Our Annual U.S. Supreme Court Review: Religious Rights

Come join our Service this Sunday, August 14th, 11am by Zoom or in person wearing an N95 or KN95 mask.

For many years UUFA has had a tradition of devoting one summer service to reviewing that year’s Supreme Court term, focusing on religion-oriented decisions. This year Jessie and Roberta Roberson are taking on that task, and will try to put some of the key results from the 2021-22 term of the U.S. Supreme Court in historical context.

MASK NOTES: Our board is still requiring KN95 or N95 masks (NO FABRIC MASKS, and no surgical masks, either) of folks entering the building for Sunday services or to use the restroom when we have outdoor events.We have many folks who truly appreciate us flipping the “usual narrative.” Usually Zoom is for those who are at risk where in-person places are not safe for them. At the fellowship, we’re doing Zoom for anyone who doesn’t want to wear a nk95 or n95 mask thus keeping the fellowship safe for the most vulnerable.We do, however, allow our presenters to unmask when speaking in the front of the fellowship. Some choose to stay masked.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82365397153

Meeting ID: 823 6539 7153

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Meeting ID: 823 6539 7153

UUFA PROGRAMMING MEETING – ALL WELCOME

The next UUFA programming meeting will be TOMORROW, SUNDAY, August 14th at 1pm by Zoom. All members and friends are welcome to attend. Here’s the Zoom link for that meeting, which is different from our Sunday Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9226274334

YOUR CHANCE TO PARTICIPATE:
UUFA’s STRATEGIC PLANNING

The UUFA needs your ideas as we seek to plan out the next five years. Below are the three strategic plan goals the fellowship’s executive committee created, to help guide members and interested parties as we plan for our congregation’s future. If any of the three statements below pique your interest, and you want to be part of the discussion, please contact UUFA president Richard Thieret at rthieret at gmail dot com:

UUFA will increase the use of the building by the community in concordance with UUA’s seven principles.
UUFA will grow the congregation in strength and community.
UUFA will continue to improve its Sunday offerings.

CONSIDERING MEMBERSHIP IN OUR ATHENS UU FELLOWSHIP? WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT UUism?

The winning date for our next Welcome & Orientation Session is Monday, August 22nd from 7-9pm at the UU Fellowship Building. Thanks to all who answered the Doodle Poll. We are thrilled with the large number of new folks interested in our fellowship. More people are most welcome.

If you didn’t answer the Doodle Poll and can attend, please email wendasheard at yahoo.com to let us know to expect you, and so we can notify you of any unexpected changes. Remember to bring a KN95 or N95 mask in case we meet inside the building. Thanks.

FOLLOW-UP from POETRY SUNDAY
by Susan Westenbarger

Many thanks to Marsha Nagy for last Sunday’s delightful poetry service. Several people asked for a copy of the poem I read by local writer Caitlin Seida. Caitlin’s poem was written in response to this classic, so read (or more likely re-read) this before proceeding:

“Hope” is the thing with feathers

By Emily Dickinson

“Hope” is the thing with feathers –

That perches in the soul –

And sings the tune without the words –

And never stops – at all –

And sweetest – in the Gale – is heard –

And sore must be the storm –

That could abash the little Bird

That kept so many warm –

I’ve heard it in the chillest land –

And on the strangest Sea –

Yet – never – in Extremity,

It asked a crumb – of me.

And here is Caitlin’s response, reprinted by permission:

Hope is Not a Bird, Emily, It’s a Sewer Rat
by Caitlin Seida

Hope is not the thing with feathers

That comes home to roost

When you need it most.

Hope is an ugly thing

With teeth and claws and

Patchy fur that’s seen some shit.

It’s what thrives in the discards

And survives in the ugliest parts of our world,

Able to find a way to go on

When nothing else can even find a way in.

It’s the gritty, nasty little carrier of such

diseases as

Optimism, persistence,

Perseverance and joy,

Transmissible as it drags its tail across your

path

and

Bites you in the ass.

Hope is not some delicate, beautiful bird,

Emily.

It’s a lowly little sewer rat

That snorts pesticides like they were

Lines of coke and still

Shows up on time to work the next day

Looking no worse for wear.

JOIN the UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST ASSOCIATION’s PRIORITIES:

The UUA’s intersectional justice priorities and where to find more information, from: https://sidewithlove.org/actioncenter

Climate Justice (inclusive of Indigenous Sovereignty and Climate Resilience) with Create Climate Justice
Democracy and Electoral Justice (inclusive of Voting Rights and Electoral Participation) with UU the Vote
Decriminalization (inclusive of Racial Justice and Immigration Justice) with Love Resists
LGBTQIA+ and Gender Justice (inclusive of Reproductive Justice and Abortion Access) with UPLIFT Action.

UUFA BOARD MEETING

The next UUFA board meeting will be SATURDAY September 10th at 10:30am by Zoom. All members are welcome to attend.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS, SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Aug 14	Jessie R. and Roberta R.	Supreme Court Review: Religious Rights
Aug 21	Attorney Lucy Schwallie	School Vouchers in Ohio
Aug 28	Alyssa & Robert	Beans & Cornbread Outdoor Luncheon
Sept 4	TBA	TBA
Sept 11	Ingathering & New Member Ceremony	Led by Susan & Richard
Sept 18	TBA	TBA
Sept 25	TBA	TBA