They heard the South wind sighing A murmur of the rain; And they knew that Earth was longing To see them all again.While the snow-drops still were sleeping Beneath the silent sod; They felt their new life pulsing Within the dark, cold clod.
Not a daffodil nor daisy Had dared to raise its head; Not a fairhaired dandelion Peeped timid from its bed;
Though a tremor of the winter Did shivering through them run; Yet they lifted up their foreheads To greet the vernal sun.
And the sunbeams gave them welcome, As did the morning air— And scattered o’er their simple robes Rich tints of beauty rare. Soon a host of lovely flowers From vales and woodland burst;
But in all that fair procession The crocuses were first. First to weave for Earth a chaplet To crown her dear old head; And to beauty the pathway Where winter still did tread. And their loved and white haired mother Smiled sweetly ’neath the touch, When she knew her faithful children Were loving her so much.
May 2026 Sunday Services
Each service begins at 11:00 AM at 184 Longview Hts. , Athens, OH 45701
Sunday May 3 – Beltane: Welcoming the Warming Earth
Sunday May 10 – UUFA Annual Flower Communion & Mothers Day – please bring a flower or two to share. Monthly Potluck will follow service. If you would, please label your dish with the ingredients. This helps folks with special dietary needs eat freely!
Sunday May 17 – Worship Service: Awakening Curiosity w/ Diana Ensign
Join Diana Ensign in a thought-provoking examination of this month’s UU theme: Awakening Curiosity. Ensign is the award-winning author of Faith, Hope, Action: Ushering in a New Earth Era Together; Heart Guide: True Stories of Grief and Healing; and The Freedom to Be: Stories from Transgender Youth, Adults, and Their Families. In her books, she explores questions such as: What helps us with our individual and collective healing? How do we nourish ourselves, our families, our communities, and our Mother Earth? Open-mindedness and deep listening are the cornerstones of all her creative endeavors.
BIO: Diana J. Ensign, JD, is an award-winning author and essayist whose heartfelt prose reminds us of our shared humanity. Her books include Faith, Hope, Action: Ushering in a New Earth Era, Together; A Moment of Calm: Meditative and Reflective Readings For Inner Peace; The Freedom to Be: Stories from Transgender Youth, Adults, and Their Families; Heart Guide: True Stories of Grief and Healing; and Traveling Spirit: Daily Tools for Your Life’s Journey. Faith, Hope, Action is a Gold and Silver BookFest Award winner and a Living Now Book Awards Medalist; The Freedom to Be and Heart Guide are Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY) Gold Medal Winners. The Freedom to Be was selected as an Outstanding Book of the Year. Her popular blog, Spirituality for Daily Living, features monthly posts on issues relevant to all spiritual seekers. Visit her website to learn more: www.dianaenisgn.com
Sunday May 24 – Welcome Kojun Hayes.
Sunday May 31 – Meet SEORA . Join our social justice partners from Southeastern Ohio Rainbow Alliance (SEORA) for an inspiring service ahead of Athens Pride Fest 2026 (June 3-7.) Our relationship with SEORA is a great way to live into our UU values by strengthening our cultural competence and embracing best practices for engaging with those with queer and gender diverse identities. And Pride is fun!
Roberta Roberson presenting “Imagining Possibilities”, March 2026
April UUFA Activities:
Sunday services appeared a bit differnt this past month. We began the month focused on our congregation, membership and our Annual Meeting. We are happy to report that the fellowship operation is stable and we have filled our open positions. We approved our proposed budget of $38,087.00. Each member was encouraged to turn in their annual pledge by May 31st if possible. Jessie Roberson is coordinating our pledge drive and is happy to answer any questions about giving. Barb Harrison, Andy Ray and Jeff Wunderly were elected to continue their posiions on the board as At Large Members. We also approved General Assembly delegates from our congregation. Pete Mather will be representing us as a delegate.
Musician Brian Henke at April 18, 2026 concert
Musician Brian Henke joined us in mid April and we enjoyed a Saturday evening concert as well as a musical Sunday service
JD Stillwater, Science Ambassador, UUFA members attended Sunday service with Marietta UUs on April 26th.
April 26, nearly 1/2 of our congregation went to join the Marietta UU for a special presentation by J.D. Stillwater, who motScience Ambassador who motivates crowds to exist in the “awe” of our beautiful world. We also enjoyed the potluck lunch immediately following service.
Thanks to the folks who made the trek – Pete & Anna Mather, Carolyn Sweeney, Sue Poarch, Jessie & Roberta Roberson, Barb Harrison, Sara Berens, Nate Wallace & child, Jeff Wunderly, Richard Thieret & Wenda Sheard and Robin Barnes & Homer Elliot.
UUFA Opportunities for YOU !
The UUFA continues to operate on the good will of our volunteers. Because we are a congregation that believes in sharing the love, we encourage you to find an aspect of the fellowship life that you would be willing to give a few hours of your time per month. Please see the list below for areas that may spark your interest. Please give the person listed a call or see them in person to find out more about how you can help.
Facilities – Richard Thieret
Membership – Barb Harrison
Technology – Andy Ray
Pledge Drive – Jessie Roberson
SEORA and Social Justice – Susan Westenbarger
Sunday Service Program Team – Barb Harrison
Choir – Nellie James
Many Thanks to SEORA & Susan Westenbarger for motivating us to prep for Athens PRIDE Month 2026
June 3rd beginning at 6:00 pm through June 7th at 8:00 pm
Proudly Presented by SEORA
Saturday June 6th at 11am
(Sign-Up Info TBA)
Lots of Fun & Entertainment to come!
https://www.facebook.com/events/s/athens-pride-fest-2026/915768437732520/
Unitarian Universalist Association Chalice is our symbol
Denominational Opportunities
UUA General Assembly – Our annual gathering for UUs. All are welcome to attend. As a congregation we send up to 2 delegates annualy to represent us at the denominational business meeting.
https://www.uua.org/ga/program/schedule
Here is more informatoin about this year’s CERSI – the summer camp-like program for UUs and their Families !
