Trans Remembrance Observation & Prayer

Spirit of Love, may we create a world where trans joy is abundant, expected, and celebrated, where trans kids, adults, and elders thrive in the fullness of who they are. Let this joy be our guide, our resistance, and our sacred promise to one another. Amen. Àse. Blessed Be.

 

April Sunday  Services –  11:00 AM – 184 Longview Hts. , Athens, OH

April 6th – Our UU Roots to Provide Strength in Hard Times – This weeks service, in anticipation of Earth Day and the holiday of Passover, will look at our Unitarian Universalist roots in Judaism and the strength that can bring us in hard times. We welcome Rev. Hilary Landau-Krivchenia as our guest minister today.

April 13 –  Pursuing Passion while Serving Community – We are excited to announce that Keith Pawlowski, a distinguished student from Ohio University’s Russ College of Engineering and Technology, will be delivering the message during our service on April 13. Keith has consistently demonstrated academic excellence, being named to the Dean’s List for four consecutive years, while also dedicating his time to volunteer with Good Works, an organization committed to supporting those in need. In addition to his academic and service pursuits, Keith is studying to become a professional clown, embracing the importance of humor and joy in our lives. His unique perspective on blending education, community service, and creativity promises to inspire and uplift us all. Join us as we welcome Keith to share his journey and insights, reminding us of the importance of pursuing our passions while serving our communities. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect and reflect together! . Service Leader Anna Mather.

April 20  –  Join us this Easter Sunday, when Jessie Roberson will lead us through an exploration of some of the many meanings of the day and address the question: Do “ literalists” actually miss the point.

April 27 –  Celebrating the Earth  –  Please join us as we pause to focus on the blessings of our Earth and our relationship with the interdependent web.  Barb Harrison is our service leader.

May 4 – Renè Redda will be our guest speaker and will focus on Alzheimers and Dignity – Nellie James is our service leader. 

 

UUFA Holds Successful Annual Meeting – Sunday March 30th at Noon

• Many thanks to our caterer and member – Lish Greiner for the delicious vegan bowls meal and to Jessie Roberson for the meat offerings.  It was a delicious lunch enjoyed by all.

President Elect, Pete Mather welcomed all to the annual meeting and provided a chalice lighting.  The agenda included review of the past year , budget proposal for 2025-26 and many thanks to President Richard Thieret for his service.  Richard remarked about the building usage being a great asset to us as well as our involved community.   Susan Westenbarger our Treasurer presented the proposed budget for the coming year. Susan explained that the budget is created based upon he previous year and then we add a small % to account for the increase costs for all things.   The proposed budget is $26, 486.00.   Wenda S. moved that we approve the budget, Nellie J. seconded and all members present approved.  Susan explained that the budget is created based upon he previous year and then we add a small % to account for the increase costs for all things.    Jessie Roberson introduced the annual Pledge Drive process which is how members pledge to support the fellowship with a monetary amount.  The amount is generally a prediction of what you hope to give. It is not binding as Jessie remarked “we have no enforcement arm.”   Forms will be available at the fellowship or just below this paragraph.

We elected the slate of officers for next year and congratulate; Richard Thieret , President-Elect, Jessie Roberson, Roberta Roberson and Nellie James to continued At Large positions.  We welcome Jeff Wunderly as newly elected At Large Board member.  Additionally we approved Susan Westenbarger and Richard Thieret as General Assembly delegates in Baltimore, MD in June.  The  meeting was adjourned.

UUFA  Annual Pledge Drive Information

Gentlepersons:

This is Jessie Roberson.   I am leading the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens’ (“UUFA”) Pledge Drive for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.  I write to ask your help as the UUFA Executive Committee works to wrap up preparations for the coming year.  As you may recall, our bylaws require all members to submit an annual pledge form and to make an identifiable contribution to maintain their membership status.  HOWEVER, what you pledge and what you actually contribute is entirely up to you.  

The budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1, 2025, that is approved at the UUFA Annual Meeting, reflects the bare bones operation to which our Executive Committee shifted as we scrambled to adjust, to the myriad impacts of the Co-Vid 19 pandemic.  As the plague continues to wane (we hope – there still tend to be local spikes every time O.U. students return from a break!), we plan to continue doing “live” services; we also hope to enhance our technological supports for services.  Please feel free to contact any member of the Executive Committee to offer feedback, suggest further enhancements or suggest topics for future services.

Having as many returned pledge forms as possible will help to expedite the planning of the Executive Committee. Imagine trying to manage your household spending without having a reasonable idea of what your income will be each month. Pledges are an essential tool that allow the Executive Committee to make a realistic assessment of the likely resources available to support the functions, services and mission we hope to deliver to our community and our congregation over the coming year.  It is now possible to pay your pledge in cash, by check or on line using our link to Tithely.com,                                      (https://get.tithe.ly/download-tithely-app).  

As you may have noticed in our weekly Greensheet and/or Sunday announcements, our building hosts four or five activities per week.  The Executive Committee is trying to make our beautiful building a community asset.  Our improvements, both inside and outside the building, help advance that objective. 

Please take a few moments to fill out and return the pledge form attached.  You can return it in person during a service at the Fellowship, mail it (to UUFA, P.O. Box 0333, Athens, OH  45701), or return it via email by sending it to: treasurer@uuathens.org  .

The Executive Committee will look at the pledges at the end of the fiscal year (June 30 2025) and make appropriate adjustments to the budget in light of our financial support.  Of course, we will gladly accept your support however and whenever you choose to give it.  The amount of your pledge is left entirely to your discretion.  The grid on the following page is merely a point of reference as you consider your pledge.  The Executive Committee deeply appreciates your help in finalizing the plans for the various things that need to get done.  Please fill out a pledge form as soon as you can manage it.

Thank you for your time, attention and support.

For the UUFA Executive Committee,

Jessie C. Roberson

UUFA 

P.O. BOX 333

ATHENS, OH 45701

treasurer@uuathens.org  

 

2025-2026 UUFA PLEDGE DRIVE Form 

Name(s) ____________________________________________________________

In support of the fiscal year 2025-2026 operating budget of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens, I/we pledge the total amount of $______________, to be paid on or after July 1, 2025, and before June 30, 2026.  This pledge is not binding, but is made considering the commitments that must be made by the UUFA Executive Committee on behalf of the Fellowship for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

 

Signature ______________________________________________ Date ________________

 

Signature ______________________________________________ Date ________________

 

Unitarian Universalist Association Suggested Fair-Share Giving Guide

Unitarian Universalist Association Suggested Fair-Share Giving Guide

Unitarian Universalist Association Suggested Fair-Share Giving Guide

	Supporter The church is a significant part of my life and promotes my spiritual growth.			Sustainer The church is central to my identity, and I am committed to sustaining our programs.			Visionary I am committed to both the present and future growth of my church.			Full Tithe I designate 10% of my income to the church as a way to live out my spiritual principles
Adjusted Annual Income	Suggested	Monthly	Annual	Suggested	Monthly	Annual	Suggested	Monthly	Annual	Suggested	Monthly	Annual
	% of Income	Payment	Payment	% of Income	Payment	Payment	% of Income	Payment	Payment	% of Income	Payment	Payment
$10,000	2%	$16	$200	3%	$25	$300	5%	$42	$500	10%	$83	$1,000
$25,000	2%	$42	$500	3%	$63	$750	5%	$104	$1,250	10%	$208	$2,500
$50,000	3%	$125	$1,500	4%	$167	$2,000	5%	$208	$2,500	10%	$417	$5,000
$75,000	3%	$188	$2,250	4.5%	$281	$3,375	6%	$375	$4,500	10%	$625	$7,500
$100,000	3.5%	$292	$3,500	5%	$417	$5,000	6.5%	$542	$6.500	10%	$833	$10,000
$150,000	3.5%	$438	$5,250	5%	$625	$7,500	6.5%	$813	$9,750	10%	$1,250	$15,000

News from UUA

Trans Joy

By Jes Martinez-Hunt

March 26, 2025

“You are who you are. No one can tell you who you are but you. Whoever you know yourself to be, you are right.”
—Maybe Burke

I didn’t grow up with trans joy. I grew up with longing, quiet adjustments, and learning how to make myself acceptable. I spent years thinking I was broken, desperately trying to fit into something that was never meant for me. I thought that was just life—fighting for every inch of belonging.

Then my daughter, Atticus, came into the world, whole and bright and unabashedly herself, an embodiment of absolute joy, proudly declaring, “I, Atticus” when asked if she was a girl or a boy.

She knew who she was and refused to let anyone tell her otherwise. For a while, I let myself hope that she wouldn’t have to learn the same survival skills I did; maybe she could just be.

My daughter deserves a world where she isn’t forced to fight so hard to exist: one where her joy is expected, nurtured, and uplifted; a world where trans joy is a certainty.

Trans joy is sacred: a radiant and unshakable force that refuses to be diminished, a testament to resilience, authenticity, and love. It is communal, a light passed from one to another, illuminating the path toward a liberation where we can simply be.

Holy in its honesty and wholeness, it offers a glimpse of our world as it should be. Not small, not an afterthought, not a reward for enduring suffering, trans joy is life itself. Bold, expansive proof that we are real; that we belong; that we have always been enough.

That world doesn’t exist yet—not the way it should. Until it does, I’ll make sure that Atticus never doubts her worth. I’ll show her that trans joy isn’t just possible, it’s powerful. It’s bigger than the struggle, louder than the hate, more enduring than fear. I’ll make sure she faces a future where she isn’t just fighting to exist but living fully, freely, and without apology.

In a world that so often seeks to erase, silence, or diminish trans lives, our joy is more than resistance, it is a defiant declaration, an absolute refusal to shrink, a spirited promise that trans folx won’t just survive, we will thrive!