🌉 The Bridge Weekly — August 2, 2026
✨ Hello, you gorgeous souls! ✨
Can you feel it? The new Religious Exploration year is just around the corner, and so many exciting things are beginning to bloom!
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!
🎒 Backpack Blessing — August 2
This Sunday we'll celebrate the beginning of a new school year with our annual Backpack Blessing during worship.
Students and teachers are invited to bring a backpack, notebook, favorite school supplies, or another meaningful item to be blessed by the congregation. Together we'll celebrate our
interdependence and send our love, encouragement, and hopes with everyone as they begin a new school year.
Bring your backpack to church this Sunday!
💜 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.
👶 Paid Nursery Caregiver Substitute Opportunity
We're also 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
🌈 Join the HVUUC Families Facebook Group
Stay connected with upcoming events, reminders, family conversations, photos, and all the wonderful happenings throughout the year.
https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1HA3y3F6gz/
🌟 Religious Exploration Collaborative (REC)
Sunday, August 2 • 5:00 PM Via Zoom
Everyone interested in Religious Exploration is welcome!
This month's meeting includes:
● Facilitator training updates
● Wonder Worship updates
● Church picnic planning
● Dreaming together about experiences we'd love to create throughout the 2026–2027 church year
Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/95967749088?pwd=oB1bgnnsjoCQVBlRdffEwEJj0molbd.1
✨ Wonder Worship Begins August 9!
Our new Wonder Worship ministry launches next Sunday!
The Wonder Worship Task Force will hold our next planning meeting:
Thursday, July 30 12:30 PM via Zoom
If you'd still like to be part of this exciting adventure, we'd love to welcome you! Simply reach out to Jess Ox at hvuucdre@gmail.com, and we'll send you the Zoom invitation.
🌞 Summer All-Ages Religious Exploration
Joy & Emotional Regulation
Facilitated by Jess Ox & Elizabeth Franco
Joy isn't simply something that happens to us—it grows when we learn to understand ourselves.
Join us for playful, all-ages activities as we explore how our bodies, hearts, and minds work together. Through movement, games, laughter, and simple mindfulness practices, we'll discover ways to recognize our emotions, regulate them with kindness, and create more space for joy in everyday life.
This week's class will meet in the Meditation Room on the second floor of the REZ Building.
We’ll see you there! 💜