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.
Fifth Sunday August 30th
Kitchen of Hope in Kingsport is this month’s Fifth Sunday offering recipient. The Kitchen of Hope, where teams from various local organizations prepare and serve meals to anyone who needs them, has been operating since 1998. Everyone is welcome. On average, the kitchen serves 153 meals per day.
If you would like to learn more about the Kitchen of Hope, a video is available here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJMiT_zn8QU
If you would like to contribute, please place your gift in the envelope included in the bulletin on Sunday morning August 30th. If you cannot attend that Sunday but would like to participate, you can give electronically through our website at https://hvuuc.org/donate. Designate in the instructions that your contribution is for the “Fifth Sunday” collection. This option will be available August 23rd through September 6th.
Unshaken
Join us for church on August 16, 2026.
9:30 am Religious Education
11:00am Service
12:00pm Potluck
1:00pm Flamy Grant Concert!
“Unshaken”
Where do we find the courage to be ourselves? How can we stand unshaken in the midst of circumstances that rattle us? Join us for a service full of art and music that can help us connect to the courageous human spirit that dwells within each of us.
HVUUC Annual Church Picnic
Join us next Saturday, August 22, beginning at 400 to celebrate the end of summer with an afternoon filled with great food, laughter, games, and fellowship!
Hamburgers (beef, vegan, and vegetarian options) & hot dogs
Fruit Dessert Bake-Off Competition
Cornhole
Backgammon/Checkers
Bocce Ball
Jump house and bubble area for the children
Dunk Tank (weather permitting) – Ever wanted to soak your minister or a few brave church volunteers? Here’s your chance!
Door Prize Drawings
Email fellowship@hvuuc.org with any questions.
The Bridge Weekly - August 16, 2026 RE News
Paid Nursery Caregiver Substitute Opportunity
We're seeking an On-Call Nursery Caregiver Substitute to support our nursery throughout the year.
This flexible paid position is perfect for someone who enjoys working with young children and would like to serve our congregation on an occasional basis.
Position Highlights:
• Paid hourly
• Flexible on-call schedule
• Historically 6–8 substitute hours annually (may vary)
Responsibilities include creating a safe, welcoming, engaging environment where every child and family feels they belong.
A background check will be completed at no cost for the selected applicant.
Apply Here:
https://form.jotform.com/262084690861059
Women's Night, Flamy Grant Concert, & Solidarity Summit
RE Volunteers Make it Happen
Volunteers Make the Magic Happen
As our Religious Exploration programming continues to grow, so does our need for wonderful volunteers!
Whether you'd enjoy:
Leading a class
Assisting a facilitator
Helping little hands explore the garden
Supporting Wonder Worship
Or serving quietly behind the scenes...
...there is a place for your unique gifts.
Each Sunday we're currently seeking:
2 adults for K–2
2 adults for Grades 3–5
2 adults for Grades 6–12
1 Adult Discussion Group Guide
1–2 Wonder Worship volunteers (serving 2–3 Sundays each month)
Not a classroom person? Wonderful! We have plenty of behind-the-scenes opportunities as well.
If you'd like to explore where your interests and gifts best align, we'd love to hear from you!
Volunteer Interest Form:
https://form.jotform.com/262058660418055
Background checks are required for those serving with children and youth and are provided by the church at no cost to you.
The Merchant's Last Coin
Join us for church on August 9, 2026.
9:30 am Religious Education
11:00am Service
12:00pm Coffee Hour
12:30pm Metaphysical Group Presentation
“The Merchant's Last Coin”
The Merchant's Last Coin is a story of a person who gives up everything for the sake of greed. How much can we lose when we lose sight of who we are? And if greed can transform us, can generosity do the same?
Religious Exploration: A Little More Space to Breathe
A Little Space to Breathe Before Our RE Year Begins!
Our fall Religious Exploration schedule has shifted! Summer All-Ages RE will continue August 9, 16 & 23, followed by a celebratory All-Ages RE Kickoff on August 30. After our Labor Day weekend pause, regular K–12 and Adult RE classes will officially begin September 13!
Religious Exploration: A Little More Space to Breathe
After hearing from our RE community, we're excited to share our updated schedule for the beginning of our new Religious Exploration year!
August is a season of transition—summer winds down, school begins, schedules shift, and families and volunteers start finding their new grooves. Your responses made it clear that a little extra space to breathe before jumping into our regular classes is very welcome!
Here's our new schedule:
Religious Exploration Registration
Registrations are officially OPEN!
Whether you're enrolling a little one, a youth, or yourself, now is the perfect time to reserve your place for the year ahead.
A special note for our adults: If you're currently participating in—or interested in joining—one of our Adult Discussion Groups, please take a moment to complete the registration form, too. Registration isn't just for children...YOU matter, too!
Your registration helps us:
* Plan for our continually growing programs.
* Understand participation as we dream about future expansion.
* Keep our communication lists up-to-date so everyone who wants information receives it.
Register Today:
Nursery through Grade 12:
https://form.jotform.com/262060977369064
Adult Discussion Groups:
https://form.jotform.com/262061181173146
You can also find program descriptions and QR codes on colorful material throughout the sanctuary, in the lobby, on the REZ door and billboard, and in the Fellowship Hall!
Social Justice Survey
Let us know what kinds of social justice issues you’re interested in tackling as a congregation by taking this quick survey from the Social Justice Committee.
Click here to take the survey
Email sjchair@hvuuc.org with any questions.
Metaphysics Presentation, Flamy Grant Concert, and August Newsletter
Why UU?
Join us for church on August 2, 2026.
Don’t forget to bring a backpack or school supply this Sunday for our backpack blessing for all students and teachers!
9:30 am Religious Education
11:00am Service
12:00pm Coffee Hour
“Why UU?”
Hear from a number of people in our community why they have chosen to be Unitarian Universalist. We will also have a backpack blessing to bless our students and teachers as they prepare to go back to school.
August 2026 Newsletter
Headlines .…
Flamy Grant Concert
Church Picnic
Social Justice Survey
Church Yard Sale
Church Bake Off
Different Potluck Date
Women’s Retreat
Fall RE Registration
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.
The Bridge Weekly — August 2, 2026
Registrations are officially OPEN! 🎉
🎒 Backpack Blessing — August 2
💜 Volunteers Make the Magic Happen
👶 Paid Nursery Caregiver Substitute Opportunity
🌈 Join the HVUUC Families Facebook Group
🌟 Religious Exploration Collaborative (REC)
✨ Wonder Worship Begins August 9!
🌞 Summer All-Ages Religious Exploration
Lughnasadh, Backpack Blessing, Women's Retreat & Church Picnic
August Newsletter Deadline
Lessons from a Day of Prayer
Join us for church on July 26, 2026.
9:30 am Religious Education
11:00am Service
12:00pm Coffee Hour
12:30pm Social Justice Committee Meeting
Lessons from a Day of Prayer
When Rev. Tiffany attended an Interfaith Day of Prayer, she learned a lot about building interfaith community, and about the nature of prayer itself. What do these lessons have to teach us about living our value of Pluralism?
Games for the Church Picnic
Does anyone have a chess or checkers set (or two) they'd be willing to let us borrow for the upcoming church picnic? We'd love to add a little friendly competition to the day. Bragging rights are free, but good sportsmanship is required. If you have a set we can borrow, please contact fellowship@hvuuc.org or talk to Debbie Vasut after a service.