Before one of our Alaskan youth came to GoldMine last summer, little was known about Unitarian Universalism in Alaska. When Chris Jenkins showed up at GoldMine last summer, there was shock among the crowd. “I didn’t even know UU’s were up in Alaska!” one GoldMiner piped in...Others asked the typical Alaskan questions--do we live in igloos (the answer is no), others asked about Sarah Palin...(not going there,) and yet still others were curious about how UUism worked up in Alaska.
U.U.ism, like everything else in Alaska is a little different. We’re kinda independent. We do things our own way without being told what to do. I’m here to talk about what UUism looks like in Alaska.
There are three distinct U.U. Churches in Alaska. One is Fairbanks, Alaska. One in Juneau, Alaska (Serena, one of our youth who went to SeptiCON lives there), and the “megachurch” is in Anchorage, Alaska where the majority of Alaskan CON-goers came from.
Our church in Anchorage is pretty much like every other church. We have a phenomenal DLRE, Rosene Beachy who works tirelessly to educate our young minds about Unitarian universalism. She’s the only reason Chris went to GoldMine in 2010, and we owe her more than she will ever know. We have the regular gambit of UU programs. We educate ourselves about our sexuality in OWL. We have the Coming of Age program where we learn about ourselves and question our principals, and we Bridge into our fellowship and the greater community as a whole every year. And this year, we are becoming part of the larger UU community in the Pacific Northwest District.
One Alaskan went to GoldMine last year, and six Alaskans went to IndividUUality (Fall CON) in 2010. Before that, Alaskan’s hadn’t been to a PNWD event in over 10 years.
Alaskans kind of did our own thing. We ran our programs and held youth group but didn’t really feel a part of the whole big picture of UUism throughout the world. Now, we do. It took a lot of work to get us here, but we finally feel a connection to the greater UU community.
When six Alaskans went down to Fall Con in 2010, we came back energized, and fired up to get our entire youth group down to CON (there's 28 of us). When we got back and told our youth group about it, there was excitement about CON, but a little skepticism that we could get all of us to CON--it was a lot of money in plane tickets at over $400 a piece.
Then, Kendra, one of three youth group leaders told us about Krispie Kreme donut sales as a fundraiser. (We don’t have a Krispy Kreme in AK). Months later we flew in 1,000 dozen Krispie Kreme donuts to Anchorage and sold them to neighbors, and strangers at Fred Meyer, and any other place we could think. (Again, being Alaska, people will drive from nearly anywhere to get Krispy Kremes).
The fundraiser was a fantastic success. We sold all of about 90 dozen donuts and we raised over $4,500, and got Sixteen Alaskans came to SeptiCON with the help of companion fares, and a bus driver named Digger, this year.
And you know what? We had a great time, and can’t wait to come back!
Everyone had a fantastic time at CON. We loved the fact that there is a greater community in the world spreading love and the seven principals among youth. We love the fact that you can come to a community and feel welcomed no matter what you look like, or how you act.
It’s true. Alaska is far away from the rest of the District. But, Alaska has come a lot closer to the district. All it took was a single voice of action and leadership...All it took was for one person to say “I want to be a part of the larger fellowship. I want to be involved with the UU church in the lower-48. I want to take a leadership role in the church.” And that’s exactly what we did. We love this community a lot. We love our district and the youth that are a part of it. Alaska is back on the map, and we look forward to being a bigger part of the Pacific North West District for years to come.
Anchorage YRUU Youth Group
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
A Liminal Space
By Anne-Marie Davidson, PNWD Con Consultant
A liminal space is one in-between: between the conscious and the unconscious, between the seen and unseen, a time when we feel out of time. Liminal spaces are created when we are wholly present and time and space become irrelevant: there is only here and now.
At Con on Saturday night, we set up the bridging ceremony to be different from the past. The main part of Camp Collins is flat, but there is also a steep hill (“Cardiac Hill”) that goes down to the Sandy River and an amphitheater with a fire pit. For the bridging ceremony, we set up luminaries from the worship area all the way down the hill to the amphitheater. As worship began, our 240 participants walked from the worship area to the amphitheater in pairs carrying lit candles.
As they reached the hill’s edge, luminaries lighted the way down through the forest; people began singing, “This Little Light of Mine”. The reverence of the moment was breathtaking.
After a stop at the fire, the bridgers walked through a hug line of their peers. When they reached the end, they received a candle:
In joining our community, you shared your light with us.
As you leave our community, we share our light with you.
The bridgers then walked back up the path, passing through the sponsors as they moved from youth into young adulthood.
Afterwards, people talked about the other-worldliness of the beauty and the energy that was present. It was a liminal space, a moment where all that existed was us. Even the rain waited until we were done.
As an adult who works with many of these youth, each year I say goodbye to people I’ve come to know and appreciate. This year’s bridging gave me the chance to say “welcome”.
A liminal space is one in-between: between the conscious and the unconscious, between the seen and unseen, a time when we feel out of time. Liminal spaces are created when we are wholly present and time and space become irrelevant: there is only here and now.
At Con on Saturday night, we set up the bridging ceremony to be different from the past. The main part of Camp Collins is flat, but there is also a steep hill (“Cardiac Hill”) that goes down to the Sandy River and an amphitheater with a fire pit. For the bridging ceremony, we set up luminaries from the worship area all the way down the hill to the amphitheater. As worship began, our 240 participants walked from the worship area to the amphitheater in pairs carrying lit candles.
As they reached the hill’s edge, luminaries lighted the way down through the forest; people began singing, “This Little Light of Mine”. The reverence of the moment was breathtaking.
 |
| Around the Campfire, preparing for Bridging |
After a stop at the fire, the bridgers walked through a hug line of their peers. When they reached the end, they received a candle:
In joining our community, you shared your light with us.
As you leave our community, we share our light with you.
The bridgers then walked back up the path, passing through the sponsors as they moved from youth into young adulthood.
Afterwards, people talked about the other-worldliness of the beauty and the energy that was present. It was a liminal space, a moment where all that existed was us. Even the rain waited until we were done.
As an adult who works with many of these youth, each year I say goodbye to people I’ve come to know and appreciate. This year’s bridging gave me the chance to say “welcome”.
 |
| PNWD YRUU Class of 2011 |
Your Backstage Pass to Long John Logan
By Logan Geissler, UU Congregation of Salem
Heading out in our big white van from UUCS on Friday I was very nervous, pumped, and ready for the lack of sleep coming my way! I was not scared I would not know anyone, I knew my whole youth group and the other staff members at Con. The problem: I was a Con virgin and I only knew a few people out of the 250 UU Youth. The first night I basically stayed put with a few Corvallis folks. I had no idea who everyone else was, they seemed so cool, but had their own friends!
Erika and I were in charge of “amnesty bags” otherwise known as “useless sh*t bags1”. This task required standing for hours and saying “amnesty” at least 300 times. It was a great way to learn faces, too bad everyone saw me as “Mr. Grumpy Gills”. I was in charge of directing people to the Rec Lodge. “Down the long path, keep going, and down a little further. It will be on your left. A long building can’t miss it, with people inside. Go!” It got more sarcastic as the night went on. And I still had Orientation, Touch Groups, and last but not least, “Rocky Horror Picture Show.” That movie had awful sound, no lyrics for awhile, I left at 4:30, and AJ fell asleep on the floor. I don’t want to talk about it.
I was soon to find out that everyone at Con shared an interest of mine: HUMOR! It was Saturday night, and I was walking into the dining hall at 6:30 to prepare for being the No-Talent Show Host. I was hoping to change into whatever costume I wanted to start the show off with and maybe I would find a makeshift changing room. I found one place, the storage room for tables and chairs...why not? I went in and tried on the wonderfully red long johns I had happened to find in my closet. I had never worn them before and hoped they would fit. Whattya know; they did. They were comfy and I decided I didn’t need to change at any point during the show.
I felt like a superhero, something I always wanted to be. I was “super dork” or “super virgin”, they both fit perfectly! I was excited and nervous to show off my “skills”, and I was pacing in the storage room. All I needed to know before going up there was the order of acts. I felt ready, so I jumped on Liron’s back and tooted my horn. And...GO!
I loved every minute of it! The audience was so responsive and welcoming! I knew probably 25% of them and yet 100% clapped and cheered! I love the feeling of being in front of a crowd, especially one so fun. I loved changing my costume and getting the whistles from the crowd or the stares! I had more fun that night than I had in awhile. Afterwards I probably had 15 strangers come up to me and give me big hugs. And I even had some adoptive parents: Sonrisa and Alex. At that moment I became a devout Con fan, addict, and lover. Thanks friends for making this Con so great for me and everyone else. I love UU all.
1: Amnesty bags are for things you shouldn’t have at Con, from the mundane to the serious.
Heading out in our big white van from UUCS on Friday I was very nervous, pumped, and ready for the lack of sleep coming my way! I was not scared I would not know anyone, I knew my whole youth group and the other staff members at Con. The problem: I was a Con virgin and I only knew a few people out of the 250 UU Youth. The first night I basically stayed put with a few Corvallis folks. I had no idea who everyone else was, they seemed so cool, but had their own friends!
Erika and I were in charge of “amnesty bags” otherwise known as “useless sh*t bags1”. This task required standing for hours and saying “amnesty” at least 300 times. It was a great way to learn faces, too bad everyone saw me as “Mr. Grumpy Gills”. I was in charge of directing people to the Rec Lodge. “Down the long path, keep going, and down a little further. It will be on your left. A long building can’t miss it, with people inside. Go!” It got more sarcastic as the night went on. And I still had Orientation, Touch Groups, and last but not least, “Rocky Horror Picture Show.” That movie had awful sound, no lyrics for awhile, I left at 4:30, and AJ fell asleep on the floor. I don’t want to talk about it.
I was soon to find out that everyone at Con shared an interest of mine: HUMOR! It was Saturday night, and I was walking into the dining hall at 6:30 to prepare for being the No-Talent Show Host. I was hoping to change into whatever costume I wanted to start the show off with and maybe I would find a makeshift changing room. I found one place, the storage room for tables and chairs...why not? I went in and tried on the wonderfully red long johns I had happened to find in my closet. I had never worn them before and hoped they would fit. Whattya know; they did. They were comfy and I decided I didn’t need to change at any point during the show.
I felt like a superhero, something I always wanted to be. I was “super dork” or “super virgin”, they both fit perfectly! I was excited and nervous to show off my “skills”, and I was pacing in the storage room. All I needed to know before going up there was the order of acts. I felt ready, so I jumped on Liron’s back and tooted my horn. And...GO!
I loved every minute of it! The audience was so responsive and welcoming! I knew probably 25% of them and yet 100% clapped and cheered! I love the feeling of being in front of a crowd, especially one so fun. I loved changing my costume and getting the whistles from the crowd or the stares! I had more fun that night than I had in awhile. Afterwards I probably had 15 strangers come up to me and give me big hugs. And I even had some adoptive parents: Sonrisa and Alex. At that moment I became a devout Con fan, addict, and lover. Thanks friends for making this Con so great for me and everyone else. I love UU all.
1: Amnesty bags are for things you shouldn’t have at Con, from the mundane to the serious.
First-time at Con
By Lynn Shanks, Atkinson Memorial Sponsor
This was the first con that I and the 3 youth from Atkinson Memorial have attended. There was some nervousness in the car as we pulled into the parking lot, that is until they were greeted by some friends they had met on Facebook. We were escorted through the check in process and then they disappeared to get immersed in fun. I saw them several times that evening laughing with other youth they had met and asking for the keys to the car to get some snacks out.
The worship services both evenings were amazing. To see so many people standing in the darkness, faces glowing in candlelight and singing. The equally amazing sight was to see the youth spontaneously gather around the chalice after the service on Friday night to continue singing. To see their young faces, reflecting in the candlelight, was uplifting.
The small touch groups were inspiring, to see the youth lead these gatherings and to hear what the youth had to say when they reflected on our UU principles was enjoyable. Also enjoyable was the No-Talent show. It was a great time to see what talents these youth have and to hear some great budding poets.
I hope that the youth in our congregation will pass on their great experience, so that more of our youth will want to attend a con in the future
Ed. note: these articles are from ConText, the newsletter published after every Con.
This was the first con that I and the 3 youth from Atkinson Memorial have attended. There was some nervousness in the car as we pulled into the parking lot, that is until they were greeted by some friends they had met on Facebook. We were escorted through the check in process and then they disappeared to get immersed in fun. I saw them several times that evening laughing with other youth they had met and asking for the keys to the car to get some snacks out.
The worship services both evenings were amazing. To see so many people standing in the darkness, faces glowing in candlelight and singing. The equally amazing sight was to see the youth spontaneously gather around the chalice after the service on Friday night to continue singing. To see their young faces, reflecting in the candlelight, was uplifting.
The small touch groups were inspiring, to see the youth lead these gatherings and to hear what the youth had to say when they reflected on our UU principles was enjoyable. Also enjoyable was the No-Talent show. It was a great time to see what talents these youth have and to hear some great budding poets.
I hope that the youth in our congregation will pass on their great experience, so that more of our youth will want to attend a con in the future
Ed. note: these articles are from ConText, the newsletter published after every Con.
Breaking the Cycle: A Blissful Revelation
By Sonrisa Alter, Wy’East Congregation
One year ago, as I poured out my heart and my tear ducts for the bridging seniors at Spring Con 2010, a part of me couldn’t help but wish I were among them. If, as I’d assumed, the strength of the youth culture rises and falls every few years, then it seemed like that con would certainly be our peak. We had emerged from the discord of broken community and the steady labor of repairing it to find a utopia at our feet. CONnection played out with a perfect vibe and perfect weather to match, in many ways the polar opposite of the now-infamous “DramaCON” of Fall 2008. So while I felt tremendously thankful to have one more year of cons ahead of me, I also envied the 2010 bridgers their luck to leave on such a high note. After a con like that, it seemed like the only way left for us to go was downhill, especially since we were losing so many of the leaders who had helped to turn our culture around. I worried that in my final year, I would see the incredible community we had worked so hard to build begin to unravel.
I have never been happier to be wrong. Not only did our culture sustain the progress we’d made in previous years, but it also expanded from there in ways I never could have imagined. Our so-called peak became a launching pad. We saw con attendance skyrocket this year, with this Spring Con nearly half again as large as last year’s, and welcomed 6 new congregations, including the UU Fellowship in Anchorage, Alaska (I still can hardly believe it). To help these new attendees adjust, we instituted a newcomer orientation. Meanwhile, the sponsors exemplified whimsy and camaraderie, forming their own cuddle puddle and lap tag game and planning a fantastic talent show act. We continued to flesh out Spirit Corps, introducing energy maps and transitioning to exclusively online sign-ups. The bridging ceremony also received an overhaul, and while it did not go off entirely without issue, it was a great first run and a beautiful way for us to say goodbye to the con community and hello to a new phase of life (for the record, I did not cry at my bridging—somehow, to my astonishment, I just felt ready). And in the midst of all this, we managed to spearhead a fundraiser benefiting LGBTQ youth with the involvement of twenty-six UU congregations across the United States and Canada. Frankly, congoers, we rock.
And beyond our tangible achievements, this con felt different in a more subtle way. There is certainly something to be said for the organized chorus of “Hello, beautiful goddess!” that greeted me as I entered the Saturday Spirit Corps meeting, and for the fact that the wall of the SeptiCon Facebook group is still being peppered with “I miss con!” posts more than a week later. We may not have had perfect weather, but I have never felt as much love as I did at this con. It was a perfect time to bridge.
As you continue to carry the torch of this sacred community ever higher, I ask only that you never presume you’ve reached the top. As we’ve seen this year, no matter how fantastic con becomes, there will always be room for it to exceed your wildest expectations. May its roots hold you close. May its wings set you free. Blessed be.
Ed. note: These articles are from ConText, the newsletter published after every Con.
One year ago, as I poured out my heart and my tear ducts for the bridging seniors at Spring Con 2010, a part of me couldn’t help but wish I were among them. If, as I’d assumed, the strength of the youth culture rises and falls every few years, then it seemed like that con would certainly be our peak. We had emerged from the discord of broken community and the steady labor of repairing it to find a utopia at our feet. CONnection played out with a perfect vibe and perfect weather to match, in many ways the polar opposite of the now-infamous “DramaCON” of Fall 2008. So while I felt tremendously thankful to have one more year of cons ahead of me, I also envied the 2010 bridgers their luck to leave on such a high note. After a con like that, it seemed like the only way left for us to go was downhill, especially since we were losing so many of the leaders who had helped to turn our culture around. I worried that in my final year, I would see the incredible community we had worked so hard to build begin to unravel.
I have never been happier to be wrong. Not only did our culture sustain the progress we’d made in previous years, but it also expanded from there in ways I never could have imagined. Our so-called peak became a launching pad. We saw con attendance skyrocket this year, with this Spring Con nearly half again as large as last year’s, and welcomed 6 new congregations, including the UU Fellowship in Anchorage, Alaska (I still can hardly believe it). To help these new attendees adjust, we instituted a newcomer orientation. Meanwhile, the sponsors exemplified whimsy and camaraderie, forming their own cuddle puddle and lap tag game and planning a fantastic talent show act. We continued to flesh out Spirit Corps, introducing energy maps and transitioning to exclusively online sign-ups. The bridging ceremony also received an overhaul, and while it did not go off entirely without issue, it was a great first run and a beautiful way for us to say goodbye to the con community and hello to a new phase of life (for the record, I did not cry at my bridging—somehow, to my astonishment, I just felt ready). And in the midst of all this, we managed to spearhead a fundraiser benefiting LGBTQ youth with the involvement of twenty-six UU congregations across the United States and Canada. Frankly, congoers, we rock.
And beyond our tangible achievements, this con felt different in a more subtle way. There is certainly something to be said for the organized chorus of “Hello, beautiful goddess!” that greeted me as I entered the Saturday Spirit Corps meeting, and for the fact that the wall of the SeptiCon Facebook group is still being peppered with “I miss con!” posts more than a week later. We may not have had perfect weather, but I have never felt as much love as I did at this con. It was a perfect time to bridge.
As you continue to carry the torch of this sacred community ever higher, I ask only that you never presume you’ve reached the top. As we’ve seen this year, no matter how fantastic con becomes, there will always be room for it to exceed your wildest expectations. May its roots hold you close. May its wings set you free. Blessed be.
Ed. note: These articles are from ConText, the newsletter published after every Con.
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