by Merri Beth Stephens and Dan Ben-David
Earliest Beginnings
Rev. Lauralyn Bellamy began holding planning meetings in homes and subdivision clubhouses in early 1990 in an effort to plant a Unitarian Universalist congregation in the North Fulton area of metro Atlanta. This is a rapidly growing part of Atlanta, and has proved itself an excellent location for a liberal congregation such as ours. A steering committee was formed at one of those meetings, Cliff and Nan Brown, and Rosie and Bob Popp being some of the folks on the steering committee. It was at one of steering committee meetings that the name was born: Unitarian Universalist Metro Atlanta North - UUMAN (rhymes with human).
Frequent Moves
In September 1990 UUMAN began meeting at the Cafetorium at Barnwell Elementary School in Alpharetta. Barnwell charged us $122.50 each Sunday if no heat or air conditioning was needed; $185 if we used heat or air. On January 13, 1991 UUMAN had its Charter Sunday, with 21 members signing the membership book. Rev. Lauralyn Bellamy was founding minister. Among those original members were the Brown family, the Popp family and the Cooper/Queenth family. Steve and Betsy Gard joined shortly thereafter. On March 1991 the original by-laws were approved by the congregation. Also in spring of 1991 UUMAN moved to Primrose Cottage in Roswell. There we stayed until fall of 1992 when UUMAN moved to the Roswell Business Park behind Harry's Farmer's Market. UUMAN stayed in trouble with the Fire Marshal while we were at the Roswell Business Park, because we always had too many people than were allowed in that space. Additionally, the R.E. classrooms were immediately behind the sanctuary and the noise from those classrooms made it virtually impossible to have any quiet worship time.
Not So Golden Oldies
UUMAN had no piano during these first years, so all singing was a capella. Boy, was it bad. Many times, especially during lay-led services, we would get halfway through the first verse of songs and just quit. We rented space at the Roswell Business Park for two years, until it became evident that we could no longer fit in those cramped quarters.
UUMAN Today
It is with great pleasure that we welcome our new settled minister, Rev. Paul Daniel, to UUMAN. Rev. Daniel comes to us from The Church of the Desert in Rancho Mirage, CA. Before that, he was a minister in Las Vegas. Before Rev. Daniel’s arrival, UUMAN had two years of interim ministry, led by Rev. Frieda Gillespie and Rev. Sue Turner. We were fortunate to have been served for 8 years by our previous settled minister, Rev. Greg Ward, and we wish him and his spouse Liz the very best on their journey out in Monterey, CA. During his eight years of ministry with us, Greg brought a factor of unification to our congregation that enhanced the atmosphere with a sense of well-being and harmony. Under Greg's watch UUMAN grew tremendously and continues as a shining example of a determined congregation... determined to promote 7 principles and daring to ask why!
Our Adult Choir is alive and well. After four years of mentorship by the late Ambrose Holford, two years under the able direction of Gay Grooms with excellent keyboard accompaniment of Elena Bogaslavsky, Karl Lepp and now Margi Peitsch, the choir provides UUMAN with exquisite vocal accompaniment set to the service theme. Randy Wilbur has been the choir director since 2005. He has brought great energy into the group and under his watch we have been named the UUMAN Chalice Choir. His mentorship has enabled many members to far exceed their expectations as performers in such works as 100 Years of Broadway and Handel's Messiah. Guest vocalists and instrumental soloists are happy to lend their talents to our efforts. We also have a folk group and a children's choir performing on special occasions.
We have an active children's Religious Education department, led by our Director of Ministry with Children & Youth, Toniann Read.
UUMAN is committed to providing a liberal religious alternative for the people of North Fulton, Cherokee, Cobb and Forsyth Counties. Our congregation's members and friends truly have open hearts and open minds.