Join us for church on April 20, 2025!
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:00pm Egg hunt and Open Mic
4:00pm Youth Group
An Easter celebration highlighting the diverse perspectives present within Holston Valley Unitarian Universalist Church. This member-led service offers us an opportunity to hear about Easter, past and present, from four of our members, Denee Mattioli, Deb Helmer, Charlie Miller, and Lee Sinnot.
Our annual Flower Communion service is on Sunday, April 27th! Please plan on bringing a flower for this very special service: store bought, from your garden, or a roadside wildflower: all are welcome!
If you'd like to volunteer to bring in an entire vase-worth of flowers to share with people who didn't bring a flower, email minister@hvuuc.org to volunteer!
Registration closes April 30th, limited rooms still available as well as camping. INFO & REGISTRATION HERE: Www.tinyurl.com/hvuucwomen
THEME:
Radical Joy in Hard Times
PLACE:
The Peace Pentagon (www.peacepentagon.net)
88 Oracle Way, Independence, VA
We will have access to the entire campus which includes New River frontage, a babbling creek for water ceremony, turtle labyrinth, medicine wheel and peace pole as well as the picnic pavilion, bathhouse and, of course, the Peace Pentagon chapel.
CONVENER:
Rev. Becky Suzik, UU Peace Fellowship (https://uupf.org) Raleigh, NC;
Rev. Becky’s personal charity: www.joyfuel.org
The purpose of our gathering is to persist in bringing the frequency of JOY into our lives as we face difficult times. The greatest antidote to fear and separation is community, heart resonance and kindling JOY. And, yes, better together!
This gathering is flexible. Come Friday evening for a bonfire, drumming and stay on campus – rates ranging from $25/night camping to $100 for a private King bed and bath. Another option it to rent the whole house and share costs. Plus taxes.
OR – come for just Saturday.. arrive at 10 for a full day of JOY immersion.
PLANNING:
Are you interested in planning the details for the gathering? For example, food committee, leading a JOY activity, other?
REGISTRATION:
Fee: By Donation – No One Will be Turned Away;
INTERESTED? – More details as they are developed.
Email Noel: VP@hvuuc.org
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 April 13, 2025!
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:00pm Potluck
Jeremy Bentham's panopticon has handed us a surprisingly relevant concept for understanding how social media is increasing our self-consciousness to an oppressive degree. Rev. Tiffany explores how we are using technology as a weapon against ourselves, and makes some suggestions about healthy boundaries we can set with ourselves.
Join us for church on January 28, 2024!
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:20pm Special Presentation by Amerika Grewal about the injustice at the Texas border.
Annual Social Justice Sunday: Mark will speak about the significance of having a spiritual foundation for our civic activism and the intersection of UU Principles with our civic responsibilities.
Social Justice Sunday - January 28th
On our annual Social Justice Sunday – January 28 – we welcome Mark Mohundro from the Tennessee Valley UU Church in Knoxville, speaking on “Activism as a Spiritual Practice.” Mark is a well-known speaker at Churches across the state and is the organizer of the TN State UU Action Network, an embryo network coming together for state collective action by TN UUs on matters of significance, including advocacy in social justice matters. His message will highlight the significance of having a spiritual foundation for our civic activism and the intersection of UU Principles with our civic responsibilities.
League of Women Voters – 5th Sunday Collection
Our intended 5th Sunday Collection for December will be postponed to January 28, when we will show our support for the good work of the Northeast Tennessee Chapter of the League of Women Voters. Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy. This is the non- partisan mission of the League. Many believe American democracy is on the ballot in 2024. League President Gywnn Mettetal, a UU supporter, will be with us, along with other League members, to chat with us during Coffee Hour.
Interested in joining our Social Justice team? Email any questions to sjchair@hvuuc.org
Holston Valley UU Church is collecting photos of Gerald Keep for a slideshow that will play during his Memorial Service on February 3rd.
If you have any digital photos to share, please share them to this Google Drive folder: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1VzqRZtK93cj3gl0qA40pYai-g5OQxHHD?usp=drive_link
The deadline for photo sharing in order for them to be added to the slideshow is Tuesday, January 30th.
This Sunday, January 28th after the service at 12:20PM
Amerika Grewal will host a 30-minute interactive presentation with Q&A session, totaling about 1 hour. Attendees will emerge with a better understanding of the situation at the US border in Texas, as well as a solid plan to counter hate at home and in the community.
Amerika is a former HVUUC member who has lived all over the world. She currently bears direct witness to injustice at the border and Texas policy. The influx of asylum seekers and economic refugees into Texas coupled with the defiance of the State of Texas towards Homeland Security and numerous lawsuits about this have the potential to radically reshape the culture, economy, environment, and politics of the United States. The arrival of militia groups in Eagle Pass only underscores the need to address these issues in public forums and work on identifying and acting on our values.
Click through for further details and information.
Join us for church on January 21, 2024!
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
Are you tired? You're not alone. Google searches for "why am I tired all the time?" reached an all time high this year. This Sunday we explore Seven Types of Rest and contemplate which Rests we may each actually need. And will explore how we can support each other in getting what we need when we are Not the ones who are tired.
The "Fellowship Committee" will operate as a social program to expand social activities and complete current Coffee Hour functions. The committee will also review and complete kitchen tasks with training and volunteering.
At the first meeting the Fellowship Trustee will offer guidance and advise on leadership, new social function ideas, varied responsibilities and current volunteer needs.
Many small tasks are vital to create any church social time.
Coffee hour and kitchen tasks, as just one example, requires many helping hands.
The first meeting will review tasks requiring immediate help, and the need for more participation discussed.
A chairperson/coordinator to assist in organizing the group, to regularly review procedures, train new volunteers, review the current church fellowship activities, discuss how and where volunteer help is needed right now.
To learn more and/or to join the Fellowship Committee
EMAIL: FELLOWSHIP@HVUUC.ORG
A mutual date to meet up in person or future zoom meeting, will be the first item to be decided.
Thank You.
Cynthia Goodman
Fellowship Trustee
HVUUC
The Gerald Keep family has requested a Memorial Service to be held at church on Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.
Reception immediately following.
All HVUUC members and friends are cordially invited.
For any further information please contact
Minister@hvuuc.org
Or memorialreception@hvuuc.org
Thank you.
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
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:
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
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
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!
