Ann and Wayne Johnson have a tree near their house that needs to be taken down. We will meet Saturday February 3rd at their house at 10:00 AM. If you have a chainsaw please bring it to help cut the tree up once we have it down. Please wear safety gear! I'm going to get a rope in the trees branch's to pull the tree away from the house. If you have a way to get a string up and over 60 feet branches please respond. If it's not safe we will not take the tree down.

Email macho@hvuuc.org with any questions and for location details.

Join us for church on January 14, 2024!

• 9:30am Religious Education

• 11:00am Sunday Service

• 12:00PM Coffee Hour

• 12:30PM Social Justice Call to Action Meeting

“The Man, the Dream, the Movement.”

Hear the story of the Civil Rights movement in a way you never had before. This script for many voices, written by Unitarian Universalists of color, invites us to hear this important part of our collective history as told by those who participated in these changes from their center.

The Church is getting ready for our upcoming pledge drive! Before the Stewardship Team can ask for a pledge the Board of Trustees needs to know how much money we need to spend. Our fine staff and minister need to be paid and receive healthcare insurance. All Church groups who receive money to fund your activities. I'm asking to have a budget submitted by the Board of Trustee meeting in February!

Email stewardship@hvuuc.org

Registration is now open for 6-8th grade Stellar Sex ED.

In collaboration with RISE: Healthy for Life, HVUUC is offering Stellar Sex ED for 6-8 grade youth. Beginning January 14, with a guardian and student orientation. Classes will then run from January 21 - March 3 on Sundays at HVUUC. The cost is free. Please follow the link for more information and to register.

https://risehealthylife.betterworld.org/events/middle-school-stellar-sex-ed-at

Email dre@hvuuc.org with any questions.

A Meal Train has been set up for the Chaffin Family who are currently going through a difficult time.

We all know the Chaffins who are always helping others and are very active in all HVUUC activities including Social Justice, MACHO, the Giving Tree, Pancakes & Jam, the Music Program, etc.

Now it is our turn to give back.

Kim’s Mother is currently hospitalized with a serious illness & then this Thursday, Jan 11th, Alesha is having hip surgery which will require recovery time with limited activity.

We can help with a Meal Train beginning this Thursday. As requested, restaurant gift cards are even available on the Train for non cooks.

Please review all details under "Recipient Info" on the Meal Train! You are invited to join at the link below:

Mealtrain.com/wdege0

Storytelling Event

Monday, 1/15/2024

9 am – 12 pm

Carver Recreation Center

Peace Walk

Monday, 1/15/2024

12 pm

Carver Recreation Center

Blood Drive

Monday, 1/15/2024

1pm – 6 pm

Carver Recreation Center

Community Information Session

Monday, 1/15/2024

1 pm – 3 pm

Carver Recreation Center

Community Dinner

Monday, 1/15/2024

6 pm – 8 pm

Carver Recreation Center

Food Drive

Timeframe: 12/13/23 – 1/15/2024

Locations: McKinney Center, Langston, Good Sam, etc.

Food supports Good Sam and JAMA Food Pantries

Vincent Dial Student Art Exhibit

Public Reception: Thursday, 1/18/2024

Exhibit Timeframe: 1/15/24 – 1/19/24

McKinney Center

2024 Event: The Importance of MLK to the Hispanic Community

Thursday, 1/25/2024

7 pm

Langston Centre

Community Building Conference

Saturday, 1/27/24

10 am – 1 pm

Location: Langston Centre

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.

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

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!

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.

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 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.

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.

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 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!

The office will be close Dec 26 and Dec 28, the week between Christmas and New Years. If you have an emergency please email minister@hvuuc.org or caringteam@hvuuc.org

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.

Please email all submissions for the January newsletter by Monday January 1st to newsletter@hvuuc.org.

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?

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.