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.
There are so many opportunities for celebrating Martin Luther King Day in Johnson City!
We are especially excited about participating once again in the Peace Walk that begins at the Carver Center in Johnson City at 1pm on January 20th. We hope to see you there!
Click through for more details about MLK Day Events.
Sunday morning your Minister, Board President, and Facilities representative will assess whether we feel it is safe to have church open or not. IF we decide to close church, you can find out about the closure in two ways:
-Our Facebook Page
-In the text of our Home Page at www.hvuuc.org
We are unable to share this timely information via ENews when it happens because of a delay built into our ENews system. So please monitor these other sources of information on Sunday morning.
If church is cancelled we will post an abbreviated version of the church service to YouTube by Sunday night, you can access our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/c/HolstonValleyUnitarianUniversalistChurch/featured
Join us for church on January 12, 2024!
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:00pm Potluck
How do we make principled decisions? Can we create a solid foundation so that we can go beyond reactions and triggers and live the life we want to live? Today Rev. Tiffany explores how Systems Theory approaches to life and community can help us in navigating the big questions of life.
We are watching the weather and want to inform you about how you can find out IF church is cancelled on Sunday morning. Read on for more detail!
Sunday morning your Minister, Board President, and Facilities representative will assess whether we feel it is safe to have church open or not. IF we decide to close church, you can find out about the closure in two ways:
-Our Facebook Page
-In the text of our Home Page at www.hvuuc.org
We are unable to share this timely information via ENews when it happens because of a delay built into our ENews system. So please monitor these other sources of information on Sunday morning.
If church is cancelled we will post an abbreviated version of the church service to YouTube by Sunday night, you can access our YouTube channel here:
https://www.youtube.com/c/HolstonValleyUnitarianUniversalistChurch/featured
Interested in learning and discussing Unitarian Universalist history?
George Cross and Bryan Kleske are facilitating a Small Covenant Group, starting on
February 4th, and meet on 1st and 3rd Tuesdays through April for a total of six meetings.
The first meeting will be at HVUUC. We will discuss further meeting format to possibly include
an in person and zoom combo.
We will be watching Long Strange Trip, a six-part video 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.
The video parts will be emailed out for viewing prior to the planned 2 hour meetings.
Only 8 spots are available so email uuhistory@hvuuc.org to claim your spot before the class fills up!
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.
Headlines .…
Minister’s Note
Volunteers Needed
Pledge Drive
Facilities News
Treasury Report
Social Justice
Up to date church info is always available at www.hvuuc.org
Join us for church on Sunday, April 2, 2023.
9:30am Religious Education, 11:00am Service
Transgender Day of Visibility is March 31st. Founded by Rachel Crandall in 2009 as a way to celebrate the presence and contributions of transgender and non-binary people in our communities.
A Listening Circle regarding Kids in Sunday Services will be held on Sunday April 2, from 9:30 - 10:45 in the Meditation Hall in the REZ.
Parents and Adults are welcome to attend to share ideas about our kids during Sunday services. The event will be facilitated by Rev. Tiffany and our DRE Justin.
Email dre@hvuuc.org with any questions.
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.
Join us for church on Sunday, March 26, 2023.
9:30am Religious Education, 11:00am Service
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.
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
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
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 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.