Weekly Email Update Header
Quick Links

Upcoming Services

Sunday services are offered at 9:30 am and 11:15 am.

December's Worship Theme is GIFTS

 

December 1

"Bring Many Names:  

Unitarian Universalism Essentials Part 2" 

Rev. Anthony Makar

 

December 8

"Love Reaches Out"

Rev. Peter Morales, Unitarian Universalist Association President

 

December 15:

"The 12 Days of Christmas"

Rev. Anthony Makar

Listen to Last Week's Sermon

Missed Sunday's service? Listen to Rev. Makar's sermon, "How The Jester Lost His Jingle," by visiting 

uuca.org/category/sermons.

Not Too Late to Help with Greening!

UUCA needs 5 to 10 more volunteers to help with the greening of the building for the holidays.Help bring the holiday spirit to UUCA by serving on this year's Holiday Greening Team on Dec. 1, from 1-4 pm. Festive holiday music and cookies will help set the mood.  To volunteer, contact Sherri Wiseman at 404-634-5134 or swiseman@uuca.org. Or, just come to the Social Hall after second service this Sunday! 

Final "Meet the UUCA Authors" Event - Dec 1

The UUCA Bookstore wraps up its successful book signing event series on Dec. 1, with author Babs Bell Hajdusiewicz. Babs will be on hand before, between, and after service in the UUCA Social Hall to inscribe and autograph a selection of her clever, colorful, instructive and appealing children's books for all ages. This is a wonderful opportunity for parents, grandparents, family and friends to purchase singular and special holiday gifts for the singular and special children in their lives. [Hardcover and paperback, prices vary]
 
Previously featured titles by talented UUCA authors are still on sale in the UUCA Bookstore.  They are:
Aimee Wise'Of Human Clay [Paperback, $17]
Michael Kuhar's The Art and Ethics of Being a Good Colleague [Paperback, $12]
Give Away the Plate

Nov 24: Action Ministries - $1551.50

 

Dec 1:  UUCA

 

Dec 8: Philippines Relief / UU Service Comittee

 

Dec 15:  UUCA

  

To nominate a non-profit for UUCA's Give Away the Plate program, please visit 

When the Spirit Says Cook

The UUCA cookbook, When the Spirit Says Cook,

is here! Packed with over 280 recipes from more than 100 UUCA members, staff, and friends, When the Spirit Says Cook has the answer to the question, "What's for dinner?" For those who haven't placed orders yet, don't worry, it's not too late! The cookbook is available for purchase for $20 cash or check in the UUCA Social Hall on Sundays (until they're sold out). Those who pre-ordered a copy should please stop by the table for pick up. Or, purchase online with a credit card at 

Adult Religious Exploration Course Proposals for Winter / Spring
Course proposals for winter/spring 2014 Adult RE courses are being accepted now through Dec. 16.  For more information on types of courses that will be considered, how to propose a course and more, visit 
uuca.org/community or contact Carol Shoemaker at cshoemaker@uuca.org.
Weekly Update: Dec 1-7
Board Town Halls (Dec 1-11) and Congregational Meeting (Dec 15) 

UUCA's Congregational Meeting will be held in the Sanctuary on Dec. 15 at 12:45 pm. This yearly gathering provides the opportunity to invest in the communal decisions that help further the mission and goals of the congregation. In addition to a review of the results of the 2014 Stewardship Campaign and a report from Rev. Makar on the 2013/2014 program year, members will be asked to vote on the Operating Budget for 2014. In advance of the Congregational Meeting, the Board will host several Town Hall meetings as follows:

Dec. 1: 10:45 am in Room 209/210; 12:30 pm in Sanctuary

Dec. 4:  7:30 pm in Room 209/210

Dec. 8: 10:45 am in Room 209/210; 12:30 pm in Chapel

Dec. 11: 7:30 pm in Room 209/210

 

Members should watch their mailboxes for a mailing containing pre-reading materials. These pre-reading materials can also be found at uuca.org/congregationalmeeting.   Childcare is available for Town Halls and the Congregational Meeting if reserved at least one week in advance at uuca.org/childcare

Humanist Fellowship - This Sunday

Undue EnFORCEment.  Forget films like To Kill a Mockingbird that suggest the ideal of justice is invincible, even if the practice is not.  Today's paradigm of law enforcement features a paramilitary raid by a SWAT team, armed and armored to the teeth, breaking down the door of criminal suspects, often nonviolent, sometimes involved in a peaceful demonstrations, or even occupants of a wrong address.  This now occurs somewhere in the US more than 200 times a day. Once arraigned, the arrestee discovers that overcrowded court dockets have replaced constitutionally guaranteed jury trials, which occurs 95% of the time. This week the Humanist Fellowship will focus on this harsh aspect of our system of, ahem, justice. The Humanist Fellowship gathers Sundays from 11:15 am - 12:30 pm, and participants are encouraged to bring a donation for the food barrel.

Shopping to Benefit UUCA - Dec 1 & 8 

Holiday gifts still to be bought?  Here's a great opportunity for finding that special gift for a special person and support UUCA at the same time.  Look for the Holiday Gifts table in the Social Hall during Coffee Hour on Sundays, Dec.1 and 8.  All proceeds raised will go to the UUCA operating budget.  Looking for other ways to support UUCA through holiday giving?  Check out page three of the November Newsletter for ideas!
IRC Giving Tree - Through Dec 15

UUCA will host the IRC Giving Tree again this holiday season for refugee families who have fled persecution and resettled in the Atlanta area in the past year.  Congregants will be able to select individuals or families for whom to purchase useful gifts for home and school.  There are two ways to participate. Come by the tree in the Social Hall on Sunday mornings or Wednesday evenings now through Dec. 15. Or, got to  http://uuca-irc-givingtree.jit.su to choose individuals or families online. Contact Erin Stanfill at estanfill@uuca.org for more info.

Wonderful Wednesday - Dec 4

Join UUCAers every Wednesday, now through May 14, for the variety of programs known as Wonderful Wednesday. The centerpiece of each week is a community dinner held at 6:15 pm. Dinners are served by UUCA groups or local non-profits, and proceeds go to UUCA programs and other good causes.  Join us on Dec. 4, when the Villalponda Family hosts with their authentic and yummy Mexican menu. After dinner, stay for Wednesday Night Worship at 7 pm in the Chapel, and a special Board Town Hall meeting (see details above) at 7:30 pm in Room 209/210. Interested in catering a Wonderful Wednesday meal? Available dates for 2014 catering teams are filling fast, so contact Jerolyn Lowry at jlowry@uuca.org for details.

Laughter For Everyone - Dec 5 

HO HO HO!  Get happy for your holidays, no matter what your traditions are.  Join in the easy camaraderie of Laughter For Everyone on Dec. 5 at 7:30 pm.  Learn to turn your mood around or just have fun laughing with Jean Woodall.  Oh, and it will make you healthier, too!  For questions, call Jean at 404-378-1673.
Community Conversation About Food Insecurity - Dec 5
Last week, UUCA members and freinds rallied together to provide meals for 110 families in the Old Fourth Ward community. What a joy! But, this project is not over; it's just beginning. On Dec. 5, UUCA will help City Councilman Kwanza Hall host a "Community Conversation about Food Insecurity in the Old Fourth Ward" from 10 am - 12 pm at Fort Street Memorial United Methodist Church, 562 Boulevard NE, Atlanta 30308.  This is expected to be the first of several conversations aimed at identifying the gaps between all our good intentions and people who still lack adequate food.  If food insecurity is an issue you care about, let Promise the Children hear from you at PromiseTheChildren@uuca.org and read more on the Promise the Children blog site.

Rev. Peter Morales, UUA President, Comes to UUCA - Dec 8

Join us as we welcome to the pulpit Unitarian Universalist Association President Rev. Peter Morales with his sermon, "Love Reaches Out." UU's have a proud history of public witness. Our bright yellow "Standing on the Side of Love" t-shirts are found at demonstrations for social justice. But love doesn't just take a stand. Love reaches out. Can we learn to be as passionate and effective at reaching out as we are about standing for justice?  

 

UUCA is thrilled and honored to have Rev. Morales with us. All members and friends are invited to attend a special reception for Rev. Morales at UUCA immediately following the second service on Dec. 8.

 

Rev. Morales, the first Latino president of the UUA, was elected on a platform of growth and multiculturalism. Public witness is central to his presidency; he is especially passionate about immigration reform and environmental justice.   To learn more about Rev. Morales, read his biography here.

TBDs Monthly Lunch Outing - Dec 8

Join TBDs -- UUCA's fellowship group for those born between 1950 and 1970 (or thereabouts) -- on Dec. 8 at 1 pm for their final lunch of the year. Take some time to relax with old and new friends! This month, TBDs will return to Chili's in the Toco Hills Shopping Center, 2133 Lavista Road, where they met in July. Current or interested TBD members, please join in! For questions, contact Cindy Hoffner at choffner@uuca.org.

Dining For Women Hosts North Georgia Chapters at UUCA - Dec 8

On Dec. 8, the Roswell and Tucker chapters of Dining for Women (DFW) will host a combined meeting of all North Georgia chapters of DFW. The dinner will be held in the UUCA Social Hall at 5 pm and will benefit Smiles on Wings-Thailand, a group focused on enabling long term health services by mentoring and educating young Karen refugee women in a remote Thai village. In addition, DFW founder Marsha Wallace will be in attendance to update attendees on the current and future state of the organization. UUCA chapters will present a check to Mrs. Wallace representing a Give Away the Plate donation and funds raised at 2013 Wonderful Wednesday dinners. All UUCA women are invited to attend and participate in this important work for social and economic justice, human rights, and sustainable environments in the developing world. Contact Mary Crawley or Emilu Bailes for information.

Moravian Love Feast - Dec 13

Our annual Moravian Love Feast, a joyous holiday service of spectacular music, readings and sharing of fellowship, food and drink, is scheduled for Friday evening, Dec.13, at 7:30 pm. This has been a UUCA tradition for more than 50 years.  This year's special music will feature, as always, a very special Brass ensemble, along with our Phoenix Choir singing the beloved "O Holy Night." Reserve tickets at the Moravian ticket sales table in the Social Hall on Sundays, or call the UUCA office at 404-634-5134 during regular business hours. Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for senior adults, $5 for children under 18, and $25 maximum per family. Childcare is available if reserved on week in advance at uuca.org/childcare.

Our Caring Community

For pastoral care concerns, contact Rev. Jane Thickstun at jthickstun@uuca.org or by phone at 404-634-5134 xt. 215. 
  
We are holding the people in the Philippines in our hearts and minds as they navigate the disaster from the recent typhoon.  UUA President, Rev. Peter Morales, will join us on Dec. 8 to be our guest preacher and the UU Service Committee will be our Give Away the Plate Recipient.  Please be in thought and prayer about the donation you will be able to make to UUSC on behalf of the Philippine people.
 
We send healing thoughts and prayers to Marilyn Ellen who is in rehab in Florida following a long hospitalization with a broken back. She is also near her daughter who lives in Florida.  She would appreciate cards, notes and phone calls.  Please contact Rev. Tessie Mandeville for Marilyn's contact information.
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta
1911 Cliff Valley Way Atlanta, GA 30329 | 404-634-5134 | uuca.org | facebook.com/UUCAtl | @UUCA