Anchorage Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

Frequently Asked Questions about Sunday Mornings

What is a typical Sunday service like?
 

While AUUF has some special Sunday services, most typical 11:00 a.m. worship services include a welcome and chalice lighting by a worship associate (lay leader), followed by an opening hymn, a reading related to UU principles or traditions, a sermon or message by our minister or guest speaker, a moment of meditation, joys and concerns (lighting candles or dropping pebbles), the offering,  a closing hymn, closing words and extinguishing the chalice. 

The 9:00 a.m. service is a Forum that includes a presentation on a topic of interest to the fellowship, followed by questions and answers by those in attendance. ​ 

 

 

What is the Dress Code?

You are welcome to come as you are. At a typical Sunday service, you will see some people wearing their "Sunday best" and others who will dress more casually.  Jeans, tennis shoes, biking shorts and other athletic gear (many commute by bike or on foot) are not uncommon. Wear what you feel most comfortable wearing. 

 

 

What if I have children?

Childcare is available at the 9:00 service for ages 1 - 11. Age grouped classes are offered during the 11:00 service. A toddler class is available for children who are 1 - 2 year of age.  For children who are 3 and older, we provide religious exploration  classes based on curricula from the Unitarian Universalist Association (embellished with things and thoughts unique to Alaska). Learn more about our children / youth Religious Exploration programs.​

 

Visitors to the Religious Exploration (RE) classes are asked to complete a brief RE Guest Information form as a means to communicate with you about our RE programs, as well as a measure of safety for our young people. Completed forms provide accurate information on each child for whom we are responsible during RE class times.

 

What if my child doesn't separate well?

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If your child is not comfortable leaving you, they may join you during the services in the Sanctuary. We have quiet toys & books for them in the Sanctuary, and they are welcome to move around at the back of the room. Or, parents/guardians are welcome to stay with the child in the Religious Exploration classroom until the child feels comfortable. 

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Am I expected to give at the service?

Contributions collected during services benefit many non-profit charitable organizations that provide vital assistance to vulnerable and underserved groups. AUUF supports such organizations by donating a "half-portion" of the service plate collection, while the other half helps to underwrite AUUF programs. People attending services decide what, if anything, they wish to contribute. Many fellowship members and friends make their plate offering annual pledge contributions through monthly payments via credit card and check, and so they may not donate to the offering plate each week. Congregants who make pledge payments through the offering plate are asked to indicate this on their check memo line or sealed envelope. 

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Becoming an AUUF Member

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If you have attended AUUF for a while and feel connected to our community, our Unitarian Universalist (UU) principles and values, we invite you to consider becoming a member.  Members have voting privileges and help provide AUUF with leadership and direction.  We ask all friends and members to participate with time (teams/committees/dishwashing/coffee making, etc), talents (music, art, financial know-how, teaching, etc.), and treasure (pledging) as they are able, because we are a self-supporting organization.

We encourage those considering membership to attend a "Finding Your Way into Fellowship" (FWF) class as a way to more fully understand UU and AUUF history, philosophy, and how it fits into one's own spiritual journey.  It's also a good opportunity to get to know other new and seasoned folks, and to discern how/where one wants to serve as a member of AUUF. If attending an FWF class is not possible, please talk to our minister or board president about any questions you may have. 

 

FWF classes are offered at least twice a year and consist of 3 or 4 weekly sessions. These are not a requirement for membership but are recommended for folks new to UU and AUUF.  Details are announced in our weekly email bulletin. After class, participants decide if/when they might want to join.

 

Those who aren't ready for membership are still welcome to participate in and help us build community.  But they won't be able to serve on Standing Committees or vote.  Many of our participants are long-term friends who give freely of their time, talent and treasure without officially joining.

 

During a New Member Welcoming Service (held a couple of times each year) we introduce new members and covenant together as a Fellowship. 

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