UUFA News

What’s Up with the Board – March 2022

President Vivian Sellers called the March 8, 2022, meeting of the Board of Trustees to order.

Treasurer Lyndall Tunnell updated us on the month-long Stewardship Drive now underway, noting that so far about one fourth of members have pledged for the 2022-2023 year which starts July 1, 2022. The Stewardship Drive committee – Kate Blane, Dan Everett, Rev. Lisa Romantum Schwartz, and Susie Weller – are welcoming members to feel “full of gratitude, full of hope” as we work together to reach the aspirational budget described here. You may pledge securely online here or print a pledge form here. Please consider your pledge by March 30.

The towering stack of digital documents which greeted Board members last fall is now considerably shorter as we have reviewed policies, by-laws, the employee handbook, and more over the months. After several more motions to accept revisions during our meeting, the document to-do pile is now hardly visible.

We voted to approve hiring John Neff, pending a background check, as a part-time audio tech to help continue the outstanding Sunday services staff and volunteers have created as UUFA first went virtual and now provides hybrid services.

Clela Reed and Sarah Cook reported that the Regathering Task Force and the Medical Advisory Panel continue to review the status of the pandemic and will make proposals to adjust the level of onsite participation as numbers indicate.

We took a look at the Fellowship’s spring calendar. Please mark your calendars! Find these events on the website calendar when you are looking for more information, pertinent documents, and links to join the virtual portions.

  • April 3  Rev. Alison’s installation as Emerita Minister and Reception
  • By April 10  The Nominating Committee will present the slate of candidates for 2022-2023.
  • April 10  Town Hall (Bylaws & 8th Principle & Budget) at 11 a.m.
  • April 19  Evening Town Hall (Bylaws & 8th Principle & Budget) at 7 p.m.
  • April 24 – May 1 Candidating Week! Meet and hear our candidate for settled minister.
  • April 24  Deadline for Nominating Committee to accept written petitions of 15 or more Voting Members to add any qualified member to the slate
  • May 8  Celebration of Shaye Gambrell and her 20 years of serving UUFA
  • May 15  UUFA Annual Meeting
  • June 12  Reception thanking Rev. Lisa Romantum Schwartz for her service as our Interim Minister
  • June 22 – 26  UUA General Assembly. Registration is underway. Watch for news on participating in Portland, OR, or online.

Board of Trustees meetings welcome visitors. We meet next on April 12, 2022.

Susan Curtis, Board member 

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