Don't Miss the Backpack Blessing with Rev. Pippin Sunday, August 7!

More Unitarian Universalist congregations are holding backpack blessings at the beginning of the school and congregational year: each child (and an invited friend, sometimes!) brings their school backpack to worship on the appointed day, and the congregation “blesses” the children and their backpacks. In some congregations, children also receive a small token (like a special talisman) to clip to their backpack.

In the words of Carolyn C. Brown,* backpack blessings embody two important messages to children:

They realize that they and their lives are important to the church. They see themselves as significant members of the congregation.
They hear that God (or the Source of Love) is with them at school and that their church cares about what happens there. God and church are not “off to the side” or just a Sunday thing.

*Carolyn Brown is a Certified Christian Educator in the Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA).

From https://www.uua.org/worship/holidays/blessing-backpacks

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 .

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 – 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
Simple Supper (3rd Wednesday this month only!)
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, 1-3 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

19th – Lead with Love: Leadership that Meets the Moment A Cluster Event offered by the UUA Southern Region at UUFA. Register here.

20th – New Member Recognition

August

17th – 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

Unitarian Universalist

Fellowship of Athens

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