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.
We Belong
Join us for church on September 15, 2024!
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:00pm Coffee Hour
4:00PM Youth Group
“We Belong”
The Unitarian Universalist value of Equity invites us to contemplate how we can create an environment where people of all backgrounds and identities to thrive. While we are doing this in our congregation, our local DEI Alliance is doing it in our wider community. Explore the diverse faces and stories of East Tennessee with us today.
MACHO BBQ, Climate Justice Revival, and Let's Chat Covenant Group
Can I Speak to the Architect
Join us for church on September 8, 2024!
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:00pm Coffee Hour
12:15pm Choir Rehearsal (all welcome!)
“Can I Speak to the Architect”
Was this existence planned or did it just happen? What role to chaos and intentionality play in the world we live in? Today's service invites us to explore some big unanswerable questions. Maybe we'll find awe. Maybe we'll find grief. But we'll definitely find our own power to shape our world.
Service Auction
Our Annual Service Auction is November 16th!
Holston Valley Unitarian Universalist Church’s biggest fund raiser is our service auction. Anybody can offer a service and on Auction Night that service will go to the highest bidder or bidders.
What services have been offered before? Do you have a favorite hike you’d like to share with others. Do you have a special meal you like to make? Can you offer handyperson services, gardening, decluttering, or other household services. We have several murder mystery dinners where you play a character in a thrilling play as you run through your meal courses. Pool parties, Superbowl, New Years, St Patrick’s Day, July 4th, or unbirthday parties.
There is much more to come, that will be in the News and Announcements. If you have any questions contact Greg Kramer auction@hvuuc.org.
Let's Chat Covenant Group
"Let's Chat" Covenant Group is looking for new members! We discuss a variety of topics; Individuality, authenticity, joy, laughter, and many other topics. This is a discussion of how you feel about the topic. The session is a page or so of light reading will prepare you for the meeting. We meet on the 2nd and 4th Monday's of the month! If you are interested please contact Greg Kramer if you're interested. Come Let's Chat.
email letschat@hvuuc.org
September 2024 Newsletter
Headlines
·Minister’s Note
Climate Justice Revival
Astronomy and Geology
Service Auction
bUUk Club
Wednesday Night Supper
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
Music Director Job Opening
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.
Music Director Job Description
Five Things the Bible Never Said (and one thing it absolutely does say)
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.
“Five Things the Bible Never Said (and one thing it absolutely does say).”
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.
Archiving our Church History
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.
September Newsletter Deadline
Office Clean Up Help
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.
Game Night, Church Picnic, and Voter Postcard Writing Party
Staff Changes in the Works
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!
Water Communion
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
“Water Communion”
Our annual interactive and intergenerational service where we celebrate our interconnectivity.
Assistive Listening Devices Available
UU the Vote!
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:
Bring Water for Water Communion this Sunday
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.
MACHO Coordinator, Picnic Volunteers Needed, Deeper Than The Skin Concert
Our History in Signs
Join us for church on August 11, 2024!
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:00pm Coffee Hour
12:15pm Choir Rehearsal
“Our History in Signs”
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.