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Reflecting on This Month’s Theme

Sunday Morning Worship

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

Submit a Joy, Sorrow or Milestone here.  (Please note: Items submitted after 8 a.m. Sunday may be shared the following week.)

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.

The UUFA monthly theme for November is Healing. The Fellowship offers many opportunities and invitations to explore and practice the theme. We will explore healing in the following Sunday worship services:

November 1: “Reconciling Loss” with Rev. Dr. Pippin Whitaker

All are invited to take part in the annual bulb ceremony. We will recall to heart and mind our beloved members who have passed away this year, along with all the losses we each need to hold close. We will bless flower bulbs and either plant them on the grounds or take them home after worship.

November 8: “Release and Persist” with Rev. Dr. Pippin Whitaker

What does it mean to live and even grow while carrying wounds (physical, emotional, spiritual, or otherwise) that don’t easily heal? In this worship service, we practice releasing strain and pain while reclaiming our direction. 

November 15: “More Than Acknowledgment” with Dwayne Tomah

As we honor Native American Heritage Month, let us take a moment for deep listening to hear the truths of oppression to the Indigenous people. As we welcome Dwayne Tomah,  let us learn so we may move beyond land acknowledgments and recognition to heartfelt understanding where healing can begin. Today’s worship service is led by Dwayne Tomah, a Language Keeper. He is a teacher of the Passamaquoddy language and culture.

November 22: “The Rest of Creation” with Rev. Dr. Pippin Whitaker


November 29: “Home Sweet Home” with Sara Drew




Reflection Ideas and Questions

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

 Consider reflecting on these quotes:

The attempt to escape from pain, is what creates more pain. – Gabor Maté

It’s not forgetting that heals. It’s remembering. – Amy Greene

When you don’t give people the chance to say, “I hurt,” they end up saying “I hate”. – Rev. Don Wheat

My heart is moved by all I cannot save: so much has been destroyed, I have to cast my lot with those who age after age, perversely, with no extraordinary power, reconstitute the world. ― Adrienne Rich

Rarely, if ever, are any of us healed in isolation. Healing is an act of communion. – bell hooks

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

  • Have you been running on empty for so long that you no longer notice?  
  • Are your wounds asking you to carry them differently? 
  • If you were hurting and someone brought you a box full of memories from your childhood to help heal you, which memory would you reach for first?
  • Who or what taught you to feel guilty about resting when there is still so much to do? 
  • What is the kindest thing you could do for yourself right now?




August Share the Plate CotM Benefits Athens Immigrant Rights Coalition

AIRC, a UUFA Justice Partner, brings together people working with and supporting immigrants. AIRC works with Support For Immigrant Families In Crisis (SIFIC), Dignidad Inmigrante En Athens (DIA), U-Lead Athens, and the Interfaith Sanctuary Coalition. UUFA members and friends are invited to AIRC’s next monthly meeting on August 21 from 5:30 to 7 pm at the Oconee Street United Methodist Church. For more information contact justice@uuathensga.org.

2026-27 Cause of the Month Organizations Selected

UUFA voters have chosen the 2026-27 Share-the-Plate recipients: (* indicates a UUFA Justice Partner)

July                  ACC Center for Racial Justice and Black Futures 

August             Athens Immigrant Rights Coalition *

September     Athens Area Emergency Food Bank 

October           Project Safe

November       Athens Pride and Queer Collective *

December       The Ark

January           Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement *

February         U-Lead

March              Athens Wellness Center

April                 Athens Land Trust

May                  Economic Justice Coalition *

June                 Dignidad Inmigrante en Athens

Learn more from justice@uuathensga.org

Help with Food Insecurity through August CANtributions

Please continue to bring non-perishable food items to Fellowship Hall’s wicker baskets. While all CANtributions are appreciated, in August the Athens Area Emergency Food Bank is especially in need of more pork ‘n beans, plain white rice (preferably in 1 pound bags) and tomato sauces (not spaghetti sauce as that has its own category, but tomato sauces, tomato paste, manwich sauce, etc). To give by credit card, visit uuathensga.org/give and look for “Charitable Giving.” To give by check, make the check to UUFA and put “CANtributions 1-8016” in the memo line. To learn more, contact 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

AADM Hosts Saturday School Workshop on Court Navigation

Navigating the court system can be overwhelming, especially when you believe your civil rights may have been violated. This Saturday School session is designed to help participants better understand the court process, recognize potential civil rights violations, and learn the steps involved in filing a complaint or seeking legal assistance. Participants will receive guidance on how to organize documentation, understand court procedures, identify available legal remedies, and prepare questions before meeting with an attorney. The August 22 event at the Oconee Street UMC will run from 10 am to 12 pm. To register visit https://www.aadmovement.org/events/x857y2fuhe1rlbz0umdu06iuo3br11

Monthly Highlights

Scroll on for the

“Let’s Get Together” sections!

Look for virtual links in Realm/Connect under “Events.”

What’s a monthly highlight? It’s a meeting or event that doesn’t not usually recur at UUFA. You might see a special call out to a community event in this section or a new offering that will recur but is just getting started. 

After the Highlights section, Let’s Get Together showcases the many recurring meetings and events that happen at least monthly at UUFA. Under the sections below–Seeking Justice, Making Music, Fun and Fellowship, and Exploring–you will find information such as the monthly topics for Second Lookers, Book Talks, and Forum, as well as the standing meetings of Justice groups at UUFA, Chalice Choir and Palms of Fire drum choir.

How We Can Partner with Jubilee Partners

While many of us have actively opposed Trump’s immigration policies, we now have the opportunity to assist one family who is caught up in the throes of such policies. Jubilee Partners is looking to form a working relationship with UUFA, beginning with the permanent settlement of a Congolese family in the Athens area. Take a look at some ways you might help. For more information contact  justice@uuathensga.org.

Cooking for Bigger Vision Community Shelter

This month the Food Justice Team will be preparing a meal for the Bigger Vision homeless shelter on July 7 beginning at 3 pm in the UUFA kitchen. You are invited to be part of this cooking team. To learn more contact justice@uuathensga.org.

LEAF Hosts Pool Party

LEAF (Learning, Exploring, and Affirming our Families) invites everyone to gather at the Green Acres – Crestwood Pool (635 Brookwood Drive) on July 18 from 7:00 to 10:00 pm for an evening of swimming, eating pizza, and hanging out! Please use the following Google Form link to select your pizza option: ORDER PIZZA HERE

Sign Up Now for SUUSI: one week. one community. all ages. all in.

The Southeastern Unitarian Universalist Summer Institute runs from July 19 to 25 at the Radford University campus in Radford, Virginia. Get registration information here: https://solis.suusi.org/register.

Food Justice Team Opportunity

Join members of the UUFA Food Justice Team at the UGA Research Horticulture Farm in Watkinsville as they help to provide fresh fruits and vegetables that are delivered to both the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia and the Athens Area Emergency Food Bank. They work most Monday and Thursday mornings year round. Contact Kathy Larson with questions and/or to get on the volunteer list. All are welcome. 

Annual Ice Cream Sunday Sign-Up

The Annual Ice Cream Sunday, one of our long-cherished traditions, is scheduled for August 9. We need your help! Please sign up here to bring ice cream and toppings, volunteer to serve, or help with set up or clean up.  We can’t wait to see you there!

Fibercraft Exhibit Runs through August 31

Be sure to view the Claire and Robert Clements Gallery’s current exhibit by artists of the Athens Fibercraft Guild. Over more than fifty years AFG members have worked in a variety of disciplines, including weaving, spinning, rug making, knitting, crochet, lace making, quilting, embroidery, baskets, paper crafts, beadwork, and silk painting. For more information see www.athensfiber.org. Watch for the gallery’s exhibit featuring UUFA’s Mystery Pet Portraits arriving in September.

Straight White Male Book Discussion

Join in the second of two discussions focused on exploring how we can live with intention and integrity in an unequal world on August 9 from noon to 1:30 pm in the AWE Room. The book is Straight White Male: A Faith-Based Guide to Deconstructing Your Privilege and Living with Integrity by Chris Furr, William Barber II, Melissa Florer-Bixler, and Roberto Espinoza. While the book is written with straight, white men in mind, the conversation will be meaningful for anyone interested in reflecting on privilege, identity, and how we live out our values in community.

Looking Ahead to the 2026-2027 Leadership Summit 

This year’s Leadership Summit will take place August 29 from 9 to 12 pm. All group, team, and committee leaders are urged to attend this vital annual startup. All members are welcome to attend. The Leadership Summit is an opportunity to get to know who does what in the congregation (staff and volunteers), how to access what you need, relationship building, and more. 

Covenantal Conflict Workshop Series Set for September

Diverse viewpoints and identities strengthen our congregation, our society, and our world. When differences are embraced, they can foster affirmation, creativity, and growth. Yet differences can also create conflict, even when no harm is intended. Learning how to address conflict constructively is some of the most important work we can do as individuals and as a congregation. Rev. Pippin and the Covenantal Conflict Panel will offer workshops on the mornings of September 12 and 19 to provide practical tools for navigating conflict within the Fellowship and beyond. To learn more, visit https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xcS-83fITTwxF6iESFaFZjwSK7WCgRjOIeW77m_9ehI/edit?tab=t.0