Join us for church on December 10, 2023 and stay after for coffee hour!

• 9:30 Religious Education

• 11:00am Sunday Service

• 12:00pm Coffee Hour

• 1:00pm Caroling

“The Variety of Religious Experience”

There's an odd demarcation in the 3rd and 4th Sources of Unitarian Universalism. The third names "wisdom from the world's religions" as a source of inspiration and ethical guidance, while the fourth names "Jewish and Christian teachings" specifically. It seems strange to separate those out. But when you look at Unitarian Universalist history, it makes a certain kind of sense. And it challenges us with an important question, "Are we truly a post-Christian religion?"

In August of this year, a congregant had testing for Radon completed in the basement of the church. It was found to have a Radon level of 5.4 pCi/L.  Subsequent testing found 3.6 pCi/L. Remediation is generally advised if the long-term level is above 4.0 pCi/L in homes. Tish Kashdan, Vice President, called the Radon Hotline with our radon numbers and the exposure times. They suggested we do a long exposure test but that since the exposure duration is short and Radon levels are relatively low, exposure is not great enough to be a problem.

Click through for the full article.

Join us for church on December 3, 2023 and stay after for coffee hour!

• 11:00am Sunday Service

• 12:00pm Coffee Hour

“Festivals of Light”

A beloved celebration of many traditions around this time of year from many faiths.

Headlines

• Minister’s Note

• Christmas Caroling

• The Giving Tree

• Women’s Group

• Pancakes and Jam

• Endowment

• Music Director Note

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

The Giving Tree is Back!

Join the Social Justice Committee in restocking and supplying gifts for “The Giving Tree” in Kings Common park in Johnson City. The HVUUC Giving Tree has items on it for those in our community who are in need. We will be restocking the tree until January 7. If you would like to be involved with restocking the tree, please contact givingtree@hvuuc.org.

The collection box is in the Fred Ball Room.

Items needed (new please):

• caps

• gloves

• scarves

• underwear

• socks (all sizes)

• men and women’s hygiene products

Please leave items unwrapped. You may put items in clear ziplock type bags (this helps) or leave them in the box unpackaged.

Also, monetary donations are also accepted. Please put money or check in an envelope in the box. One of our elves will happily do the shopping for you.

If you know of a business or group that would like to donate, please have them contact us at givingtree@hvuuc.org

Join us for church on November 26, 2023 and stay after for choir practice!

• 11:00am Sunday Service

• 12:10pm Choir Rehearsal

“The Sound of Silence”

Guest Speaker from our own congregation, Steven Roberts, will share a brief history and lyrical explanation. The service will include a few video presentations, a Quaker style contemplation and an in-service HVUUC discussion time. In Steve's own words "Guaranteed not boring!"

Please email all submissions for the December newsletter by Wednesday November 29 to newsletter@hvuuc.org.

There will be no Religious Education on Sunday, November 26, due to the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Please contact the DRE, Justin Ridley, if you have any questions.

Also the office will be closed Thursday November 23 for Thanksgiving so if you have anything important to communicate please do so by Tuesday Nov 21 during regular office hours.

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.

Join us for church on November 19, 2023 and stay after for coffee hour and choir practice!

• 9:30am Religious Education

• 11:00am Sunday Service

• 12:00pm Coffee Hour

• 12:10pm Choir Rehearsal

“The State of History Education in the United States”

History education has been a contentious topic recently. Having taught history for a few years, and having spent two weeks with history teachers across the nation, Bradley has some thoughts to share on how our country is choosing to teach our past.

Wednesday night supper for November is a post-Thanksgiving healthy feast.

Join us on Nov 29th at 6:00PM. Be sure to make your reservation by Sunday, the 26th.

All are welcome for this time of simple fellowship and good food.

Cost

• $15 for two

• $8 for one

• $5 for children under 12

Cash only please.

Reservations are REQUIRED.-by Sunday, Nov. 26th.

Email WNS@HVUUC.org or sign up on the sheet in the Fellowship Hall.

November 19 @ 12:10PM

November 26 @12:10PM

Join us after the service on November 19 and 26 as we prepare for our annual Festivals of Light service, a beloved celebration of many traditions around this time of year from many faiths. All interested are welcome to join! Even if you've never sung with HVUUC Choir before, this is a great opportunity to come join us!

On a rare occasion we have the opportunity to hear a guest speaker that cannot be recorded and posted on YouTube. We try to keep this to a minimum because we really value our Members and Friends who cannot be with us in person, but occasionally we have a very good reason to make that choice.

This coming Sunday, November 19th, will be one of those Sundays.

We would like to propose that our Members and Friends who cannot make it to the in-person service on Sunday, November 19th use this Sunday as an opportunity to make a virtual visit to another Unitarian Universalist Congregation. Here are a few congregations that Rev. Tiffany can personally recommend for this exploration, along with their YouTube links:

The Unitarian Congregation in Baton Rouge: https://www.youtube.com/@UnitarianBR/streams

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Rockville: https://www.youtube.com/@UUCRockville/videos

Unitarian Universalist Church of Augusta: https://www.youtube.com/@uucamedia/videos

If you're able to be with us in-person on November 19th, we hope you come be with us in-person. But if you're not, we hope you'll enjoy the offering of your choice from one of these congregation instead!

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 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.

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.

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 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!

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

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.