Apr 27 2024
Rev. Pippin (she/her) is settled minister of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens, GA. She also serves on the Board of the Interfaith Clergy Partnership of Greater Athens and is Adjunct Professor of Ministerial Formation at Meadville Lombard Theological School.
Contact Rev. Pippin by email or at the UUFA office (706-546-7914, ext. 3).
Kahla joined the UUFA staff in 2022. As Director of Religious Exploration, she creates and organizes dynamic programming for children from birth through high school, as well as intergenerational events, service learning projects, and social justice initiatives for all ages. These programs focus on Unitarian Universalist values through an anti-racist and anti-oppressive lens, while using the principles of Universal Design to create spaces for radical welcome. Kahla is passionate about play, creating spaces for open conversations, and engaging in spiritual expression in a creative way.
Contact Kahla by email or through the UUFA office (706-546-7914).
Since 2001, Amber Fetner has led the Chalice Choir, Palms of Fire drum circle and small vocal ensembles, and coordinates additional music activities. Amber regularly takes Fellowship musical groups into the Athens community in support of local organizations and justice activities, such as the Human Rights Festival. Amber is an active member of the Association for Unitarian Universalist Music Ministries (AUUMM).
Amber successfully completed a credentialing program sponsored by the AUUMM which then recognized her with its ‘Certified UU Music Leader’ designation in 2014. Previously, Amber completed her Master’s work in Ethnomusicology at the University of Chicago. She earned a Bachelor of Music and a Bachelor of Music Education from Shorter College in Rome, GA
Contact Amber by email.
Mx. Anunnaki Ray Marquez is an intern for Spiritual Care Chaplaincy at UUFA. He is also a Master of Divinity student at Meadville Lombard Theological School receiving Chaplain Pastoral Education through Sankofa. He is a member of the Unitarian Universalist Society of Community Ministries and hopes to become a fully certified Spiritual Care Chaplain by 2026.
As a proudly out intersex, nonconforming, queer, transgender man, Anunnaki hopes UUFA will help him grow in his spiritual formation as he offers to us his own wisdom, strengths, and talents to this fellowship.
Contact Anunnaki by email.
Shaye has served in the UUFA office since 2002. She is responsible for the smooth operation of the office and internal and external communications. She is a member of the Association of Unitarian Universalist Administrators.
Contact Shaye by email or at the UUFA office (706-546-7914, ext. 5).
Prior to working at UUFA, Meredyth earned a BA in religious studies from Georgia State University and her Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology at Emory University. During her time at Candler, Meredyth focused on religious education with youth and young adults. She is especially interested in creating and supporting exciting and inclusive programming so that everyone has a place at UUFA to call home.
Neil joined the UUFA staff team in August 2019. As the oldest of 5 children in a musical family, he started playing piano and other instruments at age 7, was South Carolina Music Teachers Association (SCMTA) solo recitalist winner at age 17, and eventually earned a degree in Music from Lander University in Greenwood, SC. Neil moved to Athens in 1999 to play rock ‘n roll and soon after began touring with The Glands, Elf Power, Shonna Tucker and many other musical acts. He released an album of his own tunes in 2015 with his band Golden Eels, and also works as a network operations center engineer when not playing music.
Contact Neil through the Music Director Amber.
Carley is our childcare coordinator and a valued member of our core childcare staff. As coordinator, she runs the Seedlings Room for our youngest congregants and nurtures children of all ages during Small Group Ministry meetings and other special events at the fellowship. Carley is excited and grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the UUFA team!
Contact Carley through DRE Kahla.
Erica Strout (she/her/hers) joined UUFA in 2020 as a Video Tech. She is thrilled to now serve UUFA as the Tech Coordinator. As a UGA alumnus with a degree in Visual Art and a longtime Athens resident, she wholeheartedly loves the Classic City and the people who live here. In addition to being a part of the UUFA team, she works in the film industry and loves creating music videos. A founding member of We Rock Athens (formerly Girls Rock Athens), she is also a lifetime musician and songwriter and has been a part of several bands since 2002.
UUFA has long been fortunate to have the best providers caring for the very young in the community.
Contact members of the childcare team through DRE Kahla.
Rev. Don retired from his service as UUFA’s Community Minister in February, 2023.
Don received his divinity degree from Candler School of Theology of Emory University. He also holds a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from Georgia State University and a doctorate in counseling from the University of Georgia. He served the Athens community first as executive director of Athens Family Counseling Service, Inc. and then as a licensed marriage and family therapist and professional counselor with Athens Associates for Counseling and Psychotherapy. His special interests were marital therapy, spiritual development, mind-body healing, and hypnosis. Don also served as adjunct faculty in the College of Family and Consumer Science and the School of Social Work.
Over the course of his career Don was executive director at two social service agencies, and was a program director at the Atlanta YMCA., He has also served two United Methodist congregations and was originally ordained by the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church over 50 years ago—past time to retire!
Rev. Alison served as UUFA Parish Minister from August 1, 2010, through July 31, 2020. Prior to her arrival she was Assistant Minister and Director of Religious Education at the Unitarian Universalist (UU) Church in Reston, Virginia. A fourth generation UU, her family moved around during her childhood but joined Unitarian churches in each place they lived.
