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.
New Religious Education Semester!
Our new RE semester begins this month! Welcome back to our kids and youth after a couple of weeks off for the holidays!
Our K-2 class begins on January 14 with a new curriculum focused on cultures around the world.
Our 3-5 grades class will be starting January 7, with some new teachers and a new curriculum focused on change!
Our 6-12 grade RE class will not be meeting January through March due to Stellar Sex ED taking place for our 6-8th graders.
Also, our Adult RE 1 and Adult RE 2 classes continue to meet.
Come on out to the REZ at 9:30 on Sunday mornings! We hope to see you there!
Email our director of religious education, Justin, with any questions at DRE@hvuuc.org
Fire Communion
The end of this week’s service will include some celebratory drumming. If you have a personal drum (NOT a drum kit) please feel free to bring it.
Join us for church on January 7, 2024
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
“Fire Communion”
Begin the New Year by letting go of the old year! Fire Communion is a chance to contemplate what in your life you want to burn up and leave behind in 2024. This clears the way for what is good and new in the new year. Come celebrate the possibilities with us!
Taking Down the Giving Tree
It’s time to say goodbye to the Giving Tree until next November. If you can help remove and pack up our decorations from the tree, please meet us at the tree (near the end of McClure St, Johnson City) at 4:00pm Monday 1/8/24. If you can transport an 8-9’ ladder, it would be most helpful as well. Thanks so much everyone for a wonderful year of giving to our community! Email thegivingtree@hvuuc.org with any questions.
January 2024 Newsletter
Headlines
Minister’s Note
Religious Trauma Workshop
Treasury Report
·Women’s Gift Exchange
·Social Justice Initiatives
MLK Day Activities
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
Stellar Sex Ed Grades 6-8
Stellar Sex Ed for Grades 6 - 8
Dates and Time
January 21, 28, February 4, 11, 18, 25, March 3
9:30 - 10:45 at HVUUC REZ - Meditation Hall
Guardian Orientation - Required
Sunday, January 14, 9:30 - 10:45 am at HVUUC - REZ Meditation Hall
Guardians, we want to make sure we have your informed consent for your youth to participate in Stellar Sex Ed, so please plan to attend this meeting if you’re thinking about signing them up. We will have consent forms for you to fill out after the meeting. If you cannot attend the meeting, please reach out to Justin Ridley at DRE@hvuuc.org.
What is Stellar Sex Ed?
Stellar Sex Ed engages participants in an expansive exploration of their inner and outer space. It fundamentally changes the way we approach sexuality education. Free of judgment, Stellar Sex Ed dismantles stigma and invites honest, compassionate curiosity about bodies, identities, and relationships.
Over the course of seven lessons, participants will cover whole people, basic internal and external anatomy, intersex, body image, gender, orientation, power dynamics, healthy relationships, bias and discrimination, pregnancy, STIs, and prevention methods.
HVUUC is offering Stellar Sex Ed, developed by RISE: Healthy for Life, to this age group because it is a contemporary, inclusive, affirming approach to sex ed.
Passing of Gerald Keep
It is with great sorrow we inform you that Gerald Timothy Keep passed away during the morning of December 21, 2023, having lost his battle with stage 4 sarcoma. Gerald opted to have his body donated to science via Restore Life, USA. Linda and Nic plan to hold a memorial service once his ashes are received in approximately 30 days.
Women's Group Gift Exchange, Pancakes and Jam, & New Year Hike
Christmas in Story and Song - NO RE this week
Join us for church on December 24, 2023! No RE this week!
11:00am Sunday Service
“Christmas in Story and Song”
Come join us at our regular Sunday morning time to celebrate Christmas Eve the UU way with some classic Christmas stories and songs, and maybe something new that you haven't heard before!
Office Closed Christmas Week
Giving Tree Volunteers, Pancakes and Jam, & New Year Hike
January Newsletter Deadline
If the Grinch had been Raises Unitarian Universalist
Join us for church on December 17, 2023 and stay after for coffee hour!
9:30 Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:00pm Coffee Hour
“If the Grinch Had Been Raised a UU”
The Grinch started out with poor values. He hated other creatures being happy. Everything had to conform to his desires. Would his values have been better with UU parenting and a UU religious education?
Volunteers needed to help Re-stock The Giving Tree
Come on out and re-stock Giving Tree in Kings Common, park JC. This is a great way to boost your holiday spirit. This involves placing items on the tree several times in one week. Packages are already available and ready to go. Volunteers needed through January 7. Email thegivingtree@hvuuc.org to volunteer.
Winter Solstice Celebration & Pancakes and Jam!
The Variety of Religious Experience
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?"
Radon Information
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.
Festivals of Light - NO RE
December 2023 Newsletter
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
Update on the Giving Tree Project
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