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President’s Report 9/26

President's Monthly Report

Reporting Period: September 2026

Board Highlights

  • The Board was officially commissioned to the Congregation on August 9th. Your 26/27 Board members are: Anna Ray (President), Rick Rosemond (Vice President), LyndallTunnell (Treasurer), Linda Gilbert (Secretary), Tim Kelley (Historian), Greg Davis (At-Large), Melissa Fahmy (At-Large), Rachel Gottlieb (At-Large), Rachel Page (At-Large), and Jamie Smith (At-Large). 
  • Discussion and clarification on the Board’s role within the Fellowship with a focus on finance and mission-focused policies. We added a new role to our meeting responsibilities – Lane Checker – to ensure the Board is not overstepping and getting lost in the weeds.
  • Board members attended the Leadership Summit and continued the Board Foundations course. Module II focused on effective meetings.

President’s Activities

  • Met with Rev. Pippin to discuss the Board’s role and next steps in the Fellowship’s strategic planning process. Our first—and most important—step is deep listening. The Board will prioritize connecting with members, hearing their experiences and perspectives, and learning what matters most to our Fellowship. This listening will help ground our future planning in the voices, needs, hopes, and values of our community.
  • Met with Rev. Pippin and Treasurer Lyndall Tunnell to discuss treasury updates and how we can build the treasurer role to support future stewardship.
  • Connected with a UUA Regional Representative for support in stewardship of the Fellowship and Board.
  • Welcomed Norrie Gall from the UUA at the monthly Finance Committee meeting. Norrie shared resources and insight to help guide the committee as we navigate changing financial realities.
  • Attended the RE training led by Kahla and Meredith, not as the president, but as an RE Volunteer. If you’re interested in serving the RE classrooms, reach out to Kahla!

Upcoming Priorities

  • Continue the work of our two fundraising-focused task forces:
  • Facilities Rental: Explore opportunities for a long-term rental arrangement that could provide a sustainable source of income for the Fellowship.
  • Revenue Diversification: Explore additional and creative ways to generate revenue and support the Fellowship beyond our traditional pledge model.
  • Charter review of Fellowship groups, with updated or new charters as needed, to help ensure that our groups remain mission-focused and aligned with the purpose and values of the Fellowship.
  • Save the Date: Policy Manual Town Hall November 22nd 12-1pm

             ○ At the Town Hall, the Board will be looking for feedback on policies and help identify any gaps that are missing. Keeping in mind the big question, “Who are we, as UUs, called to become?” 

Appreciations

  • Ministry Council – Thank you for all your work on and stewardship of the Leadership Summit. It was informative and engaging!
  • Leadership Summit attendees – Thank you for taking the time on Saturday to learn more about the ins and outs of the Fellowship. I loved seeing some many leaders in our Fellowship in attendance!
  • Ice Cream Social Volunteers – Thank you to those who organized, donated ice cream and toppings, and helped serve and clean. What a fabulous intergenerational event!

President Pop-By

I’ll be available after worship on September 13 and September 20 to meet or chat. I appreciate those members who have taken advantage of these pop-bys. I’m really enjoying the varying perspectives and feedback! 

Closing

As a parent of school-age children and someone who works in the public school system, I can’t help but notice the many ways we, as UUs, live out our values beyond the walls of UUFA. I felt every branch of our JETPIG values as I welcomed students to a new school year. I’m sure many educators in our Fellowship felt similarly. 

At the same time, I know this season is not one of ease for everyone. Many families in our wider community are carrying heavy burdens. Some are living with uncertainty because of immigration enforcement. Others are struggling with poverty or wondering how they will meet their basic needs. Many of us are also navigating a broader cultural climate where exclusion, fear, and forms of Christian nationalism feel more visible than they once did.

In moments like these, communities like ours matter even more. I am deeply grateful that my own children have a place where everyone is truly welcome, where they are encouraged to be fully themselves, and where love, curiosity, and justice are practiced—not just preached. My hope for this fellowship year is that we continue to be that kind of community for one another and for all who are searching for a place to belong.

      –     Anna Ray (UUFA President 2026-2027)

 

August Share the Plate CotM Benefits Athens Immigrant Rights Coalition

AIRC, a UUFA Justice Partner, brings together people working with and supporting immigrants. AIRC works with Support For Immigrant Families In Crisis (SIFIC), Dignidad Inmigrante En Athens (DIA), U-Lead Athens, and the Interfaith Sanctuary Coalition. UUFA members and friends are invited to AIRC’s next monthly meeting on August 21 from 5:30 to 7 pm at the Oconee Street United Methodist Church. For more information contact justice@uuathensga.org.

2026-27 Cause of the Month Organizations Selected

UUFA voters have chosen the 2026-27 Share-the-Plate recipients: (* indicates a UUFA Justice Partner)

July                  ACC Center for Racial Justice and Black Futures 

August             Athens Immigrant Rights Coalition *

September     Athens Area Emergency Food Bank 

October           Project Safe

November       Athens Pride and Queer Collective *

December       The Ark

January           Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement *

February         U-Lead

March              Athens Wellness Center

April                 Athens Land Trust

May                  Economic Justice Coalition *

June                 Dignidad Inmigrante en Athens

Learn more from justice@uuathensga.org

Help with Food Insecurity through August CANtributions

Please continue to bring non-perishable food items to Fellowship Hall’s wicker baskets. While all CANtributions are appreciated, in August the Athens Area Emergency Food Bank is especially in need of more pork ‘n beans, plain white rice (preferably in 1 pound bags) and tomato sauces (not spaghetti sauce as that has its own category, but tomato sauces, tomato paste, manwich sauce, etc). To give by credit card, visit uuathensga.org/give and look for “Charitable Giving.” To give by check, make the check 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 Hosts Saturday School Workshop on Court Navigation

Navigating the court system can be overwhelming, especially when you believe your civil rights may have been violated. This Saturday School session is designed to help participants better understand the court process, recognize potential civil rights violations, and learn the steps involved in filing a complaint or seeking legal assistance. Participants will receive guidance on how to organize documentation, understand court procedures, identify available legal remedies, and prepare questions before meeting with an attorney. The August 22 event at the Oconee Street UMC will run from 10 am to 12 pm. To register visit https://www.aadmovement.org/events/x857y2fuhe1rlbz0umdu06iuo3br11

Monthly Highlights

Scroll on for the

“Let’s Get Together” sections!

Look for virtual links in Realm/Connect under “Events.”

What’s a monthly highlight? It’s a meeting or event that doesn’t not usually recur at UUFA. You might see a special call out to a community event in this section or a new offering that will recur but is just getting started. 

After the Highlights section, Let’s Get Together showcases the many recurring meetings and events that happen at least monthly at UUFA. Under the sections below–Seeking Justice, Making Music, Fun and Fellowship, and Exploring–you will find information such as the monthly topics for Second Lookers, Book Talks, and Forum, as well as the standing meetings of Justice groups at UUFA, Chalice Choir and Palms of Fire drum choir.

How We Can Partner with Jubilee Partners

While many of us have actively opposed Trump’s immigration policies, we now have the opportunity to assist one family who is caught up in the throes of such policies. Jubilee Partners is looking to form a working relationship with UUFA, beginning with the permanent settlement of a Congolese family in the Athens area. Take a look at some ways you might help. For more information contact  justice@uuathensga.org.

Cooking for Bigger Vision Community Shelter

This month the Food Justice Team will be preparing a meal for the Bigger Vision homeless shelter on July 7 beginning at 3 pm in the UUFA kitchen. You are invited to be part of this cooking team. To learn more contact justice@uuathensga.org.

LEAF Hosts Pool Party

LEAF (Learning, Exploring, and Affirming our Families) invites everyone to gather at the Green Acres – Crestwood Pool (635 Brookwood Drive) on July 18 from 7:00 to 10:00 pm for an evening of swimming, eating pizza, and hanging out! Please use the following Google Form link to select your pizza option: ORDER PIZZA HERE

Sign Up Now for SUUSI: one week. one community. all ages. all in.

The Southeastern Unitarian Universalist Summer Institute runs from July 19 to 25 at the Radford University campus in Radford, Virginia. Get registration information here: https://solis.suusi.org/register.

Food Justice Team Opportunity

Join members of the UUFA Food Justice Team at the UGA Research Horticulture Farm in Watkinsville as they help to provide fresh fruits and vegetables that are delivered to both the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia and the Athens Area Emergency Food Bank. They work most Monday and Thursday mornings year round. Contact Kathy Larson with questions and/or to get on the volunteer list. All are welcome. 

Annual Ice Cream Sunday Sign-Up

The Annual Ice Cream Sunday, one of our long-cherished traditions, is scheduled for August 9. We need your help! Please sign up here to bring ice cream and toppings, volunteer to serve, or help with set up or clean up.  We can’t wait to see you there!

Fibercraft Exhibit Runs through August 31

Be sure to view the Claire and Robert Clements Gallery’s current exhibit by artists of the Athens Fibercraft Guild. Over more than fifty years AFG members have worked in a variety of disciplines, including weaving, spinning, rug making, knitting, crochet, lace making, quilting, embroidery, baskets, paper crafts, beadwork, and silk painting. For more information see www.athensfiber.org. Watch for the gallery’s exhibit featuring UUFA’s Mystery Pet Portraits arriving in September.

Straight White Male Book Discussion

Join in the second of two discussions focused on exploring how we can live with intention and integrity in an unequal world on August 9 from noon to 1:30 pm in the AWE Room. The book is Straight White Male: A Faith-Based Guide to Deconstructing Your Privilege and Living with Integrity by Chris Furr, William Barber II, Melissa Florer-Bixler, and Roberto Espinoza. While the book is written with straight, white men in mind, the conversation will be meaningful for anyone interested in reflecting on privilege, identity, and how we live out our values in community.

Looking Ahead to the 2026-2027 Leadership Summit 

This year’s Leadership Summit will take place August 29 from 9 to 12 pm. All group, team, and committee leaders are urged to attend this vital annual startup. All members are welcome to attend. The Leadership Summit is an opportunity to get to know who does what in the congregation (staff and volunteers), how to access what you need, relationship building, and more. 

Covenantal Conflict Workshop Series Set for September

Diverse viewpoints and identities strengthen our congregation, our society, and our world. When differences are embraced, they can foster affirmation, creativity, and growth. Yet differences can also create conflict, even when no harm is intended. Learning how to address conflict constructively is some of the most important work we can do as individuals and as a congregation. Rev. Pippin and the Covenantal Conflict Panel will offer workshops on the mornings of September 12 and 19 to provide practical tools for navigating conflict within the Fellowship and beyond. To learn more, visit https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xcS-83fITTwxF6iESFaFZjwSK7WCgRjOIeW77m_9ehI/edit?tab=t.0