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.
COVID Notification
We have learned of a person who tested positive for COVID after being at the church last Sunday. Folks who were in close contact have been notified. Thank you for remaining vigilant--washing/sanitizing your hands often, covering a cough or sneeze, respecting others' distancing needs, staying home if you feel ill, and letting us know if you test positive. This helps us all stay safe and healthy--and make informed decisions for ourselves and our families.
Speaking Truth to Power
Join us for church on September 17, 2023
9:30 Religious Education
11:00 Sunday Service
Join us after the service for coffee hour!
“Speaking Truth to Power”
The Second Sunday in our "Exploring our Sources" series, the second source of Unitarian Universalism is "Words and deeds of prophetic people which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love." Let's explore why prophetic is such a loaded and powerful word and what it means in the context of Unitarian Universalism's mission and message. Also on this Sunday we will recognize Rev. Jeff Briere as our Minister Emeritus.
Fall Programming from Side With Love: Learn, Gather, and Connect
This can be a bittersweet time of year for so many, but we are taking joy in what UUA President Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt reminds us is the time when we “come back to each other in our congregations and communities.”
Whether you are coming back to your community after a long time away or whether you have been there all summer, we are grateful for your shared ministry toward collective liberation and beloved community.
This summer, Side With Love program and field staff created a wealth of events, resources, and opportunities to balance the need to rest and play with the necessity of honing our skills and staying informed and prepared to respond to the ongoing attacks on communities and people beloved of us.
Whether you need a space to grieve and pray, the opportunity to gather with others doing the work, or dedicated time to learn, they have something that will serve you.
Click here to learn about the many opportunities available this Fall to Learn, Gather, and Connect.
What is a Service Auction?
Holston Valley Unitarian Universalist Church’s biggest fund raiser is our service auction. A Service Auction is where congregants offer services to each other. On November 4th we will be auctioning off these items. Anybody can offer a service and on Auction Night that service will go to the highest bidder or bidders.
What services have been offered before?
Do you have a favorite hike you’d like to share with others? Or a special meal you like to make? Handyperson services, gardening, decluttering, or other household services. We have several murder mystery dinners where you play a character in a thrilling play as you run through your meal courses. Pool parties, Superbowl, New Years, St Patrick’s Day, July 4th, or unbirthday parties.
There is much more to come that will be in the News and Announcements. If you have any questions contact Greg Kramer auction@hvuuc.org.
Collecting Collage Materials
Book Club, Owning Your Religious Past Covenant Group, & PTM
COVID Still Among Us
Yes, COVID is still around. In the interest of full transparency, we share that one of our members who attended the service last Sunday just tested positive. They've already notified everyone they were close to so those folks can be aware and take precautions.
Thank you all for washing/sanitizing your hands often, respecting others' distancing needs, covering your mouth if you cough, and staying home if you're not feeling well. Thank you, too, for letting us know if you discover you have COVID after being at church. These are all ways we live our covenant--and help keep our community safe and healthy.
Water Communion Service
Join us for church on September 10, 2023
9:30 Religious Education
11:00 Sunday Service
Join us after the service for coffee hour!
“Water Communion”
Our annual interactive and intergenerational service where we celebrate our interconnectivity. This year we will be especially focused on how we are connected to the bodies of water in East Tennessee. While we will appreciate water brought from any source, this year, local water would be especially appreciated!
COVID Precautions and Exposure at Church
Yes, COVID is still around. In the interest of full transparency, we share that one of our members who attended the service last Sunday just tested positive. They've already notified everyone they were close to so those folks can be aware and take precautions.
Thank you all for washing/sanitizing your hands often, respecting others' distancing needs, covering your mouth if you cough, and staying home if you're not feeling well. Thank you, too, for letting us know if you discover you have COVID after being at church. These are all ways we live our covenant--and help keep our community safe and healthy.
No Car Decorating for Umoja
Owning Your Religious Past Covenant Group
In this covenant group we will be sharing stories about our religious upbringing and where it has led us in the present. This will be different from (but related to) the class Rev. Tiffany offered last year, and will focus more on sharing as a way of getting to know each other better.
The group will meet in person on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month, beginning on October 9, from 6:30-8:30pm. This will be a short-term group of 4-5 sessions. The facilitators will be Wendy Hearl and George Cross. Please contact either Wendy or George, or email owningcg@hvuuc.org, by October 1 to sign up. The group will be limited to 10 members.
bUUk Club Returns
UU History/Path to Membership and Harm Reduction Education.
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