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 2:30 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
Let’s Get Together
There are many ways to be together in community at UUFA. Read on below to learn more.
Virtual Only – V Multi-platform – MP
All are welcome at these UUFA meetings and events!
Sunday Mornings
Sunday Services, 10:30 a.m. – at UUFA in the sanctuary. MP*
Look for this month’s theme exploration in worship at uuathensga.org/upcoming-worship.
Community and Conversation, Sundays following the worship services, 11:30 a.m. MP*
*Access Zoom through the weekly e-news or on Realm/Connect under “Events”.
CLICK THE HEADINGS
BELOW FOR MORE!
Need more info? Visit the Social Justice Action Team at uuathensga.org/justice or contact Justice@uuathensga.org.
Serving Justice
Part of UUFA’s mission is to “serve justice.”
The gatherings below meet weekly or monthly and are open to all.
- Social Justice Action Team (Karen Solheim) meets July 12 at noon in person and via Zoom.
- Racial Justice Team (Paul Van Valkenburg) meets Second Thursdays, 7 pm, via Zoom.
- Peace Advocacy Team (Adrien Helm) meets Third Sundays following the service.
- Earth Ministry Team (Mark Williams) meets Fourth Mondays, 7 pm, via Zoom.
- Justice Action Collaborative meets on fifth Sundays for an overview of all the current UUFA Justice initiatives and participate in planning for the future!
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Every Monday Peaceful Protest The weekly protest will take a hiatus in July and will resume peaceful demonstrations on August 3. Learn more by contacting justice@uuathensga.org.
Join these groups in Realm/Connect (onrealm.org/UUFA) to receive direct updates and links to the Zoom options.
Questions about Justice at UUFA? Email justice@uuathensga.org.
Questions? Contact Music Director Amber Fetner at MD@uuathensga.org.
Palms of Fire and the Chalice Choir will not meet in July. Both will resume their Wednesday practices on August 5.
✻ For Everyone
Wednesdays, 5:30 pm – Community Potluck Enjoy social time followed by a potluck dinner. Please bring enough food to share.
July 8, 5:45 pm – Simple Supper All are welcome to enjoy a meal together. Bring a potluck dish to share or RSVP to Carley for a simple provided meal. Include the number in your group and any dietary restrictions.
July 8, 5:30 pm – Realm/Connect Café Drop by to get answers to your Realm/Connect questions. Bring your device (smartphone, tablet, or laptop) or just your questions.
✻ For Adults
Tuesdays, 8:30 am – Coffee Hour Two groups usually gather off site. Want to meet up? Contact uufa@uuathensga.org to learn the locations.
Children, YUU and COA (Youth Coming of Age) meet in the One Room Schoolhouse on July 12 and 26 and are invited to All Ages services on July 5 and 19.
✻ For Children – Contact Kahla’s sabbatical team – Meredyth Howard, Liz Weaver, Jessie Walls-Murray and Lisa Brown – to receive updates.
✻ For Youth and Young Adults – Contact Coordinator Meredyth (YYA@uuathensga.org) to receive updates.
✻ For Adults
Wednesdays, 8:45 am – Morning Meditation V Find the link to join in the group on Realm/Connect or contact the office (uufa@uuathensga.org).
First & Third Tuesdays, 1-2:30 pm – Caregiver Support Group provides mutual support for individuals who are caring for loved ones facing challenges such as aging, dementia, cancer, multiple sclerosis, and other conditions. For details contact Chaplain Michelle at chaplain@uuathensga.org
First & Third Sundays at 11:45 am – Conversation Café continues its refreshed “menu” on July 5 and 19. At the table under the question mark, Clements Gallery.
First & Third Sundays at 12:30 pm – Historical Jesus Book Discussion Want to learn more about the person known as Jesus of Nazareth? Then join the group led by Paul Gurian in person in the Heritage Room or online. Books discussed include The Resurrection of Jesus: Apologetics, Polemics, History by Dale C. Allison, Jr. It is not necessary to have read the material to attend meetings, so come and visit any session!
Second Tuesdays, noon – Second Lookers is on summer break.
Third Sundays, 1 pm – Book Talks is on summer break.
Third Sunday, 2 pm – Goddess Group On July 19 the group will discuss Session 1 – Philosophers and Mystics facilitated by Diana Saarinen and Diana Paradise. In August the group will host a book discussion with author Julia Park Tracey on her book, SILENCE, a book of historical fiction centered on a woman in Colonial Massachusetts.
✻ For Everyone
June 9, 6:30 pm – The Worship Arts & Celebrations Team will not meet in July. Watch for their return in August.
July 16, 6:00 pm – UUFA Board meeting. Check with the Board secretary (secretary@uuathensga.org) to be put on the agenda if you would like to speak at the meeting.
For easy access to the virtual meeting links, join these groups in Realm/Connect (onrealm.org/UUFA) -OR- request them from email justice@uuathensga.org).
If you have questions or haven’t received your Realm/Connect invitation yet, contact Meredyth at welcome@uuathensga.org.
