Jessica Bowman
Newsletter, Music Meeting & More

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.

Newsletter, Music Meeting & More
Jessica Bowman
UUA General Assembly 2026 Application

HVUUC is sending four individuals to UUA's virtual General Assembly this year, June 14-21! If you are interested in leadership development and building connections with other HVUUC folks as well as the wider UU community then please submit your application here: https://tinyurl.com/HVUUC-GA2026

Learn more about UUA's General Assembly here: https://www.uua.org/ga

Email vp@hvuuc.org with questions

UUA General Assembly 2026 Application
Jessica Bowman
Easter Sunday

Join us for church on April 5, 2026.

  • 9:30am Religious Education

  • 11:00am Service

  • 12:00pm Egg Hunt

  • 12:30pm Security Listening Circle

“Easter Sunday”

This Easter Sunday Rev. Tiffany and Alesha Chaffin explore the different ways we Unitarian Universalists relate to Jesus and the symbolism connected to Christian belief and practice.

Easter Sunday
Jessica Bowman
Executive Session Board Report

On 08/19/2025, the Board appointed a special task force to review policy around those who are survivors of domestic abuse. At a special Board meeting on 01/06/2026, the Safe Here Task Force reported back to the board with; a letter, a statement of conscience, a proposed Abuse Response Policy, appendices, and a proposed charge if the Board determined to create the suggested Survivor Care Collaborative. The Board reviewed the documents over the next two months, consulting with the UUA and an attorney. In an Executive Session at the Board’s meeting on 03/17/2026, the Board voted unanimously to move forward in the following ways to address concerns of survivors and those who are close to survivors, security, and covenantal living:

Executive Session Board Report
Jessica Bowman
April 2026 Newsletter

Headlines .…

· The April Fool

· New Men’s Group

· Security Listening Circle

· Easter Egg Hunt

· Astronomy Presentation

· Bocce Ball Clean Up?

· Annual Church Meeting

 

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.

April 2026 Newsletter

Pianist Opening

Pianist Opening

Know anyone who plays piano? Holston Valley Unitarian Universalist Church (Gray, TN) is searching for a pianist. The position is available immediately. Hourly rate commensurate with experience. Up to 4 hours per week. Must have ability to read music. Come join us in ALL types of music: hymns, folk, rock and choral.

Email vp@hvuuc.org with inquiries.

COVID Reflection and Community Mural Pop Up

The Religious Education Collaborative is offering a COVID Reflection and Community Mural Pop Up on Saturday, March 12th. This seems especially appropriate since we first suspended in-person services on March 15, 2020 and are planning to resume them on March 13, 2022!!!

This is an all-ages, intergenerational opportunity that will allow participants to examine individual and community COVID feelings. Children and youth are encouraged to create in a different room from their own adults so everyone gets to participate fully in the process.

RSVP

To reserve your spot, select the quantity for the time you would like (one ticket per person) and click the "RSVP" button. Click here to reserve your spot now.

This event will involve RE programming and ART!

There are two time slots available.

  • 12:00-2:00PM

  • 2:30-4:30PM

Supplies provided AND…

…we welcome your creative contributions that reflect some part of your COVID experience.

  • Child-sized masks your kids outgrew

  • Cloth masks you no longer use

  • Take-out menus

  • Magazines/calendars from the last 2 years

  • Photos, photos, photos! Photos of how you have grown/changed, things you’ve been doing, pod gatherings, and outdoor HVUUC events you’ve been at

We also will have paint, crayons, colored paper, March 2020 church newsletters, markers, glue, double-sided tape, etc—more than enough stuff to get our art on!

Remember that masks are still required. We hope to see you all at this meaningful community Pop Up!

Volunteers Needed for Reopening!

Volunteers Needed for Reopening!

IT TAKES A VILLAGE!

To resume in-person services, we need some cheerful volunteers. If you’re planning to join us in the sanctuary on Sunday mornings, please consider being part of the action. We need volunteers for the following activities:

  • Outdoor greeter—take touchless temperatures, make sure folks have masks & sanitize their hands, direct parents with children under 5 to Childcare

  • Indoor greeter/usher — hand out bulletins, help folks find seats, collect offering at end of service & direct folks to the deck for Social Hour

  • Video camera operator/tech — record the service, help Rev Tiffany prepare it for on-line use

  • Child Care Coordinator — help find & organize Child Care workers

  • Child Care Workers — ANY leads for these paid positions will be most appreciated!

Contact

If you’re looking forward to in-person church, & are willing to lend a hand to make that happen, please email reopeningtaskforce@hvuuc.org today. Tell us which of these activities you’d like to do—or ask questions. Details & training will be provided.

New Hospitality Covenant Group

New Hospitality Covenant Group

New Covenant Group beginning Tuesday March 1.

Hospitality as a Spiritual Practice

  • Facilitators: Denee Mattioli and Beth Calvert

  • Dates: March 1, 8, 22, 29 and April 5 and 12.

  • Place: In person at the church

  • Time: 7:00 – 8:30 PM

  • Sign up: By e-mailing denee@hvuuc.org

The term “radical hospitality” can be defined as the practice of putting an emphasis on making people feel welcome and focuses on breaking down barriers which prevent people from participating in any effort, event or community.

Like most other universally desirable virtues, we are never done with hospitality. It requires commitment and practice. It is a central and inaugural event in the world’s great wisdom traditions. Most religions share a sacred commitment to hosting the stranger.

At each group meeting, an anecdote about radical hospitality with the view of hospitality as a spiritual practice will be read This will be followed by group members sharing experiences with receiving or being denied hospitality or giving hospitality.

Important Survey for those Staying Online

Important Survey for those Staying Online

As we prepare for our dual-platform reopening we want to continue to meet the needs of those in our community who need to stay online.

Because our location does not provide strong enough internet to allow streaming of our in-person services, we expect to hold a "Zoom Watch Party" with some interactive elements later in the day using recorded elements of the morning in-person service hosted by Rev. Tiffany or one of our service leaders as well as a recording posted on Youtube.

If you plan to attend online instead of in-person please take this short, two question survey. Your feedback is important so we can better serve you.

Survey closes Tuesday March 1st.

Important Survey for those Staying Online

Important Survey for those Staying Online

As we prepare for our dual-platform reopening we want to continue to meet the needs of those in our community who need to stay online.

Because our location does not provide strong enough internet to allow streaming of our in-person services, we expect to hold a "Zoom Watch Party" with some interactive elements later in the day using recorded elements of the morning in-person service hosted by Rev. Tiffany or one of our service leaders as well as a recording posted on Youtube.

If you plan to attend online instead of in-person please take this short, two question survey. Your feedback is important so we can better serve you.

Survey closes Tuesday March 1st.

Updated Covid-19 Response Plan

Updated Covid-19 Response Plan

On Wednesday February 16th, 2022, Holston Valley Unitarian Universalist Church's Board of Trustees voted to approve a new Covid Response Plan recommended by the Reopening Task Force.

These changes reflect new recommendations issued by the Unitarian Universalist Association on January 21st, and our desire to give our congregation members more choices as people's risk tolerances and safety needs vary widely during this phase of the pandemic.

Click below to read more.

Youth Conventions at The Mountain in March

Youth Conventions at The Mountain in March

Youth Conventions or “CONs” are weekend long events planned by youth with adult support for youth from third grade to high school. At heart, a youth con is an experience in building covenantal community and empowering youth leadership.

Supported by the larger work of The Mountain, each con has a different theme and focus, but they all incorporate community building, fun, worship, and exploration of spirituality. Each event has its own covenant and is in covenant with The Mountain’s safety policies. Youth experience both the safety of being in a covenantal community and the responsibility to repair relationships when difficult situations arise.

Youth have the opportunity to serve in leadership roles to help plan events, help run events, help the CON community live in covenant, or be peer chaplains for emotional support.

When

  • Intermediate (6th – 8th graders): March 4 - 6 -2022

  • Elementary (3rd – 5th graders): March 18 - 20 - 2022

  • Senior High (9th – 12th graders): March 25 - 27 -2022

Registration deadline: February 25th 2022

Click here for more information or to register.

REGISTER: RE Game Day Pop Up

REGISTER: RE Game Day Pop Up

Religious Education is continuing to offer opportunities for fellowship for both children and adults. Our next RE Pop Up is a Game Day in February for all ages! We will have two spaces set up for adults, one space for youth, and one space for elementary aged kids.

Game Day Pop Up will be on February 19th from 1:00-3:00.

Please BYOG (Bring your own games)

Masks are required!

Register Now

Click here to reserve your free tickets today. Registration deadline is Feb 13th.