December Highlights
Look for virtual links in Realm/Connect under “Events.”
December 5: Can-a-thon help needed
It’s the Can-a-thon at the Athens Area Emergency Food Bank, and your help is needed.
On Friday, December 5, can sorting will be happening from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 640 Barber Street.
If you know corn from green beans or have a strong back for lugging boxes, come on down. For more info: justice@uuathensga.org.
Small Group Ministry Winter Registration
Registration is now open through December for the winter SGM sessions. Go to tinyurl.com/UUFA-SGM to learn more and register.
Supporting UUSG’s Guest at Your Table
Through December 31, all are invited to participate in this year’s GAYT (Guest at Your Table), an annual intergenerational program to raise support for and awareness about key human rights issues.
For 85 years, the UU Service Committee has worn many hats in the struggle for justice. Today they hang their hats on Climate Justice, Preserving Democracy & Civil Liberties, Responding to Humanitarian Crises and Migration Solidarity.Guest at Your Table is a time to contemplate how we might throw our hats in the ring for justice. Learn more here. You can click here to give online. For details email SJAT at justice@uuathensga.org.
A Morning to Create Nifty Gifts at an Annual UUFA Tradition
Join friends of all ages for Nifty Gifty on December 6 from 9 to noon. Our annual tradition invites folx of all ages to make crafts and gifts for their loved ones. Among the stations this year will be tables for crafts geared toward older kids, teens, and adults. Come to create crafts and enjoy special treats, music, and a joyous celebration. If you have an amazing craft you’d like to share with the congregation, please let Kahla know. In the past we’ve done woodworking, jewelry making, paper crafts, and so much more – we are open to ideas that showcase your talents and passions! Email dre.kahla@uuathensga.org for more information. Want to volunteer time, talents and refreshments? Please click on Nifty Gifty volunteer sign ups
or Nifty Gifty food and drink sign up.
Young Adults to Exchange Holiday Cookies
To learn more about the December 19 get together running from 5 to 7 pm, check with Meredyth at yya@uuathensga.org.
Welcome the Winter Solstice a Day Early
Come to the Fellowship on December 20 at 7 pm to celebrate “Light Is Returning” through music, reflection, and community in this special evening service featuring the Chalice Choir and musicians. Childcare will be available. The celebration will continue during the all ages Sunday Service on December 21.
Youth to Lead Christmas Eve/Holiday Service
The all ages service In Fellowship Hall on December 24 starts at 6:30 pm. Joined by Rev. Pippin, the youth plan to include the nativity story, traditional hymns, and Christmas carols. Please bring cookies to share and enjoy the coffee, cocoa, and tea provided. To learn more contact Meredyth at yya@uuathensga.org.
The Athens Kwanzaa Alliance Hosts Celebration
Celebrate Kwanzaa December 31 from 3 to 6 pm with a performance led by Athens Kwanzaa Alliance and including Palms of Fire. The Fellowship Hall program, which welcomes UUFA members and friends, will include a potluck supper,
Let’s Thank the Fellowship Staff!
Each year, our Minister invites the congregation to share appreciation for our caring and committed staff by offering financial gifts and cards of appreciation to be shared among all non-ministerial staff. Thank you for your support of our staff.
Throughout the month visit this Giving link and select the staff donation option in the drop-down menu. Gifts can also be mailed to the Fellowship (memo “staff gift”) or dropped into the black box in the back of the sanctuary on Sunday. Staff receive these gifts in early January.
More in December
The Athens Area Homeless Shelter is the December Share-the-Plate Cause of the Month. During December, this organization will receive one half of all undesignated offerings. AAHS provides collaborative, comprehensive services to homeless individuals and families working toward sustainable independence.
From the 2025-26 program year (July 1 through June 30), $10,851,50 has been given to four different Share-the-Plate Cause of the Month organizations because of the generosity of members and friends of UUFA. Thank you. Need more info? Contact justice@uuathensga.org
Conversation Café 1st and 3rd Sundays!
All guests and members of UUFA are invited to the Conversation Café December 7 and 14 from 11:45 am to 12:30 pm for discussion about the worship service, the questions listed in the Order of Service, and anything else that arises. Grab your refreshments and gather across from the Fellowship Hall by the BIG QUESTION MARK. The Café will be open the first and third Sundays of every month. Come join us and let’s talk!
Catch the Schells’ Brush and Lens Show
Enjoy beautiful art times two! Barb and John Schell share watercolors (hers) and photography (his) in the Claire and Robert Clements Gallery through December.
Side With Love Invites You to The Gathering.
The Gathering, a monthly virtual event from UUA’s SWL, is designed to offer spiritual grounding, political analysis, and organizing with others to block anti-democratic forces and build a just and loving world. To register for the December 8 session from 8 to 9 p.m., click https://sidewithlove.org/the-gathering
Let’s Get Together
Virtual Only – V Multi-platform – MP
All are welcome at these UUFA meetings and events!
Sunday Mornings
Sunday Services, 10:30 a.m. – Access Zoom through the weekly e-news or on Realm. MP
Community and Conversation, Sundays following the worship services, 11:30 a.m. MP
Exploring
Children, YUU and COA (Youth Coming of Age) meet on December 7 and 14 with All Ages services on December 21 and 28.
✻ For Children – Contact Dir. of Religious Exploration Kahla (DRE@uuathensga.org) to receive updates.
Do you want your child included in our next Child Dedication ceremony on December 14? Email Kayla for more information.
✻ For Youth and Young Adults – Contact Coordinator Meredyth (YYA@uuathensga.org) to receive updates.
✻ For Adults
Wednesdays, 8:30 a.m. – Morning Meditation V
December 9, January 13 and 27, and February 10 (7 to 8 pm in person and via Zoom) – Are We Too Violent? We are surrounded by violence in many areas of our lives – crime, TV, wars, domestic violence, and much more. We are distressed by school shootings and don’t know what to tell our children. This religious exploration class seeks to understand why our culture is violent.
Classes are structured as open discussions where participants are free to express a variety of views. At each session participants will be invited to read sections from books and online articles to prepare for discussions. Exploration of this topic will be held from. Contact DeEtte Waleed or Karen Solheim for more information.
December 7 and 21, 12:30 pm – Historical Jesus Book Discussion Based on historical research, much is now known about Jesus’ life and teachings and how they fit into the context of his time. Gather at the Fellowship to learn the latest.
December 9, noon – Second Lookers MP Join Herb West and Myrna Adams West to celebrate the holiday season in the AWE Room. Bring a sack lunch. Drinks and dessert are provided. For more information, join the group in Realm/Connect or contact secondlookers@UUAthensGA.org
December 14, 1:00 pm – Book Talks V The group will discuss The Serviceberry by Robin W. Kimmerer. Book Talks is an informal group that meets the second Sunday of the month to discuss books selected by the members. 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 welcome. For more information, contact the office (UUFA@uuathensga.org or 706-546-7914, ext. 5).
Forums
Forums are in person in the AWE room at 9:15 a.m. and on Zoom. Get the link from the Realm/Connect or the weekly e-news. Reach out to justice@uuathensga.org with any questions.
December 7 First Sunday Forum: Exploring Our Community Response to Food Insecurity in Recent SNAP Crisis. Meet in the AWE Room and on zoom (tinyurl.com/uufa-forum) at 9:15 am on.
December 21 Third Sunday Forum: Unitarianism and the Khasi Hills of India: A Personal Experience
Unitarianism has a significant presence in the Khasi Hills of India, largely due to Hajom Kissor Singh, who founded the first Unitarian church there in 1887 after converting from Methodism. Join Bruce King as he shares more about Unitarianism and the Khasi Hills of India based on his personal experiences at the December 21 Forum from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. Join in person or via Zoom. More info: justice@uuathensga.org.
✻ For Everyone
December 9, 6:30 pm – WACT (Worship Arts and Celebrations Team) V
December 18 6:00 pm – UUFA Board meeting. Check with the Board secretary (secretary@uuathensga.org) to be put on the agenda if you would like to speak at the meeting.
Making Music
Questions? Contact Music Director Amber Fetner at MD@uuathensga.org.
Wednesdays, 5:30 pm – Palms of Fire Drum Circle, under the guidance of Amber, focuses on West African drumming although other musical traditions and instruments are also explored. All are welcome! No prior drumming experience is necessary, and you don’t even need to bring a drum.
Wednesdays, 7 pm – Chalice Choir in the Sanctuary sings many different kinds of music and welcomes all singers. If you’re thinking about trying it out, please email Amber.
*Drum and Choir will not meet December 24 and 31.
Fun and Fellowship
✻ For Everyone
Wednesdays, 5:30 pm – Community Potluck Enjoy social time followed by a potluck dinner. Please bring enough food to share.
December 7, morning – Our Abundance Table: An Opportunity to Rehome All are invited to visit the Abundance Table in the Fellowship Hall before and after the worship service. Bring items that are clean, functional, and in good condition that no longer serve you. Take items from the table that you need and/or want. Any items not claimed or reclaimed will be donated. For further information contact Kahla at dre@uuathensga.org.
December 10, 5:45 pm – Simple Supper All are welcome to enjoy a meal together. Bring a potluck dish to share or RSVP to Kahla for a simple provided meal. Include the number in your group and any dietary restrictions. Every second Wednesday!
✻ For Adults
Tuesdays, 8:30 am – Coffee Hour Two groups usually meet off site. Want to meet up? Contact uufa@uuathensga.org to learn the locations.
Thursdays, 9:30 am – Tai Chi Flow Class V
December 14, 11:30 am – Getting to Know UUFA Newcomers are welcome after the service in the Welcome Hall.
December 28, 7 pm – Alphabet Family and Friends V The Alphabet Family invites UUFA folx who identify anywhere on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum to gather for fun and fellowship, usually on the fourth Sunday evening of every month.
Seeking Justice
Need more info? Visit the Social Justice Action Team at uuathensga.org/justice or contact Justice@uuathensga.org.
Forums
Forums are in person in the AWE room at 9:15 a.m. and on Zoom. Get the link from the Realm/Connect or the weekly e-news. Reach out to justice@uuathensga.org with any questions.
December 7 First Sunday Forum: Exploring Our Community Response to Food Insecurity in Recent SNAP Crisis. Meet in the AWE Room and on zoom at 9:15 am on.
December 21 Third Sunday Forum: Unitarianism and the Khasi Hills of India: A Personal Experience
Unitarianism has a significant presence in the Khasi Hills of India, largely due to Hajom Kissor Singh, who founded the first Unitarian church there in 1887 after converting from Methodism. Join Bruce King as he shares more about Unitarianism and the Khasi Hills of India based on his personal experiences at the December 21 Forum from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. Join in person or via Zoom. More info: justice@uuathensga.org.
Serving Justice
Part of UUFA’s mission is to “serve justice.” The teams below meet monthly and are open to all. Join these groups in Realm/Connect (onrealm.org/UUFA) to receive direct updates and links to the Zoom options -OR- email justice@uuathensga.org.
- Social Justice Action Team meets Sunday, December 7, noon–in person and via Zoom
- Racial Justice Team meets Thursday, December 11, 7 p.m., via Zoom
- Earth Ministry Team meets Monday, December 22, 7 p.m., via Zoom
If you haven’t received your Realm/Connect invitation yet, contact Meredyth at welcome@uuathensga.org.
Questions about Justice at UUFA? Email justice@uuathensga.org.
