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Unitarian Universalist

Fellowship of Athens

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What’s Up with the Board – April 2022

President Vivian Sellers called the April 12, 2022, meeting of the Board of Trustees to order.

We welcomed the news of the selection of Rev. Dr. M. Pippin Whitaker as UUFA’s settled minister candidate by the Settled Minister Search Committee and look forward to meeting with Rev. Pippin during Candidating Week at the end of April.

Rev. Lisa led us in a discussion of the 8th Principle (“We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote: journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.”) which UUFA members will consider at the May 15 Annual Meeting. UUA’s Article II Study Commission is looking at Article II’s content, including the current seven principles as well as the adoption of the 8th Principle by UUA, for a General Assembly vote in 2023 or later. For more on the Article II Study Commission click here.

Treasurer Lyndall Tunnell gave an update on the 2022-2023 budget, noting that pledges showed a 2 percent increase over 2021-2022, lagging behind the 15 percent increase of the aspirational budget presented before our stewardship drive. To pledge, including to increase pledges already made, please visit REALM or contact Bookkeeper Nora Joslyn.

Secretary Karen Solheim reported on multi-layered preparations for the May 15 Annual Meeting. Click here for a look at the Nominating Committee’s report. Watch for news on getting an absentee ballot if you will not be able to attend the Annual Meeting in person.

As 2022’s UUA General Assembly approaches, the Board is welcoming member requests to serve as one of UUFA’s six delegates and has extended the deadline to apply to May 15. Please contact Vice President Iva King to apply or get information.

We welcomed Susan Brown’s agreement to serve as the Board Representative to the Nominating Committee for 2022-23.

After many months of reviewing by-laws and policies, we were happy to see the stack disappear with our vote to approve the revision of the Proposed Expenditure Policy and the Memorial Grove Policy. Funding for memorial leaves will now be through donations.

Board of Trustees meetings welcome visitors. We meet next on May 10, 2022.

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  First Sunday Forum: Resist with Love First Sundays
  •   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
  •   2 Every Monday Peaceful Protest First Mondays
  •   3 Caregiver Support Group First & Third Tuesdays
  •   7 Lead with Love, UUA Southern Region, Greenville, SC
  •   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
  •   8  Earth Ministry Team- Green Sanctuary 2030 Input Session
  •   9 Every Monday Peaceful Protest
  • 10  Second Lookers Second Tuesdays
  • 10  Adult RE (Religious Exploration) Opportunity:  Are We Too Violent?
  • 10 Engaging with the 2025-28 CSAI
  • 11 Simple Supper Second Wednesdays during Potluck!
  • 12  Racial Justice Team Second Thursdays
  • 15 Forum Third Sundays
  • 15  Conversation Cafe First & Third Sundays
  • 15  Historical Jesus Book Discussion First & Third Sundays
  • 15 Singing Meditation
  • 16 Every Monday Peaceful Protest
  • 19  Board of Trustees Meeting Third Thursdays
  • 20  Justice Partner event:  AIRC Meeting
  • 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:

Justice Partner News: 

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

AADM Hosts Social Justice Awards and Gala 2026

The Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement (AADM), a UUFA Justice Partner, invites everyone to their Social Justice Awards and Gala 2026 on February 28 from 6 to 9 pm at Hotel Indigo to honor the organization’s past, uplift today’s champions, and build momentum for the next generation of justice leaders. For ticket and other information, click aadmovement.org/events/39584

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.