Today At Our Fellowship

Thursday, February 19, 2026

This Week @ AUUF

Thursday, February 19

*6:30 – 8:00 pm Choir Practice Sanctuary

Friday, February 20

*12:00 – 2:00 pm Freethinkers in Person Only Room 7

*5:30 – 8:00 pm Parent Night Out - Childcare Downstairs Library & Room 8

Saturday, February 21

8:30 – 10:30 am AA-Slap Happy Group at AUUF Social Room

Sunday, February 22

*9:00 – 10:15 am The Forum

*11:00 am – 12:15 pm Sunday Worship Service Live at AUUF & on Zoom

*11:00 am – 1:00 pm HS Youth Group

Room 7

*11:00 am Religious Exploration Classes for kids

*12:30 – 3:45 pm Anti-Racism Movie

Sanctuary

2:00 – 4:00 pm Juggling Workshop

Social Room

4:00 – 5:30 pm Anchorage Friends Meeting Sanctuary & Social Room

Monday, February 23

Tuesday, February 24

*2:00 – 4:00 pm Knitting Group

Room 7

Wednesday, February 25

10:00 – 11:00 am Peace Camp Planning Meeting

Thursday, February 26

*6:30 – 8:00 pm Choir Practice

Sanctuary

Friday, February 27

*12:00 – 2:00 pm Freethinkers in Person Only Room 7

*Open to AUUF Members & Friends

Social Justice Pillar for January, February & March; Alaska Native Culture and Indigenous Rights

Half Portion February Recipient: Alaska Institute for Justice

The Forum

Sunday February 22, 2026, 2026 9:00 AM

IN- PERSON and on Zoom

Click here to join on Zoom.

Sunday Worship Service

Sunday February 22, 2026 11:00 AM

IN- PERSON and on Zoom

Click here to join on Zoom.

Upcoming Worship Services

This is the last Sunday of our SoulMatters theme Embodying Resilience. We’re also continuing to explore AK Native Culture and Indigenous Rights as our current Social Justice Pillar. (A Social Justice Pillar is a contemporary topic we explore together as a congregation in Worship, the Forum, and Religious Exploration for about three months.)

Feb. 22, 11 am In-person and Zoom

"Finding Solace in the Wilderness"

Rev. Lise Adams Sherry, Michele Champion

Many in our society are beginning annual times of spiritual devotion and focus (Lent, Ramadan) that help to ground them in the uncertainty of the every day. What can we learn from them and other cultural traditions (Indigenous, Black) that will lead us to finding our own steady path in the wilderness?

***

The SoulMatters theme for March is Paying Attention. We’ll look at what matters to us, what we give our attention to, what we should perhaps give more attention to. As we continue our Social Justice Pillar of AK Native Culture and Indigenous Rights we’ll include contributions from their perspectives.

March 1

"Women Leaders in Indigenous Culture"

Rev. Lise Adams Sherry, Renée Frost

Born in Nebraska in the 19th century, Susan La Flesch Picotte (Omaha) left home to study medicine. She returned to as a doctor to care for her people and to eventually establish a hospital on their reservation. Suzan Shown Harjo (Hodulgee Muscogee/Southern Cheyenne) has fought for indigenous sovereignty in the 20th and 21st centuries, receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom. As part of Women’s History Month, we’ll pay attention to their contributions and legacies.

March 8

"Crafting as a Path to Attention"

Rev. Lise Adams Sherry, Michele Champion

Crafting in the forms of quilting, crochet, coloring, building bird houses and more, has served so many purposes—practical needs, a creative outlet, showing love and even as a way to record culture and history. Are you a practitioner or is there a future of crafting in your life? Please bring items you’d like to share with the congregation or send a photo of your work to Rev. Lise (RevLise@AnchorageUUF.org) to be included in the Sunday slides.

Barbershop Quartets

Saturday, Feb 21, 6:30-8:00 pm

Greetings from the Connections Team. We are hosting a Quartet of Barbershop Quartets at the Fellowship this Saturday, Feb 21, 6:30-8pm. Everyone is welcome! Whether you're a regular at a cappella concerts or not -- come enjoy the variety, the talent, the energy of a part of Anchorage's huge Barbershop community! Featured groups: Bonfire (with someone you will know!), Imperfect Fourth, The Prince William Sound, and a student group from Service High School, the Dreamcatchers. Suggested donation of $20 - half of the proceeds will go to the AUUF, and half will go to the performers. Contact Katherine with any questions 907-342-9890.

CUISINE TO GO 2026

Your AUUF Alliance is planning our very popular fundraiser, the Cuisine to Go auction. Alliance members and friends who would like to contribute can contact Cathy Steen at csteen356@gmail.com by February 21st. Please include the name of the dish and, if possible, a photo, a word or two about what makes the offering special, main ingredients and any timelines or options for delivery. We will gratefully receive your donation. Proceeds for the auction will fund AUUF projects. Soon you will be able to bid on delicious homemade meals! The auction will be held February 28-March 8. A link will be sent via email to AUUF members and friends. If you have any questions you can contact Donna at slowingdownnow13@gmail.com or Katherine at 907 342-9890.

Support our Business Auction Donors!

We had some wonderful donations from local businesses for our auction last November! I encourage you to support them if you can and thank them for providing support for AUUF. Many of these are long-time auction donors.

Sports: Skinny Raven Sports, Arctic Valley Ski Area, UUA Athletics

Clothing & Gifts: Wild Spruce Knits, Sourdough Mercantile, Cabin Fever

Food: Locally Grown Restaurants (Snow City Café, Spenard Road House, Crush Bistro & Bottle Shops), The Tooth Company (Bear Tooth, Moose’s Tooth), Kaladi Brothers Coffee, Wild Scoops, Great Harvest Bread, The flying Dutchman Pastry Shop, Tastee Freez

Auction Experiences Are a Great Way to Get to Know Each Other

Several of our congregants offer fun experiences for our auction bidding. These range from a family chocolate dipping & dinner experience to Iditarod Watching Brunch to overnight camping in a dry yurt or cabin. Recently, we had a fun poker party with great food, and then the Connections Team is offered Tacos and Cards recently. For next fall’s auction, consider what you could offer or assist with, or plan on bidding on one or more offerings! While we also offer a variety of things in the auction, the only item you take home for an experience is a gift certificate for future fun!

Stewardship Message

Dear AUUF Family,

Some of you have heard me talk about my road to you — the feeling that I had been searching for you for 40 years. Not really searching, since I didn’t know you existed. It’s more accurate to say that I have needed and longed for you my whole life.

I was raised in a Christian home in one of the most conservative areas of our country. Even as a child, none of it truly resonated with me. My attempts to avoid church eventually culminated in my completely stepping away from religion when I left home for college.

The only spiritual options I had ever been exposed to were Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and Mormonism. In my twenties, I began quietly creating my own “religion,” grounded in my love of nature and a belief in human goodness. Because of my upbringing, I felt like a heathen and struggled to admit — even to myself — that I was no longer Christian. It was a deeply personal and spiritual struggle.

Then, in 2022, I found you.

I had watched a documentary about a Unitarian Christian church, and the values expressed fascinated me. I Googled “Unitarian church Anchorage” — and discovered something even better: Unitarian Universalism, AUUF, and a faith community that reflected the spiritual beliefs I had slowly formed over decades.

To say that I floated out of my first service would be an understatement. My connection to this community and to the Seven Principles was immediate and profound. I was elated, and I will never forget that first day.

At AUUF, I have found my spiritual home. I have found my spiritual siblings. I love you all dearly.

I joined as soon as I could. I was grateful to pledge what I was able, because I cannot imagine a better investment in my life. As an accountant and former director of small nonprofits, I understand that our Fellowship is sustained almost entirely by the generosity of its members. Our Fellowship exists because we choose to sustain it. Every pledge — large or small — is an act of faith in this community and in one another. I am proud to support such a meaningful and vibrant community, and I only wish I could pledge more.

As we consider our pledges this year, I invite you to reflect on the value this Fellowship brings to your life. I personally cannot imagine navigating the current state of our country without the relationships I have formed here. You lift me up. You give me hope. You add immeasurable value to my life.

I will leave you with this final thought: I know I am not alone in my religious background or in my longing for something different. Please do not be afraid to share who we are with others. I sincerely wish I had found you 34 years ago when I first moved to Anchorage. I’m still a little mad that none of you found me!

Now, I feel a responsibility to help others discover what we offer — a community of warm, caring, thoughtful, and compassionate people walking a shared spiritual path.

With love and gratitude,

Tracy Barbee

AUUF Religious Exploration Updates

Click here to read.

Calling all High School Seniors

Do you have a High School Senior who is interested in participating in the Bridging Ceremony at AUUF of Sunday, May 10? Contact Jenn Bluntach at dre@anchorageuuf.org

More information can be found about what the Bridging ritual is at this link.

Peace Camp 2026- Peace Around the World

Peace Camp 2026 prep is underway! We will be offering two weeks of Peace Camp- June 1-5 and June 8-12. We have amazing teen cabin leads and volunteers at AUUF that make this camp happen. If you are interested in helping with Peace Camp in any way, for any amount of time, please contact Jenn Bluntach at dre@anchorageuuf.org. New helpers encouraged and welcomed! We need adult help/supervision in many different areas- check-in/check-out table, lunch buddies, adult bike riders, morning workshops, before and after camp child care etc. This year marks the 10th anniversary of Peace Camp. We'd love for you to be a part of this special event!

Registration for campers will become available in March. Watch for more details...

Volunteer for Sunday Hospitality through Sign-Up Genius

Please consider signing up to help make AUUF a warm and welcoming community. Encourage a friend or relative to join you! Every Sunday we need greeters, zoom ushers and Social Hour helpers to keep our kitchen tidy. Below is a link to the Signup Genius which includes downloadable directions on what to do. All you need is an email address and you will be sent an automatic reminder 2 days ahead of time. Thanks to all who continue to help!

FEBRUARY HALF PORTION FOR SOCIAL ACTION:

Alaska Institute for Justice

The Alaska Institute for Justice (AIJ) is the February Half Portion donation recipient. AIJ was founded in 2005 as the Alaska Immigration Justice Project with the mission to protect the Human Rights of Alaskans. Today, AIJ comprises three programs that together help break down barriers to access to social, health, and legal services, champion critical policy changes for indigenous communities and promote justice for all. AIJ’s programs include the Alaska Immigration Justice Project (AIJP), the Language Interpreter Center, and the Climate Justice Program.

All three programs are of the utmost importance to AIJ’s mission and the diverse populations AIJ serves. However, the Alaska Immigration Justice Project is AIJ’s longest standing program, with a long history of serving immigrant communities and protecting human trafficking victims, many of whom have also experienced domestic violence and sexual assault. The Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act was enacted in October 2000. As defined by this law, victims of human trafficking can be divided into three populations:

Children under age 18 induced into commercial sex
Adults aged 18 or over induced into commercial sex through force, fraud, or coercion
Children and adults induced to perform labor or services through force, fraud, or coercion

The first federal prosecution to occur in the United States after this legislation was enacted occurred in Anchorage, Alaska. AIJ staff worked with the FBI, US Attorney’s Office and the legacy Immigration and Naturalization Service to ensure that the 7 victims received access to safety and protection. As the Nation faces uncertainty on many fronts with the upcoming change of Presidential Administration, the Alaska Immigration Justice Project’s services are more critical than ever to help protect and guide Alaskans facing complex immigration, asylum, and refugee processes. AIJP currently represents approximately 310 clients and continues to prioritize representation of immigrants fleeing persecution, torture, human trafficking, sexual assault and domestic violence.

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

Go to anchorageuuf.org

Click on Donate/ Pay

ON of the home page.

Enter your donation under

“Half-Portion for Social Action”

Candlelight Vigil for Sonia Espinoza Arriaga & Children

Monday, Feb 23^rd from 5-6 pm

Sonia Espinoza Arriaga and her three children were arrested and detained by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. The youngest is 5 years old, and in Kindergarten. There is now a community-wide Candlelight Vigil in Anchorage scheduled for Monday, Feb 23^rd from 5-6 pm at St. John United Methodist Church.

The AK Public story is linked here.