Jessica Bowman
Trans Day of Remembrance, HVUUC 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.

Trans Day of Remembrance, HVUUC Thanksgiving, & The Giving Tree
Jessica Bowman
Festivals of Light - Volunteers Needed

As winter approaches, so does Festivals of Lights on Dec 13! This is an annual, intergenerational service that recognizes different holidays around light that are celebrated by people in our congregation and people who have come before us. We are looking for speakers, candlelighters, and singers. This is a wonderful chance to get involved and there are opportunities for all ages and interests.

Email Sarah or Cathrine at festivals@hvuuc.org to volunteer!

We will also be decorating the sanctuary on Dec 12 from 9a-12pm and welcome all help. If you have any fresh evergreen trimmings, please bring them!

Festivals of Light - Volunteers Needed
Jessica Bowman
Stories of Healing and Forgiveness

Join us for church on Nov 8, 2026.

  • 9:30am RE

  • 11:00am Service

  • 12:00pm Potluck

  • 1:00pm Metaphysics Group

“Stories of Healing and Forgiveness”

What do the characters of the Medusa myth and the characters of the Moana Disney movie have in common? They can teach us a lot about the paths to healing, both when they work and when they don't work. Come explore these complexities with Rev. Tiffany.

(content warning for trauma stories and a brief mention of sexual assault)

Stories of Healing and Forgiveness
Jessica Bowman
Coffee Hour Volunteers Needed

A HUGE thank-you to the groups that have stepped up to help host Coffee Hour! The Men's Group, Social Justice Committee, and BUUK Club have all answered the call, and we truly appreciate their support! And of course, all of the other individuals that routinely step up to help.  

However, we still need volunteers to fill in the gaps. Never hosted Coffee Hour before? No worries! An experienced volunteer will show you the ropes and make sure you know everything you need to know. Not able to bring food? That's okay, too! We can provide the refreshments.

Hosting Coffee Hour is an easy way to help out, connect with fellow members, and make everyone feel welcome. All you need to bring is a little time and a willingness to help!  For more information, please contact coffeehour@hvuuc.org or speak to Debbie after church.

Coffee Hour Volunteers Needed
Jessica Bowman
🌉 RE Bridge Weekly | Beauty in the In-Between ...

💜 A Note from the DRE

💜✨ Child-care volunteers needed for Auction! ✨💜

🤝 Religious Exploration Collaborative (REC) in person again!

✨ Wonder Worship Returns!

🌟 Youth Group Gathering!

🎂 November Birthdays!

🌟 Gratitudes Across the Bridge

🌉 RE Bridge Weekly | Beauty in the In-Between 🍂 | Calling All Helping Hands

What is going on in Religious Education?

What is going on in Religious Education?

Friends,

Even while we are continuing to be physically distant through this pandemic, we are working hard to offer ways to connect. And, it's exciting!

Our Youth Group is busy! This October we are thrilled to kick off a chance for our youth to play Dungeons and Dragons. This is an excellent way for youth to connect with each other. Players rely on each character’s unique skills and interests to create an epic story and explore ethics and values while adventuring in a fantasy realm. In the campaign Sarah S. is running, players explore ruins, solve puzzles, and defeat monsters.

In addition, we will offer a couple of get-togethers for all youth, probably involving food and games or baking or crafts or outdoor fun.

In November Religious Education and Rev. Tiffany will be offering an outdoor Holiday ornament activity at Eastman Pavilions. This will be a great way for our unvaccinated children to gather together for fellowship in an outdoor space.

We hope that we see you all at Grand Oak Farm on October 23rd! Religious Education will be providing trick or treat bags and staffing the photo booth. Wear your best costume and register your pod here: https://forms.gle/E4mgG8w95V2pxkPPA

Please e mail Sarah at DRE@HVUUC.ORG with any questions

Fireside Fall Fun - RSVP

Fireside Fall Fun - RSVP

Come to Grand Oak Farm, October 23, at 5PM for some Fireside Fall Fun for a Halloween gathering to honor Karyn Cross for her service to our church as Office Administrator.

Bring your own dinner picnic to serve everyone in your Pod which will be socially distanced. Adults and kids are invited to wear costumes! Activities for the evening will be: two Bonfires (one for S'mores which be provided); A pumpkin patch where each pod will pick their pumpkin to decorate (bring all your decorations); A photo booth provided by the RE Youth and Trick or Treat for the kids to go to each Pod and receive some prepackaged goodies provided by you (only if you want to participate) and maybe a Halloween Movie on the Barn.

The COVID color coded ribbons will be used, but there should be plenty of room for us to spread out. The planning team is looking at other fun things to do so stay tuned. To register go to: https://forms.gle/gs2t8k3gBz3BuR857 by October 20, 2021

To donate toward a gift for Karyn Cross send money care of Reverend Tiffany Sapp at HVUUC, PO Box 8383, Gray, TN 36715.

Rev. Tiffany with Black/White Dialogue

Rev. Tiffany with Black/White Dialogue

The October 11 Zoom meeting, beginning at 6:00pm, will provide audio comments by Dr. Christena Cleveland, PhD, on the subject, “A Spiritual Pathway to Freedom and Mutuality for a Nation divided separating Race, Minorities, and the Disadvantaged from the majority.” While Dr. Cleveland speaks from a Christian viewpoint and her viewpoint focuses toward the Black/White divide, her wisdom and insight is beneficial to all who listen.

Rev. Tiffany Out of the Office

Rev. Tiffany Out of the Office

Rev. Tiffany's approach to her vacation time and professional development will be a little different than ministers that we've had in the past: she will be taking it in bits and pieces throughout the year instead of one big chunk during the summer.

And that first vacation week is almost here! Rev. Tiffany will be unavailable from Monday, October 4th until Sunday, October 10th. For regular needs reach out to the Caring Team at caring@hvuuc.org For pastoral emergencies please contact our President Ann Livengood at president@hvuuc.org.

Find Your Fellowship Group for Water Communion

Find Your Fellowship Group for Water Communion

Water Communion is coming on Sunday, Sept. 19. So what if you would like to attend in person as part of a larger (up to nine people) Fellowship Group but are single, a couple, or a very small group?

You have options!

Reach out to people on your own whom you’ve missed seeing AND if you would like help coordinating with other small groups, Charis (musicdirector@hvuuc.org) is happy to make matches! Just email her with the number of folx in your group before Wed. Sept., 15.

Facilities and Grounds Clean Up

In preparation for Water Communion (Sunday, Sept. 19 with a socially distanced, fully masked, outdoors-at-HVUUC option), and with the growing usage of our building by staff, small groups, and committees, we could use some help.

The gardens and grounds are overgrown and need some TLC to look their best after 18 months of exhuberant growth

If you can pitch in, please contact Greg K at facilities@hvuuc.org. Greg says that the work can be done individually and in small groups after you find out from him what needs to be done.

New Office Administrator!

New Office Administrator!

We are excited to announce the newest staff member at HVUUC! Jessica Bowman has joined the team as our office administrator. Jessica, her husband, and four children moved to the tri-city area in the summer of 2019. She enjoys hiking, various fiber arts, and craft beer.

Jessica will be keeping strict work hours so it’s important to keep that in mind when communicating time sensitive information moving forward. She will be in the office Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 - 2:30. You can reach her by phone during those hours at (423) 477-7661 or by email at office@hvuuc.org.