January Highlights
Look for virtual links in Realm/Connect under “Events.”
Our Winter Clothing Drive Runs through January
The Social Justice Action Team (SJAT) invites you to donate new and gently used winter clothing to its Winter Clothing Drive in January. Please bring coats, blankets, sweaters, hoodies, socks, gloves, winter hats, and hand warmers for all ages to the Donations Table in the Gathering Hall to benefit people served by Bigger Vision of Athens, Athens Homeless Shelter, Sparrow’s Nest, and Habitat for Humanity. Get details from justice@uuathensga.org.
Learn the Latest on GA Legislature’s Actions
With the 2026 Georgia General Assembly starting its session on January 12, please consider signing up for action alerts from the UU GA LAN (Legislative Action Network) at UUGALAN.org.
UU GA LAN is a coalition of Georgia Unitarian Universalist congregations that advocates for justice by evaluating state legislation and government actions against UU principles, mobilizing members to contact legislators, and focusing on issues like climate justice (especially utility reform), voting rights, and reproductive justice.
Forum: A River Runs Through It: The Oconee River Land Trust
Join UUFA member Dr. Karen Porter, Professor Emerita in the UGA Odum School of Ecology, at the January 18 Forum from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. as she explores how Oconee River Land Trust partners with private citizens to protect forests, wetlands, and farms through conservation easements focused on the rivers that flow through Athens, including a stretch of the Middle Oconee River that runs behind UUFA.
Let’s Make MLK Day Parade Posters
On January 18 you are invited to gather in the Fellowship Hall to make posters for those taking part in the January 19 MLK Parade organized by ADDM. Unleash your creativity after the worship service. Materials will be provided.
Earth Ministry Team Introduces “Hiking Our Values”
The Earth Ministry Team will host hikes in January and beyond to help expand relationships with others and nature. The first hike, on January 18 at 12:15 pm, is set for Harris Shoals Park. On January 29 at 1:00 pm, folx will meet at Sandy Creek Park at the parking lot beyond dam. For details and to register to receive updates related to weather, etc., go here.
UUFA Hosts West African Dance Workshop
Enjoy music and dance on January 24 at 4:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall with Jason Aryeh (Dance faculty at UGA, originally from Ghana). Check with Amber for details.
WACT Invites Worship Transformation
What is the point of worship? How does an inspirational quote, a spark of an idea, or a heartfelt connection become a worship service? If you enjoy writing as a spiritual practice, storytelling, or singing and dancing, or are just curious about Sunday services, please join members of WACT (Worship Arts and Celebration Team) for an introductory session to the UU Institute course Worship Transformation on January 25 after the service. Later course dates are February 22, March 22, and April 26. For more information, contact worship@uuathensga.org.
Let’s Get Together
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”.
Exploring
Children, YUU and COA (Youth Coming of Age) meet on December 7 and 14 with All Ages services on December 21 and 28.
✻ For Children – Contact Dir. of Religious Exploration Kahla (DRE@uuathensga.org) to receive updates.
✻ For Youth and Young Adults – Contact Coordinator Meredyth (YYA@uuathensga.org) to receive updates.
✻ For Adults
Wednesdays, 8:30 a.m. – Morning Meditation V
January 18 – Forum Meet in the AWE Room and on zoom (tinyurl.com/uufa-forum) at 9:15 am. See highlights for topic.
January 4 & 18, 11:45 am – Conversation Café At the table under the question mark in the Clements Gallery. We will engage in further conversation about the Worship Service, explore the questions listed in the Order of Service and anything else that arises. Grab your refreshments and gather across from the Fellowship Hall by the Big Question Mark. The Cafe will be open the first and third Sunday of every month. Come join us and let’s talk!
January 13 and 27, and February 10, 7 pm – Are We Too Violent? V We are surrounded by violence in many areas of our lives – crime, TV, wars, domestic violence, and much more. We are distressed by school shootings and don’t know what to tell our children. This religious exploration class seeks to understand why our culture is violent. Classes are structured as open discussions where participants are free to express a variety of views. At each session participants will be invited to read sections from books and online articles to prepare for discussions. Contact DeEtte Waleed or Karen Solheim for more information.
January 4 & 18, 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. The book currently under discussion is 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!
January 13, noon – Second Lookers MP in the AWE Room. Rita Macari, Licensed Professional Counselor, addresses mental health issues/concerns. Bring a sack lunch. Drinks and dessert are provided. For this year’s schedule, check uuathensga.org/second-lookers
January 18: Hiking Our Values Join members of UUFA’s Hiking Our Values team on Sunday, January 18, at 12:15 p.m. for an invigorating and mindful winter hike at Harris Shoals Park, just 10 minutes from UUFA. This 1.3-mile hike is generally easy, beginning at a shoal and weaving along a creek to a bridge through a marshy area and looping back. We will meet beside the covered picnic shelter that has parking on either side. There will be another hike on Thursday, January 29.Contact Anne Shenk or Mark Williams.
January 18, 1:00 pm – Book Talks V The group will discuss Remains of the Day by Kazua Ishiguro. Book Talks is an informal group that meets the second Sunday of the month to discuss books selected by the members. Don’t stay away if you haven’t finished the book or haven’t read it at all. Your comments are always welcome. Find the titles for this year at uuathensga.org/booktalks. For more information and the link to join virtually, contact the office (UUFA@uuathensga.org or 706-546-7914, ext. 5).
January 18, 9:15 am – Third Sunday Forum: A River Runs Through It: The Oconee River Land Trust Look for more info above under “Highlights”.
January 29, 1:00 pm – Hiking Our Values. Sandy Creek Park, 400 Bob Homan Road, Athens
✻ For Everyone
January 25, Worship Transformation An Invitation for Spiritual Stewards of the Congregation. The Worship Arts & Celebrations Team invites all who are interested in planning worship to attend! Sanctuary See details n the January highlights.
January 15, 6:00 pm – UUFA Board meeting. Info at secretary@uuathensga.org
Making Music
Questions? Contact Music Director Amber Fetner at MD@uuathensga.org.
Wednesdays, 5:30 pm – Palms of Fire Drum Circle, under the guidance of Amber, focuses on West African drumming although other musical traditions and instruments are also explored. All are welcome! No prior drumming experience is necessary, and you don’t even need to bring a drum.
Wednesdays, 7 pm – Chalice Choir in the Sanctuary sings many different kinds of music and welcomes all singers. If you’re thinking about trying it out, please email Amber.
January 18, 12 pm – Singing Meditation MP
January 24, 4 pm – West African Drum Workshop with Jason Aryeh
Fun and Fellowship
✻ For Everyone
Wednesdays, 5:30 pm – Community Potluck Enjoy social time followed by a potluck dinner. Please bring enough food to share.
January 14, 5:45 pm – Simple Supper All are welcome to enjoy a meal together. Bring a potluck dish to share or RSVP to Kahla for a simple provided meal. Include the number in your group and any dietary restrictions. Every second Wednesday!
✻ For Adults
Tuesdays, 8:30 am – Coffee Hour Two groups usually meet off site. Want to meet up? Contact uufa@uuathensga.org to learn the locations.
Thursdays, 9:30 am – Tai Chi Flow Class V
January 4, morning – Our Abundance Table: An Opportunity to Rehome All are invited to visit the Abundance Table in the Fellowship Hall before and after the worship service. Bring items that are clean, functional, and in good condition that no longer serve you. Take items from the table that you need and/or want. Any items not claimed or reclaimed will be donated.
Thursdays, 9:30 am – Tai Chi Flow Class V Contact Jackie Pierson for the link to join. (birdfeathr@gmail.com)
January 11, 11:30 am – Getting to Know UUFA Newcomers are welcome after the service in the Welcome Hall.
January 25, 7 pm – Alphabet Family and Friends V The Alphabet Family invites UUFA folx who identify anywhere on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum to gather for fun and fellowship, usually on the fourth Sunday evening of every month. alphabetfamily@uuathensga.org
Seeking Justice
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 teams below meet monthly and are open to all.
- Social Justice Action Team meets first Sundays at noon–in person and via Zoom
- Racial Justice Team meets second Thursdays at 7 p.m., via Zoom
- Earth Ministry Team meets fourth Mondays at 7 p.m., via Zoom
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.
Questions about Justice at UUFA? Email justice@uuathensga.org.
