Today At Our Fellowship

Thursday, April 10, 2025

It’s time for a Seder, UU-style 

 THIS Saturday, April 12, from 5 to 7 pm

As most of you know, a seder is the ritual meal that Jewish families prepare for the first night of Passover.  There is a collective telling of the story of Passover, then a shared meal.  We have a tradition of celebrating the holiday with UU twists.  Even for religious Jews, the seder is a story of liberation and religious freedom.  It is also a time of committing to work for others who still suffer without that freedom.  Our seder emphasizes those themes.

We will gather in the social room.  Please try to come around 5:00, so you can settle into your seat at the table, and we can begin our ritual storytelling promptly at 5:15.  The ritual and storytelling take about an hour.  We tell the story through food as well as words, so there is special food to eat along the way.

Please bring something for a potluck, which we will start right after we finish our shared storytelling.  A traditional seder has many rules – no bread, no mixing meat and dairy, for example – but we are flexible.  Bring whatever you are in the mood to cook and eat.  Google seder or call me if you want some traditional ideas.

This is a family friendly event.  Noisy kids who have a hard time sitting still are welcome.  Older children who really want to learn something about a new holiday are especially welcome.  

I need a few volunteers to help set up the room, and a few to help clean-up afterward.  Please let me know if you can assist.

You can come even if you don’t RSVP, but if you do RSVP, that’ll help us know how many tables and chairs to set up.

For questions, RSVPs, and offers to help, reach me at susano@reevesamodio.com or 907-952-1668 (call or text).

Looking forward to seeing many of you.

Susan Orlansky

The Forum

IN PERSON & on Zoom

9:00 am Sunday April 13, 2025

Click here to join on Zoom.

Click here for Speaker's Bio.

Sunday Worship Service

IN PERSON & on Zoom

11:00 am Sunday April 13, 2025

Click here to join on Zoom.

AUUF’s Stewardship Committee Needs Creative Minds and Skilled Helpers for Next Year’s Campaign

What is Stewardship tasked with? Basically, Stewardship will do whatever it takes to get annual pledges and keep track of them. The way the campaign is done can vary—we’ve used some of these in the past: reach-out via media, Stewardship Fair with games, phone calls, one-on-one meetups, small group dinners, etc. So creative thinkers can help brainstorm how the campaign will work (and we are wise to “change it up” every few years). It also requires some people who are good with data management, article-writing and marketing skills. If enough people step up, it will be easier and more fun for individuals to be a part of this success story. Could you picture yourself helping in a specific way on this committee? If so, please contact the Nominating Committee co-chairs Cindy Kinard / Denise Martin or email connections@anchorageuuf.org

Coming of Age Service

Sunday, April 13



Sunday, April 13 is our special Coming of Age Celebration service where we will be recognizing 5 AUUF teens- Bella, Denali, Isa, Bohdi and Tillman. I encourage you to bring your children to this service so they can see what they can take part of in the future. There are no RE Classes but childcare will be available in Room 3 for children who do not attend the service.

There will be a taco luncheon following the service in social hall! Any monetary donations will go towards supporting Fall Frolic, 2025.

Anchorage UUF is making an impact in the Earth Month Eco-challenge 2025: Conservation!

April is Earth Day month!

On April 20 we will be having a service and displays focused on reducing our environmental foot print. 

During this month the green Sanctuary Committee would like to invite you join in the Eco Challenge at Earth Month Eco-challenge 2025: Conservation - Anchorage UUF. It’s fun and is also an amazing resource for information on how we can honor the web of life. 

Earth Month Eco-challenge, running from April 1st to April 30th, is a 30-day program focused on environmental and social engagement. During this month, you're invited to select actions that resonate with your values, committing to them for 30 days to foster and reinforce positive habits. Each action you complete earns points and generates real-world impact. Your efforts, combined with those of your team, contribute to a significant collective difference.

This year’s theme, “For Earth, For Each Other, For Tomorrow,” is about fostering hope and inspiring action for a better future. Through daily actions and shared learning, we can create a more sustainable and equitable world - one where people and nature thrive together. Join us to discover how small steps today can create a ripple effect for future generations.

Click here for the website; Earthmonth Eco-challenge

Earth Day April 20 

We are partnering with Total Reclaim of Anchorage to provide drop off containers for recycling at the fellowship. The Collection containers will be on  the west side parking lot. The cost to you is $0.25 per pound. This will be on  the honor system but we will take any amount you wish to donate.  

    Items: 

    All types of electronics including, appliances, cords, phones & computers, TV monitor and printers, batteries, light bulbs, fluorescent lights ballasts, vacuums with bags emptied.

Electronics Recycling is our annual Spring Fundraiser event which is planned by the AUUF Green Sanctuary Committee. We are committed to support the  mission & values of AUUF. Our intent is to prevent harmful electronics, batteries and other recyclable waste getting into our landfill. 

Donations range from $5 to $25 (for large heavy items like TV, monitors and  printers).

Contact Yolanda Meza, 907 764-9234 with any questions.

Become a Solar Energy Champion!

Summary of the Project: The Green Sanctuary committee is working on reducing the carbon footprint of our fellowship as well as our monthly energy bill by installing a solar panel array on the fellowship building. We have obtained proposals for the solar panel array which would offset the majority of our annual electrical use. Thirty percent of the cost of the solar panel installation will be covered by a federal incentive program. The approximate cost of the solar panel array, after federal rebate, is $30,000. The materials and installation cost of each solar panel is $1,000.  You can join us in this project, and become a Solar Energy Champion, by supporting the purchase of all or part of a solar panel for the array. Funding from other sources is also being pursued by the Green Sanctuary committee. At the conclusion of the project an appreciation plaque with the names of all contributors will be created for the fellowship hall to thank everyone who is able to participate.

Click here to read the entire article.

RE Spring Fun on April 20

Come Join Us for Lunch!

Sunday April 27th at 12:30pm in the Social Room.

Would you like to learn first-hand about the Endowment Fund? The Endowment Fund Committee is holding an informational luncheon on Sunday April 27th after the 11am Worship Service at 12:30pm in the Social Room. Please let us know that you are coming so we can provide enough food for everyone. RSVP to James Denney at alaskakingdad@yahoo.com or leave a message at 907-529-5411.

Bridging Service for AUUF High School Seniors

Sunday, April 27



Sunday, April 27- This Sunday is our special Bridging service at 11am where we will be recognizing 4 AUUF High School Seniors, Nora, Sarina, Denali and Levi. I encourage you to bring your children to this service so they can see what they can take part of in the future as they continue through the RE program here at AUUF. Childcare will be available in Room 3 for children who do not attend the service.

The Wizardly World of Peace Camp 2025



Planning is underway and registrations have been mailed. More registration/health form copies are available outside of Jenn’s office door. To receive the Early Bird discounted rate of $275, return your registration and payment to AUUF by May 1. After May 1 the rate is $300. Once registration has been received an email will go out with a pdf copy of the Parent Policy Handbook. Paper copies are also available outside of Jenn’s office door .

Peace Camp Planning Meetings

Wednesday, March 26 at 1pm

Wednesday, April 23 at 1pm 

Trainings for helpers and volunteers

Tuesday, May 27- Safety Training 6pm-9pm (All Staff & Volunteers)

Wednesday, May 28- Counselor Training 1pm-5pm

Thursday, May 29- Counselor Training 1pm-5pm

Saturday, June 7- Peace Camp Set Up 1pm-5pm

Peace Camp June 9-13, 9am-4pm Daily

.

WhaleCoast News! The Anchorage dates are June 14-19 and July 23-25! 

Maya, the WhaleCoast coordinator, has announced that there are still a few open spots in both of the tours if you know anyone who might be interested. These are available for local folks too, including yourself! Check out the two tours here. She'll close the enrollment in a couple of weeks, so act quickly. 

I'm beginning to take volunteers for opening your home for housing guests, providing transportation, and helping with the banquets on June 15 and July 24. This is Jane Hall's last year coordinating the banquets, so we need a couple of volunteers to learn from her to carry on our hospitality. I'd love to have some help with the coordinating the housing and support also. Emails are the best way to reach me: probinson.mr@gmail.com. There is also a form to complete and email to me or leave in the workroom at AUUF, in the labeled folder.

Download the PDF form here.

Let's hope for a wonderful spring and summer!

Peggy Robinson, WhaleCoast Coordinator

Picnic Sunday

June 29, July 27 and August 24



Join us once a month this Summer for, Picnic Sunday! Pack and bring your own picnic lunch to the Fellowship and stay after to visit. The kids can play on the wonderful playground! Dates for Picnic Sunday are June 29, July 27 and August 24.

Save the Date(s)! Fall Frolic 2025!

September 5-7, 2025



Fall Frolic will be September 5-7, 2025 at Birchwood Camp. More details, information and registration will be available July 2025. For now, mark your calendars! You don't want to miss this weekend of fun, friends and fellowship!

April HALF PORTION FOR SOCIAL ACTION:

Standing Together Against Rape (STAR)

For nearly half a century, Standing Together Against Rape (STAR) has been a lifeline for survivors of sexual violence in Alaska. Our free and confidential Crisis Line is available 24/7, providing a crucial first point of contact for those seeking help. Whether it's day or night, our dedicated staff and volunteers are always ready to assist.



Our support doesn't stop at the helpline. Our Direct Services advocates offer immediate crisis response, one-on-one support, medical and court accompaniment, and long-term care to ensure survivors receive comprehensive support. In fiscal year 2024, we assisted 439 clients through Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) call-outs and provided over 16,500 advocacy services for 542 clients. Our Prevention and Education programs reached more than 1,425 youth and included 54 presentations for 1,447 adults to raise community awareness. As the demand for our services continues to grow, STAR remains committed to helping survivors and educating the community. Want to get involved? Visit our website at www.staralaska.com, email us at star@staralaska.org, or call (907) 276-7279.

You can contribute in person at our Sunday services or online by visiting anchorageuuf.org click on the Half-Portion note or Donate/ Pay at the bottom of the home page. Enter your donation under “Half-Portion for Social Action." 

Go to anchorageuuf.org

Click on the Half-Portion note or Donate/ Pay

at the bottom of the home page.

Enter your donation under

“Half-Portion for Social Action”

Anchorage Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

(907) 248-3737

Rev. Lise Adams Sherry, (she/ her), Minister,

RevLise@anchorageuuf.org, 907-248-3737 x2,

Office hours are usually Tu 11-3; Th and F 11-3, and by appointment

*On sabbatical March 17, 2025 through June 30, 2025.

Jennifer Bluntach (she/her), Director of Religious Exploration

DRE@anchorageuuf.org

Office hours usually are:

Sunday 9am-11am, Tuesday 11am-3pm, Thursday, 11am-3pm, and by appointment

Richard Stoneking, (he/him), Congregational Administrator

Admin@AnchorageUUF.org, 907.248.3737 x.1

Office Hours Usually Mon-Thu 11am - 3 pm, Please call first.

Kelly Spring, (she/ her), Communications Specialist, Communications@anchorageuuf.org

Kelly's remote office hours Mon-Fri 9 am -1 pm

Esme Danner (she/her) Music Director

907-248-3737 x4, Music@anchorageuuf.org

Rebecca Bernard, (she/ her), Affiliated Community Minister

RBernard.AK@gmail.com

Dan Norton: AV Coordinator

907-248-3737, AVCoordinator@anchorageuuf.org



Contact the Connections Team for more information on how to get involved.

Connections@anchorageuuf.org 

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