AUUF Podcasts

Gwen Higgins is an archivist at the UAA/APU Consortium Library Archives and Special Collections. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio where she also held a job as a student worker in the University Archives. Inspired by the archival work she did as an undergraduate, she went on to pursue an MA in Library and Information Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She moved to Alaska in 2014 and, when not in the archives, enjoys traveling the state and exploring the outdoors through hiking, kayaking, skiing, and ice climbing. 

Arlene Schmuland came to Alaska in 2002 to work as a reference archivist at Archives and Special Collections at the UAA/APU Consortium Library and became head of the Archives in 2007. Prior to arriving in Alaska, she worked as an archivist for the University of Washington Special Collections, the Bonneville County District Court system in Idaho, and the Utah State Archives and Records Service. She’s done pro bono archival consulting work with the Tuzzy Library in Barrow, the Alutiiq Museum in Kodiak, the Seward Community Library, the Idaho State University library’s Special Collections, and the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry in Atlanta, Georgia 

Gary Holthaus has been AUUF's called minister since November 2012. In addition to delivering messages during worship services, Gary manages AUUF staff and supports its volunteer-led ministries. Holthaus represents the UU Faith and AUUF in the community and at religious forums.

Originally ordained as a Methodist minister, Holthaus has also made a living as a poet, author, educator and non-profit administrator, and has been involved in environmental and social issues for 60 years. He first came to Alaska in 1964 to teach school in Naknek. He worked for the Alaska Methodist University where one of his projects was to help Alaska Native students remain in school. Later, he became the first director of the state's bilingual education effort and helped put together Alaska's bilingual education law. Gary was the founding director of the Alaska Humanities Forum, and for nearly 20 years he developed many of the programs that are still part of this non-profit's activities.

Outside Alaska, Gary taught at the University of Colorado and was the Center of the American West's first director. He was also the first director of the Anderson Center for Interdisciplinary Studies in Minnesota. From this experience, he authored, "From the Farm to the Table: What All Americans Need to Know about Agriculture." In this work, through interviews with men and women who try to make a living farming in southeastern Minnesota, Gary examined the stark downside of international free-trade agreements that maximize multinational corporate profits at the expense of American farmers, wage-earners, and the environment. More recently, Gary authored the book "Learning Native Wisdom: What Traditional Cultures Teach Us about Subsistence, Sustainability, and Spirituality."

UU White Supremacy Teach-In, October 15 Everyone has to start somewhere, and it takes a commitment to disrupt business as usual. Join AUUF’s Dismantling White Supremacy Working Group for this panel discussion that will address: What is white supremacy? What is the UU White Supremacy Teach-In and how did it originate? Why is our congregation participating? How does white supremacy culture show up in our congregation? What is the 8th Principle project and how does it connect to white supremacy in UU spaces? Members of the Dismantling White Supremacy working group are Eric McCoy, Mary Ann Eininger, Jeanna Duryee, Annie Belts, Becca Bernard, Amanda Mack, Ingrid Larson and Susie Kobierowski.

Gary Holthaus has served as the called minister for our Fellowship since 2012.

Gary Holthaus has served as the called minister for our Fellowship since 2012.

Mary Fisher has served as ALPAR's executive director since 2001. She has a degree in marketing and over 35 years of experience in program management, marketing and public relations. Prior to ALPAR, Mary was the director of member and public relations for Alaska Power Association and program director for BUY ALASKA at the UAA Small Business Development Center. Mary grew up in St. Clair, Missouri, near St. Louis and graduated from Missouri State University. She was drawn to Alaska and when she crossed the border at the Yukon in January 1981, she knew she had found her home. In her spare time, she hikes, camps and travels the world always searching out how communities do recycling and prevent litter.

The Rev. Tandi Rogers is a Congregational Life Staff member for the Pacific Western Region of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). She writes, preaches, teaches and speaks widely about growth and religious innovation. She is both ordained to the UU ministry and a Credentialed Religious Educator, master level. Tandi is married to Rev. Sue Phillips and has three children (ages 8, 20, and 22). She lives in Tacoma, WA. and Boston, MA.

The Rev. Tandi Rogers is a Congregational Life Staff member for the Pacific Western Region of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). She writes, preaches, teaches and speaks widely about growth and religious innovation. She is both ordained to the UU ministry and a Credentialed Religious Educator, master level. Tandi is married to Rev. Sue Phillips and has three children (ages 8, 20, and 22). She lives in Tacoma, WA and Boston, MA. Amanda Mack is an AUUF board member with a background in communications. Prior to becoming a stay-at-home mom 10 years ago, she taught at the college level and worked as a program manager in state government. Elected to the AUUF Board in 2015, she served as treasurer in 2016 and was elected board president in 2017. She's taught religious exploration (RE) classes in both Anchorage and North Dakota. On any given day, Mack may be found teaching yoga or volunteering at her children’s school.