Our Mission Statement

As a welcoming congregation, we work and worship together to become people of open minds, loving hearts, and helping hands.

We honor the transformative power of love in our individual lives and broader communities.

FEBRUARY 2025

February 2

"Where Everybody Knows Your Name"

Clint Tawes

For over a decade, Cheers welcomed us to a place ‘where everybody knows your name,’ capturing the warmth of community and belonging. Although our role as a religious community is certainly not the same as a fictional Boston bar, perhaps Cheers can teach us some lessons about hospitality and inclusion. This sermon invites us to reflect on how we can create spaces of radical hospitality where everyone feels valued, celebrated, and truly at home.


February 9

"These Are The People In Your Neighborhood"

Rev. Jane Page and Randy Blasch

Do you know who your neighbors are? It's how it all started in Germany and now it's coming to a workplace near you. What can we do about it and are we really responsible if things go bad?


February 16

"How We Can Help"

Adelina Nichols

Join us this Sunday and hear our special guest, Adelina Nichols, Executive Director of Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights. She will share about this organization and how we might help in these difficult times. We will livestream for those who cannot attend in person.  


February 23

"The Passing of Love Notes: Double Meaning Intended"

Rev. Jane Page

Rev. Jane will continue to use 60's and 70's songs as inspirational text - this time using the classic - "What the World Needs Now!" Yes, the focus for this service is LOVE. Jane will share three letters written about love and provide observations and possibilities for us in this unusual time in our history. The service will be livestreamed on Facebook for those who cannot attend in person. Come join us! Bring your children. We have wonderful RE classes. 

WE ARE NOW LIVESTREAMING OUR SERVICE ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE

You will be able to access our service online here at: https://www.facebook.com/UUStatesboro/


NOTE: If a box pops up requesting that you log into Facebook and you do not want to log in, you can click the X in the top right corner of the box. You will then be able to access the live stream without logging into Facebook.


CLICK LINK TO ACCESS VIDEOS OF PAST SERVICES.

Also, this link is available on the UUFS website on both the HOME page and THIS MONTH'S SERVICES page.


The Joys and Concerns of Democracy

by Rev. Jane Page


"Many forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time."

From Churchill by Himself, 574


I’ve quoted Churchill and others in sermons I’ve done about Democracy (read this one), for indeed the results of the process sometimes make us wonder. Many of us were unhappy with the election results this past November. And yet, I still believe in Democracy. We just have to do a better job of helping to shift the culture in positive ways within the constraints of the will of the majority of the people in this last election. (We can’t even blame our electoral college for these results.) I think we’ve made some faulty assumptions along the way and must now consider the deep reasons behind so many people moving in this direction. We will do this and be better for doing so. 


Now, another place we may have “Joys and Concerns” related to our democratic processes is in our UU association, congregations, boards, and committees. We are Unitarian Universalists and have decided as UU’s that even though it is messy, we make decisions together. That means you will not always have your views reinforced by the decision and neither will I. We all will need to listen to one another. Often, we are all in agreement. But occasionally, we are not. Those are the times that the group decision (based on the will of the majority) needs to be honored and respected by all within the association, congregation, board, or committee.


In recent years, our association struggled as we revised Article 2. And after much listening and sharing, the vote was held and we adopted a revision to our bylaws. Fortunately, most of the folks who had problems with the bylaws accepted these changes and we are moving forward. Indeed, we are seeing renewed enthusiasm as our children and we learn about the shared values we lift up – with LOVE at the center. Our congregations are also continuing to make decisions together, with support from most, and with others frustrated that the view they supported was not adopted. Hopefully, we can continue to listen to and understand the concerns of all of us as we move forward. We just need to remember that we do our work together – and make decisions together – and share our love and understanding together.


We are entering a difficult period in our history in this nation. May we, as Unitarian Universalists, demonstrate that we can work with a democratic spirit to spread our light and love to everyone.


With LOVE at the center – Always!

Jane

2025! Forty Years of Wandering and Wondering Together

Since we’ve been a fellowship for 40 years and are marking 35 years as an official affiliate of UUA, we need to CELEBRATE! How shall we do this? If you would like to assist in planning celebratory activities, please contact our celebrator in chief, Shari Barr at sharib@aol.com.



UUFS Hosts Migrant Support Group


On the evening of January 13, our congregation hosted an Organizational Meeting for a Migrant Support Group. This group is especially needed now as we anticipate difficulties related to the threats made by the new administration. Sixty-five people attended the meeting. Eduardo Delgado shared information from Migrant Equity Southeast. This was followed by time for comments, questions, and responses. Attendees were encouraged to go to this QR code or link (also shown on the right) to be included on the mailing list and to share ideas of how they might help. 


Leaders of the group, including our own Adrienne Cohen and Martha Hughes, are planning for a follow-up meeting and potluck on Monday, February 3 at a new location. If you would like more information, please sign up for the mailing list.


Please provide your contact details using the form. You can link to it through this link https://forms.gle/uidHW5AJkLAD79it9 or the QR code to the right.


Rev. Jane

Update from UUFS Ministerial Search Team


Abby (chair), Cynthia, Inge, Kiki, & Shari are currently working on the process of seeking a minister for our half-time, annual contract position. It is our hope that a minister will begin on August 1, 2025.


So far, our committee has worked together along with the Board and Jane to complete an exhaustive online profile for our Congregational Record, a descriptive online informational form for ministers in search to preview on the UUA website.


Our committee is preparing to communicate with interested applicants by email and eventually on Zoom. Respectfully, we will not disclose the applicant's personal identification or specific identifiers (i.e. name) during the search process, but we plan to keep you updated on our process as much as possible.

    

We appreciate your input about your hopes in our new minister. Please contribute your ideas to the "Envisioning Our Minister" poster on the wall at our UUFS home.

Need a ride to Medical Appointment? Georgia Southern’s Trusted Rider Program offers transportation services to older adults, assisting them in reaching their non-emergency medical appointments and back home after the completion of their visit. The program is run by student volunteers who have undergone background checks and training to ensure they provide the best possible service to the clients involved.


Chiamaka Ogwara is the program’s community liaison and reached out to raise awareness about the program with hopes to get referrals from older adults who may be interested in the program or may have the need for it.


If you have any questions of would like to learn more about the program, contact them via phone at: 912-478-0712 (office phone) and email co06587-sw@georgiasouthern.edu


ZEN MEDITAION

Fridays at 9:00 a.m.

MindBody Center at UUFS


Join us for meditation on Friday mornings. Newcomers and experienced practitioners are welcome. Come join us in person or join us via Zoom.


For the Zoom link or more information send an email to Laura Milner at lamilner@georgiasouthern.edu


Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

of Statesboro

We are located at 6762 Cypress Lake Road

Statesboro, Georgia

Please send mail to:

UUFS

PO Box 2453

Statesboro GA 30459

 

Email: StatesboroUU@gmail.com


UUFS now has Sunday services LIVE STREAMING

on our Facebook page.


President: Al Hackle

Vice President: Martha Hughes

Secretary: Kathy Smith

Treasurer: Teresa Winn

Immediate Past President: Abby Thompson

 

You may contact board members by emailing StatesboroUU@gmail.com

and please put the board member's name in the subject line.

PASTORAL CARE ASSOCIATES

Shari Barr

Home: 912.764.7300

Cell: 912.687.3899

Email: ShariRB@aol.com


Michael Williams

912.541.4222

Email: mwilliams1220@gmail.com


 

COMMITTEE ON SHARED MINISTRY

Chair: Barb Hendry

Email: anthrobarb@gmail.com

Members: Adrienne Cohen and

Relinda Walker

 

NEWSLETTER/WEBSITE

Elaine Deaver

Email: elaine@elainedeaver.com

Cell: 912.230.2675

Visit our Website

BUILDING MAINTENANCE

Mike Montagne

 

CARE RING

Shari Barr

 

CHILDREN'S RE

Abby Thompson

 

FINANCE

Teresa Winn 

 

PROGRAMS

Adrienne Cohen


TRANSPORTATION TO UUFS SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES

EMAIL: StatesboroUU@gmail.com

Phone: 912.682.3566