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Unitarian Universalist

Fellowship of Athens

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What’s Up with the Board – March 2022

President Vivian Sellers called the March 8, 2022, meeting of the Board of Trustees to order.

Treasurer Lyndall Tunnell updated us on the month-long Stewardship Drive now underway, noting that so far about one fourth of members have pledged for the 2022-2023 year which starts July 1, 2022. The Stewardship Drive committee – Kate Blane, Dan Everett, Rev. Lisa Romantum Schwartz, and Susie Weller – are welcoming members to feel “full of gratitude, full of hope” as we work together to reach the aspirational budget described here. You may pledge securely online here or print a pledge form here. Please consider your pledge by March 30.

The towering stack of digital documents which greeted Board members last fall is now considerably shorter as we have reviewed policies, by-laws, the employee handbook, and more over the months. After several more motions to accept revisions during our meeting, the document to-do pile is now hardly visible.

We voted to approve hiring John Neff, pending a background check, as a part-time audio tech to help continue the outstanding Sunday services staff and volunteers have created as UUFA first went virtual and now provides hybrid services.

Clela Reed and Sarah Cook reported that the Regathering Task Force and the Medical Advisory Panel continue to review the status of the pandemic and will make proposals to adjust the level of onsite participation as numbers indicate.

We took a look at the Fellowship’s spring calendar. Please mark your calendars! Find these events on the website calendar when you are looking for more information, pertinent documents, and links to join the virtual portions.

  • April 3  Rev. Alison’s installation as Emerita Minister and Reception
  • By April 10  The Nominating Committee will present the slate of candidates for 2022-2023.
  • April 10  Town Hall (Bylaws & 8th Principle & Budget) at 11 a.m.
  • April 19  Evening Town Hall (Bylaws & 8th Principle & Budget) at 7 p.m.
  • April 24 – May 1 Candidating Week! Meet and hear our candidate for settled minister.
  • April 24  Deadline for Nominating Committee to accept written petitions of 15 or more Voting Members to add any qualified member to the slate
  • May 8  Celebration of Shaye Gambrell and her 20 years of serving UUFA
  • May 15  UUFA Annual Meeting
  • June 12  Reception thanking Rev. Lisa Romantum Schwartz for her service as our Interim Minister
  • June 22 – 26  UUA General Assembly. Registration is underway. Watch for news on participating in Portland, OR, or online.

Board of Trustees meetings welcome visitors. We meet next on April 12, 2022.

Susan Curtis, Board member 

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

March

All Month:

  • Annual Pledge Drive
  • Diaper Drive
  • CANtributions Drive
  • Cause of the Month / Share the Plate

On these dates in March:

  • 1 First Sunday 
    • Forum: UU GA Legislative Action Network (first and third Sundays)
    • Abundance Table (first Sundays)
    • Conversation Cafe (first and third Sundays)
    • Social Action Justice Team (first Sundays)
    • Journeys Class
    • Historical Jesus Book Discussion (first and third Sundays)
  •   2 Every Monday Peaceful Protest (every Monday)
  •   4 Wednesdays at UUFA (Drum Circle, Potluck, Chalice Choir)
  •   7 On Tyranny Interfaith Book Discussion (also on the 21st and April 4 and 18)
  • 8 Second Sunday
    • Daylight Savings Time reminder
    • Fire Drill at UUFA “Be Prepared, Not Scared!”
    • Singing Meditation
    • Book Talks (second Sundays)
    • Hiking Our Values 
  •   9  Every Monday Peaceful Protest (every Monday)
  •   9  The Gathering from Side with Love (second Mondays)
  • 10  Second Lookers (second Tuesdays)
  • 11  Second Wednesday
    • Potluck & Simple Suppers (second Wednesdays)
    • Realm/Connect Cafe (second Wednesdays)
    • Palms of Fire and Chalice Choir Practice
  • 12  Racial Justice Team (second Tuesdays)
  • 15   Third Sunday
    • Third Sunday Forum: Proposed ICE Detention Center (first and third Sundays)
    • Conversation Cafe (first and third Sundays)
    • Historical Jesus Book Discussion (first and third Sundays)
  • 16   Every Monday Peaceful Protest (every Monday)
  • 19   Board of Trustees Meeting (third Thursdays)
  • 20   Spring Equinox Celebration in Song and Dance
  • 20    Justice Partner event: Athens Immigrant Rights Coalition (AIRC) Meeting
  • 21   On Tyranny Interfaith Book Discussion (also on April 4 and 18)
  • 22   Fourth Sunday
    • Worship Transformation- An Invitation for Spiritual Stewards of the Congregation
    • Alphabet Family (fourth Sundays)
  • 23   Every Monday Peaceful Protest (every Monday)
  • 23   Earth Ministry Team (fourth Mondays)
  • 29   Justice Action Collaborative (fifth Sundays)
  • 30   Every Monday Peaceful Protest (every Monday)
  • 31   UUA Welcoming Day of Observance: International Transgender Day of Visibility

March Share the Plate/Cause-of-the-Month: U-Lead Athens

During March, U-Lead (uleadathens.org) will receive one half of all undesignated offerings. U-Lead Athens is committed to providing equal access to higher education for students regardless of their immigration status. This group supports, guides, and empowers students to achieve their educational goals. For details, contact justice@uuathensga.org.

Help with Food Insecurity through March CANtributions

Please continue to bring non-perishable food items to Fellowship Hall’s wicker baskets. While all CANtributions are appreciated, the Athens Area Emergency Food Bank is especially in need of canned tomatoes and pork and beans during March. To give by credit card, 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 directly to the AAEFB at their website: athensfoodbank.org   To learn more, contact 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).

The Social Action Justice Team (SJAT) Holds March Diaper Drive

One in two U.S. families struggles to provide enough diapers to keep a baby or toddler clean, dry, and healthy. During the March drive, please place diaper donations in the wicker baskets at the Donations Table in the Fellowship Hall. All diaper donations will be shared with the local immigrant community through SIFIC (Support for Immigrant Families in Crisis), a part of AIRC (Athens Immigrant Rights Coalition), which is a UUFA Justice Partner. To contribute monetarily, visit the UUFA Giving page and look for “Charitable Giving” and choose “Diaper Drive” from the menu. For more information, email justice@uuathensga.org.

UUFA Justice Partner Highlights

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 March 20 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Oconee Street United Methodist Church. For more information contact justice@uuathensga.org.

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.