Please email all submissions for the December newsletter by Monday November 25th to newsletter@hvuuc.org.
The office will be closed Thursday November 28th for Thanksgiving.
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.
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
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. 💜
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.
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 May 17, 2026.
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Service
12:00pm Coffee Hour
What does it look like to love your neighbor as yourself? To see no strangers in others? To exercise humility and practice grace? This week, Alesha Chaffin talks about not just putting love at the center, but making love a radically transformative experience.
Please email all submissions for the December newsletter by Monday November 25th to newsletter@hvuuc.org.
The office will be closed Thursday November 28th for Thanksgiving.
Our guest speaker has requested that this service not be filmed and posted on YouTube, so we encourage you to come in-person if you can. But if you cannot make it, we would like to recommend you revisit this March 2021 service about Evolution, preached by our Minister Emeritus Rev. Jeff Briere:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeMNVhEXx5o
Join us for church on November 17, 2024!
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:00pm Coffee Hour
Join us in observing the 50th anniversary of the discovery of “Lucy”, a fossil which revolutionized our understanding of human evolution. We will be joined by Dr. Larry Bowman, ETSU Biology Faculty, who will help us appreciate the scientific significance and impact of this discovery. The Atheist Group is proud to organize a service that provides time for us all to reflect on the natural history of our species.
For the past week our church email system was down. The good news is it’s up and running again! The bad news is if you submitted a JotForm for News and Events or emailed anyone with an @hvuuc.org address in the past week it was not delivered.
Please resubmit anything that may have gotten lost.
Thank you!
Join us for church on November 10, 2024!
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:00pm Sunday Potluck
How do we dig deep to find our Resilience when times are challenging? Join us for a morning of poetry and song, hope and community, as we explore how to strengthen and support each other as we move through always changing times.
Our email forwarding system is temporarily down. If you have sent an email to an HVUUC address in the past three days it may not have arrived at its destination.
If you need to reach out to staff please use the direct emails below.
Office: hvuucoffice@gmail.com
Minister: tiffanysappuu@gmail.com
DRE: hvuucdre@gmail.com
Music Director: jshawcross700@gmail.com
Headlines
Minister’s Note
Disaster Relief Resources
Sunday Potluck
Thanksgiving Potluck
Service Auction
The Giving Tree
Green Arts Festival
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
Don’t forget to turn your clocks back this Sunday!
In honor of All Souls Day and Samhain, we will be remembering family, friends, and important figures who have passed away in the last year. Please bring photos or mementos for anyone you wish to honor, to place upon our altar.
Join us for church on November 3, 2024!
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:00pm Coffee Hour and Youth Bake Sale
12:15pm Choir Rehearsal
All Souls Day, Samhain, and Dia de Los Muertos all happen around the first of November, and are different culture's ways of remembering those who have passed away but are still very much in our hearts. During this service we specifically remember those who have passed away since last year, both in our HVUUC community, and in the world at large. Please bring photos of departed loved ones for our altar.
Don't forget to come in costume this Sunday!
Join us for church on October 27, 2024!
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:00pm Coffee Hour
12:00pm Trunk or Treating!
The porch light is on and bowl of candy is prepared, who will come knocking on our door this year? We never know who is going to show up, but we know we always learn something when we see who we connect with enough to dress up as them! Come in costume and bring your kids, make sure to stay for the Trunk or Treat afterwards.
The Social Justice Committee is reminding everyone that it's the time of year for collecting Giving Tree items. Our tree will be in need of items for children, women, and men such as:
gloves
hats
scarves
socks
underwear
feminine hygiene items
washcloths
soap
lotion
shampoo and conditioner
On Sunday, November 3, the Giving Tree donation bin will be in the Fred Ball room next to the grocery card table. You may leave items as they are packaged. Or, if you choose, you may put items in ziploc bags, just not the zippered bags. We will collect items all through the holiday season to keep the tree replenished. Additionally, monetary donations are welcomed and we will do the shopping for you!
Everyone is invited to help decorate our tree on Friday, November 29 at 11am. A tall ladder would be a great help, as well. The tree lighting ceremony is at 6:30 on November 30.
If you have questions, please feel free to talk with Mary Williamson or Michele Markstrom-Frisch. Our email address is givingtree@hvuuc.org.
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.
Join us for church on October 20, 2024!
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:00pm Coffee Hour
4:00pm Youth Group
In a church such as ours we encourage all spiritual journeys. This is as it should be for human spiritual searches are timeless and their landscapes areas varied as the earth’s. As sentient creatures who seek meaning and purpose, we are faced with enduring mysteries that stretch back to the beginning of our species. We have wondered about the Universe, about what God or gods control it, about our mortality, and even what it means to be human. This week Charlie Mattioli shares thoughts and stories on these mysteries that are drawn from the varied sources our church respects. They are given with the desire to encourage you to look widely and deeply with the openness and courage these mysteries deserve to find your faith.
Join us for church on October 13, 2024!
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:00pm Potluck Luncheon
It's always something isn't it? And lately, it's been a LOT.
This Sunday Rev. Tiffany Anderson explores how Brene Brown's wisdom about imperfection and vulnerability can give us the tools we need to build community, especially when things are challenging.