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.
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
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!
Click through for a collection of upcoming news and events at HVUUC. Click the images to be directed to more information.
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.
You can also find a few printed copies of the newsletter on the visitors table in the sanctuary.
Click here to read the entire newsletter.
Click here for past newsletters.
Up to date church info is always available at www.hvuuc.org
Join us for in-person church on Sunday, Jan 8, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.!
Our Living Tradition: Article 2 Proposed Revisions Part 1
The Unitarian Universalist Association has been re-imagining our foundational documents. This Sunday we will take a look at the history of Article II, what changes have been proposed, and what the rest of the revision process will look like.
Risk Assessment Team has determined that we are in Risk Level Medium. Masks are not required for services. For full details see here: https://hvuuc.org/level-1-low
Damage to the kitchen ceiling from the broken water pipe.
During the recent cold weather we had frozen pipes at the church. A pipe in the kitchen ceiling broke and has caused damaged to the kitchen, Fred Ball Room, and hallway. Our insurance company has been contacted and the process for repairing the damage has started. We will let everyone know once more information is available.
The Church of the Larger Fellowship, a Unitarian Universalist online community, is inviting Unitarian Universalists everywhere to join them for a special Christmas Day online worship service.
This YouTube link will be live by Christmas Day: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eqericUCj4
Happy Holidays Friends!
Reminder: there will be NO IN PERSON SERVICE Sunday December 25th.
We've Moved our traditional New Years Day Hike to New Years Eve. We will meet at the jump off point to leave at 10 AM December 31st Saturday Morning. This is a difficult and slippery hike. Take a view on top of Chimney Top Mountain Please let us know if you're coming.
Meet Saturday December 31st at 10AM at
345 Sugar Hollow Lane, Fall Branch, TN 37656.
This is a difficult hike and a slippery trail. Come and enjoy the vista from the top of Chimney Top Mountain and have some tea at the top. If we cancel, all who made reservations will be notified.
Email greg@hvuuc.org to sign up for this fun event.
Dear Holston Valley Unitarian Universalist Church members and friends. This Sunday we announced that Sarah White, who has been our Director of Religious Education for the last seven years, will be stepping down from the position effective January 15th to pursue an opportunity with ETSU.
As we are searching for our next long-term Director of Religious Education, we want to find an interim to keep our program going. This would be a paid position, 15 hours a week or less with flexible hours, and would last as long as it takes to find our next long-term Director of Religious Education. You will get training and support from our outgoing DRE, and our minister. Members and friends of HVUUC are encouraged to apply for this INTERIM position, with the understanding that the long-term position will be sought from outside the congregation.
Contact Rev. Tiffany at minister@hvuuc.org to send your resume and indicate interest.
Click for more details.
Join us for in-person church on Sunday, Dec 18, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.!
Join us for coffee directly after the service!
Risk Assessment Team has determined that we are in Risk Level Medium. Masks are mandatory during services. For full details see here: https://hvuuc.org/level-2-medium
All ages are invited to come hear the Christmas story as we celebrate Christmas Eve with traditional carols & cookies. Singing will begin at 7 PM in the sanctuary, followed by cookies, fellowship, & more modern holiday songs in the Fred Ball Room.
Participants are encouraged to bring a plate of cookies to share if you like (totally optional—come either way!) Beverages will be provided.
There will be NO SERVICE on Sunday, December 25th.
Join us for in-person church on Sunday, Dec 11, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.!
Join us for coffee directly after the service!
Risk Assessment Team has determined that we can move our Risk Level back to Low. Masks are no longer mandatory during services if you are fully vaccinated. For full details see here: https://hvuuc.org/level-1-low
