This Month (& beyond!) at UUFA
December Highlights
Check the uuathensga.org/upcoming-uufa-events online calendar and uuathensga.org/news page for updates.
Holiday Angel Project — Once again, UUFA will be participating in the DFCS (Division of Family and Children Services) Angel Project. More than 300 children are currently living in foster care in Clarke and Oconee counties. Each holiday season these children receive few, if any, gifts. UUFA individuals and groups have bought gifts or contributed money for these children for over 25 years. Get all the details on how you can support this annual effort, please visit uuathensga.org/holidayangel
Young Adults Plan Afternoon of Cookie Making — The Young Adults will get together December 1 from 1-2:30 p.m. at UUFA.
Holiday Tunes at the Piano — Local songwriter and pianist Bart King returns to UUFA on December 6 with Tracy Brown and Sally Ann Nichols. Doors and refreshments open at 7 p.m. with the show starting at 7:30. $10 suggested donation for adults.
Nifty Gifty and Winter Wonderland — Join folx of all ages on December 7 from 9 a.m. to noon to make crafts and gifts for all ages at several stations around the Fellowship Hall. The morning will conclude with special treats, music, and a joyous celebration. Volunteers welcome!
Celebration of the Life of Jim Marshall — A Celebration of the Life of UUFA member Jim Marshall will be held at 3 p.m. on December 7 at UUFA. Read Jim’s obituary here. For the link to join by zoom, look for an email or contact the office.
Holiday Benevolence Market — Athens-area faith organizations will again host the Holiday Benevolence Market on December 8, noon to 3 p.m., at Covenant Presbyterian Church to offer a single location to select gifts – in the form of donations – that support non-profit organizations. For more info, go to uuathensga.org/benevolence.
Simple Supper — All are welcome to join together on December 11 from 6 to 7 p.m. 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.
Winter Solstice Circle Dance — On December 21 at 6:30 p.m. come to Fellowship Hall to dance, sing, and celebrate the Winter Solstice with fire, food, and fellowship!
Christmas Eve at the Fellowship December 24, 6:30 p.m. “Evening Holiday Service” with Rev. Dr. Pippin Whitaker Many holiday traditions visit us this time of year. Join in this all-ages service, delighting in joyful music, wise teachings, and a holiday cookie exchange afterwards. All are invited to bring holiday treats to share–the more the merrier! Please label for allergens or list ingredients.
Let’s Get Together in December!
Virtual Only – V Multi-platform – MP
All are welcome at these UUFA meetings and events!
To view this document online go to uuathensga.org/UUFA
Sunday Mornings
- Sunday Services, 10:30 a.m. – MP
- Sundays following the worship services, Community and Conversation, 11:30 a.m. – MP
Looking for upcoming worship topics? Visit uuathensga.org/upcoming-worship or check the UUFA weekly e-news blast?
Not getting UUFA emails? PLEASE let us know by emailing or calling the office. (uufa@uuathensga.org, 706-546-7914, ext 5)
Exploring
Children, YUU and COA (Youth Coming of Age) are meeting on December 1, 8 and 15 to participate in 10:30 a.m. religious exploration. The All Ages services are December 22 and 29.
✻ For Children – Contact Dir. of Religious Exploration Kahla (DRE@uuathensga.org) to receive updates.
✻ 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 1, 9 a.m. – Writing as a Spiritual Practice MP WSP explores UUFA’s monthly worship theme on first Sundays onsite in the Heritage Room and virtually. Facilitator Myrna Adams West provides prompts for thinking and/or writing about the theme before the session. Contact Myrna to receive the suggested prompts and the link to join virtually. Please attend even if you have written nothing. The group offers a safe space for sharing written and spoken thoughts.
December 1 & 15, 12:30 p.m. – Historical Jesus Book Discussion Do you want to learn more about the historical Jesus? Based on historical research, much is now known about his life and his teachings and how they fit into the context of his time. In this group we read and discuss various perspectives by scholars about the historical Jesus. We do not address Christian theological questions; those are matters of faith, not history.
December 8, 1 p.m. – Book Talks V 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 welcomed. To join Book Talks virtually, regular attendees are encouraged to join the group on Realm/Connect to ensure access to the link, or contact the office (UUFA@uuathensga.org or 706-546-7914, ext. 5). The December selection is The Other Side of Eden by Paul Harding.
December 10, 12 p.m. – The Second Lookers All are invited to join Second Lookers, a monthly group gathered for fellowship, food, and fun. Members and friends of the Fellowship gather with their bring-their-own lunches and then enjoy a program, spoken and/or musical. This year’s coordinators are Pat Adams and Martha Phillips. The Oldies but Goodies Ukulele Band will be sharing holiday songs for you to listen to and sing along at this month’s meeting. For more on Second Lookers email secondlookers@UUAthensGA.org. MP
December 15, 2 p.m. – Goddess Group MP meets third Sundays. The group is a circle of persons who identify as female that gathers monthly to study “Thealogy,” the feminine aspect of the Divine. 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 a ministry to each other and others within the greater community. Contact the facilitators at goddess@uuathensga.org for more information.
This month’s gathering will be The 21th Annual Tea with the Goddess off-site. Contact Leigh Harvey or Michelle Covi for more information or to RSVP. Number of attendees is limited due to space.
✻ For Everyone
December 3, 6:30 p.m. – WACT (Worship Arts and Celebrations Team) V
December 17, 7 p.m. – 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.
✻ For Everyone
December 1, 12:15 p.m. – Sound & Singing Meditation Come to the AWE Room off the Welcome Hall December 1 at 12:15 p.m. for simple chants, singing bowls, and silence
December 22, 10:30 a.m. – Winter’s Presence Sunday service with poetry, singing and peaceful music.
Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m. – 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. No drumming December 11-25. Drumming will return January 8.
Wednesdays, 7 p.m. – Chalice Choir in the Sanctuary. We sing many different kinds of music and welcome all singers. If you’re thinking about trying it out, please email Amber (md@uuathensga.org).
Fun and Fellowship
✻ For Everyone
- Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m. – Community Potluck Enjoy social time followed by a potluck dinner. Please bring enough food to share.
- December 11, 6 p.m. – Simple Supper See highlights.
- December 21, 6:30 p.m. – Winter Solstice Circle Dance See highlights.
✻ For Adults
Tuesdays, 8:30 a.m. – Coffee Hour Two groups usually meet off site. Want to meet up? Contact uufa@uuathensga.org to learn the locations.
Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. – Tai Chi Flow Class V
December 8, 11:30 a.m. – Getting to Know UUFA Newcomers are welcome after the service in the AWE Room.
December 10, 12 p.m. UUFA Second Lookers The Oldies but Goodies Ukulele Band will be sharing holiday songs for you to listen to and sing along this month. Feel free to bring your lunch and enjoy coffee, tea, and desserts provided. Join this group in Realm/Connect or contact the coordinators at secondlookers@UUAthensGA.org for more information, including how to attend virtually.
December 22, 7 p.m. – Alphabet Family V This group for folx who identify anywhere on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum gathers virtually on fourth Sundays. Reach out to alphabetfamily@uuathensga.org for more information on joining.
Seeking Justice
Need more info? Visit uuathensga.org/justice or contact Justice@uuathensga.org.
✻ For Everyone
All are invited to stop by the Social Justice Action Team (SJAT) Holiday Market on Sunday mornings before and after the worship service on December 1 through December 22. Items available for purchase reflect UU values, raising awareness of justice issues such as Black Lives Matter and LGBTGIA+ rights. All proceeds go to support SJAT initiatives.
Winter Clothing Drive The Social Justice Action Team (SJAT) invites you to donate new and gently used winter clothing to its Winter Clothing Drive being held from December 1 through December 31. The baskets at the Donations Table in the Gathering Hall are ready to accept needed items for all ages and all sizes such as coats, blankets, sweaters, hoodies, socks, gloves, winter hats, and hand warmers. Items given will be donated to the Bigger Vision of Athens Community Homeless Shelter and the Athens Homeless Shelter. For further information: justice@uuathensga.org.
Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of UUSC’s Guest at Your Table (GAYT) 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. Since it began in 1975, the Guest at Your Table program has introduced generations of Unitarian Universalists to grassroots partners working for justice around the world with your support. This church year, we are celebrating Guest at Your Table’s 50th anniversary with the theme “Expanding the Welcome Table.”
Learn more about Guest at Your Table, sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC). Learn more about the UUSC. Click here to give online. For more information about UUFA’s GAYT participation, email justice@uuathensga.org.
- December 1, 12 p.m. – Social Justice Action Team MP
- December 5, 5 p.m. – Racial Justice Team V
Rapid Response Team With the many critical issues affecting our members and community arising in national, state, and local legislative sessions, the Rapid Response Team members receive frequent alerts when immediate actions are needed, such as quickly contacting representatives or showing up for actions. The team will post updates and information on the issues here — Legislative Action Alerts, but sign up below to receive alerts directly to your in-box! SIGN UP HERE to Receive Action Alerts! You can find this link at uuathensga.org/justice
To view this document online go to uuathensga.org/UUFA
Save the Date
Mark your calendars now! Details to follow.
December
- 7th – Celebration of the Life of Jim Marshall
- 15th — Forum (topic and speaker tbd)
- 21st: — Winter Solstice Dance
- 31st: — Kwanzaa 6th night
January
- All month — CANtributions Drive
- 1st — New Year’s Day Potluck and Game Day (Scrabble plus other games)
- 3rd — Artists Reception
- 4th — Deb Brenner Memorial Service
- 16th — AADM Social Justice Awards and Black Gala 2025
- 18th — Dance Workshop
- 19th — Martin Luther King parade poster making (after worship service)
- 20th — Martin Luther King parad
February
- 23rd — Athens In Harmony 2025
March
- 29th – Ebb of Life workshop [tentative]
