UUFA Athens

Unitarian Universalist

Fellowship of Athens

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Happy Greetings to Each of You!

I am writing this at my new desk with a smile on my face as I imagine your smiling faces, as well as your tired, surprised, confused, angry, or lonely faces. Why do I mention more than smiling faces? Because I am actively welcoming all that you are experiencing right now. You are a blessing just as you are. I welcome you in my ministry.

I am minister to this community through thick and thin, happy times and hard. Who knows what lies ahead, what stories we will tell one another in the time to come? Some of those stories will be happy, others will be sad, most will probably make us laugh somehow. Whatever they will be, they will be our stories. I welcome the possibilities we are creating together.

I hope that we all can find awe and creativity in the possibilities that we create just by being ourselves together. I invite you to ponder those possibilities the next time you talk with a member of the Fellowship. What is possible because you are talking to one another? As you greet one another in small groups, after worship, on Zoom, and elsewhere, are there stories that you like to tell together, support you can give, things you can imagine, that you might not be able to do on your own?

Let us wonder, what unique possibilities we create just by bringing all our experiences and perspectives together–just by being present together. Are we the possibility of spiritual growth? Of connection across difference? Of intergenerational wholeness? Of delicious, shared meals? Of warm welcome to folx of all backgrounds and identities? We are full of beautiful possibilities.

As our time unfolds into weeks and months, I look forward to exploring all of our possibilities together, and I look forward to getting to know each of you as the remarkable individuals you are. It is a joy to begin as your new settled minister, and I look forward to all the stories we create together.

Welcome to what we create together,

Rev Pippin

Happenings in a List!

Special events are indicated in bold italic below, for details of these and the many recurring committee/team meeting details.

Check the “This Month & Beyond” page (to the left or at uuathensga.org/UUFA and make sure to join your groups on Realm/Connect. so you can communicate with other group members, as well as have easy access to Zoom links for virtual happenings. 

Information on justice-focused meetings, events, and teams is available This Month & Beyond, but to see only justice meetings, you can find visuals announcements here & the UUFA Justice Calendar here

Need help with Realm/Connect!? Contact Meredyth@uuathensga.org

February 

  •   1  Abundance Table First Sundays
  •   1  Conversation Cafe First & Third Sundays
  •   1  Social Action Justice Team First Sundays
  •   1  Historical Jesus Book Discussion First & Third Sundays
  •   7  Lead with Love (UUA Virtual Only)
  •   8  Nominations Open for 2026-27 Share the Plate Cause-of-the Month Organizations
  •   8  Getting to Know You Second Sundays
  •   8  Book Talks Second Sundays
  • 10  Second Lookers Second Tuesdays
  • 10  Adult RE (Religious Exploration) Opportunity:  Are We Too Violent?
  • 12  Racial Justice Team Second Thursdays
  • 15 Forum Third Sundays
  • 15  Conversation Cafe First & Third Sundays
  • 15  Historical Jesus Book Discussion First & Third Sundays
  • 19  Board of Trustees Meeting Third Thursdays
  • 21 Coffee and Confections New Membership Meet and Greet
  • 22  Nominations Close for 2026-27 Share the Plate Cause-of-the Month Organizations
  • 22 Worship Transformation- An Invitation for Spiritual Stewards of the Congregation
  • 22 Candlelight Vigil for Those Affected by Detention and Deportation
  • 22 Alphabet Family Fourth Sundays
  • 23  Earth Ministry Team Fourth Mondays
  • 28 AADM Social Justice Awards Gala 2026

Scroll on for future months. 

Share the Plate Cause of the Month

The Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement (AADM) is this month’s Share-the-Plate Cause of the Month.

During January, this organization will receive one half of all undesignated offerings.

The Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement (AADM) i s a grassroots organization that advocates against systemic discrimination and racial injustices through education, advocacy, and direct action.

From the 2025-26 program year (July 1 through June 30),  $12,854.53 has been given to five different Share-the-Plate Cause of the Month organizations because of the generosity of members and friends of UUFA.  Thank you.

February CANtributions

You can help with food insecurity in our community. Bring non-perishable food items to be donated to the Athens Area Emergency Food Bank (AAEFB) on Sunday mornings. 

Want to contribute financially?  Visit uuathensga.org/give and look for “Charitable Giving”. To give by check:  Make the check out to UUFA and put “CANtributions 1-8016” in the memo line. You may also contribute to the Athens Area Emergency Foodbank directly through their website: athensfoodbank.org. For further information:  justice@uuathensga.org. 

If you are experiencing food insecurity or know someone in our UUFA community who is, please contact Rev. Pippin (revpippin@uuathensga.org).

UUFA Justice Partner Highlights

You are encouraged to visit the websites of this year’s Justice Partners to learn more about how you can support them in their important work in the Athens community. While you’re there, sign up for their individual newsletters so you can stay informed. 

Here are highlights of some of their activities in January:

Athens Immigrant Rights Coalition (AIRC) Meeting

All are welcome to attend the next meeting of the Athens Immigrant Rights Coalition – a UUFA Justice Partner – on February 20 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Oconee Street United Methodist Church. For more information:  justice@uuathensga.org

Looking Ahead

March

Diaper Drive All Month

  •   1   Abundance Table First Sundays
  •   1   Conversation Cafe First & Third Sundays
  •   1   Social Action Justice Team First Sundays
  •  1  Historical Jesus Book Discussion First & Third Sundays
  •   8   Singing Meditation
  •   8   Getting to Know UUFA Second Sundays
  •   8   Book Talks Second Sundays
  • 10   Second Lookers Second Tuesdays
  • 11   Simple Suppers Second Wednesdays
  • 12   Racial Justice Team Second Thursdays
  • 15   Conversation Cafe First & Third Sundays
  • 15   Historical Jesus Book Discussion First & Third Sundays
  • 19   Board of Trustees Meeting Third Thursdays
  • 22   Worship Transformation- An Invitation for Spiritual Stewards of the Congregation
  • 22   Alphabet Family Fourth Sundays
  • 23   Earth Ministry Team  Fourth Mondays
  • 29   Justice Action Collaborative Fifth Sundays

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