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.)
The Buddhist tradition has a lot to say about the connections between Peace and Power, and the connections between our inner state of being and how we impact the world. This Sunday Rev. Tiffany gets a little help from bestselling author and Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh to explore these big questions.
We all want to make a difference in this world, but sometimes our narrow vision of what "counts" as activism or social change can limit and paralyze us. This Sunday Rev. Tiffany explores the many ways we can make a difference, with the help of a book that all the Unitarian Universalists are reading this year: Social Change Now by Deepa Ayer.
In the beauty and complexity of this world, no two brains are alike. The Neurodiversity alliance estimates that 15 to 20% of the population is neurodiverse whether they have ADHD, are Autistic, are Dyslexic, or some other unique way of looking at the world. This Sunday Rev. Tiffany explores the Neurodiverse Universe that we live in, and takes a look at how our community is stronger and better because of the neurodiversity within our congregation.
Safety and Security has emerged as a big topic that our congregation has a lot of interest in at the moment. To best understand where the congregation is at with these matters, a team of board members, facilities volunteers and your minister are hosting Listening Circles to gather everyone's thoughts as we discern a way to move forward for our congregation's safety and security.
All security listening circles will contain the same content, just on different days and different formats.
They are:
In Person: Sunday April 5th from 1:00pm to 3:00pm
Zoom: Tuesday March 24th from 6:30pm to 8:30pm
zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/99010898582?pwd=hwS9ZTXDtnHb6YuUaUyZSCgmNxpkKC.1
Our Annual Pledge Drive Ends Sunday March 22nd. It is important that Friends and especially Members pledge. These times are unsure, but please be sure that this church can stay open this next year! more than half of the congregation has pledged so far. It's important that you pledge not the amount!
Email pledge@hvuuc.org with any questions.
I’m refreshing the RE snack cabinet and fridge, and I’d love your input! We want to make sure the snacks and drinks we keep on hand are things our community actually enjoys — everything from healthy bites to fun treats is welcome here (no snack judgment in this space ).
If you have a moment, please share your favorites in this quick survey:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScLRC_tGwqus-WQlhrNsc0uINae5Ctparjlo2if_1eCWZQc8Q/viewform?usp=header
Thank you for helping keep our snack game strong!
K–5 RE
Brooklyn and Kita will be leading the class in the lesson “Why Do People Disagree?” The group will explore perspective, how listening to someone else’s viewpoint can help us understand more deeply, and how even when we disagree, we can still practice kindness and respect.
6–12 RE
This week the youth begin a new adventure they designed themselves! The curriculum they chose for the remainder of the season is centered around them — focusing on emotional regulation, acceptance, resilience, and practical topics they feel will help them step confidently into young adulthood, such as budgeting and taxes. It’s a beautifully aligned program the youth created together, with true UU spirit guiding the process.
Last weekend was also an exciting one for them. The youth distributed the food bags they created at The Melting Pot in Johnson City, and even had the opportunity to connect with the director there about future community service collaborations. They felt proud of their work — and they absolutely should!
Adult RE 2
This week Heather will be facilitating a conversation that connects with Sunday’s service theme around peace, power, and the ways we shape the world around us. The discussion will invite participants to reflect on how our values guide our actions, how power can be expressed through compassion and courage, and how each of us contributes to building a more peaceful and just world.
Help us restock the RE kitchen with snacks and drinks that spark joy! Share your favorites (healthy, sweet, salty, fizzy — no judgment here!) and help us create a welcoming, delicious space for all ages.
We’re refreshing our RE snack cabinets and fridge — and we’d love your input!
Around here, we believe in joyful experiences, self-love, and snack discernment. That means we honor the kale chips and the cookies. The sparkling water and the soda. The wholesome and the mischievous.
Tell us:
* What snacks make you happiest
* What drinks you actually reach for
* Whether brand names matter to you
Your input helps us balance stewardship and celebration — creating a space that feels welcoming, thoughtful, and well-stocked for everyone.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScLRC_tGwqus-WQlhrNsc0uINae5Ctparjlo2if_1eCWZQc8Q/viewform?usp=header
Thank you for helping us nourish both body and community
Our K–5 Religious Education team is almost fully scheduled for March — and we’re just two volunteers away from completing the month!
We’re currently seeking:
A co-facilitator with Kita on March 8
A co-facilitator with Greg on March 22
Facilitators are never alone — lessons are prepared, you're paired with another volunteer, and support is always nearby. What matters most is your presence and willingness to help create a warm, engaging space for our young learners.
If one of these dates aligns for you, please reach out to Jess Ox at dre@hvuuc.org. Shared ministry thrives when many hands and hearts contribute. We are so grateful for 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.
A new group is forming to care for the physical needs of our members and friends. We need someone to lead this effort.
Who do you contact when you need physical help and want to ask the church for a hand? Our church has plenty of people willing to help. We need a Point Of Contact to receive requests and communicate with volunteers. Today it is an idea without a formal name. There is an opportunity to help this take form and support to get you started.
In the past, this effort was conducted by the men's group; we want to extend this group to include all genders. Typically we would receive 6-8 requests in a year that were managed on the fly, so we expect this to take a small amount of time while making a meaningful impact.
If you would like more information, please contact programs@hvuuc.org.
Don’t forget it’s Day Light Savings this week!
Join us for church on March 8, 2026.
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Service
12:00pm Potluck
“The Seven Deadly Sins”
On International Women's Day Rev. Tiffany explores the Seven Deadly Sins from a feminist perspective. Where did the Seven Deadly Sins come from? What is their purpose? And how can we use this framework to consider how we shape our own meaningful and happy lives?
There is so much beautiful movement happening across our Religious Education community this week — thank you for being part of it all.
K–5 RE
Kita and Sue will be guiding our young humans through the lesson “What Is Time?” This playful and thoughtful exploration will include a one-minute challenge game, creating 3D stars, and (weather permitting!) some time enjoying the beautiful outdoors together.
Families are also invited to continue participating in the ongoing Gratitude Zine challenge and to make use of the Sanctuary Fidget Station — both small but meaningful practices that support our shared worship experience.
6–12 RE
This Saturday, March 7th, those who are available will be handing out food and care bags at The Melting Pot in downtown Johnson City as part of our continued outreach efforts. If you have any questions, please email Jess Ox at HVUUCDRE@gmail.com
During Sunday’s class, youth will reflect on the service event — celebrating what felt aligned, noting what could evolve, and continuing to build upon our growing collaborative connection with The Melting Pot. They will also finalize their curriculum shift goals for the remainder of the session.
Reminder: Families registered for Stellar Sex Health (grades 6–8) are reminded that classes meet in the Meditation Room.
Adult RE 2
Byron will be facilitating this week, holding space for rich conversation, thoughtful reflection, and meaningful connection. Adult RE continues to be a place where curiosity, lived experience, and deep listening come together in powerful ways.
As our Adult RE community grows, we are exploring the possibility of adding an Adult RE 3 group to support smaller discussion circles and deeper engagement. We would love your input! Please consider sharing your thoughts through our
More Circles, More Connection Survey:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfRkninSMUUyju7xlfmmnbDRpm3vgx9faiov0xLC2szIbmzsQ/viewform?usp=header
Thank you for being part of this shared ministry — learning, growing, and building together.
Love & Light,
Jess Ox
Jess Ox and Alesha are building a gender affirmation support workshop and would love your input. This short, anonymous survey helps them tailor the experience to real-life needs and relationships within our community.
Alesha and Jess Ox are collaborating on an upcoming workshop centered around gender affirmation support.
The intention is to offer practical tools, thoughtful processes, and supportive language that help loved ones show up in ways that feel aligned and affirming — whether as parents, friends, congregants, leaders, or community members.
We know that for some, pronouns are deeply personal. For others, it may feel like new terrain. For many, it’s a mix of curiosity, care, and wanting to “get it right.”
This short, anonymous survey will help us understand:
* What pronouns mean to you
* How comfortable you feel using them
* What kind of support or tools would be helpful
* The roles and relationships you’re hoping to strengthen
Your voice helps us build something that meets real needs with compassion and clarity.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf9Sx-pB-vlqLqv75i8SiRQFOgWlIVUBSTcvtMnFEfEKkdz8Q/viewform?usp=header
Thank you for growing with us
We are excited to offer Zelle giving! This allows you to donate digitally without paying a credit card fee of 3%. You can do a one-time donation, or schedule donations. Go here to see if your bank offers Zelle https://enroll.zellepay.com/
In order to utilize Zelle, you’ll go through your online banking page. You can do this both on your phone or using your computer. We’ll also have QR codes to scan in person. The information you need is below.
Name of Business: Holston Valley Unitarian Universalist Church
Email: treasurer@hvuuc.org
Questions? Email treasurer@hvuuc.org
To the wonderful HVUUC members and friends … our facility is in need of careful painter skills.
Both inside and outside work is available as weather permits.
Please Contact facilities@hvuuc.org and lets work as a team to improve our facilities.
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
· Painting Needs
· Tree Day
· Pledge Drive
· Women’s Night
· Youth Group
· Astronomy Presentation
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
Join us for church on March 1, 2026.
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Service
12:00pm Coffee Hour
“Wild Bodema Women Drummers”
Wild Bodema is a women’s percussion group specializing in music from West Africa using instruments from that area. Bodema means “wimmin who drum” and their energetic beats are sure to call to your inner sense of rhythmic wildness. Based in Asheville, NC, the group performs regionally to share their joy of rhythm and their love of community.