Resources

Parking for Non-Church Activities

Student Parking

Oconee Street UMC is two blocks from the UGA School of Social Work and just half a mile from Sanford Stadium in the heart of UGA campus.

To provide a resource to our neighbors while maintaining space for church programs, the church allows parking by permit-only for students commuting to UGA classes and for football fans on game days.

Daytime permits allow students to park at 717 Oconee Street, which is a short walk to the UGA bus line, adjacent to an Athens-Clarke County bus stop and about .3 miles to North Campus. The cost is $150 per semester. Fill out this form or email OconeeStreetUMC@gmail.com for more information or to purchase a pass.

Gameday Parking

Gameday parking is available through season passes or on a first-come, first-served basis the day of the game. Tailgaters who pay to park on church property are allowed some access to church facilities, such as bathrooms, and may access their cars at any time to leave. We cannot accommodate overnight parking. To inquire about gameday parking, email the church at OconeeStreetUMC@gmail.com.

All parking proceeds benefit church programs and ministries, including U-Lead scholarships that pay students’ educational expenses.

Member Resources

Giving

Need a pledge card to commit to tithe?

Learn more about how and why to give.

Prayer Requests

Have a prayer request? Let us know either by name or anonymously.

Policies

Safe Sanctuaries

Oconee Street UMC takes seriously the call to protect children and vulnerable adults from harm. Each year, the church update its policy on protecting vulnerable populations and anyone working with those people — whether staff or volunteer — must undergo training in how to prevent, recognize and report injury or abuse.

Here is the current Safe Sanctuaries policy.

Here is the form to report suspected abuse.

Here is the form to report an accident.

Sustainability

We work as a congregation to prioritize sustainability in our buildings and practices, promoting energy and water conservation, minimizing single-use items, and practicing recycling and composting. We offer spiritual growth opportunities through workshops and educational activities, partnering with organizations including Georgia Interfaith Power & Light and local churches to improve our stewardship and care for creation. Our Creation Care Green Team leads our congregational efforts on these issues.

Facilities Use

Facilities: We are committed to using our facilities to give back to the community as much as possible. We regularly host meetings of community groups and other partners, such as recovery groups, ministry groups working on racial and immigrant justice, and other groups working to support and improve the lives of people in Athens. Please reach out to oconeestreetumc@gmail.com if you’d like to be put in touch with our Trustees about use of our building.

Wedding Policy

As a reconciling congregation, Oconee Street celebrates and affirms all marriages and families, including those that don’t conform to hetero-normative concepts. We welcome the policy change of the United Methodist Church denomination in May 2024, which ended the denomination’s discriminatory marriage policies that denied marriage based on sexual orientation and gender identity. In keeping with our welcome statement, our church will gladly host celebrations of Christian marriage in our sanctuary for any couple wishing to unite, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Any couple wishing to discuss being married at OSUMC should reach out to Pastor Miki Chastain <miki.chastain@georgiaumc.net> to discuss our wedding policy.

RESOURCES