Craig Anderson (he/him):Craig moved to Oregon thirty years ago from the North East, living most of that time in the Portland area. He started coming to WHUUF several years ago with his daughters Ella and Emily (now both 12 yo). He likes to go camping, hiking and backpacking as often as possible, but also enjoys spending time at home baking, gardening and doing a variety of other hobbies.

Alana Bellwood (she/her): Oregon grown, Alana Bellwood has been orbiting WHUUF for many years looking for (and finding!) a safe, welcoming space for her two wild, weird and wonderful children, Elenora and Gil. Her greatest hope is for them is to learn about faith, community and themselves without pressure or judgement. Alana is a certified dog trainer and outdoor advocate. When she’s not hiking, running, foraging or tending in the woods she is reading copiously and talking way too much about using D&D as a tool to explore story and ourselves. Ask her about her current read or show her pictures of your baby (dog or human) to make her day!

Angela DeVito (she/her): Goes by Angie and has lived in the PNW since 1981, mostly in Clark County. She grew up as Catholic in Ohio, but realized as a teenager that Catholicism didn’t speak to her spiritual nature. Angie graduated from the University of Wyoming in 1981 and was a practicing pharmacist for 36+ years. Her first professional job was at OHSU. Angie’s daughter, Reva, is 37 years old and attends WHUUF with Angie when she is home from LA. Angie has a 43 year old step-daughter, Jordan, by whom she has a beloved 8 year old granddaughter. Angie’s life has been rough lately since losing her husband, Bob, this past May. She is trying to rebuild her life in a new community and turned to WHUUF because she knows her best humans are found at UU congregations. She likes to be outdoors as much as possible: hiking, camping, gardening,golfing, water activities. Her almost constant companion is a 2 year old Aussie/Heeler named River.

Deborah Elkinton (she/her): Deborah Elkinton came to Portland from Arlington, VA to be near her daughters Veronica and Sarah and son-in-law Daniel Stratton.  Her parents became Unitarians before she was born and helped to found a church named for A. Powell Davies, minister of All Souls Unitarian Church in DC.  Deborah and her family were members of the Langley Hill Quaker Meeting for many years, after which she decided to return to her Unitarian roots.

Coming to WHUUF has been a joyous and enriching experience that has made this area feel like her home.  A teacher by profession, and at heart, she is enjoying participating with the RE committee and getting to know the children.  The Sunday services, choir, chalice circles and women’s group have been great ways to connect and grow.

Peter Hepokoski (he/him): Peter and his wife Mary moved to Portland in 2006. They are parents of two and grandparents of three. Their three granddaughters live in the Netherlands, so travel to Europe is becoming a regular thing for them.  Peter is a retired life insurance actuary. He likes volunteer work, baseball, duplicate bridge, and crossword puzzles. He and Mary were active in Minnesota and Pennsylvania UU communities for over 20 years, but this is their first UU activity in Oregon. Mary is cross-country skiing in Yellowstone National Park or else she would also be joining WHUUF today.

Tony Homer (he/him):

• spent 74% (including the first 34%) of his life in Pennsylvania, 11% in the United States Marine Corps, and the most recent 15% in Portland
• attends UUCS in Salem with his girlfriend and WHUUF with his daughter, but not at the same time
• aspires to a work/life balance of 0%/100%, but for now holds the line at 25%/75%
• appreciates board games, video games, science fiction, fantasy, bicycling, coffee, pie, and ice cream
• enjoys spending time with his wonderful children and his lovely girlfriend

Tony Jeffries (he/him): Anthony (goes by Tony) has been attending WHUUF since the summer of 2023, and attended another UU Fellowship back home in Iowa in 2009 and 2010. He currently serves WHUUF by operating the cameras for the Internet and coffee room video feeds. He is looking forward to more Chalice Circles and joining the Social Justice committee. Tony works in tech support for a local company and counts ham radio and record collecting among his hobbies. 

Nancy & Steve Kneipple: Steve and Nancy Kneipple moved to the Portland area last year from Denver where they were long-term members of First Universalist Church.  Their first goal was to find a local church that would become their new church home and WHUUF was exactly what they were looking for.  They look forward to involvement in activities and to making new friends.

Steve worked as an Industrial Hygienist and Chemist for Mine Safety and Health in the Department of Labor for many years.  Nancy, an avid reader, had a long career as a library media specialist.  Now, both are exploring the beautiful State of Oregon and the greater Portland area while living close to family for the first time. 

Bob McArthur (he/him): After retiring from the philosophy department of Colby College in Maine, Bob lived in Athens, GA and Gainesville, FL. He was active in the Athens UU Fellowship, in community non-profit boards, and teaching in the Osher Foundation Life-long Learning Institute, University of Georgia. Bob and Marty began their transition to the Portland area in 2017. Marty came first and became a WHUUF member several years ago. Bob remained based in Athens to finish his term as president of UUFA and other commitments. He finally moved in 2019 – 2020. One of the first attractions of WHUUF was the Humanist Group. He has since served on several committees and task forces and attends the WHUUF Men’s Group. Marty’s son Andrew and family live in Tacoma; Bob’s daughter Lauren and family live in Phoenix; Marty and Bob’s daughter Ripley lives here in Portland. They have three grandchildren so far.

Barbara McGaa (she/her): Barbara moved to Portland two months after Mt. St. Helens blew up. The big one!  An erupting volcano didn’t stop her from leaving Carson City.

Having grown up in San Diego, San Francisco, and Carson City, she has landed comfortably in the Pacific Northwest. She worked for Adidas America in the corporate offices. In 2015 Barbara retired to her garden, weaving, reading, and seeing friends. She recently sold her home in Garden Home and moved to independent living at Touchmark in the West Hills. She weaves cloth and is interested in various crafty endeavors.

She is an avid walker belonging to a walk group that meets in downtown Portland every Saturday at 9 AM and has been a member for 14 years.

She loves making new friends, so please say hi!

Janet & Tim Oliver: Tim and Janet met in the Seattle area in the 1970s, having both moved from the East (South Carolina/New Jersey). After marriage and starting a family, Tim’s employment in telecommunications took them to Virginia and then to Colorado Springs for 25 years.  A move to Tacoma was the first step, after retirement, to downsize and relocate closer to our 2 daughters and grandkids, now in the Northwest. The second downsizing and move to Portland was in August of last year.  Longtime UUs with memberships in all the above locations, they have enjoyed the welcome at WHUUF and have begun to enter into church life.  They enjoy hiking, kayaking, reading and travel.

Linda & Craig Towers:Craig and Linda moved to Portland from New England in 1999, and for many years were active members of First Unitarian. They are happy that their two daughters, grandchildren and other family all live in Portland. Now living in SW, they began attending WHUUF after the pandemic. They enjoy singing with the Choristers, hosting coffee monthly, and participating in other WHUUF groups. In retirement, their hobbies include gardening, writing poetry, travel and long walks in nature. 

Marcia Waugh (she/her) is returning to WHUUF after a decade or so where most religious activity took part at summer Eliots with her husband Martin and sons James and Riley. 

Marcia is daughter to Marjorie Columbus and Joe Floren who started attending in 1960 and were lifelong members and contributors to the culture and continuity of the WHUUF experience.

She is happy to be back and eager to pick up where she left off.