UUFA News

What’s Up with the Board – April 2022

President Vivian Sellers called the April 12, 2022, meeting of the Board of Trustees to order.

We welcomed the news of the selection of Rev. Dr. M. Pippin Whitaker as UUFA’s settled minister candidate by the Settled Minister Search Committee and look forward to meeting with Rev. Pippin during Candidating Week at the end of April.

Rev. Lisa led us in a discussion of the 8th Principle (“We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote: journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.”) which UUFA members will consider at the May 15 Annual Meeting. UUA’s Article II Study Commission is looking at Article II’s content, including the current seven principles as well as the adoption of the 8th Principle by UUA, for a General Assembly vote in 2023 or later. For more on the Article II Study Commission click here.

Treasurer Lyndall Tunnell gave an update on the 2022-2023 budget, noting that pledges showed a 2 percent increase over 2021-2022, lagging behind the 15 percent increase of the aspirational budget presented before our stewardship drive. To pledge, including to increase pledges already made, please visit REALM or contact Bookkeeper Nora Joslyn.

Secretary Karen Solheim reported on multi-layered preparations for the May 15 Annual Meeting. Click here for a look at the Nominating Committee’s report. Watch for news on getting an absentee ballot if you will not be able to attend the Annual Meeting in person.

As 2022’s UUA General Assembly approaches, the Board is welcoming member requests to serve as one of UUFA’s six delegates and has extended the deadline to apply to May 15. Please contact Vice President Iva King to apply or get information.

We welcomed Susan Brown’s agreement to serve as the Board Representative to the Nominating Committee for 2022-23.

After many months of reviewing by-laws and policies, we were happy to see the stack disappear with our vote to approve the revision of the Proposed Expenditure Policy and the Memorial Grove Policy. Funding for memorial leaves will now be through donations.

Board of Trustees meetings welcome visitors. We meet next on May 10, 2022.

Happenings in a List!


For details on non-recurring events, check out the “Highlights” of “This Month & Beyond” (either on the left of this page or here). 

For recurring committee and team meeting details, check the “Let’s Get Together” section of “This Month & Beyond,” and make sure to join your groups on Realm/Connect, so you will receive updates, and reminders directly to your inbox and have easy access to zoom links for virtual happenings. 

Need help!? Contact Meredyth@uuathensga.org


December

Staff winter break is December 25 through January 1. 

All month!

*Donations can be made at (onrealm.org/UUFA/give) through December 31.

  • 24 Christmas Eve All ages. 6:30 p.m. Fellowship Hall

January

All Month — Winter Clothing Drive

Justice Meetings — Visuals here & UUFA Justice Calendar here

  •  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
  • 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  Conversation Cafe First & Third Sundays
  • 18  Poster making for the MLK Day Parade
  • 19  MLK Day Parade (3 p.m., Washington & Hull)
  • 26  Earth Ministry Team Fourth Mondays
  • 27  Adult RE (Religious Exploration) Opportunity: Are We Too Violent?
  • 29  Hiking Our Values

February 

  •   1  Abundance Table First Sundays
  •   1  Conversation Cafe First & Third Sundays
  •   1  Social Action Justice Team First Sundays
  •   7  Lead with Love (UUA Virtual Only)
  •   8  Nominations Open for 2026-27 Share the Plate Cause-of-the Month Organizations
  • 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
  • 19  Board of Trustees Meeting
  • 22  Nominations Close for 2026-27 Share the Plate Cause-of-the Month Organizations
  • 23  Earth Ministry Team Fourth Mondays

Rather see this as a calendar grid?  Visit uuathensga.org/calendar.


Justice Partner Highlights

Athens Pride and Queer Collective Hosts Operation Transformation

Join Athens Pride and Queer Collective, a UUFA Justice Partner, on December 5 from 8 to 11 pm at Live Wire Athens for an unforgettable night of drag, art, and community. All proceeds from the event will directly fund APQC’s Gender-Affirming Care Grant, which provides financial assistance to individuals across Georgia seeking gender-affirming surgeries and care. Visit athenspride.org/events for tickets and details.

Athens Area Paine College Club Presents Thurgood

The Economic Justice Coalition, a UUFA Justice Partner, is one of several organizations to benefit from the proceeds of the production of George Stevens’ Thurgood set for the Morton Theatre on December 6 at 3 pm and December 7 at 4 pm. For tickets and details visit   www.mortontheatre.com/events  When you purchase your tickets, please put EJC in the code box located on the payment page.

Reggae Vibes Fundraiser: Georgia for Jamaica Hurricane Relief 

Supporting Families Impacted by Hurricane Melissa

December 11. Doors open at 6pm. @Hendershots 237 Prince Ave. Athens, Ga

Join us for an uplifting and meaningful night as Georgia comes together to support Jamaica! Reggae Vibes Fundraiser is a celebration of culture, community, and compassion all to raise funds and gather practical resources for families recovering from Hurricane Melissa.

Whether you can attend in person or simply want to make a donation, your contribution will make a direct impact on rebuilding lives. Join AADM to support recovery efforts and donate funds and supplies to help families rebuild. aadmovement.org/events