Teams and Groups are listed in alphabetical order (not including “the”).
The Alphabet Family
A laid-back hang out and chat session for anyone who self-identifies anywhere on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum, on the fourth Sunday of each month, from 6 to 8 p.m.
https://www.uuathensga.org/blog/event/2nd-alphabet-family-gathering/
Contact information and meeting times
Ynza Morgan Star, alphabetfamily@uuathensga.org
4th Sunday of each month, from 6-8 pm (currently meeting online)
Book Talks
Read and discuss via Zoom once a month (Sept through May) books selected by the members of the group.
Contact information and meeting times
Clarissa Finco (contact through the UUFA office, uufa@uuathensga.org, or through Realm Connect)
Second Sunday of the month
Care Rings
Upon joining, all members are assigned to a Care Ring. We have five color-coded Care Rings, each composed of seven or more families or single households in the same vicinity. Care Ring members offer each other support in dealing with crises or stressful situations. They also share your joys: a new child in the family, notable birthdays, anniversaries, and honors. https://www.uuathensga.org/fellowship/pastoral-care/
Contact information and meeting times
Kathy Mason, main care ring organizer (contact through the UUFA office, uufa@uuathensga.org, or through Realm Connect)
Each care ring meets at different times and in different ways.
Circle Suppers
About eight folks meet about once a month to share a meal and conversation. People take turns hosting. The groups are different each month to allow lots of mixing. Great food, great company!
Contact information and meeting times
Alice Rose (contact through the UUFA office, uufa@uuathensga.org or through Realm Connect)
Whenever as many participants as possible can attend.
Communications Team
Contact information and meeting times
Shaye Gambrell, Congregational Administrator
Meets monthly.
Earth Ministry Team
We work to make our Fellowship environmentally sustainable, including native and pollinator-friendly plants in our landscaping. Our goals include making our Fellowship carbon neutral and renewing our Green Sanctuary certification from the UUA. We advocate for climate justice in the wider world. We are part of the UUFA Justice Cluster and overlap with Social Action Committee
Contact information and meeting times
Mark Williams
justice@uuathensga.org
Meetings as needed.
Family Promise
Family Promise volunteers are needed during four weeks each year—fall, spring, summer, and winter. There are no meetings to attend. Before each of the four hosting weeks, the co-chairs will email those who are on the volunteer list and provide all the information they will need to volunteer, including a sign up link.
Contact information and meeting times
Fran Cawthon and Becky Parker (contact through the UUFA office, uufa@uuathensga.org or through Realm Connect)
No meetings to attend. See familypromiseathens.org
Food Justice Team (FJT)
We raise consciousness around our industrial food system. This includes awareness about the plight of workers, animals, environment, nutrition, soil, hunger, and the future of food production.
Contact information and meeting times
Kate Blane
justice@uuathensga.org
4th Sunday after service at 12:00pm
Goddess Group
The Goddess Group, a circle of persons who identify as female, gathers monthly to study “Thealogy,” the feminine aspect of the Divine. During third Sunday afternoon gatherings, 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 ministry to each other and others within the greater community.
Contact information and meeting times
Myrna Adams West
goddess@uuathensga.org
Third Sundays, usually from 2:00-4:00 pm. Until further notice, we are meeting via Zoom.
Groundskeeping Crew
We are a group of members that volunteer to cut the grass, pull out the weeds, blow the leaves and do all the other tasks needed to keep our grounds looking beautiful. We also work to get rid of invasive species on the property while promoting the growth of native species. We speak of giving of our time, talent and treasure – this one requires only your time. And we have lots of fun working together outside.
Contact information and meeting times
Mark Williams
building@uuathensga.org
Meetings as needed
Hospitality
We provide refreshments for Community and Conversation after Sunday service. This includes setting up before the service by making coffee, tea and setting out food donations and then cleaning up after Community and Conversation is over.
Contact information and meeting times
Kate Blane (contact through the UUFA office, uufa@uuathensga.org or through Realm Connect)
The meetings are quarterly.
Still re-structuring and looking for a chair or co-chairs
Membership Team
Our main focus is to greet and inform newcomers and to ease their transition to membership and connection with the Fellowship.
Contact information and meeting times
Vivian Preston Sellers & Diane Schmidt (contact through the UUFA office or through Realm Connect, uufa@uuathensga.org)
4th Sundays at 2:00 pm
Music Ministry
Singing, drumming, making joyful noise! https://www.uuathensga.org/nourishing-our-spirits/music/
Contact information and meeting times
- Amber Fetner
- musicdirector@uuathensga.org
- Drum is Wednesdays, 5:30-6:30, Choir is Wednesdays 7-8 (RSVP with Amber!)
Partner Church Committee
Open to all members and friends of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens, our purpose in the past was to promote awareness of and commitment to our Unitarian heritage in Transylvanian, Romania, through a partnership in Okland, Romania.
Since the death of the minister in Okland and a new minister being called both in Okland and at the UUFA, how might we reimagine our relationship with this congregation and with Unitarianism and Unitarian Universalist abroad going forth in the future?
UUFA website link: https://www.uuathensga.org/okland-partner-church/
Okland Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/Okl%C3%A1ndi-Unit%C3%A1rius-Egyh%C3%A1zk%C3%B6zs%C3%A9g-570861266326650
Contact information and meeting times
Michelle Leebens-Mack (contact through the UUFA office, uufa@uuathensga.org or through Realm Connect)
Racial Justice Team (RJT)
We educate our members about white supremacy culture, promote the 8th principle and engage with the wider community by supporting black owned businesses and nonprofits.
Contact information and meeting times
Iva King, Paul VanValkenburg (justice@uuathensga.org)
1st Thursday of each month at 5:00pm via zoom
Religious Book Discussion Group
We read and discuss books about religion and some original texts. The focus is historical, not theological. We will start with a focus on the historical Jesus, and the group will decide what we will read next. In the UU tradition: no dogma, open to all regardless of beliefs or non-belief; should be of interest to UUs, Christians, Jews, atheists, et al.
Contact information and meeting times
Paul Gurian (contact through the UUFA office, uufa@uuathensga.org or through Realm Connect)
1st & 3rd Sundays at 12:30 p.m. Multi-platform. Check the calendar for link to join.
Religious Exploration
Religious Exploration at UUFA cultivates a space for learning, play, growth, and connection, focusing on children and families while also creating intergenerational programming for the whole congregation.
https://www.uuathensga.org/nourishing-our-spirits/for-children-and-teens/
Contact information and meeting times
Kahla Childers
dre.kahla@uuathensga.org
Sundays during service and other events or meetings on weeknights or weekends.
Second Lookers
“Second Lookers” meets once a month on the second Tuesday from noon until 1:30 or so. We invite a speaker or have an activity that is of interest to older people at UUFA.
Contact information and meeting times
Pat Adams and Martha Phillips
Second Tuesday of the month
Contact Pat & Martha through the UUFA office (uufa@uuathensga.org).
Small Group Ministry
SGM groups are made up of 8 – 12 people who meet once or twice a month to discuss a wide range of topics, both serious and silly. It’s a great way to move past the small talk, really get to know others, and build deeper friendships.
Contact information and meeting times
Camille Belnap, Kirstin Mix
sgm@uuathensga.org
Meetings as needed.
Social Action Committee (SAC)
The Social Action Committee, an active group, focuses on UU principles of justice, equity, the democratic process, and the inherent worth and dignity of all people. Social action has been a hallmark of this congregation since our founding in 1954. The Social Action Committee meets at noon on the first
Contact information and meeting times
Karen Solheim (justice@uuathensga.org)
First Sunday of the month, after service at 12:00pm. Meeting is hybrid of in-person and zoom
Sunday Guides and Safety Committee
Weekly the Guides oversee the security/safety of the building access on Sundays and also oversee safety emergency responses that may occur as a Guide. This group is now a part of the Buildings and Grounds Committee.
Ushers
Three of us usher for every Sunday service. We greet people and, if needed, help them find seating; provide fidget toys for anyone who wants to fidget during the service; collect the joys and sorrows cards; and pass the offering baskets. The rotation is designed so that no-one will have to usher more than once a month and we are flexible when working with your particular schedule. It is an easy; but important part of our Sunday ritual; the perfect opportunity for newcomers and overly busy people who want to give back to their church community.
Contact information and meeting times
Kay Read (contact Kay through the UUFA office, uufa@uuathensga.org)
No regular meetings required
WACT Worship Arts and Celebration Team
WACT supports the minister in the planning and conducting of the worship services. There are many ways to participate in WACT. One does not have to speak or be a part of a service. New ideas and perspectives are welcomed.
https://www.uuathensga.org/events/worship-arts-and-celebrations-team-wact/
Contact information and meeting times
Reverend Pippin
minister@uuathensga.org
First Tuesday of each month
Welcome Hall Art Gallery
Displaying talented artists. Artists are given space free.
Contact information and meeting times
Scott Mason (contact through the UUFA office, uufa@uuathensga.org or through Realm Connect)
Team of One at this point. I need help hanging and taking down.
Writing as Spiritual Practice
Writing as Spiritual Practice explores UUFA’s monthly worship theme through various written genres. The facilitator provides prompts for thinking and/or writing about the theme, and the group offers a safe space for sharing written or spoken thoughts.
Contact information and meeting times
Myrna Adams West (contact through the UUFA office, uufa@uuathensga.org or through Realm Connect)
First Sundays at 9:00-10:00 am. We are currently meeting via Zoom.
Youth Group
We are the middle and high school youth group. We learn and play and grow together and provide a safe space for our young UU’s
Contact information and meeting times
Meredyth Howard
YYA@uuathensga.org
We meet on the 1st and 3rd Sundays during services, with opportunities to assist in service on 5th Sundays.
