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.
September 2023 nUUsletter
Headlines
Minister’s Note
The Sierra Club
Auction Save the Date
BUUK Club
The Divine Feminine
Social Justice Initiatives
Click here to read the entire newsletter.
Click here for past newsletters.
You can also find a few printed copies at our visitors table in the sanctuary.
Up to date church info is always available at www.hvuuc.org
Divine Things Happen Service (NO RE THIS WEEK)
Join us for church on September 3rd, 2023
NO RE THIS WEEK
11:00 Sunday Service
Join us after the service for coffee hour!
“Divine Things Happen”
Linda G. will talk about the circumstances around this topic coming forth - why she organized the Divine Feminine covenant Group, and the goddesses that will be studied and honored in that group.
Covid on the Rise
Covid is on the rise again, folks! Help us minimize our exposure risk. Please wash/sanitize your hands often, cover your mouth if you cough, and respect others’ wishes for distancing.
Masks are not required at this time. We ask that if you are not feeling well, PLEASE STAY HOME and worship with us on line.
If you test positive for Covid after being in close contact with others at church, please let appropriate staff know so that others can be informed of exposure and risk.
Thank you for doing your due diligence to keep our community safe and healthy!
DRE Out of Office and NO RE Sunday Sep 3rd
UU History and Path to Membership
We have listened to your feedback and are expanding our path to membership classes from one session to two in order to give more information about Unitarian Universalist history, and polity, and what it means to be a covenental community. History, polity and covenant will all be covered in the first class by Rev. Tiffany on September 17th.
If you wish to join the church, you will need to attend both the 9/17 and 9/24 sessions. Childcare is available and a sign up sheet is on the back table in the church, or you can email membership@hvuuc.org
If you’re already a member and regret not getting a chance to cover our history, or if you’re not ready to join but are curious about what this whole Unitarian Universalism thing is about, we would welcome you to the 9/17 class.
If you wish to take just the first class but NOT the second, please let Rev. Tiffany know you're coming to the first class by emailing minister@hvuuc.org
Mason Jar Luminaries, Water Clean Up, and Video Tech Needed
K-2 OWL - Our Whole Lives Sexuality Education
K-2nd Grade Our Whole Lives Sexuality Education
Holston Valley Unitarian Universalist Church is offering an 8-week relationship and healthy bodies education program for Kindergarten-2nd graders
Mandatory orientation for families and kids will be Sunday, Sept. 10 in the K-2 room on Sept. 10 during RE (9:30-10:45 a.m.).
Classes begin Sunday, Sept. 17 and run from 9:30-10:45. Proposed dates are Sept. 17 and 24, Oct. 1 and 22, Nov. 5, 12, and 19, and Dec. 10 and 17. This allows for one snow day. Youth will get the most out of the class if they attend all sessions.
If you are interested in this program for your child, please register as soon as possible as there are a limited number of spots available.
The Our Whole Lives (OWL) sexuality education curriculum is age-appropriate, trauma-informed, and inclusive and affirming. OWL programs nurture and support the three Rs of childhood sexuality education--respect, relationships, and responsibility--by helping children increase self-respect and respect for others, build relationships with people of all genders and with many kinds of families, and understand their responsibilities regarding their own health and that of others.
It helps children:
Strengthen and support their sense of self and self-esteem.
Recognize and appreciate their bodies as good and beautiful, private and their own.
Gain understanding and accurate, age-appropriate information about human bodies and reproduction.
Develop more effective communication skills.
Learn to make decisions that respect themselves and others and that anticipate possible consequences.
Learn about healthy habits and what to do when they don’t feel safe or respected.
OWL engages families in open communication about life questions and reinforces guardians’ role as their children’s most important sexuality educators.
Our Whole Lives uses approaches that work. The curriculum is based on the Guidelines for Comprehensive Sexuality Education produced by the National Guidelines Task Force, a group of leading health, education, and sexuality professionals assembled by the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the U.S. (SIECUS).
Although developed by two religious organizations, Our Whole Lives is a secular program that contains no religious references or doctrine.
Facilitators will communicate with guardians throughout the course, and guardians are welcome to ask questions of the facilitators.
Please use the following link to register:
https://hvuuc.betterworld.org/events/k-2nd-grade-our-whole-lives#details
Mental Health Sunday
Join us for church on Sunday August 27, 2023
9:30 Religious Education
11:00 Sunday Service
Join us after the service for coffee hour!
“Mental Health Sunday”
One in Five US Adults experience Mental Illness. Mental Healthcare is shockingly difficult to obtain. And the last few years have definitely made matters around mental health more difficult to navigate. How can communities like ours make a difference in the journey to have a healthier life, mentally and emotionally?
September Newsletter Deadline
Seeking Video Production Specialist
Job Description: Video Production Specialist
Reports to: Minister
Effective: Fall 2023 – will be updated to match hire date
Job Summary
The Video Production Specialist will provide reliable expertise and weekly video production services on Sundays, to maintain and enhance Holston Valley Unitarian Universalist Church’s online presence.
Click through to read the full job information.
Note: HVUUC members and friends will not be considered for this position. However, if you know someone who might be a good candidate, please share this with them and encourage them to submit a resume and cover letter to pastpresident@hvuuc.org by Sep 8, 2023.
Women's Night Cancelled for September
***ATTENTION**
*CANCELLATION NOTICE*
September UU Women's Group cancelled due to the many Labor Day weekend activities already planned.
Next meetup will be October 6 2023.
Remember to MARK YOUR CALENDAR EVERYONE!
Further info to be announced!
Thank you.
See sign up list in Fellowship Hall
womensgroup@hvuuc.org
Fall RE, Foreign Grad Student Housing Needs, Path to Membership
Cats, Boxes, and Labels
Join us for church on Sunday August 20, 2023
9:30 Religious Education
11:00 Sunday Service
Join us after the service for our Church Picnic and Volunteer Fair!
“Cats, Boxes, and Labels”
Labels. We love them and we hate them. Religious labels are especially interesting when you're a Unitarian Universalist, because we are very much a both/and religion. Come explore how you label yourself, how your friends in this community label themselves, and how different that is than when someone puts a label on you.
For extra fun, take the Belief-O-Matic before the service starts, at https://www.beliefnet.com/entertainment/quizzes/
Housing for Foreign Student
A sociology graduate students at ETSU, Charles Mawuli Nutsugah, is hoping to be able to live with a host family. Do you know any folks who might be willing to host a grad student for approximately a semester? (or less, depending on their situation)
Mawuli is from Ghana, is in his 30s, and he's a fluent English speaker (it's the language used for public education in Ghana). He would like to get acculturated to the U.S. He is going to be on a graduate assistantship and will be able to pay rent to the host family, if that would help.
Email minister@hvuuc.org if you’re interested.
Church Picnic, BoT Meeting, and Fall RE
Stories and Song: Music Sunday
Join us for church on Sunday August 13, 2023
9:30 Religious Education
11:00 Sunday Service
Join us after the service for Coffee Hour!
Stories and Song: Music Sunday
Music is a rich metaphor for community and tells the story of how we harmonize, explore our differences, and learn our own true song. Hear musical gifts from our congregation's musicians, and hear stories of community from several of our members and staff.
Fall Religious Education
Fall RE begins on Sunday, August 13, with classes for K-12! This year we will have offerings for K-2; 3-5; 6-8; and 9-12.
Our K-2 and 3-5 classes will be using a LEGOS based curriculum.
Our 6-8 class will engage in Popcorn Theology a movie based curriculum.
The 9-12 class will have a social justice themed curriculum called Social Action For Tweens and Teens.
Come join us at the REZ at 9:30 - 10:45 to meet your RE Teachers!
