On this 4th-of-July-Eve, many Americans are gathering for picnics, camping, and fireworks as they celebrate the anniversary of our declaration to be an independent and free country. Today’s thoughts are not meant to be a history lesson, but there might be some surprising factoids about how America became who we think we are. What does freedom mean to you? At what cost is freedom worth it? Are we responsible or obligated to assist other individuals or countries in their quest for freedom? How does the separation of church and state concept work for us? Planning some really good music, too!

Jim Scott and James Durst (visiting Singer/songwriter/guitarists) will conduct the whole intergenerational service. Stay for a potluck lunch with our guest artists afterwards. Jim and James have performed in over 500 Unitarian Universalist Churches in every state of the union except Alaska. To meet and welcome our guest artists, stay for a potluck lunch afterwards. Call 457-8086 for questions.

Fatherhood is ever changing as kids grow up. We are going to explore different stages of fatherhood by hearing from different fathers and how these different life stages change the role of a father and the adjustments that need to be made.

Speaker: Bre Griffin  Since most Unitarian Universalists are still discovering our own spiritual beliefs, how do we teach our children values?  How do we answer some of the “big questions” when we don’t have an answer?  What do we do when our children adopt beliefs that differ from our own?  This week’s service is brought to you by your Director of Religious Exploration, Bre Griffin, and we will explore some of these parenting challenges.

This Sunday we’ll celebrate our annual Maypole celebration….in June. The ground will be reliably thawed, and we can (almost) guarantee there won’t be snow. So bring a friend and come to our “Junepole” dance – an outdoor, intergenerational celebration of the return of greenness to our Northern home, with live music provided by members and friends of the Fellowship.  Everyone from children to nonagenarians is encouraged to join in. As the dance progresses the ribbons are braided onto the pole or into a web around the pole. The dancers then retrace their steps exactly in order to unravel the ribbons.

Speaker: Frida Shroyer. Thoughts on how to maintain spirituality as the hectic pace of the Alaskan summer increase and celebrate the summer season by sharing in a communion of birch sap. (Sap provided by Susan Grace’s trees)

Listen to fellow UU’s share stories of letting go and starting anew.

Rev. Shirley Lee works for the Episcopal Diocese of Alaska and serves on the Ecumenical Mission for Shelter Board. She will share the status of the Fairbanks shelter that aims to serve homeless who are dealing with substance abuse issues.

Our annual UUFF business meeting will take place after a short service.  This meeting  is the one time a year when all members of the congregation come together to take part in the structure and governance of our fellowship.  We will receive reports from the various committees and groups, recognize those who actively take part, and vote on the posted by-law changes, and vote for new board members.  If you have other issues that need to be brought to the attention of the whole fellowship, the annual meeting is your best opportunity.  Unitarian Universalists operate under democratic process.  Come to the meeting and take part in that process!  Child care will be available, and lunch will be provided.

Many of us observe certain traditions that have been handed down to us by our parents and grandparents. What are the roots of these traditions? This program is an exploration of the multicultural origins of Easter traditions and the symbolism associated with these traditions.