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Unitarian Universalist

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National UU Organizations–UUMFE & UUA Pres. Events

UU Ministries for the Earth (UUMFE)

UUMFE is excited to launch our first “long course”: Ecology as Scripture. The course will meet SIX TIMES, so please commit to attending all classes (although we do realize that things come up that may interfere with attendance)!

Class meets on Tuesday evenings at 7 PM EST/5CST/4PST. Dates are: January 31st, February 7th, February 21st, February 28th, March 21st, and March 28th. Led by Rev. Dr. Leonisa Ardizzone, we will explore interfaith/interspiritual teachings and practices that will guide us into personal, local, and global responses to climate chaos and environmental injustice.

This offering begins NEXT WEEK so make sure to register now.

Register for ‘Ecology As Scripture’ long course here.

February 2:  Federal Matters with Susan Frederick Gray

UUA President Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray has selected the start of the 118th Session of Congress to join Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice (UUSJ) for a reflection and then questions and answers focused on federal matters. This virtual fundraising event will be held on February 2 beginning at 8 p.m.  For further information….

UU Retreat Center in North Carolina

Located near Highlands, North Carolina, The Mountain is an exemplary retreat, camp, and learning center that celebrates Unitarian Universalist principles, inspires people of all ages, transforms lives, and builds a more compassionate world.  Read the latest Mountain Matters, published monthly, which provides information on programs and events at The Mountain. 

Upcoming at The Mountain: 

Register at www.themountainrlc.org.

International Convocation of Unitarian Universalist Women

Since March 31, 2020, more than 30 women have logged on for a cross-continental meeting, creating on computer screens a gallery of women’s faces from Australia, India, and Bolivia, to Kenya, Uganda, several European nations, and across the United States and Canada.

The global U*U women’s gatherings take place on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at 10 a.m. EST.  Information on how you can take part, visit the ICUUW website.

UUA Monthly Board Meetings

One way the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Board of Trustees serves the more than 148,000 members and over 1,000 member congregations of the UUA is through open communication and transparency in its own work.

To further encourage this open dialogue, the Board hosts monthly Open Houses. All are invited to attend and participate. Bring your comments, questions, and suggestions, and chat about the Board’s work and the Unitarian Universalist (UU) issues that matter most to you. Beginning at 7 p.m. EST, the Open Houses are generally the second Tuesday of each month (except on the third Tuesday in November 2022). 

Find the link to pre-register (required) for upcoming meetings dates on the UUA website.

What’s Up in the Southern Region?

Visit the news blog of the UUA’s Southern Region website and read the monthly updates here.

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?
  • 15  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 Hosts Social Justice Awards and Gala 2026

The Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement (AADM), a UUFA Justice Partner, invites everyone to their Social Justice Awards and Gala 2026 on January 15 from 6 to 9 pm at Hotel Indigo to honor the organization’s past, uplift today’s champions, and build momentum for the next generation of justice leaders. For ticket and other information, click https://www.aadmovement.org/events/39584 

Martin Luther King, Jr. Awards Banquet 

The 47th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Awards Banquet, hosted by the Athens Area Human Relations Council, will be held on January 17 beginning at 4 pm at the Classic Center. For more information about this event for which the UUFA Social Justice Action Team is a sponsor, visit www.humanrelationscouncil.org/mlk-awards-banquet.

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.