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Unitarian Universalist

Fellowship of Athens

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Five Practices of Welcome Renewal

from Rev. Michael J. Crumpler, LGBTQ and Multicultural Programs Director:

Congratulations!

You have successfully completed the Five Practices of Welcome Renewal for 2023. Sincere congratulations on your ongoing commitment to LGBTQ+ welcome and inclusion in and beyond Athens, GA.

It was a pleasure to read about all you have accomplished and the powerful work you have done to ensure that UUFA is meeting the needs of queer and trans congregants and the wider community in the following ways: 

I.      Becoming a Welcoming Congregation – 1996

II.     Welcoming Worship 

  • Becoming a Place of Radical Welcome – 8/13/2023
  • Every Body Is Worthy – 11/5/2023

 

III.   Welcoming Days of Observance 

  •  International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, Biphobia
  •  Pulse Night of Remembrance
  •  Celebrate Bisexuality Day
  •  National Coming Out Day
  •  Intersex Awareness Day
  •  Transgender Day of Remembrance

 

IV.   Welcoming Religious Education

  • Transgender Inclusion in Congregations – 8/27/2023

 

V.     Support a Welcoming Project•       Donated to Athens Pride and Queer Collective

For more information on all of our LGBTQ programs and activities, please visit The Five Practices of Welcome Renewal, subscribe to the quarterly UPLIFT  newsletter, and read the UPLIFT blog. We also invite you to join the new Welcoming Congregations of Unitarian Universalism Facebook Group and follow UPLIFT Twitter and Instagram @uua_lgbtq. 

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