UUFA News

Give Back This Holiday Season

Holiday Benevolence Market December 8

UUFA has a long involvement with the Holiday Benevolence Market. Are you available to help at the market this year? The organizers are asking for volunteers from supporting organizations to help on the day of the event (details later) and to donate homemade treats for the refreshment table. Please let us know of your interest here.

For 30 years, Athens-area faith organizations have hosted the Holiday Benevolence Market, offering a single location to select gifts – in the form of donations — that support non-profit organizations. Kind-hearted shoppers can select symbolic gifts ranging from $5 to $150 and make a single payment at checkout. All donations are tax-deductible.

This year’s market will be held in Fellowship Hall at Covenant Presbyterian Church at 1065 Gaines School Road from noon-3 pm on Sunday, December 8. Refreshments will be provided.

“We are very excited to continue the tradition of the Holiday Benevolence Market,” said Reverend Margaret Davis, co-chair of the 2016 event. “Through the years the market has raised from $15,000-$30,000 in support of the missions of these local agencies, and we hope to reach that level again. The united effort of faith communities to support Athens nonprofits serving those most in need is a powerful testimony of faith to our city.”

The Holiday Benevolence Market is a popular idea for teacher gifts, church staff appreciation gifts and stocking stuffers.

Some of the agencies scheduled to participate: ● Books for Keeps ● Prevent Child Abuse Athens ● Action Ministries ● Athens Area Homeless Shelter ● Athens Neighborhood Health Center ● Family Promise of Athens ● Athens Wellness Clinic ● The Ark United Ministry Outreach Center

● Project Safe ● Athens Area Emergency Food Bank ● Athens Area Humane Society ● Athens Pride & Queer Collective ● Clarke County Mentor Program

● The Cottage – Sexual Assault Center and Child Advocacy Center ● Extra Special People ● Athens Community Council on Aging ● Athens Area Habitat for Humanity ● Children First

● Bigger Vision of Athens ● Athens Canine Rescue ● Athens Land Trust ● Economic Justice Coalition ● Bethlehem Ministry ● Athens Clarke Literacy Council ● Samaritan Center for Counseling and Wellness ● Casa de Amistad ● Jubilee Partners


Guest At Your Table (GAYT) All month

Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of UUSC’s Guest at Your Table (GAYT) All are invited to participate in this year’s GAYT (Guest at Your Table), an annual intergenerational program to raise support for and awareness about key human rights issues. Since it began in 1975, the Guest at Your Table program has introduced generations of Unitarian Universalists to grassroots partners working for justice around the world with your support. This church year, we are celebrating Guest at Your Table’s 50th anniversary with the theme “Expanding the Welcome Table.”

Learn more about Guest at Your Table, sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC).  Learn more about the UUSC. Click here to give online. For more information about UUFA’s GAYT participation, email justice@uuathensga.org.

Donate online to GAYT here


Angel Tree Project

DFCS is still looking for some last minute sponsors for children who have just entered the system. Please let us know if you are still interested in participating by emailing clarkeangelproject@gmail.com.

Drop off at DFCS: December 6th 10am-2pm and 7th from 10am-12pm (The time for this date has changed.) Please come around the building to the back to drop off presents. There is a parking lot and a sign outside next to an open door.

DFCS is also sharing an Amazon Wish list, in case you or anyone you know of may want to purchase something instead of becoming a sponsor.


Winter Clothing Drive All month

The Social Justice Action Team (SJAT) invites you to donate new and gently used winter clothing to its Winter Clothing Drive being held from December 1 through December 31. The baskets at the Donations Table in the Gathering Hall are ready to accept needed items for all ages and all sizes such as coats, blankets, sweaters, hoodies, socks, gloves, winter hats, and hand warmers.  Items given will be donated to the Bigger Vision of Athens Community Homeless Shelter and the Athens Homeless Shelter. For further information:  justice@uuathensga.org.

 

Happenings in a List!


Non-regularly recurring special events are indicated in bold italic below, for details of these and the many recurring committee/team meeting details, check the “This Month & Beyond” page (to the left or at uuathensga.org/UUFA and make sure to join your groups on Realm/Connect.so You can communicate with other group members there, as well as finding easy access to zoom links for virtual happenings. 

Information on justice-focused meetings, events, and teams is available “This Month & Beyond”, but to see only justice meetings, you can find visuals announcements here & the UUFA Justice Calendar here

Need help with Realm/Connect!? Contact Meredyth@uuathensga.org


January

All Month — Winter Clothing Drive

  •  4   Abundance Table First Sundays
  •  4   Conversation Cafe First & Third Sundays
  •  4   Social Action Justice Team First Sundays
  •  4   Historical Jesus Book Discussion First & Third Sundays
  •  8   Racial Justice Team Second Thursdays
  • 11  Getting to Know You Second Sundays
  • 11  Book Talks Second Sundays
  • 13  Second Lookers Second Tuesdays
  • 13  Adult RE (Religious Exploration) Opportunity:  Are We Too Violent?
  •  **POSTPONED UNTIL FEBRUARY** 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  Forum: A River Runs Through It: The Oconee River Land Trust Third Sundays
  • 18  Conversation Cafe First & Third Sundays
  • 18  Hiking Our Values
  • 18  Historical Jesus Book Discussion First & Third Sundays
  • 18  Singing Meditation
  • 18  Poster making for the MLK Day Parade
  • 18  Hiking Our Values
  • 19  MLK Day Parade (3 p.m., Washington & Hull)
  • 24  West African Drum Workshop
  • 25  Worship Transformation- An Invitation for Spiritual Stewards of the Congregation
  • 25  Alphabet Family Fourth Sundays
  • 26  Earth Ministry Team Fourth Mondays
  • 27  Adult RE (Religious Exploration) Opportunity: Are We Too Violent?
  • 29  Hiking Our Values

Scroll on for future months. 


Share the Plate Cause of the Month

The Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement (AADM) is this month’s Share-the-Plate Cause of the Month.

During January, this organization will receive one half of all undesignated offerings.

The Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement (AADM) i s a grassroots organization that advocates against systemic discrimination and racial injustices through education, advocacy, and direct action.

From the 2025-26 program year (July 1 through June 30),  $12,854.53 has been given to five different Share-the-Plate Cause of the Month organizations because of the generosity of members and friends of UUFA.  Thank you.


January CANtributions

You can help with food insecurity in our community. Bring non-perishable food items to be donated to the Athens Area Emergency Food Bank (AAEFB) on Sunday mornings. Special requests for January are pork and beans, saltines, and rice (one-pound bags)

Want to contribute financially?  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. You may also contribute to the Athens Area Emergency Foodbank directly through their website: athensfoodbank.org. For further information:  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

You are encouraged to visit the websites of this year’s Justice Partners to learn more about how you can support them in their important work in the Athens community. While you’re there, sign up for their individual newsletters so you can stay informed. 

Here are highlights of some of their activities in January:

AADM Celebrates MLK Jr Day with a Parade and Music Fest

Join the Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement on January 19 from noon to 6:00 pm for their 10th Annual Athens MLK Jr. Parade & Music Fest as the streets of downtown Athens come alive with one of the largest gatherings of unity, music, and cultural pride in Northeast Georgia. For details click https://givebutter.com/athensmlkparade2026 AADM is the Fellowship’s January Cause of the Month.


Looking Ahead

February 

  •   1  Abundance Table First Sundays
  •   1  Conversation Cafe First & Third Sundays
  •   1  Social Action Justice Team First Sundays
  •   1  Historical Jesus Book Discussion First & Third Sundays
  •   7  Lead with Love (UUA Virtual Only)
  •   8  Nominations Open for 2026-27 Share the Plate Cause-of-the Month Organizations
  •   8  Getting to Know You Second Sundays
  •   8  Book Talks Second Sundays
  • 10  Second Lookers Second Tuesdays
  • 10  Adult RE (Religious Exploration) Opportunity:  Are We Too Violent?
  • 12  Racial Justice Team Second Thursdays
  • 15  Conversation Cafe First & Third Sundays
  • 15  Historical Jesus Book Discussion First & Third Sundays
  • 19  Board of Trustees Meeting Third Thursdays
  • 22  Nominations Close for 2026-27 Share the Plate Cause-of-the Month Organizations
  • 23  Earth Ministry Team Fourth Mondays

March

Diaper Drive All Month

  •   1   Abundance Table First Sundays
  •   1   Conversation Cafe First & Third Sundays
  •   1   Social Action Justice Team First Sundays
  •  1  Historical Jesus Book Discussion First & Third Sundays
  •   8   Singing Meditation
  •   8   Getting to Know UUFA Second Sundays
  •   8   Book Talks Second Sundays
  • 10   Second Lookers Second Tuesdays
  • 11   Simple Suppers Second Wednesdays
  • 12   Racial Justice Team Second Thursdays
  • 15   Conversation Cafe First & Third Sundays
  • 15   Historical Jesus Book Discussion First & Third Sundays
  • 19   Board of Trustees Meeting Third Thursdays
  • 22   Worship Transformation- An Invitation for Spiritual Stewards of the Congregation
  • 22   Alphabet Family Fourth Sundays
  • 23   Earth Ministry Team  Fourth Mondays
  • 29   Justice Action Collaborative Fifth Sundays

Rather see this as a calendar grid?  Visit uuathensga.org/calendar.