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.

BrUUnch Bunch is a women's monthly gathering potluck.

We welcome all members and friends.
The meetup is 2nd Monday of every month.

The potluck is generally held at the Fred Ball room at church.
During kitchen remodeling we have met at the Gray Community Center nearby.

All who identify as women are  welcome.
Mark your calendar each month and join us to meet old friends and greet new ones.
For more information or to host email brunch@hvuuc.org

Join us for in-person church on Sunday, February 5, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.!

From Campfire Myths to YouTube Church (and everything in between)

"The more you know, the more you realize you don't know" is a truism attributed to Aristotle that feels especially relevant in the information age. This is both the joy and the frustration of the free and responsible search for truth and meaning. Today we look at how has religion evolved as our access to information has evolved, looking deep into our roots.

RISK LEVEL MEDIUM

Risk Assessment Team has determined that we are in Risk Level Medium. Masks are required for services.

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

February is Heart Healthy Month. According to the Word Health Organization Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death.  Risk factors include high blood pressure, obesity, smoking, and high cholesterol levels. Take care of yourself by preparing heart health meals, work out, and develop healthier habits to help reduce stress. You can do it!

The Church has two AEDs. (Automatic External Defibrillator) They can be used to save both adults and children. One is located on the back right hand side wall in the Church, the other is located in the REZ as you enter on the left hand side wall.

To become more comfortable with using our Philips FRx  Automatic External Defibrillator click here for an instructional video, you could save a life!

This is a short term Covenant Group for the latest Path to  Membership Class. We have a short three session Covenant Group, for you to experience what covenant groups are like. These will be after church February 26th, March 12th and 26th. In the REZ at 12:30 after church. Please bring lunch or a snack because the meeting goes to 2:30.

After each Path to Membership class, a short term covenant group is setup. The Path to Membership which just finished your covenant group is setup for 3 sessions. These are after church at 12:30 to 2:30. Please bring a lunch or snack because we will be going to 2:30. No special preparation is required. Greg Kramer or Beth Calvert can be contacted about this. Greg will be sending you an invitation.

Please email all submissions for the February newsletter by Thursday February 2nd before noon to newsletter@hvuuc.org.

Join us for in-person church on Sunday, Jan 29, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.!

Social Justice Sunday

The Social Justice Committee will bring to the pulpit, a message of inspiration, hope and an invitation to engage in 2023. In one year, our Committee has grown from 9 members to 16 – and we are organizing to include many other church members in our collective activities. The service will be followed by a “Social Justice Fair.” We want to hear from you about what YOU want to see HVUUC standing for.

RISK LEVEL MEDIUM

Risk Assessment Team has determined that we are in Risk Level Medium. Masks are required for services.

Let's Chat Covenant Group is starting back after a winter hiatus. Start date is April 12th. We will meet in the REZ from 6:30 to 8:30 on second and fourth Wednesdays. Topics vary from one meeting to the next. You must signup with Greg Kramer to attend.

Let's Chat is a long term Covenant Group, which means people may join at any time as long as the group doesn't have more than 10 members. We have much fewer than that. I with the group discuss topics for upcoming sessions. We range from laughter to responsibility. We meet second and fourth Wednesdays at the Church in the REZ room one. The first room on the right as you enter the REZ. We start promptly at 6:30 and end at 8:30. I plan to continue through the summer. You must signup by contacting Greg Kramer at greg@hvuuc.org to participate.

Coffee Hour returns beginnning this Sunday January 29th.
Hosted by Tish K. & Rosemary K.

email coffeehour@hvuuc.org to volunteer for 2023

* 2 people needed each Sunday *

Please click here to see the current status of the flood repairs in the kitchen and Fred Ball Room.

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.

Join us for in-person church on Sunday, Jan 22, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.!

Religion as a Coping Mechanism

How is religion used as a coping mechanism, and is it a healthy or unhealthy way to cope? And is Unitarian Universalism exempt from the folies of spiritual bypassing? The answers are complicated but we can dive into asking the questions together, and learn how our own ability to practice discernment comes into play.

RISK LEVEL MEDIUM

Risk Assessment Team has determined that we are in Risk Level medium. Masks are required for services.

The Caring Team is looking for new members.

The Caring Team responds to Community Candles Cards, sets up meal trains, and supports our members through cards, calls and visits.  The Caring Team "point person" rotates monthly, and the Caring Team meets bi-monthly to check in with each other.

If you're interested in joining the Caring Team please reach out to Cynthia Goodman or email caring@hvuuc.org

Are you aware that HVUUC has an Endowment Fund? This is a fund which will grow over time and is intended to make payments to the church from its income. The Fund has grown to a sizable amount over its 14 years of existence. This annual contribution to the church is intended to be used for such items as enhancing the ministry of the church and subsidizing new initiatives and capital projects, as well as making major repairs. The Fund is currently contributing over $6,000 annually to HVUUC.

Members and friends are encouraged to make donations to the Fund to, for example, memorialize people within the congregation who have died or in honor of individuals who have served the church in some way. You can contribute to the Fund by placing a check in the collection basket, noting that it is for the Endowment Fund and whom you wish to honor.

If you'd like more information about the Endowment Fund, you can email endowment@hvuuc.org.

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.

Please welcome our interim Director of Education - Sarah Sanders!

Sarah has been a member of the church for six years, five of those as a member of the Religious Education Collaborative. She is an OWL (Our Whole Lives) facilitator for all ages and has enjoyed teaching our youth about comprehensive and inclusive sex education. She has also helped the church in other ways such as volunteering for Religious Education, assisting with the auction, and being a co-director for our summer camp. Sarah loves playing video games, going on bike rides, playing tabletop roleplay games, and performing in community theater.

Join us for in-person church on Sunday, Jan 15, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.!

Love is Central: Article 2 Proposed Revisions Part 2

The central value in the proposed changes to Article II is Love, and much of it is influenced by Martin Luther King Jr's ideas around the Beloved Community. Martin Luther King Day seems like an appropriate time to look at these proposed core values of Unitarian Universalism 

RISK LEVEL MEDIUM

Risk Assessment Team has determined that we are in Risk Level medium. Masks are required for services.

Director of Religious Education Staff Opening – Holston Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, Gray, TN

15 hour a week position with flexible hours except for expected attendance on 75% of Sundays

Pay and benefits within UUA Fair Compensation Guidelines Rates begin at $13,350/year for 15 hours, ($17.11/hour) and up

Start Date:  March 1, 2023, or possibly sooner if available

Click for full job description and more details.

The social justice team has been busy helping our community in a variety of ways and you can, too! Click through to catch up on recent activities and see how you can get involved.