Give A Child A Christmas
We are collecting toys for a Christmas toy drive sponsored by Divas Who Win. Participate with us as we make a difference in children’s lives this Christmas. Drop off toys in the large box in the Gathering Room. Toys will be accepted until November 15. For a list of requested items, click on this link. https://www.dreamlist.com/for/joyfest2026toys
International Day for Tolerance
You are invited to commemorate the 2026 International Day for Tolerance sponsored by Interfaith Clergy Partnership of Greater Athens. It will begin with a short march from College Square followed by a program at the US Federal Courthouse and Post Office. For more information (706) 589-5568
Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement Lip Sync Battle
The Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement board of directors invites you to our first AADM Lip Battle—Sing It. Slay It. Support It.
This is more than a fun night of entertainment. It is a fundraiser benefiting AADM’s Freedom Fund, which helps support legal assistance, court-related fines and fees, advocacy efforts, & other justice-related needs in Athens.
There are 3 ticket options:
One General Seating $15 (includes 2 complimentary Fan Votes)
VIP for two $35 (includes 4 complimentary Fan Votes)
Ultimate VIP for three $65 (includes 6 complimentary Fan Votes)
Buy tickets @https://givebutter.com/aadm-lip-sync-battle
The performer who raises the most money through Fan Votes will win the Fan Favorite/ Top Fundraiser Award.
Creative Hive (formerly Prayer Wraps) Gathering
The Creative Hive Gathering will be in the conference room downstairs on Monday, November 16, at 10:00 AM. Bring a craft to work on in the company of others! It could be a prayer wrap, cards to send to homebound members, something for yourself—anything! We have card-making supplies for your use, but you may bring whatever craft supplies you would like to work on. Any questions should be addressed to Trina Berry.
Slice & Dice Pizza and Game Night
Bring a small pizza to share, and join us in the MABC Gathering Room as we play hilarious games. OR just come and hang out. Friends and partners welcome! Adults only. For more information, contact Leia Berry.
Ladies Night PJs & Puzzles
Join us for a pajamas and puzzles party! Wear your favorite Christmas PJs (or whatever makes you most comfortable) and hang out as we drink hot chocolate and work puzzles. We are not providing dinner this time, so you may bring your own dinner or eat before/after the party.
Kid's Stay & Play/Christmas Party
Stay and play after the church-wide lunch, and then we will enjoy a Christmas party. Parents enjoy an afternoon out. For more information contact Ginny
Choir Christmas Cantata
We hope this captivating Christmas work, composed and arranged by Joel Raney and orchestrated by Ed Hogan and Joel Raney, bring renewed joy to your celebration of Christmas, offering a fresh and meaningful way to share the timeless story of Christ’s birth
Creative Hive (formerly Prayer Wraps) Gathering
The Creative Hive Gathering will be in the conference room downstairs on Monday, November 16, at 10:00 AM. Bring a craft to work on in the company of others! It could be a prayer wrap, cards to send to homebound members, something for yourself—anything! We have card-making supplies for your use, but you may bring whatever craft supplies you would like to work on. Any questions should be addressed to Trina Berry.
Youth Lock-In
Don't forget the annual Youth Lock-In and Christmas Party. Mark your calendars now and save the date!
Pumpkin Festival
Join us for a fun afternoon of games, crafts, food, photos, and pumpkins! Food trucks will be onsite. Activities are free. Food and pumpkins will be available for purchase.
Creative Hive (formerly Prayer Wraps) Gathering
The Creative Hive Gathering will be in the conference room downstairs on Monday, October 19, at 10:00 AM. Bring a craft to work on in the company of others! It could be a prayer wrap, cards to send to homebound members, something for yourself—anything! We have card-making supplies for your use, but you may bring whatever craft supplies you would like to work on. Any questions should be addressed to Trina Berry.
Pumpkin Unload
Our second truck unload happens Sunday October 18 after worship. If you plan to attend worship and then stay to unload the truck, here are a few things to remember:
Feel free to come to worship in your work clothes.
Work gloves and close-toed shoes are highly encouraged.
Bring a reusable water bottle. We will provide refill stations.
If you would like a slice or two of pizza to eat before unloading, please let Ginny know.
Be sure to visit the Pumpkin Patch section in the back of the Sanctuary this Sunday! There you can find info, sign-ups, volunteer/donation opportunities, and more throughout the month.
Understanding Detention and Building Resistance Workshop
An Interfaith Sanctuary Coalition Workshop presented by Amilcar Valencia, Executive Director at El Refugio.
Workshop participants will:
View the current immigration detention landscape through the lens of US history.
Build a shared analysis of the carceral system and articulate why it needs to be abolished.
Introduce ways that communities can organize against detention.
Saturday, October 10
9:00am-noon
Register for more information, including location.
Sponsored by the Interfaith Clergy Partnership of Greater Athens (ICPGA)
October Ladies Night
RLast month’s Craft and Charcuterie was so fun and such a hit! We’re doing something similar in October.
MABC Gathering Room
Bring a dish to share
Craft supplies provided
There will be two craft options during our time: making fall-themed cards or decorating pumpkins. You may choose to donate your creations to sell in the patch or to share with folks on the Connected Care list for our congregation. Hope you can join us! RSVP to Ginny and let her know the food you plan to bring and what craft you plan on doing so that we can have enough supplies.
MABC Pumpkin Patch
Ways to be involved:
Help with field trips (10:00am on weekdays; contact Ginny for dates).
Pray for all those involved for safety and that connections with the community will be made.
Donate money to offset coordinator costs (each shift the coordinator works costs $30).
We are contracted to have our Pumpkin Patch open 8 hours a day, 7 days a week. Each day is divided into four two-hour slots and each two-hour slot requires two people. That is 56 slots/week. Currently, we still need almost 50 people to help sell pumpkins to fill out the first week. If you are able to help please follow the link below to volunteer.
If you are feeling nervous, we encourage you to sign up when the office is open (Monday-Thursday until 5pm). The staff will be more than happy to step in and help should any technological problems arise!
Pumpkin Unload
Our first truck unload happens Sunday October 4 after worship. If you plan to attend worship and then stay to unload the truck, here are a few things to remember:
Feel free to come to worship in your work clothes.
Work gloves and close-toed shoes are highly encouraged.
Bring a reusable water bottle. We will provide refill stations.
If you would like a slice or two of pizza to eat before unloading, please let Ginny know.
Be sure to visit the Pumpkin Patch section in the back of the Sanctuary this Sunday! There you can find info, sign-ups, volunteer/donation opportunities, and more throughout the month.
Senior Celebration Sunday
This Sunday, October 4 is Senior Adult Celebration during the worship hour. Join us as we honor our 90+ year-olds and celebrate communion while being led in worship by our 55+ members. Please note that because of the Pumpkin Patch unload there will not be a church-wide luncheon afterwards.
Milledge Ave Kids Fundraiser Lemonade Stand
October 3rd before the UGA Game
Seeking volunteer to sell lemonade on the church lawn OR consider donating bottled water
Milledge Middle Ages Small Group
Join us for a time of food and fellowship. The Milledge Middle Ages meet every other Sunday evening from 6:00-8:00pm at Leia and Joe’s house. For directions and/or more information, please contact Leia Berry.
Pumpkin Patch set up
We still need a Pumpkin Patch Coordinator this year. The coordinator must have a lot of free time in October, especially on weekends and in the evenings. If you are interested in this position, or you know someone who would be a good fit, please contact Ginny for more details.
Prayer Wraps Gathering
The Prayer Wrap gathering will be in the conference room downstairs on Thursday, September 17, at 10:30 AM. The wraps are made to give to anyone who needs comfort for any reason. You are invited to join us even if you don't knit or crochet...we enjoy visiting! Any questions should be addressed to Trina Berry.
Young Adult Small Group
The first gathering will be lunch after worship on September 20 at Grindhouse Burgers. Those in attendance will decide a regular meeting time and topic. If you’d like to participate but can’t make this date, email Susannah.
Milledge Adults Slice & Dice
Join us in the Gathering Room at MABC as we play hilarious games. Bring a small pizza to share or just come and hang out. Friends and partners welcome!
Family Promise Host Week
Daisha and her four very active young boys (2, 6, 8, and 10 years old) are now living in a Family Promise shelter unit. This family needs so many things as the children get settled in school and daycare. Please let Wanda Culpepper know if you have specific donations to offer. We think Walmart gift cards might be better than Kroger cards for our current family. The mom can then use them for needed supplies other than food. We always give a $25 gift card for each family member to be used for personal needs and extra food during our host week. We would like to have a few more gift cards for this family. You can bring these gift cards to the church office at any time before our host week.
We will also need to provide a meal for the family on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (September 14, 15 and 16) of our host week. There are no food allergies, and they will be easy to please. Here is the link to sign up.
Youth after worship
Youth are invited to walk with Will Abney to Barbaritos after worship on Sunday. Bring $.
Faith Beyond Borders book study
We are excited to offer a book study led by Don Mosley, friend of MABC and author of Faith Beyond Borders: Doing Justice in a Dangerous World. The group will meet at 10:00am
Don will graciously be giving books to those who would like to participate.
