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.
The Two Paths of Awe
Join us for church on February 18, 2024!
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:15pm Music Committee
12:15pm Garden Club
12:30pm Social Justice Committee
“The Two Paths of Awe”
What do you think of, when you think of those "Wow" moments we experience in life? Do you want to whoop and cheer and clap? Or do you want to sit in awestruck silence? Come explore with your community how both of these approaches work, and both do something important for the human experience.
Scam Email Alert
Church family, it appears that someone is phishing again: pretending to be a leader in our congregation in order to access sensitive information. This time, pretending to be our board President in order to access our directory. Please don’t ever give out passwords or buy gift cards for anyone in our congregation via email. Please always make a phone call to verify, or just ignore it!
Speaker from Final Exit Network
During Sunday, February 25th's service we will have a speaker presenting from the Final Exit Network. There will also be a presentation following the service with a slideshow and question and answer time.
Please bring a brown bag lunch if you plan to stay for the session after the service. For more information on the FEN please visit their website: https://finalexitnetwork.org/
Email dre@hvuuc.org with any questions.
Ash Wednesday, Board of Trustees Meeting, and Music Committee
Contemplation Through Photography
Join us for church on February 11, 2024!
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:15pm Choir Rehearsal
“Contemplation Through Photography”
Lent has traditionally been a time of contemplation and fasting in the Christian tradition. Unitarian Universalist Christians have taken a broader view of this time, with the #UULent photo-a-day spiritual practice. Last year Rev. Tiffany managed to participate in every day of the observance, taking photos and writing reflections based on the key word given for the day. She shares what she learned last year as she gears up for another season of practice, and reflects on how times and practices of intentional contemplation can be beneficial to people of every belief and no belief.
Ash Wednesday Gathering
For our UU Christians and for those who are just curious, we will be having an Ash Wednesday gathering with ashes and communion on Wednesday 2/14 from 5:45pm to 6:45pm. The liturgy we will be using was created by Unitarian Universalist Minister and UUA Board Member Rev. Sam Trumbore, and is designed for small group contemplation.
For more information contact Rev. Tiffany at minister@hvuuc.org
Movie Night, Choir Practice, and Lake Clean Up Day
Change: The Only Constant
Join us for church on February 4, 2024!
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:00pm Coffee Hour
1:00pm Religious Trauma Workshop
“Change: The Only Constant”
There’s no question: 2024 is going to be a year of change. Of course - what year isn’t? When change feels unsettling or scary, how do we shift our relationship with anticipation of change? Our faith calls us to the work of transformation. How can we work to embrace the change that is coming? How can we learn from our own relationship and reactions to change how to deepen our call to transformation within ourselves and our faith communities?
February 2024 Newsletter
Headlines
Minister’s Note
Coffee Hour Help Needed
BoT Meeting Change
Path to Membership
Choir Rehearsal
Social Justice Initiatives
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
Choir Rehearsal
Volunteer Choir Leader, Rachel Reece, will be hosting Bi-weekly Choir Rehearsals for a 3-month trial period from February to May on the 2nd and 4th Sunday following Sunday Services. Grab your coffee and hugs then head over to the piano with your hymnals for some exercises and fun community time with other music lovers as part of our Music Program.
Imbolc Ritual, Women's Night, and Religious Trauma Workshop
Activism as a Spiritual Practice
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.
“Activism as a Spiritual Practice”
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 & 5th Sunday Collection
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
Gerald Keep Photo Project
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.
Special Guest Speaker after Church this Sunday - Amerika Grewal
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.
February Newsletter Deadline
Gerald Keep Memorial Service, Fellowship Committee, & Wednesday Night Supper
January 21st Sunday Service Canceled
Seven Types of Rest ( IN PERSON SERVICE CANCELED)
Join us for church on January 21, 2024!
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
“Seven Types of Rest”
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.