Let's Chat Covenant Group is a discussion group with no specific topic but is wide ranging discussion group where we explore how we, as people in this ever confusing world choose to be in harmony with other people for a time together.

When

We meet 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month, from 6:30 to 8:30. We are now meeting in the Susan B Anthony room in the REZ (Religious Education Zone) which is the building to the left of the main church building. Come check us out.

If interested please contact Greg Kramer before you come. letschat@hvuuc.org

Join us for in-person church on Sunday, June 12, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.! Plan to stay after the service for Coffee Hour.

Click for more service details and events.

All who identify as women are invited to the monthly Women's BrUUnch Bunch on Monday, June 13th. This group meets every month on the second Monday, beginning at 10:00am, in the Fred Ball Room.

This event gives HVUUC women an opportunity to socialize in an informal setting. The host for June is Michele Markstrom-Frisch. We ask that each person bring a brunch item to share. Beverages will be provided.

Please email Michele Markstrom-Frisch at brunch@hvuuc.org for more information or to let her know that you will be attending.

June 2022 nUUsletter highlights:

Click here to read the entire newsletter.

Click here for past newsletters.

Up to date church info is always available at www.hvuuc.org

As General Assembly approaches, I am reflecting on how a key part of our Unitarian Universalist identity is that we are a democratic religious movement. General Assembly is the annual meeting where delegates from all over the nation gather to vote on the direction our movement will take, elect representatives to the UUA's Board, and also get a chance to learn from amazing speakers, workshops and worship services.

In Unitarian Universalism, the goal is for everyone to have a voice and a vote. This year, we have three delegates serving as the voice and vote of Holston Valley Unitarian Universalist Church.

Our delegates are going to General Assembly to REPRESENT YOU, which means that listening to our community is an essential part of how they do that representing.

Click to read more important details.

Calling all weed whackers, root diggers and anyone else that wants to help get our playground ready for our Religious Education sign-up day!

If you have a weed eater, loppers, hand tools or just want to use your hands to pull those imposing weeds, come on out to be a part of this work day. Other tasks include mulching and some things that require mechanical skills, if that’s more your skill.

Anyone willing to use their truck or trailer to haul mulch is much appreciated. If you can’t come on this day, no worries, there are plenty of open dates that you can pick from. Please contact me to work out another date/time.

Light snacks and water will be served. Lunch will NOT be served.

Thanks, Doug (Facilities Trustee)

faciliates@hvuuc.org

Join us for in-person church on Sunday, June 5, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.! Plan to stay after the service for Coffee Hour.

Click for more service details and events.

Fall Adult Religious Education Special Class series co-facilitated by Rev. Tiffany Sapp and Director of Religious Education Sarah White

This specially designed Unitarian Universalist workshop series is for people who are wanting to examine their past religious connections in a way that invites them to bring the positive elements of those experiences forward, and release those that need to be left behind. The workshop provides some simple tools for processing personal experiences, some with group sharing and some through private exploration.

This five session class will meet on Sunday afternoons from 12:30pm to 2:30pm. We would like a commitment to attend all classes, but if one must be missed we can provide make-up materials.

Dates:

• 9/4

• 9/18

• 10/2

• 10/16

• 11/6

To sign up for the class please email minister@hvuuc.org

Soapbox Sunday is coming up and we want to hear from you!

Each Sunday that's closest to the Fourth of July, we invite members and friends of our congregation to take to the pulpit for a brief (4 minutes long, 400-500 words) presentation on a topic that you are passionate about.

In opening the floor to speakers, the congregation is celebrating an American tradition - freedom of speech. We hold that a "free and responsible search for truth and meaning" is a key Unitarian Universalist value that we embrace on this day.

Space is limited so email Rev. Tiffany with your topic idea to minister@hvuuc.org

On Sunday June 12th at 6:30pm on Zoom, anyone interested will gather to meet with Rev. Tiffany Sapp and our three delegates to General Assembly.

Rev. Tiffany will share what she knows about the agenda items for General Assembly that our delegates will be voting on, and then any participants in this forum will be able to ask questions and share their thoughts with our delegates.

We believe in the right of conscience and the power of the democratic process. This is your chance to make sure your voice is heard at General Assembly!

Click here to see the General Assembly Business Agenda. This Agenda describes the Business Resolutions and Election Candidates that our delegates will be voting on. Business Resolutions and Candidates start on page 80 of the pdf.

For questions, email minister@hvuuc.org

To register for this Zoom meeting, click here.

On Thursday June 9th at 6:30pm, on Zoom, we will have a special called Social Justice Call to Action Meeting to vote on two separate position statements.

Click for full details and registration.

Religious Education is hosting a pizza party for our children and youth immediately after the service on June 14th, outside on our deck.

This will be an opportunity for the kids to gather, eat, and play outside for a bit. And, for their adults to get them registered for RE!

Email dre@hvuuc.org with any questions.

Join us for a pop up 4th Saturday game night on May 28th! Your game host's focus is on games considered a bit more 'involved.' This means games with maybe more rules or fiddly playing pieces than a simple party game... DiceForge, RoboRally, SmallWorld, Clank, Skull King, etc. all come to mind as potentials. No, we aren't limited to only those involved type of games, though. People can come and pitch all sorts of favorite games. If you want to lead a favorite game, you should be fluent in the rules and mechanics to be able to teach it to others.

Please email all submissions for the June Newsletter by Monday, May 30 to newsletter@hvuuc.org.

Through the generosity of HVUUC and a few community members, we have successfully reserved a bus to the Poor People's Campaign! Now we need to fill the seats!

We need riders to represent HVUUC and Northeast TN to attend the Poor People's Campaign June 18th in Washington, DC. This will be a truly historic event and offers a unique learning experience that cannot be found in our educational systems.

It's a long day.. and so worthwhile! We meet at the Pinnacle Shopping parking lot at 1:00AM., arrive in DC about 9:00AM, return about 3:00PM and arrive home again at Pinnacle about 11:00PM.

We are planning a gathering June 12th to make signs. The buses have bathrooms, wifi and most have electrical outlets. It's uber comfortable ;)

If you want to learn some heart-breaking statistics about poverty issues in our state... watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSlG2AsM4P4

Sign up after church or email SJchair@hvuuc.org or call Bob Warner. Let's make history together!

During Rev. Tiffany's Eighth Principle sermon she referenced some resources to go deeper into this topic. Here are a few great places to start.

Eighth Principle Website, specifically the "background" page: https://www.8thprincipleuu.org/background

A few really key blog posts from Shannon Lang:

https://www.uua.org/braverwiser/putting-armor

https://www.uua.org/worship/words/reading/doing-work-needs-be-done

Sermon from Rev. Paula Cole Jones, one of the authors of the Eighth Principle, about the Eighth Principle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUvJ3c1xSu8

And Ibram X. Kendi's book "How to Be Antiracist": https://www.amazon.com/How-Be-Antiracist-Ibram-Kendi/dp/0525509283/

In the past, the Social Justice Committee has brought out the "food wagon" during Sunday service collecting donations that will go to local area food pantries. It's time to load up the wagon once again as hunger is a real issue in our area.

For guidance on what to bring, here is a link to an article entitled "20 Items Your Food Bank Needs the Most".

THANK YOU!

A 5th Sunday offering will be collected on May 29. In keeping with the second quarter focus on environmental issues, the Social Justice Committee has designated this offering to go to Jacob’s Nature Park.

A representative from the park will give a brief presentation during the service. Checks for donation should be made out to HVUUC with 5th Sunday offering in the memo line or donations may be made in cash. Checks can also be mailed to HVUUC.