UUFA: Transgender Theologies & March First!

UUFA SERVICE THIS SUNDAY March 1, 2020. “Transgender Theologies” by delfin bautista   In response to the changing landscape of religious rhetoric regarding sexual and gender diversities, delfin bautista explores the reclaiming of religious narratives through the lives and experiences of trans people. Adopting an interfaith lens, delfin shares how religious communities engage (or don’t engage) gender diversity. This talk is a starting or sparking off point for the deeper engagement of the complex yet rich dynamics of intersecting religion and gender diversity. Together we will claim and reclaim as trans people and those in solidarity with us that “we are here, we have always been here, and we will always be here.”

A social worker and theologian by training, delfin bautista (who prefers the lower-case spelling of their name) is passionate about engaging the intersections of religion, sexuality, race/ethnicity, and social justice as well as creating spaces where individuals and communities are both safe and challenged to wrestle through questions around identity and expression. bautista earned master’s degrees in divinity and in social work. delfin’s background includes chaplaincy, HIV/AIDS case management, LGBTQ advocacy, and trauma therapy. Coffee 10:30am, Service 11:00am. 184 Longview Heights Road, Athens, Ohio 45701

CHILDREN THIS SUNDAY: March First! This Sunday, the children will MARCH FIRST….that’s right….we’ll take advantage of the date to begin our time by marching around the fellowship grounds, and then by learning about a few famous religion-based marches and pilgrimages of people through history. We’ll also do our love bowl version of Joys and Sorrows, and we’ll end with free sewing time with embroidery hoops for sewing religious symbols, or catnip mice for our furry friends.

UUFA BOARD MEETING The UUFA board will be meeting this Saturday, February 29th, from noon until 4pm. All members are welcome to join us! We also invite you to participate in this brief online survey to assist our planning: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YWP5PHH

SUPPORT THE GATHERING PLACE Sunday, March 1, is the last day to donate personal care items!  The Gathering Place (for those who aren’t familiar with this essential local service) is a peer recovery support organization for those in the Athens area who live with mental illness or a co-occuring mental health and substance use disorder. During the month of February, the Gathering Place is collecting personal care items for people transitioning from a hospital or rehab setting back into the community. Please collect items such as shampoo & conditioner, toothbrushes (singles preferred, not multipacks,) soap/body wash, lotion, etc. and place them in the box near the door of the Fellowship. Travel sizes are welcome too! Questions about this drive? Please contact suusanw.uu@gmail.com

LOCAL GREEN BURIAL/CEMETERY GROUP:  The group’s third meeting will host Rev. Bill Gupton, who is a UU minister near Cincinnati and has just started developing a Heritage Acres Memorial Sanctuary. Rev. Gupton will speak Wednesday, February 26th at the Arts West performance space at 6:00pm-7:30pm. Green burial/cemeteries are very cost effective in addition to being healthy for the environment. The Athens group has a FB page named “Southeast Ohio Green Burial Working Group” for those interested in their efforts.