UUFA News

This Month (& beyond!) at UUFA

March (and beyond) at UUFA!

To join virtual meetings, join the group in Realm/Connect, then go to Events and look for the meeting. Not on Realm/Connect yet? Stop at the Welcome Desk and inquire about how to join.

Growing Together Exciting times are ahead as UUFA launches its latest stewardship campaign on Sunday March 3rd. The Fellowship is growing in terms of membership, staff, and programming. All of this helps make UUFA such an important part of many lives and the Athens community. Keeping this growth in mind, the Stewardship Team is hoping to increase the amount of pledges in the  annual budget by 10% this year. 

This year’s theme is “Growing Together” to represent the excitement and gratitude in the congregation. In the coming weeks, all are invited to participate in this campaign that goes beyond financial support and includes gifts of time and talent. “Growing Together” encapsulates UUFA’s shared journey of fostering unity, generosity, and mutual support within the Fellowship. By embracing the theme, the hope is to nurture the seeds of faith, love, and compassion planted within our community.

Please pledge now, both financially and with your time and talent, to be a part of UUFA’s journey of growth. Look for the table in the Welcome Hall or pledge online here

UUFA Game Night Join our congregation to play games, eat snacks, and have fun together Friday, March 1 at 6:30 pm. Bring a game or snack to share, or just show up! All ages welcome!

Intergenerational Musical Opportunities at UUFA

Would your child/youth like to sing or play a musical instrument in an upcoming service? We are looking to increase our intergenerational musical opportunities at UUFA. Here are some options:

  • Sing with choir during service on Sunday, March 3
  • Sing and/or play during service on Sunday, April 21
  • Play or sing at Bridging ceremony (date TBD)
  • Join Palms of Fire (drumming group)
  • Join choir on occasion 
  • Play an instrument as a part of another Sunday service 
  • Something else?

Interested? Fill out this form and we’ll contact you!

Second Lookers will host panelists Marjorie Green Turner, Janet Robinson Jordan, Joelene Cherry Harris, Rev. Nathaniel Irvin, Fred Smith, Rev. Larry Johnson, Linda Elder Davis, Shirley Taylor on March 12, noon to 2 p.m. for What do we need to know about integration of the public schools in our area? The panelists are local citizens who experienced integration of the public schools in our area. They will share what integration was like for themselves, their families, and friends. Margaret Holt will serve as moderator. You are welcome to bring your own lunch to this program. For more on this program, click here

Lay Leadership Experience hosted by UU Congregation of Atlanta March 14-17. For UUFA leaders and those feeling the call. Emerging lay leaders will benefit from learning to become more Missional, Strategic, Spiritually Connected, and Playful through culture change, growth, and anxiety at the SOUUL Summit! For details, costs and registration visit https://www.uuca.org/souul/. 

Adult OWL Join Kelly Simonson and Camille Belnap for UUFA’s first Adult OWL (Our Whole Lives) program in March and April. Come learn more about yourself and your values, and have some sex education too. OWL is an inclusive environment that is affirming of all gender identities and sexual orientations. It is appropriate for all ages 18-100+, and everyone can learn something. Sessions are 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Heritage room. Child care is provided!

Here are the topics:

  • March 13 – circles of sexuality, our sexual values
  • March 27 – sexual desire and pleasure
  • April 10 – sexual orientation, gender identity, intersex presentation + Q&A with Annunaki
  • April 24 – aging/changing bodies and sexual creativity/play

Register here https://bitly.ws/3aJEX

The 1619 Project: What White History Does Not Teach Us continues through MarchHosted by the Racial Justice Team, the showings and discussions are 

  • 3rd Episode “Capitalism”– March 18 (Sun.)
  • 4th Episode “Music” – March 3 (Sun.)
  • 5th Episode “Fear”– March 13 (Wed.) & 17 (Sun.)
  • 6th Episode “Justice” – March 27 (Wed.) & 31 (Sun.)

Wednesday sessions begin at 6:45 p.m. and Sunday sessions at 9 a.m. All are invited to attend. For details and childcare information see www.uuathensga.org/1619uufa or contact the Racial Justice Team at justice@uuathensga.org

Eggscellent Eggstravaganza! Sunday, March 31 after the service. All ages are invited to hunt for eggs, dye eggs, and make art together. 

A Month of Music

Palms of Fire play March 4, 7 p. m. at Wesley Woods as part of a special program of African and African-American music. The event features special guest and teacher Nkululeko Zungu as well as the Oldies But Goodies ukulele band. All are welcome! 

Songswap in Fellowship Hall happens March 6 at 7 p.m.  All are welcome! (Bring a song to share and sing along.)

Palms of Fire play at Flight of the Fireflies at Dudley Park. All are welcome March 16 at 7:30 p.m.!
Enjoy the Spring Equinox Circle Dance on March 19 at 6:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall with Liz Weaver, Leigh Harvey and Michelle Covi. All are welcome!
Drum Workshop with special guest, Bill Lucas, is set for March 20 from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Fellowship. Samba drumming!

March Singing Meditation will be March 24th, 12:15-1 p.m. in the AWE room.


Let’s Get Together in March!

Virtual Only – V       Multi-platform – MP

All are welcome at these UUFA meetings and events!

Sunday Mornings

Sunday Services, 10:30 a.m. – MP

Sundays following the worship services, Community and Conversation, 11:30 a.m. – MP

Fun and Fellowship

✻ For Everyone

Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m. – Community Potluck  Enjoy social time followed by a potluck dinner. Please bring enough food to share.

March 1, 6:30 p.m. – Game Night! Want to enjoy games, food and fellowship with our congregation? Everyone is welcome! Please RSVP to Kahla Childers (dre@uuathensga.org) with the number of people attending and any dietary preferences.

✻ For Adults

Tuesdays, 8:30 a.m.  – Coffee Hour at Panera Bread Two groups usually meet in the restaurant. 

Thursdays, 8:30 a.m. – Coffee Hour V Drop in to check in!

March 10, 11:30 a.m. – Getting to Know UUFA  Newcomers are welcome after the service in the AWE Room.

March 24, 7 p.m. – Alphabet Family This group for folx who identify anywhere on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum gathers virtually on fourth Sundays.

March 25, 2 p.m. – Grateful Threads This is a social group at UUFA for knitting, crocheting, sewing, or any other thready craft you have. Meets most fourth Mondays, 2-4 p.m. at UUFA.

Seeking Justice

Need more info? Visit uuathensga.org/justice or contact Justice@uuathensga.org.

Mondays, 12:30 p.m. – Athens Demonstration, Alps at Baxter.

UUFA’s next family Family Promise week is the week of March 3.

Family Promise of Athens is a non-profit organization that provides immediate shelter and guidance to homeless families with children due to the impact of misfortunes they face. Once families are accepted into the program, Family Promise provides food, shelter, daycare, and transportation.

UUFA serves as a support congregation four weeks a year with Holy Cross Lutheran Church. For this week, grocery cards are welcome for the families currently being served. Food preparation at the site homes is also needed for some dates. If you are interested in contributing in any way, please contact the UUFA Family Promise Coordinators through justice@uuathensga.org.

March 7, 5 p.m. – Racial Justice Team  V  This group is exploring the 2021-22 UUFA goal of “engaging in dismantling white supremacy including the intersectional aspects of environmental and economic injustice.” Meets most first Thursdays.

March 4, 12 p.m. – Social Action Committee MP  Be the change you want to see in the world. Meets most first Sundays.

March 7 & 21 12:30 p.m. OFFSITE: Public Demonstration, Main Street, Watkinsville in front of the Eagle Tavern. SAC invites you to demonstrate alongside members of SAC and the local Indivisible group at the Rights Demonstration every first and third Thursday. Join with a sign or without. All are welcome!
March 17, 4:30 p.m. – Food Justice Team  All who eat are invited to attend the next Food Justice Team meeting on the most third Sundays and sometimes in person for lunch.

March 24, 12 p.m. – Peace Advocacy Team  MP The team  explores projects to create more peace at home, in our schools and community, and in the world. Join us! Meets most fourth Sundays on-site in the UU Heritage Room.

Exploring

Children and Youth are invited to participate in religious exploration sessions on first, second, and third Sundays. On March 24 and 31 they will worship in the sanctuary.

✻ For Children  Highlights in March include the March 1 Family Dinner at 6:30, the March 31 Eggscellent Eggstravaganza to hunt eggs, dye eggs, and make art together after the service, and the opportunity to sign up to take part in UUFA’s music program. See details above. Contact Dir. of Religious Exploration Kahla (DRE@uuathensga.org) to receive updates.

✻ For Youth and Young Adults Contact Coordinator Meredyth (YYA@uuathensga.org ) to receive updates.

✻ For Adults

March 3, 9 a.m. – Writing as a Spiritual Practice (MP)  WSP is facilitated by Myrna Adams West and explores UUFA’s monthly worship theme through various written genres on first Sundays onsite in the Heritage Room and virtually. Myrna provides prompts for thinking and/or writing about the theme before the session. Please contact her ahead of time. if you wish to attend so that she can send you the suggested prompts and the link to join virtually. However, you may attend even if you have written nothing. The group offers a safe space for sharing written or spoken thoughts.

March 3 & 17, 12:30 p.m. – Historical Jesus Book Discussion Do you want to learn more about the historical Jesus? Based on historical research, much is now known about his life and his teachings and how they fit into the context of his time. In this group, we read and discuss various perspectives by scholars about the historical Jesus. We do not address Christian theological questions; those are matters of faith, not history. Paul Gurian, who has led similar groups, facilitates. 

March 10, 1 p.m. – Book Talks (V) meets second Sundays. Find this year’s book list here. While reading the monthly selection ahead of time is desirable, don’t stay away if you haven’t finished the book or haven’t read it at all. Your comments are always welcomed. Book Talks has met at UUFA for over twenty years! The tradition continues. 

March 12, 12 p.m. – Second Lookers MP will host What do we need to know about integration of the public schools in our area? See details above. “Second Lookers” centers on folx who are older members of the Fellowship who have retired from jobs but most certainly not from life. All are welcome at this monthly meeting. This year’s coordinators are Pat Adams and Martha Phillips. For more on Second Lookers email secondlookers@UUAthensGA.org.

March 13 & 27, 6:30 p.m. – Adult Our Whole Lives (OWL) in the Heritage Room. Details above. 

March 17, 11:30 a.m. – Calculate Your Carbon Footprint in the Fellowship Hall following the service.

March 17, 2 p.m. – Goddess Group (MP) meets third Sundays. The group is a circle of persons who identify as female that gathers monthly to study “Thealogy,” the feminine aspect of the Divine. The group uses curricula designed by the UU Women’s Federation and other women-centered organizations and individuals to explore their inner goddess. They engage in ritual, conversation, sharing, and caring as a ministry to each other and others within the greater community. Contact lead facilitator Myrna Adams West (goddess@uuathensga.org) for more information and specifics about the gatherings and other activities.  

Making Music

Questions? Contact Music Director Amber Fetner.

Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m. – Palms of Fire Drum Circle, under the guidance of Amber, focuses on West African drumming although other musical traditions and instruments are also explored. No prior drumming experience is necessary, and you don’t even need to bring a drum.

Wednesdays, 7 p.m. – Chalice Choir in the Sanctuary. We sing many different kinds of music and welcome all singers. If you’re thinking about trying it out, please e-mail Amber (md@uuathensga.org). .

✻ For Everyone

March 6, 7 p.m.  Songswap in Fellowship Hall. All are welcome! (Bring a song to share, sing along.)

March 16, 7:30 p.m. Palms of Fire playing at Flight of the Fireflies @ Dudley Park All are welcome!

March 19, 6:30 p.m. Spring Equinox Circle Dance in Fellowship Hall with Liz Weaver, Leigh Harvey & Michelle Covi.  All are welcome!

March 20, 5:30-7 p.m. Drum Workshop with special guest, Bill Lucas. Samba drumming!

March 24, 12:15-1 p.m. – Singing Meditation in the AWE Room.

Other News

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Explore UUA General Assembly 2024

Eggcellent Eggstravaganza

Have you heard???

Do You Feel Called to Lead?

Religious Exploration for Children & Youth