Holston Valley Unitarian Universalist Church
We embrace diversity within the congregation’s membership and in theology. We are committed to being a vital and growing progressive congregation within our larger community. And we promote spiritual growth, religious freedom, and ethical action.
We hope you will visit our church. Our worship services are at 11:00am; children’s and adult religious education classes are at 9:30am.
Sunday Schedule
9:30 a.m. Religious Education Classes
11:00 a.m. Sunday Worship Service
12:00 p.m. Coffee Hour
Past Services: HVUUC YouTube
Upcoming Services (Sundays @ 11 a.m.)
We can only become our truest selves, our most holy and hopeful selves, when we touch the wounds of God not by turning away from suffering but by confronting it. Join us this Sunday as Chaplain Michael Woods shares his thoughts on this important topic.
Part of HVUUC's Vision statement is that we "transform ourselves, our community and our world," but how do we do this? This Sunday Rev. Tiffany shares her personal story of how she has engaged with the Buddhist Metta meditation for over a decade now and how she has experienced this practice's transformative power in her life.
In Unitarian Universalism there are many sources in the quest for truth and meaning, and music is a significant Source for many of us. This Sunday John Franjione, Wendy Hearl, and Rev. Tiffany lead us in a celebration of the music of Queen, and explore what wisdom we can glean from the life of Freddie Mercury
A beloved celebration of many traditions around this time of year from many faiths.
Warmth in a cold world, light in a dark space - what do these mean to our species, our society, our community, and ourselves? What do these teach us literally and metaphorically? How can the physical flame inform us about altruism in rebellious acts? And why should we continue to carry these torches and fan these flames? Join us with local church member Alesha Chaffin to ponder the gift of fire granted from the gods as we explore the question: What Does It Mean To Be Promethean?
Our beloved New Years tradition returns! A group of our HVUUC men and others volunteer to cook a pancake breakfast with common breakfast sides. Alongside the eating, is an informal show of talent, and if musicians choose, it wraps up in an on-the-spot jam session.
TN Environmental Council Tree Day is March 15, 2025. Order early for best selection.
Plant a tree!
The TN Environmental Council has announced its 2025 annual Tree Day event.
Planting trees benefits our environment in many ways including decreasing air pollution, filtering rainwater, and improving wildlife and pollinator habitats. For more information about the impact of native trees: https://www.tectn.org/tennesseetreeprogram.html
Tree orders are underway and continue through early March 2025. Order early for the widest species selection. To order seedlings visit: https://www.tectn.org/tennesseetreeday.html
HVUUC is serving again as a community pick-up location! The dates are March 14th and 15th, 2025. Volunteers welcome to help with bundling and distribution during morning hours. We will need a tall stack of newspaper to bundle seedlings. Newspaper donations appreciated early 2025.
For questions or to participate one or both days contact, environment@hvuuc.org
Please email all submissions for the December newsletter by Monday November 25th to newsletter@hvuuc.org.
The office will be closed Thursday November 28th for Thanksgiving.
Upcoming News and Events
Click through for a collection of upcoming news and events at HVUUC. Click the images to be directed to more information.
Our guest speaker has requested that this service not be filmed and posted on YouTube, so we encourage you to come in-person if you can. But if you cannot make it, we would like to recommend you revisit this March 2021 service about Evolution, preached by our Minister Emeritus Rev. Jeff Briere:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeMNVhEXx5o
Join us for church on November 17, 2024!
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:00pm Coffee Hour
“Before We Were Human: Celebrating Lucy’s 50th”
Join us in observing the 50th anniversary of the discovery of “Lucy”, a fossil which revolutionized our understanding of human evolution. We will be joined by Dr. Larry Bowman, ETSU Biology Faculty, who will help us appreciate the scientific significance and impact of this discovery. The Atheist Group is proud to organize a service that provides time for us all to reflect on the natural history of our species.
For the past week our church email system was down. The good news is it’s up and running again! The bad news is if you submitted a JotForm for News and Events or emailed anyone with an @hvuuc.org address in the past week it was not delivered.
Please resubmit anything that may have gotten lost.
Thank you!
Upcoming News and Events
Click through for a collection of upcoming news and events at HVUUC. Click the images to be directed to more information.
Join us for church on November 10, 2024!
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:00pm Sunday Potluck
“The Resilience Toolbox”
How do we dig deep to find our Resilience when times are challenging? Join us for a morning of poetry and song, hope and community, as we explore how to strengthen and support each other as we move through always changing times.
Our email forwarding system is temporarily down. If you have sent an email to an HVUUC address in the past three days it may not have arrived at its destination.
If you need to reach out to staff please use the direct emails below.
Office: hvuucoffice@gmail.com
Minister: tiffanysappuu@gmail.com
DRE: hvuucdre@gmail.com
Music Director: jshawcross700@gmail.com
Scammers are at it again! If you see an email that appears to be from Rev. Tiffany or any other staff member but does not come from an email you recognize be sure you never give out passwords, or any personal information. Email minister@hvuuc.org to be sure you’re interacting with Rev. Tiffany.
Upcoming News and Events
Click through for a collection of upcoming news and events at HVUUC. Click the images to be directed to more information.
Headlines
Minister’s Note
Disaster Relief Resources
Sunday Potluck
Thanksgiving Potluck
Service Auction
The Giving Tree
Green Arts Festival
Click here to read the entire newsletter.
Click here for past newsletters.
You can also find a few printed copies at our visitors table in the sanctuary.
Up to date church info is always available at www.hvuuc.org
Upcoming News and Events
Click through for a collection of upcoming news and events at HVUUC. Click the images to be directed to more information.
Don’t forget to turn your clocks back this Sunday!
In honor of All Souls Day and Samhain, we will be remembering family, friends, and important figures who have passed away in the last year. Please bring photos or mementos for anyone you wish to honor, to place upon our altar.
Join us for church on November 3, 2024!
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:00pm Coffee Hour and Youth Bake Sale
12:15pm Choir Rehearsal
“A Year of Memories”
All Souls Day, Samhain, and Dia de Los Muertos all happen around the first of November, and are different culture's ways of remembering those who have passed away but are still very much in our hearts. During this service we specifically remember those who have passed away since last year, both in our HVUUC community, and in the world at large. Please bring photos of departed loved ones for our altar.
Don't forget to come in costume this Sunday!
Join us for church on October 27, 2024!
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:00pm Coffee Hour
12:00pm Trunk or Treating!
“Who is Coming to Our Door? A Halloween Celebration.”
The porch light is on and bowl of candy is prepared, who will come knocking on our door this year? We never know who is going to show up, but we know we always learn something when we see who we connect with enough to dress up as them! Come in costume and bring your kids, make sure to stay for the Trunk or Treat afterwards.
The Social Justice Committee is reminding everyone that it's the time of year for collecting Giving Tree items. Our tree will be in need of items for children, women, and men such as:
gloves
hats
scarves
socks
underwear
feminine hygiene items
washcloths
soap
lotion
shampoo and conditioner
On Sunday, November 3, the Giving Tree donation bin will be in the Fred Ball room next to the grocery card table. You may leave items as they are packaged. Or, if you choose, you may put items in ziploc bags, just not the zippered bags. We will collect items all through the holiday season to keep the tree replenished. Additionally, monetary donations are welcomed and we will do the shopping for you!
Everyone is invited to help decorate our tree on Friday, November 29 at 11am. A tall ladder would be a great help, as well. The tree lighting ceremony is at 6:30 on November 30.
If you have questions, please feel free to talk with Mary Williamson or Michele Markstrom-Frisch. Our email address is givingtree@hvuuc.org.