We have unofficially had a sort of contemporary band set up doing special music at the church for roughly a year now. We would now like to formally establish this band as a concrete thing and invite all musically inclined folks to participate in it!

The band is not one set of certain people. Instead it is a floating roster of regular people who like to play music often and enjoy playing in a group with others. Alesha, the band director, wants to make sure everyone has access to opportunities and all talents are showcased evenly. So not everyone gets to play every time, but everyone gets equal invitations to play.

If you would like to be added to our list of folks that we reach out to for band performances, talk to Alesha or Charis, or email musicdirector@hvuuc.org, or attend a Music Committee meeting which is every 3rd Sunday after church.

Join us for church on August 25, 2024!

NO RE this week

11:00am Sunday Service

12:00pm Coffee Hour

“Banned Book Reports”

Members and friends of HVUUC discuss the disturbing trend of challenging and banning books in schools and libraries , share with you a few favorite banned books, and some ways to resist.

Join us for church on August 4, 2024!

• 9:30am Religious Education

• 11:00am Sunday Service

• 12:00pm Coffee Hour

• 4:00pm Youth Group Event

“General Assembly Report”

A lot happened at General Assembly this year as we discussed Unitarian Universalist identity, environmentalism, trans rights and our response to war. Come hear from your delegates and your minister about what we learned this Sunday!

BACKPACK BLESSING
Teachers and Students, bring your backpacks (or computer bags, or a favorite notebook) to be blessed during the church service this Sunday August 4th. College Students and Home-school Students, you're a part of this too!

See this moving performance here at Holston Valley Unitarian Universalist Church on August 16th!

A MUSICAL PRESENTATION ON RACE

“This is Deeper Than the Skin”

The presentation begins with a song… followed by another song…

that moves into a poem and then… an invitation.

This is not just another evening of talk.

This is not just a concert of songs that just entertain.

“Deeper Than the Skin” is an experience of singing and listening… of experiencing a connection so deep that it makes you laugh, smile, cry and reconsider what you know about our history. It’s an invitation to open your heart and mind to a story of shared humanity that resonates with your own.

Two friends… one Black, one White… one from the North… one from the South! Musicians, storytellers, students of history and world travelers… born 3 day apart! Two separate narratives forged into one powerful friendship aimed at finding common ground and helping others to do the same.

Deeper Than the Skin brings together a remarkable journey that started 30 years ago and is now offering hope to people all over the nation. It’s a presentation that ends with an open dialogue that moves the audience from emotion into action…that gives voice and direction to the question “What can I do?”

Deeper That the Skin is an interactive, engaging invitation to take a step into a new reality. It’s an affirmation of the notion that a more perfect union begins…. with us!

See this moving performance here at Holsten Valley Unitarian Universalist Church on August 16th.

SEATING IS LIMITED. For tickets visit:

https://holstonvalleyunitarianuniversa.ticketspice.com/deeper-than-the-skin

Headlines

•  Minister’s Note

• Game Nights

• Women’s Night

• Historical Marker Dedication

• Deeper Than Skin Concert

•  Church Picnic

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

Teachers and Students, bring your backpacks (or computer bags, or a favorite notebook) to be blessed during the church service on Sunday August 4th.

College Students and Home-school Students, you're a part of this too!

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 July 28, 2024!

• 9:30am Religious Education

• 11:00am Sunday Service

• 12:00pm Coffee Hour

• 12:15pm Choir Rehearsal

• 4:00pm Youth Group Event

“Ayyew and Bottle Bricks”

Malaysia has a plastic problem. But their next door neighbors in the Phillipines may have a solution in the principles of their indigenous population. Learn how the principle of Ayyew led to the practice of bottle bricking, and what it might suggest to us about our own ecological efforts.

Please email all submissions for the August newsletter by Monday July 29th to newsletter@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.

Join us for church on July 21, 2024!

• 9:30am Religious Education

• 11:00am Sunday Service

• 12:00pm Coffee Hour

“Appalachian Music Styles”

Our Appalachian Living Tradition: The Music Committee is thrilled to present our beloved Music Sunday. This year promises a unique experience. We are honored to have Colin Hayden, a distinguished musician and academic, as our guest. He will lead a music-centered service exploring the rich traditions of Appalachian music and how to shed light on the fact that it is one of the most thriving living traditions today.

The youth and kids will be making plastic bottle bricks and ecobricks next Sunday during RE. They are in need of clean plastic bottles and bags to make this possible.

Please bring your washed plastic to the church and leave at the DRE's door or in the foyer of the REZ. For questions please contact our DRE, Justin Ridley, dre@hvuuc.org.

Learn more at ecobricks.org.

Black/White Dialogue, in partnership with The McKinney Center, has scheduled the play, “Nancy” for our August meeting, Monday, August 12, at 6:00pm at the auditorium of the International Storytelling Festival located in Jonesborough. Q&A will follow. Following the play, there will be time for casual conversation.

Advance tickets may be purchased directly from The McKinney Center at 423-753-0562. Supporters of this production will be listed in the program for $100, which includes 2 tickets. The McKinney Center is a non-profit organization.

You can find more information at the FB event here:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1010749363373182

Have you ever wondered how to get involved with our Youth and RE kids programming at HVUUC?

HVUUC offers RE classes for kids and Youth. We have also recently restarted our Youth Group. For the youngest children we have a nursery available. All of these age groups require volunteer support to make them happen.

If you are passionate about teaching or caring for kids and youth please consider volunteering in one of the following areas:

• RE Teacher (K-2; 3-5; or 6-12 (when available))

• Youth Group Facilitator (ages 11 -17 and grades 6-12)

• Backup Nursery Volunteer (ages 6 and younger)

Training and background checks are provided. Please reach out to a member of the RE Collaborative or our DRE, Justin Ridley if you are interested in using your passion to help out.

Summer RE is in full swing. Please see the upcoming events for July and August RE.

Here is a list of Summer RE events for kids and youth grades K-12:

• July 14 - Wildflower Seed Bombs with Peggy Wolfe and Judy Wade

• July 21 - Wild Edible Walk with Charis Carter

• July 28 - How to Make a Bottle Brick/Ecobrick with Catherine Pearson

• August 4 - How to Make Pizza with Cyndi Hatch and Beth Calvert

• August 11 - Musical Instruments out of Natural and Re-cycled Materials with Sue Cadwallader

• August 18 - HVUUC Worship 101 with Rev. Tiffany and friends

Please come out and join us from 9:30 - 10:45 am. Most Sundays we will meet on the back covered deck of the church. For questions please contact our DRE Justin Ridley dre@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.

The Andrew McKnight Coffeehouse concert is now available via a private link to a private YouTube recording.  This is available to members and friends of the church who are not able to come out to in-person events due to health or other reasons.  If you would like a link to this concert please reach out to office@hvuuc.org and request the link.

We have noticed a spike in Covid cases in the congregation this week.  If you are medically vulnerable or feeling unwell in any way please stay home to protect yourself and others! Our services are always on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@holstonvalleyunitarianuniv3495

Join us for church on July 14, 2024!

• 9:30am Religious Education

• 11:00am Sunday Service

• 12:00pm Coffee Hour

“Won't You Be My Neighbor?”

There are few people known in this modern era that are as beloved as Mr. Rogers. And this children's show had some DEPTH. Let's explore how Mr. Rogers used the platform of his television show to build the Beloved Community.

We have noticed a spike in Covid cases in the congregation this week.  If you are medically vulnerable or feeling unwell in any way please stay home to protect yourself and others!

Our services are always on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@holstonvalleyunitarianuniv3495

On August 8th at 11am, we will have the chance to host an unveiling of an historical marker titled "Freed African-Americans Win First Inheritance Suit," a project several years in the making in partnership with the McKinney Center in Jonesborough.  We would like to celebrate with a reception after the unveiling and need some food and cleanup volunteers.

Email Peggy at fellowship@hvuuc.org to volunteer!