The Annual Congregational Meeting will be held in person on April 27th at 12:15 pm in the Sanctuary. Only people attending in person will have the ability to vote on the candidates for the Board of Trustees and the Nominating Committee. Those candidates are listed below. They will also be voting on the 2025-2026 Budget which will be sent out prior to April 17 th .
Listed below is the final slate of Board Candidates that will be voted on at this meeting:
Immediate Past President – Tish Kashdan
President – Noel Marshall
Vice President – Emily Hand *
Treasurer – Sarah Sanders
Secretary – Chelsey Collea *
Facilities – Steven Roberts
Stewardship – Greg Kramer *
Programs – Alesha Chaffin *
Membership – Phyllis Cairnes *
Fellowship – Peggy Wolfe
Nominating Committee – 2025-2026/2027
Jen Corbin (2026)
Ellen Barker (2026)
Linda Waltner (2027) *
Lori Krause (2027) *
Sophia Peterson (2027) *
The * indicates the person is starting a new term of office which lasts for two years: the VP will serve for a total of 3 years.
People completing their term of office in the Board of Trustees include: Dottie Blades (Past President), Alicia Culbertson (Secretary), Greg Kramer (Stewardship), Bradley Quick (Programs), Lori Krause (Membership).
Nominating Committee Members who have completed their term of office include: Michele Markstrom-Frish and Dana York Ensor.
Please thank these people for the time they have spent in the betterment of our church community.
Tish Kashdan
Headlines
· Minister’s Note
· RE News
· Ukulele Group
· Potluck
· Women’s Night
· Appalachian Service Project
· Game Night
· Women’s Retreat
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
A member of our congregation has been made aware of a local grief group and we’re passing it along for those who may be interested in this service. It is not affiliated with the church.
Where:
Slater Community Center
325 McDowell St
Bristol VA
When:
Third Thursdays at 2:00PM
For more information contact Rebecca Blalock at 276-494-0465 or email Rblalock@carishealthcare.com
Join us for church on March 30, 2025!
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:00pm Coffee Hour & Youth Bake Sale Fundraiser
12:30pm Social Justice Committee Meeting (all are welcome!)
Every day, we strive to recognize and empower the trans community, both here and abroad. This Sunday, we will strengthen that deliberate effort by once again celebrating Transgender Day of Visibility. All are welcome in this intentionally inclusive space, and all are invited to commune with our trans friends as they bring their knowledge and talents, their history and experience, their journeys and lessons to this service.
Fifth Sunday Offering
This quarter's recipient of the 5th Sunday Offering is Johnson City Recovery Center (JCRC). JCRC is a peer-led and operated recovery community center. All services are free and provide advocacy training, recovery information, mutual aid support, recovery and health information, technology and internet assistance, resource mobilization, employment assistance, recovery coaching, volunteerism, yoga for recovery, social activities, etc. JCRC is a ‘recovery hub’ offering a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental environment for those seeking recovery where all paths to recovery are welcomed, affirmed, and celebrated.
JCRC's website: https://jcrecoverycenter.org/
Holston Valley Unitarian Universalist Church is seeking applications for our next Music Program Director through Friday September 6th. Please spread the word to talented people that you know!
Resume and cover letter should go to minister@hvuuc.org and pastpresident@hvuuc.org
You can also email for pay information or any other questions you have.
Read the full job description at the link below.
The Social Justice Committee will be hosting another voter postcard writing campaign after Coffee Hour this Sunday starting at 12:30. Be sure to stick around for refreshments and fellowship for another fun post card event!
Join us for church on August 25, 2024!
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:00pm Coffee Hour
12:30pm Reclaim the Vote Postcard Writing Campaign for the November election.
Around here in East Tennessee, it's not uncommon to hear a sentence start with "The Bible says... " But does it? So often people are putting words, or beliefs, into the Bible that just aren't there. This Sunday Rev. Tiffany dusts off her Bible-scholar hat to explore five things that the Bible never said, and one thing that it absolutely does say.
Are there any history buffs in the house? Our church office is undergoing a re-organization and part of that is consolidating and storing church archives and church history information. If you are a fan of history or are curious about our church's history, join our newly forming church history team by emailing history@hvuuc.org
We anticipate this project may take 2 or 3 meetings max, involving sorting through old church materials and deciding what needs to be preserved and what needs to be recycled. All are welcome, though those with a longer history with the church will be especially appreciated.
It is time for a major clean up of the church office! If you or your committee have used the office to store items please arrange with our Office Manager Jessica to come by and help us tidy by removing unnecessary clutter.
Items may include but are not limited to:
yard signs
holiday decor
posters
books
Thank you so much for helping out. Email office@hvuuc.org with any questions.
In case you missed our big news during Candles time this last Sunday, we want you to keep you informed:
Our longtime Music Director Charis Carter shared during this Sunday's candles time: 'It is with a heavy mind and heart that I announce that my majestic companion in life, my 91 year old Nana is meeting her most challenging task of losing independent life. I will be stepping down as your Music Program Director and transitioning to be her full-time caretaker. I am joyous for the opportunity to honor this role with Nana and to watch from afar as this community continues to grow." Charis' last day will be on September 8th, please join us to celebrate her and the considerable ways that she has made HVUUC a joyous and inspiring place to gather together on Sunday mornings.
Jenna, our Nursery Supervisor, is also moving on to other opportunities. Just last week, after receiving applications and conducting interviews, our Personnel Committee has determined that the best person for our open Nursery Supervisor position is our own nursery worker Olivia Leath. We all feel really good about her leadership in this position, and are confident that your kids are in very good hands.
We will be working on hiring additional nursery personnel and a new Music Director soon, so keep your eyes peeled for that information!
This Sunday, August 18th, is our Water Communion. Bring water from your travels or from a meaningful location in the area, to participate in this this much beloved tradition.
Join us for church on August 18, 2024!
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:00pm Coffee Hour
Our annual interactive and intergenerational service where we celebrate our interconnectivity.
Here's your chance to volunteer with UU the Vote.
They have a number of opportunites to get involved. And many of them are phone banking opportunites that you can do from the comfort of your own home.
"UU the Vote" is a non-partisan branch of Side with Love that provides us with a thoughtfully crafted “plug-and-play” opportunities to bring our democratic values to life in the crucial struggle to build a genuine multiracial democracy. UU the Vote engages people in voter registration, issue education, get-out-the-vote drives, voter protection, state leadership development, and more.
They have a number of opportunites to get involved. And many of them are phone banking opportunites that you can do from the comfort of your own home.
Action creates Hope! So we wanted to connect you with the opportunities to explore that you might be interested in. Visit this website for a list of events:
This Sunday, August 18th, is our Water Communion. Bring water from your travels or from a meaningful location in the area, to participate in this this much beloved tradition.
In the water communion ceremony, everyone pours water into a shared bowl, showing that we are one interconnected and ever-changing community. You do not have to bring your own water to participate as some will be provided. But people often bring water that holds some significance for them.
Join us for church on August 11, 2024!
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:00pm Coffee Hour
12:15pm Choir Rehearsal
Signs, signs, everywhere are signs. This Sunday, a new historical marker makes an appearance at Holston Valley Unitarian Universalist Church. Come learn about this historical marker and the stories behind it.
Please sign up on the large sheets on the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall to help with the church picnic.
We need set-up preparers, food preparers, various food and drink donations, and cleanup help.
Sign up on the sheet in the Fellowship Hall or email fellowship@hvuuc.org to sign up.
Note: The church is providing burgers and all the extras.
The MACHO (Men Achieving Community Helping Others) team has been an integral and necessary part of our church community for years. Many of the members have contributed countless hours to improve and maintain the facilities and grounds at HVUUC, as well as helping those in our community. Forming friendships through social activities is also an invaluable part of this group.
In order to keep this group together we need one person to step up to coordinate these efforts, respond to requests for help, and email members about events. If you are willing to accept this position or have questions, please email fellowship@hvuuc.org. Thank you.
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
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
