UUFA News

August in Religious Exploration

Dearest friends of RE,

It is hard to believe that August is already here! We will be welcoming Rev. Pippin as our settled minister on August 7 at 10:30 a.m. During service we will also celebrate our backpack blessing, in which all are welcome to bring the bags they will carry throughout the year – whether it be a backpack for school, a tote for homeschool books, or a briefcase.

Taking it home: What do you carry in your bag? Is it happiness, anxiety, or curiousity? What would you like to carry more of? How can we provide confidence, strength or perseverance to one another?

Upcoming dates for RE:

RE: will meet during service on 8/14 and 8/21. Thank you to Leigh Harvey, Deb Keys, Camille Belnap, and Vivian Sellers for volunteering with RE this month. 

Activity fair: Join us following service on Sunday, August 21 for a whole congregation activity fair. Learn about what goes on at UUFA and how groups fulfill the mission while also providing spiritual nourishment to those who volunteer. RE will be creating an all-ages community art project. Come check it out!

Water Ceremony: Intergenerational in-gathering service on Sunday, August 28th. Let us celebrate our community as we begin a new liturgical year. All are invited to bring a small amount of water that is significant to them to be combined as a symbol of our shared faith together. 

Looking forward to seeing you all as we gather together once again. 
 
From my heart to yours,
 
Kahla
 

 

Kahla Childers (she/her)

Director of Religious Exploration
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens
Available to meet by appointment 9:30-12:00, Monday – Friday

Happenings in a List!


For details on many of these, check out the Highlights section of “This Month & Beyond” (either on the left of this page or here). 

While this may not a comprehensive list of everything happening at UUFA, we hope it accurately reflects upcoming special events and recurring events that are open to all! 

For regular 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 .


All month!

*Donations can be made at (onrealm.org/UUFA/give) .


December

  • 5 Can-a-thon help needed
  • 6 Nifty Gifty
  • 5 Athens Pride and Queer Collective–UUFA Justice Partner–Operation Transformation
  • 6 & 7 Justice Partner event: Economic Justice Coalition Fundraiser–Thurgood
  •  7 First Sunday Forum: Exploring Our Community Response to Food Insecurity in Recent SNAP Crisis
  •  7 Social Justice Action Team
  •  7 Conversation Cafe
  •  7 Abundance Table
  •  8 The Gathering from Side with Love
  •  9 Second Lookers 
  •  9 Adult RE (Religious Exploration) Opportunity: Are We Too Violent?
  • 14 Book Talks
  • 20 Solstice Service 7 p.m. “Light is Returning”
  • 21 Third Sunday Forum: Unitarianism and the Khasi Hills of India: A Personal Experience
  • 21 Conversation Cafe
  • 24 Christmas Eve All ages. 6:30 p.m. Fellowship Hall

January

All Month — Winter Clothing Drive

  •   4 Conversation Cafe
  •  4 Social Action Justice Team
  •  8 Racial Justice Team
  • 11 Conversation Cafe
  • 13 Second Lookers
  • 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
  • 18 Poster making for the MLK Day Parade
  • 19 MLK Day Parade (3 p.m., Washington & Hull)
  • 26 Earth Ministry Team
  • 27 Adult RE (Religious Exploration) Opportunity: Are We Too Violent?

February 

  •   1 Conversation Cafe
  •   1 Social Action Justice Team
  •   7 Lead with Love
  •   8 Nominations Open for 2026-27 Share the Plate Cause-of-the Month Organizations
  • 10 Second Lookers
  • 10 Adult RE (Religious Exploration) Opportunity:  Are We Too Violent?
  • 12 Racial Justice Team
  • 15 Conversation Cafe
  • 19 Board of Trustees Meeting
  • 22 Nominations Close for 2026-27 Share the Plate Cause-of-the Month Organizations
  • 23 Earth Ministry Team

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