UUFA News

A Celebration of Life and Love

After battling leukemia and a stem cell transplant that lead to graft vs. host disease, James G. Bunce II, husband of Anunnaki Ray Marquez, passed away in his home surrounded by love on December 9, 2022, at 5:53 a.m.

A Celebration of Life and Love will be held on Feb. 19, 2023 at 2 p.m. hosted virtually on Zoom by the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens.

To join the celebration please register at the following link.https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwpc-ihrjkrHNOKr_r5H6Nt3Lhgap6-B2ZB

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information about joining the zoom service.

Leukemia and disability are costly. Anunnaki is facing a delay in survivor benefits, which his family was counting on to be able to keep their home and cover healthcare costs. James was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2020 and passed away on December 9, 2022.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a financial donation to support his family. Venmo @anunnaki-marquez, Cash App $anunnakimarquez. Or here on this Mealtrain donation page and inviting all to chip in to help Anunnaki and his family bridge the gap for a couple of months until survivor benefits kick in. Anunnaki, requires a very special diet, so they are not asking for meals or gift cards to restaurants at this time, but donations to help with living expenses and medical bills are greatly appreciated and can be made through the Mealtrain site.


Share the Plate / Cause-of-the-Month: Dignidad Inmigrante en Athens (DIA)

During May Dignidad Inmigrante en Athens (DIA), an Athens organization with a mission to create and promote spaces for the liberation of undocumented immigrants in the United States, will receive one half of all undesignated offerings. For details contact justice@uuathensga.org


Help with Food Insecurity

Please continue to bring non-perishable food items to Fellowship Hall’s wicker baskets. While all CANtributions are appreciated, in May the Athens Area Emergency Food Bank is especially in need of white rice, Hamburger Helper, and dried pinto beans. To give by credit card, 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. To learn more, contact  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

AADM Workplace Rights & Career Lab

AADM invites you to May 9’s Saturday School in partnership with Patrick Ihejirika and Pathwise NYC, a nonprofit dedicated to helping individuals become more competitive for the careers they want. This free session will cover workplace rights and career development, helping you understand fair pay, safe working conditions, and how to advocate for yourself on the job. Participants will also take part in hands-on resume workshops and gain access to Pathwise’s career tools to strengthen resumes, identify skill gaps, build clear career plans, and stay organized throughout the job search process. Register here for the 10 to 11:30 am sessionat Oconee Street United Methodist Church: https://www.aadmovement.org/events/may2026-saturday-school


Athens Immigrant Rights Coalition (AIRC) Meeting

All are welcome to attend the next meeting of the Athens Immigrant Rights Coalition on May 15 from 5:30 to 7 pm at the Oconee Street United Methodist Church. For more information contact justice@uuathensga.org.