Celebrating our Unitarian Universalist denomination as we live our values out loud and in public
UUA Joins Amicus Brief to Protect LGBTQ+ Children from Conversion Therapy
September Sunday Services at a Glance
Please see this newsletter and our FaceBook page updates throughout the month.
September 7 – Annual Ingathering / Water Communion Service – Led by Nellie James and Lish Greiner. Please join us as we come back together from our summer travels and experiences to share as one community once again. Please bring a small sample of water from your travels if you have some. Alternatively, we will have “symbolic” water for you to use as you share your summer memories.
September 14 – When Breaking Bread Together is Not an Option – Service leader Lish Griener. We welcome Wenda Sheard and Michelle Pride as speakers.
September 21 – Autumn Equinox Observation – Led by Nellie James and Roberta Roberson.
Fall Equinox Meditation By Lori Gorgas Hlaban
“Pause.
Balanced in the center
between the longest and shortest days.
Equinox.
The wheel of the year turns, and turns again.
The air cools, days shorten,
the sun seems to weaken,
barely clearing the horizon after rising
before beginning its descent.
This is our opportunity, now, to pause.
Balanced, breathing in, breathing out,
knowing this present moment.
This present moment is all we’re guaranteed.
Like the sun moving toward the shortest day,
each moment arises—and is gone before we know it.
This is the time to pause, and consider.
As we enter the season of contemplation,
of increasing darkness,
of lying fallow,
of dormancy.
This is the season of letting go,
of lightening burdens,
of preparing for a long period
of being still, going deep.
Pause and consider.
Binaries: dark and light, hot and cold,
chaos and order—neither extreme is inherently good
or bad, it’s all a matter of balance,
of honoring the spectrum for which
binaries mark the endpoints.
Today we mark the midpoint
between Summer and Winter Solstice,
a time to seek balance
and be free.”
September 21 is the Autumn Equinox. Join us as we pause, consider, and appreciate its lessons about balance in our collective and individual lives. Service leaders Nellie and Roberta
Monthly potluck following service. Please bring a dish to share and
include a list of all ingredients.
September 28 – Threshold Singers – Led by Barb Harrison with Bonnie Edwards coordinator. Threshold Singers of Appalachia is a group of caring beings who feel called to offer the gift of singing for those at life’s thresholds. We honor the ancient tradition of singing softly at bedsides for people who are ill or dying. We currently bring this service to hospitals, hospices, and private homes in the Athens, Ohio area. This group holds their practices at our fellowship.
First Sunday Service in October
Sunday. October 5th is our annual Animal Blessing Sunday. All well behaved animal friends (of any species!) are welcome! Leashes, crates, or other appropriate forms of containment (eg. terrariums for the friends of our herpetology enthusiasts!) are required. If you are unable to bring your companion critter for a blessing, feel free to bring a photo. Looking forward to seeing you AND your friends! Service leaders Barb and Roberta
Central East Region (UUs) News and Connections
The UUFA is part of the overall Central East Region of U.S. congregations. Please take a look at the many opportunities for connection right here in our region.