As winter approaches, so does Festivals of Lights on Dec 13! This is an annual, intergenerational service that recognizes different holidays around light that are celebrated by people in our congregation and people who have come before us. We are looking for speakers, candlelighters, and singers. This is a wonderful chance to get involved and there are opportunities for all ages and interests.
Email Sarah or Cathrine at festivals@hvuuc.org to volunteer!
We will also be decorating the sanctuary on Dec 12 from 9a-12pm and welcome all help. If you have any fresh evergreen trimmings, please bring them!
Join us for church on Nov 8, 2026.
9:30am RE
11:00am Service
12:00pm Potluck
1:00pm Metaphysics Group
What do the characters of the Medusa myth and the characters of the Moana Disney movie have in common? They can teach us a lot about the paths to healing, both when they work and when they don't work. Come explore these complexities with Rev. Tiffany.
(content warning for trauma stories and a brief mention of sexual assault)
A HUGE thank-you to the groups that have stepped up to help host Coffee Hour! The Men's Group, Social Justice Committee, and BUUK Club have all answered the call, and we truly appreciate their support! And of course, all of the other individuals that routinely step up to help.
However, we still need volunteers to fill in the gaps. Never hosted Coffee Hour before? No worries! An experienced volunteer will show you the ropes and make sure you know everything you need to know. Not able to bring food? That's okay, too! We can provide the refreshments.
Hosting Coffee Hour is an easy way to help out, connect with fellow members, and make everyone feel welcome. All you need to bring is a little time and a willingness to help! For more information, please contact coffeehour@hvuuc.org or speak to Debbie after church.
💜 A Note from the DRE
💜✨ Child-care volunteers needed for Auction! ✨💜
🤝 Religious Exploration Collaborative (REC) in person again!
✨ Wonder Worship Returns!
🌟 Youth Group Gathering!
🎂 November Birthdays!
🌟 Gratitudes Across the Bridge
Nursery Volunteers Needed — Saturday, November 7 | 4:30–10 PM
Our regular childcare team is unavailable for this year's Service Auction, and we're calling on our wonderful HVUUC community to help keep our littlest members cared for while the festivities unfold!
Here's where we need help:
- 4:30–6:30 PM: Volunteers to cover the beginning of the evening.
- 6:30–10 PM: A copilot to join Jess, or a few volunteers to share shorter shifts!
Even an hour or two makes a difference! With a handful of helping hands, we can share the responsibility so everyone has a chance to enjoy the celebration.
Interested in helping? Contact Jess at hvuucdre@gmail.com with your availability.
Let's make this a beautiful evening for ALL ages!
Service Auction Families — We Need Your Input!
Are you planning to attend the Service Auction this Saturday, November 7, and will you need childcare for your little ones (ages 6 and under)?
We're gathering a headcount to help us plan childcare coverage for the evening!
If you'll need childcare, please email Jess Ox at dre@hvuuc.org with:
YES — Childcare needed!
Number of children (ages 6 and under)
Your response will help us determine our childcare needs and plan accordingly!
Thank you for helping us make this a wonderful evening for everyone!
Summer Religious Education sign-up is now available in the sanctuary. If you have an idea or activity for Summer RE, suitable for ages 6-18 (grades 1-12), then please sign up. If you have questions please contact the DRE Justin Ridley - dre@hvuuc.org .
Join us for church on Sunday, April 16, 2023.
9:30am Religious Education, 11:00am Service
A panel interview with our own Jon Anderson, a clinical therapist for Camelot’s in Kingsport, and Jacob Meadows, a foster care recruiter and trainer with Youth Villages. They will talk about foster care numbers and the needs here in our region.
Agenda for 2023 Annual Congregational Meeting
Holston Valley Unitarian Universalist Church
1. Welcome and Call to Order
2. Establish Quorum
3. Board and Nominating Committee Slate of Nominees for the 2023/2024 Fiscal Year
4. Budget
5. Motion 1: Joseph Viola “I move that HVUUC bestow the honor of Minister Emeritus upon Reverend Jeff Briere for his loyal and dedicated service.”
6. Motion 2: Joseph Viola "I move we place a flag that has been flown over our nation's capital building in the foyer of the church, and further that it be moved into the sanctuary on patriotic holidays."
7. Additional Motions from the floor
8. Thank you and Adjournment
Running Zoom during the Congregational Meeting (April 30th immediately following the service) would, in principle, allow people to participate from home. Unfortunately, we will not be able to make Zoom work at the congregational meeting. Cell service and wi-fi at the church are just too sketchy to guarantee that we could make it work for the whole meeting.
For those of you who are concerned about Covid, we will be providing seating in the Fred Ballroom and (weather permitting) on the back deck. We will have speakers available in both those locations. We will also have a runner that will count votes from those areas and run them to the front tallying area. We sincerely hope this will quell your concerns and allow you to attend. Sorry for the inconvenience.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Ann Johnson at president@hvuuc.org.
The board has developed and approved the 2023-2024 proposed budget. Thank you for all your pledge commitments which have made this budget possible. This will be voted on at the Congregational Meeting on April 30th immediately following the service. Please read through it, and if you have any questions contact Charlie Miller at stewardship@hvuuc.org.
Seven Questions about proposed Article 2 Revisions
A big thank you to everyone who participated in the Article 2 Revision workshops. Great conversation and in-sights came out of both meetings. One exercise that we engaged in was a Question List during these workshops, with the promise that I would share them with the congregation. I think that these Questions could be helpful for all of us. So here they are:
If you are a graduating senior or have one in your family please notify our DRE Justin Ridley before May 1, so we can recognize them during a May service. Please e-mail dre@hvuuc.org
Join us for church on Sunday, April 9, 2023.
9:30am Religious Education, 11:00am Service
Special Easter instrumental music is coming to us from visiting guest musicians, as well as a UU classic song performed by our own Guerry McConnell.
We hope you’ll join us for Easter Sunday. We will be looking at the life and message of Jesus, but from the perspective of the Gospel of Thomas and the Gospel of Mary Magdalene, two gnostic gospels that didn’t make it into the Bible, at least in part because of their egalitarian message.
After the service, there will be an Easter Egg Hunt hosted by the Religious Education Collaborative. Kids will meet on the deck after the service to get a basket and wait for the hunt to begin around 12:30. Come ready for a good time and a special appearance by the Easter Bunny!
Article II Processing Session
A space for lay leaders to connect and reflect on Article II
May 6, 9:00 a.m. Central Time/10:00 a.m. Eastern Time (2 hours)
Congregational lay leaders are invited to come together for a processing session on the proposed changes to Article II of our UUA Bylaws. Our time together will include a brief talk on the History, Governance, and Polity that guided this process, along with guided discussion in breakout groups with your fellow leaders. This event will be facilitated by Southern Region Congregational Life staff.
To prepare for this event please read the Article II Study Report.
Please note - registration spaces are limited. Registration will close on April 30th (or earlier if we’ve reached our maximum capacity). Register today!
Scam Alert! Hackers are at it again posing as Rev. Tiffany in emails.
Please remember that no one from the church will ever contact you asking for money or favors that involves spending personal funds on an errand for our staff.
If something doesn't feel right, it's probably not right! Please help us spread the word so no one is fooled.
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.
