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.

 

Upcoming


Here are all the events, meetings, and other happenings open to all for May and June. For details of these meetings, look to the left! Remember to join your groups in Realm/Connect to receive direct updates and last minute schedule changes.

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


May

  • 17th – Claiming Our Power Sponsored by the UU Legislative Action Network (1:30-3 p.m.)
  • 17th – Michael Thurmond Speaks at UUFA (3-5 p.m.)
  • 18th –Third Sunday Forum: Community Accompaniment Program with Asylum Seekers (CAPAS)
  • 18th – UUFA Annual Meeting
  • 19th – Voter Registration Deadline for Statewide Special Primary for Georgia Public Service Commission
  • 25th – Start of Family Promise Week (partnering with Holy Cross Lutheran Church)
  • 25th – 2024-25 Common Read Discussion (noon)


June

Groups on hiatus for the summer include Book Talks Discussion Group and Second Lookers. Check with your group for updates.

  • 1st – 
    • First Sunday Forum
    • Social Justice Action Team Business Meeting
    • Historical Jesus Book Discussion
    • Let’s Make Pride Posters
  • 4th –
    • Morning Meditation
    • Palms of Fire Weekly Drum Circle
    • Chalice Choir
  •  5th – Tai Chi Flow Class
  •  6th – Art Exhibit Reception, 5-7 p.m.
  •  7th – Anton Flores from Casa Aletnera workshop – Midwives of Justice: Hospitality and Resistance in an Era of Mass Deportation (at Milledge Avenue Baptist Church)
  •  7th – Pride Parade and Pride Festival (downtown Athens)
  • 11th – Morton Theatre Worship Service, led by Rev. Pippin 6:30 p.m., Hot Corner Celebration (UUFA Choir & Drum groups will not meet. All are invited to attend the service instead.)
  • 12th –
    • Tai Chi Flow Class
    • Racial Justice Team
  • 13th – Next Bigger Vision Meal Provided by UUFA
  • 13th – Book signing for Rev. Brandan Robertson’s forthcoming book, Queer and Christian: Reclaiming Our Bible, Our Faith, and Our Place at the Table (SJAT + Alphabet Fam sponsoring)
  • 15th –
    • Third Sunday Forum: Meet Your Justice Partner: AADM
    • Peace Advocacy Team 
    • Historical Jesus Book Discussion
    • Goddess Group
  • 18th –
    • Morning Meditation
    • Palms of Fire Weekly Drum Circle
    • Chalice Choir
  • 19th –
    • Tai Chi Flow Class
    • Juneteenth Music and Arts Festival (an AADM Justice Partner event)
  • 20th – Summer Solstice Celebration in Song and Dance
  • 22nd –
    • Compassionate Presence in Times of Strain, a Pastoral Care Team Workshop open to all, 2-4 p.m.
    • Alphabet Family
  • 23rd – Earth Ministry Team
  • 25th –
    • Morning Meditation
    • Palms of Fire Weekly Drum Circle
    • Chalice Choir
  • 26th – Tai Chi Flow Class
  • 29th – Journeys Newcomers’ Class

Below are highlights of upcoming special events.

Regular monthly events will be added in mid-June. 

July

  • 20th – New Member Recognition

August

  • 23rd – UUFA Leadership Summit (2025-2026) (9 a.m.-noon)
  • 24th – start of Family Promise Week (partnering with Holy Cross Lutheran Church)

November

  • 9th – start of Family Promise Week (partnering with Holy Cross Lutheran Church)