UUFA Athens

Unitarian Universalist

Fellowship of Athens

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UUFA Completes Welcoming Congregation Renewal

from Rev. Michael J. Crumpler, LGBTQ and Multicultural Programs Director:

UUFA has successfully completed the Five Practices of Welcome Renewal for 2021. Sincere congratulations on your ongoing commitment to LGBTQ+ welcome and inclusion in and beyond Athens, Georgia.

It was a pleasure to read about all you have accomplished and the powerful work you have done to ensure that UUFA is meeting the needs of queer and trans congregants and the wider community in the following ways:

I. Becoming a Welcoming Congregation – 1996

II. Welcoming Worship
The Welcoming Mat – 6/27/2021
Black, Gay, and Proud – 9/5/2021

III. Welcoming Days of Observance
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
International Transgender Day of Visibility
Day of Silence
Lesbian Day of Visibility
International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia
Pulse Night of Remembrance

IV. Welcoming Religious Education
UUFA Forum: LGBTQ+/TGQNB: What Do All the Letters Mean? – 11/21/2021

V. Support a Welcoming Project
Donated to Athens Pride

For more information on all of our LGBTQ programs and activities, please visit The Five Practices of Welcome Renewal, subscribe to the quarterly UPLIFT newsletter, and read the UPLIFT blog. We also invite you to join the new Welcoming Congregations of Unitarian Universalism Facebook Group and follow UPLIFT Twitter and Instagram @uua_lgbtq.

If you would like to work on UUFA’s Welcoming Congregation renewal for 2021, contact Karen Solheim.

Happenings in a List!

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, as well as have 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

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 Forum Third Sundays
  • 15  Conversation Cafe First & Third Sundays
  • 15  Historical Jesus Book Discussion First & Third Sundays
  • 19  Board of Trustees Meeting Third Thursdays
  • 21 Coffee and Confections New Membership Meet and Greet
  • 22  Nominations Close for 2026-27 Share the Plate Cause-of-the Month Organizations
  • 22 Worship Transformation- An Invitation for Spiritual Stewards of the Congregation
  • 22 Candlelight Vigil for Those Affected by Detention and Deportation
  • 22 Alphabet Family Fourth Sundays
  • 23  Earth Ministry Team Fourth Mondays
  • 28 AADM Social Justice Awards Gala 2026

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.

February 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. 

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:

Justice Partner News: 

Athens Immigrant Rights Coalition (AIRC) Meeting

All are welcome to attend the next meeting of the Athens Immigrant Rights Coalition – a UUFA Justice Partner – on February 20 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Oconee Street United Methodist Church. For more information:  justice@uuathensga.org

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 February 28 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 aadmovement.org/events/39584

Looking Ahead

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.