Join us for church on Sunday, March 26, 2023.

9:30am Religious Education, 11:00am Service

Spirituality Amid the Duty of Car Maintenance

A Unitarian Universalist and a Methodist meet in an auto dealership. The UU owns an Avalon, the Methodist a Toyota 4Runner. But that’s not what their conversation is about. Listen in on their conversation that at times is funny, profound, frustrated, and deeply personal. Only the packaging is creative. The ideas, questions, conversations, and frustrations are all real ones from somewhere along my spiritual journey. Hopefully, it might deepen your understanding of Unitarian Universalism and in learning about my spiritual journey get you thinking about your own.

The Youth Group will be providing pizza and salad, Sunday March 26, after the service. $5 donation suggested and no more than $20 per family. All proceeds will go to support the Youth Group.

New Small Covenant Group on UU History - The group discussion will be based on a 6-part UUA video series titled “Long Strange Trip” series by Ron Cordes that explores the history of Unitarian and Universalist thought and practice from the early, liberal strands in faith at the beginning of the Christian era to what we know today as Unitarian Universalism. Each part of Long Strange Trip is approximately one hour in length. 

The group will be facilitated by George Cross and Bryan Kleske and meet on 6 consecutive Monday evenings, beginning April 3rd, from 7 to 9 pm in a Zoom format.  There is a UUA study guide that will be used as a basis for discussion and sharing.  Email George at georgecross@hvuuc.org for questions or to sign up.

FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 2023 AT 6 PM – 8 PM

Martha Street Culp Auditorium

The Tennessee legislature just passed two bills targeting the LGBTQ+ community. One will ban public drag performances and the other will strip trans youth of their right to seek gender-affirming care. They want us to sit by quietly as our rights are taken away, but ETSU students are standing up and fighting back!

On March 31 there will be a drag show and story hour in protest of these new laws. Proceeds will go toward paying performers and building queer and trans political power in Tennessee. We will be joined by some amazing performers, state representatives and community leaders who will talk about how we can stand up to the bullies in Nashville.

HVUUC will have a table set up at this event. Join us if you can!

We will hold our Annual Congregational Meeting on Sunday, April 30th immediately following the church service in the sanctuary. Childcare will be provided. Anyone who has been an official member of HVUUC for at least 60 days as of April 30th is eligible to vote at the meeting. Items on the agenda will include:

• 2023-2024 Budget

• Slate of Nominees for Board of Trustee positions

• Other items as necessary

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.

Tuesday, March 21st!

Learn more about the legislative process, how to advocate for reproductive freedom with your lawmakers, and attend committee meetings where relevant legislation will be heard - and do it all with other Planned Parenthood advocates by your side!

This is an in-person only event hosted in Nashville. Transportation options are available from Knoxville for those in east Tennessee.

Click here for more information and to register.

Join us for church on Sunday, March 19, 2023.

9:30am Religious Education, 11:00am Service

The Giving Tree

This Christmas HVUUC did an experiment called "the Giving Tree" and it taught a lot of us about the power of generosity and community. This sermon is NOT about the Shel Silverstein book, but is about Generosity as a spiritual practice.

RISK LEVEL LOW

Risk Assessment Team has determined that we are in Risk Level Low.

Sunday, March 19th from 5:00-8:00.

It's been a hot minute since we had a regular old free-form, just for fun with no agenda youth group gathering. We're baaaack!

Youth 12 years old through graduating senior are invited to come hang out, eat pizza, play games, and help relaunch our youth group post-COVID.

We will meet on the main floor of the RE building, up the hill from the church building.

Bring a snack or drink to share if you want--or even bring a friend!

Meet the youth group facilitators: Tristan L, Brittany A, Brandie W, and Cindi H!

Help plan upcoming events and activities!

Have fun!

A memorial service will be held for Amy Bond on March 25th at 1:00PM

Amy has been a long time member of our congregation, and played an important role in the Caring Team among other things before health concerns kept Amy staying closer to home.  She had been an inspiring example of resilience, and her story featured in Rev. Tiffany's "Neuroplasticity in the New Year" service in January of 2022.  We will miss her smiling face and strong spirit.  All friends and members of HVUUC are invited to come to Celebrate her Life.

A crew will be rebuilding the deck patio outside of the Fred Ball room Wednesday March 15 and Thursday March 16. This area will only be accessible for those doing work as there will be unsafe conditions.

Activity bags are available again for kids during the Sunday Service. They may be picked up at the visitor table by the entrance. Please return them to the basket where they were picked up after the service.

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.

We've had the sermon series, we've had the workshops, we've had a bunch of Newsletter articles, and now it's time for you to share your feedback with your delegates about how you want them to represent you at General Assembly regarding the Article 2 revision vote.

Please use the google form below to give feedback and indicate your voting preferences to the people who will be representing you at General Assembly this year.

To see the full Article 2 Study Commission Report click here: https://www.uua.org/files/2023-02/article-II-study-report-2021-23.pdf

If you missed the workshops, we will soon be publishing a "Q & A" developed from the questions people posed at the workshops, so be watching for that soon.

Click here to take the short survey.

DON’T FORGET DAYLIGHT SAVINGS THIS WEEKEND!

Join us for church on Sunday, March 12, 2023.

9:30am Religious Education, 11:00am Service

Improvisational Church

How do we address uncertainty and change together? Can we make it fun? What do the lessons and rules of Improv groups and Jam Sessions have to offer us?

RISK LEVEL LOW

Risk Assessment Team has determined that we are in Risk Level Low.

Some work will be taking place, beginning next week, in which two people will be volunteering their time for two full days. As a thank you, the church would like to provide them with lunch.

The dates are tentative because the weather is a factor, so this would be a task that may need to be filled on short notice. At the moment, the dates are during the week.

If you're interested in providing a light lunch, please email Doug at facilities@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

Heart to Heart 7 Week Covenant Group every Monday morning starting March 13 and ending April 24.

Topics include Listening, Gratitude, Balance, Forgiveness, etc.

When and Where:

10:30 am to 12:30 pm in the REZ.

Books can be purchased from Facilitator, Wanda Earp. Sign up deadline is March 10 via heartsgm@hvuuc.org. Limited space.

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 church on Sunday, March 5, 2023.

9:30am Religious Education, 11:00am Service

Why I Call Myself an Atheist

Several Holston Valley UU members and friends share what personally brings them to atheism and why they are proud to claim that title for themselves.

RISK LEVEL LOW

Risk Assessment Team has determined that we are in Risk Level Low.