Jessica Bowman
The Enigma of Domestic Violence - NO RE

Join us for church on May 24, 2026.

  • NO RE

  • 11:00am Service

  • 11:15am Wonder Worship

  • 12:00pm Coffee Hour

The Enigma of Domestic Violence: Moving Beyond the Caricature of the Battered Woman

The images we typically associate with women experiencing domestic violence focuses on bloody and violent acts. What if we could change that narrative to become reflective of what the day to day life of a woman experiencing domestic abuse actually entails? Using a mix of empirical data, and personal experience our guest speaker Sophia aims to demystify the discourse around domestic abuse, and encourage ongoing dialogue around supporting survivors.

TW: Domestic Violence, Gun violence, Reproductive Coercion

Wonder Worship activity will be available for youth ages kindergarten and up, during this service. It will start just after the chalice lighting.

The Enigma of Domestic Violence - NO RE
Jessica Bowman
New Service Group at HVUUC

The Hands Team is the new name for our service group. It is open to ALL! We assist church friends with low-skill “multi-handed” projects like a house move or a backlog of yardwork. All levels and types of capability are welcome, from lifting and carrying to planning logistics to providing refreshments or encouragement. Pitch in, do good, and build community all at the same time!

Join our Google Group (https://groups.google.com/g/hvuuc-hands-team) or email handsteam@hvuuc.org to get notifications about upcoming opportunities, with no obligation to participate. 

New Service Group at HVUUC
Jessica Bowman
Religious Education News

Religious Education Update – May 24, 2026

✨ Youth Lock-In Success!

Our very first Youth Lock-In was an absolutely awesome experience!

The youth kicked off the evening with a full democratic debate to establish a “rule council” for one of their favorite versions of Uno. Each candidate had three minutes to present their case and answer questions before voting began — and the silly, dramatic enforcement of those rules throughout the night made for some truly unforgettable rounds of Uno. 😆

We connected more deeply through the card game Worst Case Scenario, sang our hearts out during karaoke, and watched Logan build a giant Avatar creation that turned out to be just as fun to destroy as it was to build. The Sensory Corner was a huge hit and provided a calming, grounding space between activities.

We also got to explore Justin and Logan’s family commune-building YouTube channel, Axis Vitae — definitely worth checking out! Conversations throughout the night led to thoughtful discussions about generational shifts in social connection, online gaming, and group hangouts. As someone who grew up in the “play outside until the streetlights come on” generation, it was genuinely insightful and engaging to hear everyone’s perspectives.

A huge shoutout also goes to Justin for repeatedly saving the day by fixing the A/C so everyone could continue gaming comfortably!

As the night came to a close, Mary and Bentley became the final two standing — and Mary claimed the victory as Bentley surrendered to a well-earned mini power nap. 😄

We also had the joy of meeting some of the PRISM youth and hope to continue building connections with them during future youth gatherings. This is such an amazing group of young humans, and I’m already looking forward to our next lock-in adventure!

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Memorial Day Weekend Reminder

There will be no RE classes this Sunday due to Memorial Day weekend.

However, we will have Wonder Worship during service! ✨

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🎉 All-Ages End of Sessions Celebration

Join us on May 31st for our All-Ages End of Sessions Celebration as we wrap up another wonderful RE year together!

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💜 The REC Invites YOU!

The Religious Education Collaborative (REC) warmly invites all attendees and parents/guardians to participate in conversations surrounding RE programming and vision.

The decisions we make within RE impact each of you, and we genuinely want your voice included in the process.

🗓️

REC Meetings are held via Zoom on the first Sunday of each month at 5pm.

We also stay connected through an ongoing group text for continued collaboration and communication.

📧 Reach out to

hvuucdre@gmail.com

to be added to the group and help shape the future of RE at HVUUC!

Church membership is not required to participate.

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🌈 Stay Connected

Join our HVUUC Families Facebook Group to stay up to date on all things RE:

[HVUUC Families Facebook Group](https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CbL7p4Lp9/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

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A Summer of Shared Ministry

This summer, instead of a traditional day camp, we’ll be offering a whole-church summer experience inspired by We Are the Builders — creating opportunities for all ages to come together in community while sharing our innate gifts, talents, creativity, and passions with one another. ✨

Keep an eye out for more information through E-News, Facebook, and the RE Bridge Board in the Fellowship Hall!

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🧩 Fidget Station Reminder

We are grateful to offer a fidget station for youth and community members who benefit from sensory support and hands-on engagement.

Please encourage your children to help clean up the area after use and return borrowed fidgets so this resource can remain available for everyone.

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🌿 Quiet Room Reminder

Our Quiet Room is available for anyone needing a calmer, lower-stimulation space during services or RE time.

Please help us keep this area peaceful, welcoming, and accessible for all who may need it. 💜

Religious Education News
Jessica Bowman
Hurricane Helene Study

Want to share your Hurricane Helene experience? We want to learn from you!

We are a team of university researchers studying how disaster relief was provided after Hurricane Helene and the impacts of aid delivery on communities. If you lived through the storm, we want to hear about your experiences accessing aid. Your participation could help other communities affected by disasters in the future.

What is involved?

Take part in a 1-1.5 hour interview related to your experience during Hurricane Helene.

Are you eligible?

You lived in the greater Tri-Cities area during Hurricane Helene.

You are 18 or older.

Have questions about the study? Contact the lead researcher,

Dr. Samantha Penta, at spenta@albany.edu.

You can find more info here or scan the QR code below.

https://www.albany.edu/cehc/disasters-as-destabilizers

Hurricane Helene Study
Jessica Bowman
Game Night, Coffee Hour Volunteers, & ...

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.

Game Night, Coffee Hour Volunteers, & Ukulele Jam

HVUUC Band

HVUUC Band

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.

General Assembly Report and Backpack Blessing

General Assembly Report and Backpack Blessing

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!

Deeper Than The Skin Concert Tickets Available Now

Deeper Than The Skin Concert Tickets Available Now

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

Ayyew and Bottle Bricks

Ayyew and Bottle Bricks

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.

Appalachian Musical Styles

Appalachian Musical Styles

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.

Clean Plastic Needed for 7/28 Summer RE

Clean Plastic Needed for 7/28 Summer RE

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.

 

Nancy - Black and White Dialogue

Nancy - Black and White Dialogue

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

How to Get Involved with Youth and RE Kids

How to Get Involved with Youth and RE Kids

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.

July and August Summer RE Events

July and August Summer RE Events

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

Won't You Be My Neighbor?

Won't You Be My Neighbor?

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.