UUFA News

Family Promise Week August 14 to 21

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 during weeks that the guest families stay overnight at Holy Cross Lutheran Church. We provide meals and serve as van drivers, dinner hosts, overnight hosts, and weekend Day Center hosts.

Guests’ Information:
There will be three families served during this week, 10 guests total.  Right now, only two families are in the program.  The third family moves in on Friday.  

  1. William David has one son, SJ, who is 5 years old.  Mr. David does not eat seafood.
  2. Jeanette Stinson has two children–Zyion (16 years old) and Wisdom (3 years old).  Zyion is 6′ 3″ and 250 pounds, so there hasn’t been much food left over after each nightly meal!  This family doesn’t eat pork.
  3. Family Three has two parents, two 9 year old twins, and a 3-year-old.  

Food choices recommended by the current families:  meatloaf, baked potatoes, garlic bread, rice, corn, cornbread, lasagna with salad, chili with crackers, hamburgers, fries, chicken, cabbage/rice rolls, roast, green beans, black-eyed peas, salads, fruit, tacos.
Van Drivers:No van drivers will be needed.  The children will be transported to school by the county school buses.  The parents can use public transportation.

Contributions:
Contributions for Kroger gift cards (to help with breakfasts and lunches) can be sent to Diana Pearson (FamilyPromise coordinator at Holy Cross).  Her address is 150 Homestead Drive, Athens 30605.

Volunteer Sign-Up Link

For additional information including how to volunteer, contact UUFA Family Promise Coordinators Becky Parker and Fran Cawthon.October 30-November 6 is the last week of UUFA’s support this calendar year.

Happenings in a List!


For details on non-recurring events, check out the “Highlights” of “This Month & Beyond” (either on the left of this page or here). 

For recurring committee and team meeting details, check the “Let’s Get Together” section of “This Month & Beyond,” and make sure to join your groups on Realm/Connect, so you will receive updates, and reminders directly to your inbox and have easy access to zoom links for virtual happenings. 

Need help!? Contact Meredyth@uuathensga.org


December

Staff winter break is December 25 through January 1. 

All month!

*Donations can be made at (onrealm.org/UUFA/give) through December 31.

  • 24 Christmas Eve All ages. 6:30 p.m. Fellowship Hall

January

All Month — Winter Clothing Drive

Justice Meetings — Visuals here & UUFA Justice Calendar here

  •  4   Abundance Table First Sundays
  •  4   Conversation Cafe First & Third Sundays
  •  4   Social Action Justice Team First Sundays
  •  4   Historical Jesus Book Discussion First & Third Sundays
  •  8   Racial Justice Team Second Thursdays
  • 11 Getting to Know You Second Sundays
  • 13  Second Lookers Second Tuesdays
  • 13  Adult RE (Religious Exploration) Opportunity:  Are We Too Violent?
  • 15  Justice Partner event:  AADM Social Justice Awards and Gala 2026
  • 17  Martin Luther King, Jr. Awards Banquet (sponsored by the Athens Area Human Relations Council), 4 p.m., Classic Center
  • 18  Conversation Cafe First & Third Sundays
  • 18  Poster making for the MLK Day Parade
  • 19  MLK Day Parade (3 p.m., Washington & Hull)
  • 26  Earth Ministry Team Fourth Mondays
  • 27  Adult RE (Religious Exploration) Opportunity: Are We Too Violent?
  • 29  Hiking Our Values

February 

  •   1  Abundance Table First Sundays
  •   1  Conversation Cafe First & Third Sundays
  •   1  Social Action Justice Team First Sundays
  •   7  Lead with Love (UUA Virtual Only)
  •   8  Nominations Open for 2026-27 Share the Plate Cause-of-the Month Organizations
  • 10  Second Lookers Second Tuesdays
  • 10  Adult RE (Religious Exploration) Opportunity:  Are We Too Violent?
  • 12  Racial Justice Team Second Thursdays
  • 15  Conversation Cafe First & Third Sundays
  • 19  Board of Trustees Meeting
  • 22  Nominations Close for 2026-27 Share the Plate Cause-of-the Month Organizations
  • 23  Earth Ministry Team Fourth Mondays

Rather see this as a calendar grid?  Visit uuathensga.org/calendar.


Justice Partner Highlights

Athens Pride and Queer Collective Hosts Operation Transformation

Join Athens Pride and Queer Collective, a UUFA Justice Partner, on December 5 from 8 to 11 pm at Live Wire Athens for an unforgettable night of drag, art, and community. All proceeds from the event will directly fund APQC’s Gender-Affirming Care Grant, which provides financial assistance to individuals across Georgia seeking gender-affirming surgeries and care. Visit athenspride.org/events for tickets and details.

Athens Area Paine College Club Presents Thurgood

The Economic Justice Coalition, a UUFA Justice Partner, is one of several organizations to benefit from the proceeds of the production of George Stevens’ Thurgood set for the Morton Theatre on December 6 at 3 pm and December 7 at 4 pm. For tickets and details visit   www.mortontheatre.com/events  When you purchase your tickets, please put EJC in the code box located on the payment page.

Reggae Vibes Fundraiser: Georgia for Jamaica Hurricane Relief 

Supporting Families Impacted by Hurricane Melissa

December 11. Doors open at 6pm. @Hendershots 237 Prince Ave. Athens, Ga

Join us for an uplifting and meaningful night as Georgia comes together to support Jamaica! Reggae Vibes Fundraiser is a celebration of culture, community, and compassion all to raise funds and gather practical resources for families recovering from Hurricane Melissa.

Whether you can attend in person or simply want to make a donation, your contribution will make a direct impact on rebuilding lives. Join AADM to support recovery efforts and donate funds and supplies to help families rebuild. aadmovement.org/events