August 2026 UUFA Newsletter

As We Welcome August

Starting out the monthly newsletter a bit differently.  We can all use inspiration on a regular basis.   Here at the top of our newsletter is the weekly inspiration found on the UUA website.   We hope your month is a good one and hope we see soon.

 

On Being Nonbinary

By Cat Rambo

“My use of their is socially motivated…: a deliberate response to the socially and politically significant banning of our genderless pronoun by language legislators enforcing the motion that the male sex is the only one that counts. I consistently break a rule I consider to be not only fake but pernicious. I know what I’m doing and why.”

—Ursula K. Le Guin

Continue reading at the link below

https://www.uua.org/braverwiser/being-nonbinary

 

 

August 2026 Sunday Services 

All services will  be held in person at 184 Longview Hts.,  Athens, OH and begin at 11:00 AM – All are Welcome

 

August 2, 2026 

Finding Meaning  with Dr. Wade Booker 

“How can we approach our suffering through cultivation of subjective meaning? This has been explored in the past with embracing the universality of suffering in the Buddhist tradition, existentialism’s subjective meaning making, and Nihilism’s rebellion against defined meaning. Dr. Booker will discuss the concept of finding meaning in life from the lens of philosophy as well as from a spiritual perspective.

Dr. Wade Booker serves as an Assistant Clinical Professor at the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, teaches within the OhioHealth Osteopathic Neuromuscular Medicine residency program, and cares for patients in clinic with Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine.”

 

August 9 2026 

Joy in the morning
We live on a generous, beautiful planet alongside people we love who also love us. We also live in chaotic and disturbing times. How do we reconcile the times of our lives and rediscover joy? We’ll explore that On Sunday with Byron Ballard.

Join us for 2nd Sunday potluck following service. Bring your favorite dish to share along with ingredients for those who many not be able to eat some ingredients.  This way everyone is safe and healthy and fed.  Thank you!

 

August 16 2026 

Finding the Awe in Nature, One Another and Ourselves  (outdoor service)

Please join us this morning as we spend time in our outdoor sanctuary, The Grove located opposite the fellowship hall among the trees.  Our service will focus on how one can nuture their sense of awe in nature, one another and ourselves as children do.  UU Minister and Author , Robert Fulghum’s advice includes ;  Look, Stick Together, Watch Traffic,  and most of all be Aware!  We’ll explore this and other sources for inspiration to keep our time outdoors in the forefront of our lives.   We hope you will join to experience our outside space.  Barb Harrison, Service Leader.

 

August 30, 2026

The Art of Being Present: Exploring Lay Pastoral Care
Ministry in congregations is meant to be shared. Pastoral care often sounds like something reserved exclusively for ordained ministers, but holding space for one another in times of joy, grief, and transition is a calling we all share. Thanks to the generosity of a scholarship, I recently began a robust 30+ hour Lay Spiritual Care training program designed to deepen how we companion each other through life’s ups and downs. Join us this Sunday as I share what drew me to this path, an update on what I’m learning, and how shared lay ministry can strengthen the caring heart of our congregation.  Anna Mather, Service Leader.
  Our beautiful plants in the sanctuary !  Many thanks to Roberta, Homer and Tom for watering and caring for our plants regularly. 

UUFA Members & Friends Go Out to the Ballgame 

On Wednesday July 15th, our local collegiate summer team, The  Southern Ohio Copperheads,  invited faith communities to attend this game. Jessie Roberson agreed to serve as our leader at the game.  Many thanks Jessie.   As a result the turnout was great and exceeded what we had planned. Thanks to Pete and Anna Mather for providing additional tickets to folks who showed up withut a ticket.  A great time was had by all who attended.  Thanks to the Membership Team for coordinating this effort .

 

Photo credit, Roberta Roberson

 

UUFA Saturday July 18th Workday a Success

Members of the UUFA turned out in great numbers to give back to our fellowship hall and grounds.  The day was coorindated by Jenn Watson, Sara Berens and Susan Westenbarger and members of our facilities team , Fred Snell, Jeff Wunderly and Richard Thieret.  Inside projects were tackled including the entire downstairs area.  The kitchen got cleaned as well as the children’s area and our office and the Ploghoff room.  Thanks to everyone who came out to help and to motivate others!

Photo Credit:  Roberta Roberson