Jessica Bowman
Religious Education Update

I’m refreshing the RE snack cabinet and fridge, and I’d love your input! We want to make sure the snacks and drinks we keep on hand are things our community actually enjoys — everything from healthy bites to fun treats is welcome here (no snack judgment in this space ).

If you have a moment, please share your favorites in this quick survey:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScLRC_tGwqus-WQlhrNsc0uINae5Ctparjlo2if_1eCWZQc8Q/viewform?usp=header

Thank you for helping keep our snack game strong!


K–5 RE
Brooklyn and Kita will be leading the class in the lesson “Why Do People Disagree?” The group will explore perspective, how listening to someone else’s viewpoint can help us understand more deeply, and how even when we disagree, we can still practice kindness and respect.

6–12 RE
This week the youth begin a new adventure they designed themselves! The curriculum they chose for the remainder of the season is centered around them — focusing on emotional regulation, acceptance, resilience, and practical topics they feel will help them step confidently into young adulthood, such as budgeting and taxes. It’s a beautifully aligned program the youth created together, with true UU spirit guiding the process.

Last weekend was also an exciting one for them. The youth distributed the food bags they created at The Melting Pot in Johnson City, and even had the opportunity to connect with the director there about future community service collaborations. They felt proud of their work — and they absolutely should!

Adult RE 2
This week Heather will be facilitating a conversation that connects with Sunday’s service theme around peace, power, and the ways we shape the world around us. The discussion will invite participants to reflect on how our values guide our actions, how power can be expressed through compassion and courage, and how each of us contributes to building a more peaceful and just world.

Religious Education Update
Jessica Bowman
Sacred Snacks & Joyful Nommms

Help us restock the RE kitchen with snacks and drinks that spark joy! Share your favorites (healthy, sweet, salty, fizzy — no judgment here!) and help us create a welcoming, delicious space for all ages.

We’re refreshing our RE snack cabinets and fridge — and we’d love your input!

Around here, we believe in joyful experiences, self-love, and snack discernment. That means we honor the kale chips and the cookies. The sparkling water and the soda. The wholesome and the mischievous.

Tell us:

* What snacks make you happiest
* What drinks you actually reach for
* Whether brand names matter to you

Your input helps us balance stewardship and celebration — creating a space that feels welcoming, thoughtful, and well-stocked for everyone.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScLRC_tGwqus-WQlhrNsc0uINae5Ctparjlo2if_1eCWZQc8Q/viewform?usp=header

Thank you for helping us nourish both body and community

Sacred Snacks & Joyful Nommms
Jessica Bowman
Two Spots Left to Complete Our March K–5 Team!

Our K–5 Religious Education team is almost fully scheduled for March — and we’re just two volunteers away from completing the month!

We’re currently seeking:

A co-facilitator with Kita on March 8

A co-facilitator with Greg on March 22

Facilitators are never alone — lessons are prepared, you're paired with another volunteer, and support is always nearby. What matters most is your presence and willingness to help create a warm, engaging space for our young learners.

If one of these dates aligns for you, please reach out to Jess Ox at dre@hvuuc.org. Shared ministry thrives when many hands and hearts contribute. We are so grateful for you!

Two Spots Left to Complete Our March K–5 Team!
Jessica Bowman
Pronoun Survey, Youth Group, and Giving with ...

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.

Pronoun Survey, Youth Group, and Giving with Zelle
Jessica Bowman
Volunteers Needed for New Helping Hands Group

A new group is forming to care for the physical needs of our members and friends. We need someone to lead this effort.


Who do you contact when you need physical help and want to ask the church for a hand? Our church has plenty of people willing to help. We need a Point Of Contact to receive requests and communicate with volunteers. Today it is an idea without a formal name. There is an opportunity to help this take form and support to get you started.

In the past, this effort was conducted by the men's group; we want to extend this group to include all genders. Typically we would receive 6-8 requests in a year that were managed on the fly, so we expect this to take a small amount of time while making a meaningful impact.

If you would like more information, please contact programs@hvuuc.org.

Volunteers Needed for New Helping Hands Group

Call for Auction Items

Call for Auction Items

Auction items are needed; please consider what you can donate. You can donate items, services, and experiences. The auction provides both the benefits of income for the church and an opportunity to engage as a community. Please go to https://auctria.events/2022HVUUCauction now to enter those donations! If you would like help entering your items, please send a description of you item including the value to the auction committee by emailing auction@hvuuc.org please.

Remembering John Charles

Remembering John Charles

John Robert Charles
February 28, 1939 - September 22, 2022


John Robert Charles was born in Rogersville, TN on February 28, 1939. A professional artist for six decades, John refined his skills from New York City to Hollywood then settled in Northern California before returning to East Tennessee. He died at age 83 in Kingsport, TN of cardiac arrest on September 22, 2022.


John is survived by his daughter DonnaTina Charles, son Vincent, younger brother Edwin Barrett Charles (Barbara), step-sister Josie Ruth Starnes and step-sister-in-law Helen Weems along with many treasured family, cherished friends, admired classmates, esteemed colleagues, and dear neighbors.

John Charles was a friend of Holston Valley Unitarian Universalist Church for well over a decade. While a fall in 2019, and then the pandemic kept him at home in his last years he has stayed connected with us through YouTube and visitation. We grieve the loss of John Charles, and we also express deep gratitude for his children, DonnaTina and Vincent, who have done so much to care for him. We will miss John Charles' artistic spirit and his wry sense of humor.


Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, October 22 at 11 am at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park (Visitor Center, Gathering Room) in Elizabethton, TN. A potluck will follow at noon, and all are welcome to bring a dish to share (and a serving utensil)

bUUk Club Oct 2022

bUUk Club Oct 2022

The next meeting of the HVUUC bUUk Club is this coming Tuesday Oct 18th at 10 a.m.

If the weather is good we will meet on the back deck, if it is cold we can meet in the Fred Ball Room which allows for a bit of room to spread out. If we are inside, it might be a good idea to wear masks.

Our book is Bewilderment by Richard Powers and our Facilitator is Jo Anne Medlin.

Please email buukclub@hvuuc.org with any questions.

Below is our reading selection for the upcoming year.