UUFA News

Reflecting on This Month’s Theme

Sunday Morning Worship

Sunday morning worship begins at 10:30 a.m. at UUFA.

To submit a Joy, Sorrow or Milestone or fill out a visitor’s card, visit the View Services Page.  For the link to join virtually on Sunday or access the archives, reach out to members@uuathensga.org or contact the administrator at admin@uuathensga.org.

June’s Theme is Freedom.

This month’s theme is Freedom. The Fellowship offers many opportunities and invitations to explore and practice the theme. We will be exploring the theme through out the month in worship and Religious Exploration.

June 1 “The Audacity To Be Free” with Rev Phoenix Bell-Shelton Biggs

In a world that seeks to control, erase, or contain us, claiming freedom is an act of spiritual defiance. Freedom is not granted—it is lived, loved, embodied, and insisted upon. 

June 8 “Free as a Bird” with Rev. Dr. Pippin Whitaker

People have long admired the freedom that birds embody in flight. Yet there is more to freedom for birds and people. What sets us free, and what freedom must we protect?

June 15 “Remembering Fathers” with Herb West and Myrna Adams West

As we observe Father’s Day, let us explore the concept of “fatherhood.” Does it mean today what it meant upon the conception of the observance in 1910? Are we free to redefine it? 

June 22 “Meet the Moment” with Rev. Dr. Pippin Whitaker

Global and national foundations are shifting, yet our faith continues to rise to meet the challenges of our time. Committed to liberating love, what is our Unitarian Universalist faith making possible?

June 29 “Sing Out Love” with Amber Fetner


Reflection Ideas and Questions

Are you seeking more ways to explore the theme of Freedom? 

Consider reflecting on these quotes:

The bird you put inside a cage, you will have to find it another name, for it is no longer a bird. – Shenaz Patel

Juneteenth exists as a counterpoint to the Fourth of July; the latter heralds the arrival of American ideals, the former stresses just how hard it has been to live up to them.  – Jelani Cobb

To be free…You must know, not that you

can do whatever you want… You 

must know instead, that inside you are entire

Universes [and]… you must fight for the entire

Universes inside of everyone else… – Rev. Julián Jamaica Soto 

Nobody’s free until everybody’s free. – Fannie Lou Hamer

Some questions you may use as a prompt for conversation or for a journal entry follow:

  • What has life taught you about being imprisoned without realizing it?
  • What story from your life best captures your understanding of freedom?
  • Are you stuck in an old survival mechanism that isn’t needed anymore?
  • Have you ever been trapped in someone else’s story?
  • Would living more simply bring you more freedom?  

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