, all who are continuing to pledge, those who increased their pledge, and those who are strongly considering pledging for the first time. Every bit of support is valuable and vital. Check the chart to see your commitment so far!

Connect with other UUs in the Pacific Western Region. Our 4^th Regional Assembly will be held in Denver on April 19 and 20, at the beautiful First Universalist Church. You can attend either in person or online. The keynote address will feature a conversation between our UUA President Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt and the new President of the United Church of Christ, Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia A. Thompson.  There will be inspirational worship, workshops, and a craft room. There will be a reception Friday evening. We will also host a continental breakfast and catered lunch on Saturday. This is a family friendly event, with childcare.

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Courtyard Marriot Hotel Cherry Creek. Sign up for no-host dinner groups on Saturday evening to continue the conversations. We hope to connect with you at RA! Register Today here.

Too often the motivation for the Fellowship making an annual payment to the Municipality of Anchorage in lieu of property taxes is seen as a very ordinary one: the obligation to pay for street and sidewalk maintenance, fire fighting and law enforcement, services we need for our building and grounds. Yet, there is a higher purpose in line with our principles. Only the municipality has the resources and authority to truly tackle the problem of homelessness as a community-wide issue. Only the municipality through its ordinances can ensure equal rights for all regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, marital status, age, or physical or mental disability. Only the municipality advances learning through a network of public libraries to serve neighborhoods throughout our community. PILOT shows that we support what advances our own principles.

When we make our collections this month at our Sunday services, half our contributions will go to the Municipality of Anchorage. The message we will be sending is that we appreciate and support the municipality for all that it does. From ensuring the safety of our streets to ensuring the safety of our neighbors who are between homes. From illuminating our thoroughfares to illuminating minds. Serving all of us in so many ways as neighbors of truly equal standing. Please give thought to this when you give

in person this month on Sundays or online through the following link:

Go to anchorageuuf.org