The Owning Your Religious Past Covenant Group will be starting on October 14, 2024. In this group we will get to know each other by sharing memories about significant points in our religious journey.

The group will meet from 7pm-9pm on the second and fourth Mondays of October and November. There are a limited number of slots available, so please sign up to reserve your place by contacting either Wendy H. or George C. As this is a short-term group, the expectation is that if you sign up, you commit to coming to all four meetings.

Email owningcg@hvuuc.org to sign up or with any questions.

We will devote a segment of the service on October 6 to the induction and welcoming of new members.  If you have taken the Path to Membership classes (recently or in the past) and would like to sign the book, become a member, and participate in this ceremony, please contact PTM@hvuuc.org by or before Oct. 1. Please include a brief 50-word biography (written in 3rd person) which will be read aloud to introduce you to the congregation. 

With great sorrow we report that Wayne Johnson passed away early this week at home.  Wayne has experiencing decline for some time and was on hospice at the time of his passing.

A member of Holston Valley Unitarian Universalist Church since 2019, Wayne was a vital part of the Religious Services Committee. He especially loved our church's music, and the outdoors, and always had a positive encouraging word for the people he would meet.

Save the date for Saturday October 26th at 1pm for a memorial service and reception.  Wayne's ashes will be scattered here at HVUUC privately after the service.

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 September 22, 2024!

• 9:30am Religious Education

• 11:00am Sunday Service

• 12:00pm Coffee Hour

• 12:15pm Choir Rehearsal

“Repentance, Repair, and Peace”

How can we create and preserve a meaningful peace that goes beyond silencing opposition, but is rooted in justice? This International Peace Day we explore the wisdom of "Repentance and Repair" by Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg to understand a path toward lasting and authentic peace, and the hard work it takes to get there.

Our congregation is celebrating National Coming Out Day on Sunday October 6th and we are looking for some help for the service.

If you are part of the LGBTQIA+ community in any way, and would like to help with the service, we are looking for readers and candle lighters.

Rev Tiffany has a variety of poetry, readings and reflections you could choose from to read during the service or you could even suggest your own favorite piece for the service.

Email minister@hvuuc.org to join in the celebration, no later than 9/29, but sooner would be better as this is a first-come-first-serving opportunity

Volunteers are needed to host coffee hour on October 20 and October 27.  If you can help, please sign the calendar posted beside the large coffee urn in the kitchen.  If you want to learn how to set up coffee hour, please contact coffeehour@hvuuc.org.

It’s your turn to have fun at the Service Auction! The Auctria Website is up and running, so you can add your items to the auction.  You can go to https://auctria.events/2024HVUUCauction! The first page has a DONATE button, click on it. You will be asked to fill in information about your item and you.

Please choose a date for your activity, it is impossible to get everyone who bids on your item to agree on a date after they purchase it. We accept items for silent auctions as well as a paper items (the bidding). If you’re not sure call Greg Kramer or email auction@hvuuc.org.

Pool parties, game nights, specialty meals, movie nights, and the sky is the limit, it’s your turn to make the service auction fun!

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 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.

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 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.

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 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

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

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

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.

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.

Please email all submissions for the September newsletter by Wednesday August 28 to newsletter@hvuuc.org.

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.