Dec 21 2024
You are invited to explore the woods, sculptures, and meditation garden outdoors anytime during the week. Indoor spaces are used throughout the week by members and friends, as well as by community organizations. The wood pulpit was made by Jim Woodruff as was the glass table currently located in front of the large window overlooking the memorial woods. The chalice fabric hanging from the pulpit was made by UUFA member Scott Mason.
The Building & Grounds Committee works to maintain and improve the Fellowship’s building and outside areas by coordinating skilled volunteers; setting special Spring/Fall Cleaning days for congregational involvement; recommending needed expenditures to the Board; and coordinating projects with the Green Sanctuary Committee, all to provide a safe, attractive, and ecologically sound environment for our Fellowship. Any concerns about maintenance or recommendations for improvements are appreciated. Email the B & G Committee with your thoughts.
The fellowship moved from our Prince Ave home to our new building on Timothy Rd in 1992, thanks to generous donors and far-sighted members. This building was designed by architect David W. Osler, of Ann Arbor, Michigan. The building and grounds were renovated and expanded in 2018 based on designs by Houser Walker Architects of Atlanta and Koons Environmental Design of Athens.
Outdoor sculptures by two artists in Athens, Harold Rittenberry, Jr., and Robert Clements, decorate UUFA grounds.
The Memorial Grove is a place where UUFA members and friends may memorialize immediate family and themselves by requesting an engraved metal leaf be placed on one of the branches of the wooden trees mounted on the sanctuary wall. Names of deceased ministers and staff are included in the leaves, too. The rocks at the bottom of the grove contain names of our founding members.
To request a leaf in memory of a family member or yourself, please complete this online form. If you have questions, please contact the office by email or at 706- 546-7914, ext. 5.
To support the purchase of leaves, the Memorial Grove restricted fund accepts donations.
UUFA’s first minister, Clif Hoffman, his wife, and one of their two sons all returned to the earth which lies beneath the benches and slates in the wooded alcove near the former labyrinth. Since then, other members have chosen these sacred woods for their scattered or buried cremains. An arch created by Dan Leissner and installed by Dan and his mother, UUFA member Barbara Leissner, leads to the Memorial Woods. Contact the Congregational Administrator for more information on this.
UUFA’s memorial area was made possible by the generous donations of two families who envisioned a special outdoor place to remember family they loved and lost. The donors wish to remain unnamed, though we greatly appreciate their gift.
The wall and terrace were designed by long-time UUFA member and landscape designer Julene Anderson and built by Bud Newton in 2013. Members and friends are invited to sit, remember, and rest in this sacred space accessible to wheeled walkers and wheelchairs. The memorial wall will hold plaques to commemorate loved ones who have died. The memorial area was dedicated on October 27, 2013.
Please contact the Minister or Congregational Administrator if you have questions about ash scattering or burial in UUFA’s wooded areas.
