Sayrah Namaste enjoys a five-mile evening nature walk in Alaska.
Recently I participated in the annual Alaska Friends Conference in Wasilla, Alaska under the theme “Faithfulness in a Turbulent World.” Friends from around the state -- including Wasilla, Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, Homer, and Three Rivers -- shared what has been happening at their Meetings over the past year.
Interfaith Minister Rhetta Morgan led the group in a beautiful workshop called “Glory Stories,” which included walking in the forest and along the lake where we were gathered. A member of the Knik tribe shared the tribal roots of the region with storytelling and photos.
I shared about AFSC, with an emphasis on my work with indigenous partners since the Alaska Friends Conference has been focused on repairing relationships with indigenous peoples. Liaisons from FCNL and Quaker Earthcare Witness also shared about their work.
Where Alaska Friends meet
Friends camped on the grounds of the homestead of Quaker Mahala Dickerson. The rustic cabin we gathered in had no plumbing, and we used outhouses. It was quite a change for me to not have phone or internet access, but we were surrounded by the beauty of Alaska.
And it was quite a change from New Mexico. With all the rain and mud, it felt like fall even in early August.
AFSC staff participate in yearly meetings across the U.S. New Mexico staff participate in the InterMountain Yearly meeting every year (see our latest report).
It was very special for me to be able to participate with Alaska Friends.
At the Mat-Su Friends Meeting in Wasilla, AK