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.
A Gathering to Mourn the Conflict in the Middle East
A Gathering of People to Mourn the Deaths in Palestine and Israel and to call for the end of the killing in the Middle East. It is hosted by the Appalachian Peace Education Center (APEC) and will be held Thursday evening, November 16 at 6:00pm at the St. Thomas Episcopal Church Fellowship Hall, 124 East Main Street, Abingdon, Virginia.
The program will include prayers, music and reflections from both the Jewish and Muslim communities. You are invited to bring a donation for the UNICEF-USA Urgent Humanitarian Appeal for Gaza.
"On behalf of all the children caught in this nightmare, we call on the world to do better" ~UNICEF Executive Director
More details and directions are available at the APEC Facebook Event page: https://fb.me/e/1fJYLIZEm
Contact Buckey Boone with any questions: 276-475-3191.
You've Got a Friend
Join us for church on November 12, 2023 and stay after for our Green Arts Festival - a holiday market that supports our Green Initiative!
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:30pm Green Arts Fest
“You’ve Got a Friend”
What a gift frendship is. John O'Donohue's famous book Anam Cara invites us to contemplate how we can be a good friend to others and ourselves, and how deep friendship can change our lives.
United Religions Initiative Gratitude Dinner
On Saturday, November 18 at 5:30pm, URI will host their Annual Gratitude Dinner for the entire community. This year, the First Presbyterian Church of Elizabethton is hosting the evening’s celebration.
The program will include prayers, stories, songs, meditations, mantras, and recitations about gratitude from friends of many faiths and belief traditions, including the following: Hindu, Jewish, Islam, western Christianity - Catholic, reformational Christian - Presbyterian, Unitarian Universalist, the restored Church of Jesus Christ, and Buddhist.
Turkey and vegetarian option entrees, rolls, drinks and cake will be provided. You are welcome to bring an appetizer, salad, side dish or dessert to share - particularly foods that represent your culture.
More details and directions are available at our Facebook Event page: https://fb.me/e/4O7wOUvrr
Contact Shellie Ford with any questions: shellieford@gmail.com.
The Giving Tree Donations Needed
The Social Justice Committee will once again decorate and supply gifts for “The Giving Tree” this upcoming holiday season in downtown Johnson City. We have a collection bin for Giving Tree items in the Fred Ball Room. Some suggestions are as follows:
CHILDREN/TODDLERS
caps
gloves
scarves
underwear
socks
WOMEN/MEN
hats
gloves
scarves
underwear
socks
feminine hygiene products
men’s hygiene products
EVERYONE
washcloths
bar soap
shampoo
conditioner
deodorant
body lotion
regular size tubes of toothpaste
dental floss
Please leave items unwrapped. You may put items in clear ziplock type bags (this helps) or leave them in the box unpackaged.
It appears we may have enough balls for the tree, but we are in need of garland.
If you know of a business that may wish to donate gifts for their holiday giving project, please let us know. Also, monetary donations are also accepted from anyone. One of our elves will happily do the shopping for you.
We also need volunteers and ladders to DECORATE the Giving Tree at 11:00, Saturday, Nov. 25.
Please contact us at givingtree@hvuuc.org for monetary donations, suggestions, volunteering, etc. Thanks for all your support!
Follow Up Auction News
Did you receive a statement about what bids you won? If you haven't please email auction@hvuuc.org immediately.
If you offered a service you will receive a statement of who you offered your services to in the next few days.
We have unsold items in the Fred Ball Room. The Silent Auction Bid Sheets are there and I'll leave them there until 1PM December 3rd.
#6 Weeks of Tutoring in History
#28 Baking Dishes
#47 Art Print: "John's Gone"
#48 Art Print: Crockett and the Trail of Tears
#49 Art Print: Gray Wolf
#52 Mystery Party - Star Trek the Next Generation up to 8 seats
#57 Custom made Black Walnut cutting board
#105 Ten Candles - Tabletop Roleplay up to 5 seats
All Souls Day
Join us for church on November 5, 2023
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:00pm Coffee Hour
“All Souls Day”
Our All Souls Day service invites us to gather to remember those who have passed away within the last year. Bring a photo, name, or memento for the altar if you have someone you wish to honor. Together, we will remember and reflect on those we have lost.
November 2023 Newsletter
Headlines
Minister’s Note
Green Arts Festival
The Giving Tree
Wednesday Night Suppers
Plant a Tree
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
Green Arts Festival
Join us after church on Nov 12 for the Green Arts Fest. Local artisans will have homemade items for sale. Find treasures for yourself & for gifts. From chocolate to greeting cards, wood to crochet--something for everyone!
Do you make homemade food, art, or craft items you'd like to offer for sale? If you’d like a table to sell your wares, email Kim at greenarts@hvuuc.org No fee to vend or attend--vendors are asked to donate 10% of any sales to the church's Green Initiative.
Potpourri, pine cones, tie dye, paintings, pickles, leather, wood, cocoa bombs--more treasures than a pirate's lair -- without the pesky pirates. Whether you're shopping for yourself or a gift, come join the merriment at the Green Arts Fest right after church on Nov 12 -- in the Fred Ball Room
Volunteer Hours for Auction Credits
As part of Holston Valley Unitarian Universalist Church's commitment to economic justice within our walls, we offer the opportunity to pledge volunteer hours for auction credits. This allows our members who might not be able to afford to bid in our auction to still take part in the fun!
This is a little complicated. If you think you may want to participate in this program, please take a look at the details below:
We will credit you $15 per hour for your volunteer hours
We must cap the number of hours you can pledge at 10 hours this year, allowing for up to $150 worth of volunteer credit
Your volunteer hours cannot be for things you've already committed to. If you're already on a committee or teaching a class, those things don't count. But things like cleanup days and coffee hour kitchen duty will always count, and new volunteer efforts of any sort would be welcome
Rev. Tiffany, Jessica our Office Manager, and the volunteer receiving payments will be the only people who know you are participating in this program
How it works:
On the day of the auction or in the days leading up to the auction, contact Rev. Tiffany at minister@hvuuc.org (or in person at the auction) and let her know that you would like to participate in this program so that the office can follow up with you after the auction.
Bid on items in both the live auction and silent auction like any other bidder, but don't exceed $150 total worth of bids.
When it comes time to pay, let the money collector know that you are paying with volunteer hours
Rev. Tiffany or the Office will follow up with you the following week to confirm the hours that you are committed to (and Rev. Tiffany may even have some suggestions about how you could volunteer)
You will be instructed on where to send reports of your completed volunteer hours
Volunteer hours must be completed by August 2024
Annual Service Auction and Green Arts Festival
Halloween
Join us for church on October 29, 2023
9:30am Combined RE - Mask Making!
11:00am Sunday Service
12:00pm Trunk or Treat
“Halloween”
When you knock on the door to trick-or-treat, you never know who is going to answer the door. Who will answer? And what will they teach us? Dressing up in costume for this service is encouraged, and be prepared for a trunk or treat to follow.
Bring Photos for Remembrance Service
Participants Needed for Trunk or Treat!
This Sunday after the service we will be hosting a Trunk or Treat event!
Currently only 7 cars have signed up to participate.
Please email Justin at DRE@hvuuc.org if you’d like to decorate a trunk and hand out candy this Sunday.
Let’s make this a great event for our kids! Don’t forget to wear your costumes!
Important Auction Information
The auction is quickly coming upon us, Saturday November 4th at 6:00PM!
Things you may need to know:
Sunday October 28th 2:00PM Auction Donations Closed!
If you can't be at the auction, you can request a proxy bidder!
Please update your name and emails on the Auctria Website. Find link under Auction News or Stewardship Tab on the website and then Auction.
Drop off Auction Items Friday Evening 2 to 8.
Drop off Auction items Saturday noon to 4.
Auction Doors open at 5.
Email auction@hvuuc.org with any questions.
Refreshments
We are also in need of folks to bring snacks to share to help make this a fun time of fellowship. Email fellowship@hvuuc.org with questions about snacks.
October 29 - 5th Sunday Contribution
Who has been working to save the Nolichucky River?
Who has been serving justice issues for over 40 years?
Who has been holding a MLK gathering for decades?
Who won the Gorbachev/Schultz Youth Leadership award?
Appalachian Peace Education Center and Yogev Von Kundra!
Please support this important local organization!!!
Pumpkin Carving, Trunk or Treating, and Samhain Celebrations!
Halloween Happenings
Halloween is going to be a blast this year at HVUUC! Join us for several fun events.
Saturday October 28
6:00pm Pumpkin Carving
Join us to carve pumpkins and watch family friendly Halloween movies. A limited number of pumpkins and tools will be provided. We recommend bringing your own materials to be sure you have the opportunity to carve. Feel free to bring a snack to share, as well! Email cuups@hvuuc.org with questions.
Sunday October 29
9:30am Religious Education
We are combining our youth RE classes for a fun mask making event in the Fred Ball Room / Deck. Email DRE@hvuuc.org with any questions.
11:00am Halloween Service
Please be encouraged to wear a costume for this fun service as Rev. Tiffany brings us a Halloween message.
12:00pm Trunk or Treat
Directly after the Halloween service we will be hosting a Trunk or Treat event in our parking lot. Please contact our DRE to let him know if you will be decorating a trunk for this event. A prize will be awarded to the favorite trunk, as voted by our kids!
2:00pm Winterfylleth / Samhain
Join CUUPs to celebrate these two pagan traditions. Click here for more info.
The Six Thinking Hats
Join us for church on October 22, 2023
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:00pm Coffee Hour
1:00pm Intersexion Film Screening
“The Six Thinking Hats”
All of us have certain habits of thinking when it comes to problem-solving, brainstorming and discussions. But we don't all think the same way, and that's a good thing. The Six Thinking Hats, a tool developed by psychologist and philosopher Edward de Bono, invites us to consider the what we bring to the table, and the perspectives that can benefit group work.
Special Auction Donation
Every auction we have a special item that we ask the bidders to donate to. This year we had two items that the Board could not decide on. So, we are asking you, the bidders, to decide!
We will have two items to donate to and which item gets the most donations will be the item that gets all the money. These items were suggested by our facilities Trustee, these are the things that he gets the most questions about during the last year.
The first item is: The front garden is a lively collection of flowers and plants, that is high maintenance and not much maintenance is happening. Would you like to have a professional designed garden with native plants to attract native pollinators.
The second item is: The Covered Deck has no lights nor any sockets to plug fans or other equipment into, limiting our ability to keep bugs at bay.
Which item interests you? By donating to the item you choose will determine which is chosen.
Last year new furniture for the deck was the item selected for the donation.