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.
Policy on Plastic Kitchen Utensils
Proposal: HVUUC disposes of all plastic kitchen utensils and use the Green Sanctuary Fund to purchase non-plastic kitchen utensils to replace them.
Sources:
The news story reporting the study: Black-colored plastic used for kitchen utensils and toys linked to banned toxic flame retardants | CNN
The news story with Dr. Leonardo Trasande: Black plastic items could contain harmful chemicals, study finds (youtube.com)
Touch the Wounds Service - NO RE this week
Join us for church on November 24, 2024!
NO RE this week
11:00am Sunday Service
12:00pm Coffee Hour
“Touch the Wounds”
We can only become our truest selves, our most holy and hopeful selves, when we touch the wounds of God not by turning away from suffering but by confronting it. Join us this Sunday as Chaplain Michael Woods shares his thoughts on this important topic.
Holiday Happenings
There’s a lot going on this Holiday season, here’s everything we know of at the moment!
Thanksgiving Potluck, Thursday November 28th at 2:00pm
Email thanksgiving@hvuuc.org. Come early to help with setup!
(office will be closed Thanksgiving Day)
Decorating The Giving Tree, Friday November 29th at 11:00AM
Tree #113 in Kings Commons Park, Johnson City.
Email givingtree@hvuuc.org
Tree Lighting Ceremony, Saturday November 30th at 6:30PM
Meet at The Giving Tree #113 in Kings Commons Park
Cookie Exchange during coffee hour Sunday December 1st
Bring a batch of favorite cookies to the kitchen before church and we’ll all get cookies during coffee hour. Email fellowship@hvuuc.org
A Giving Tree Women’s Night, Friday December 6th at 6:30PM. We will be packaging items for the Giving Tree and enjoying snacks.
Email womensgroup@hvuuc.org for location.
Green Arts Fest, Sunday December 8th at 12:00PM. Come ready to shop and support local craftspeople at this fun annual event.
Email greenarts@hvuuc.org
Greening of the Sanctuary, Saturday Dec 14th 9:30AM-12:30PM
Help us decorate for Festivals of Light. Email rosemary@hvuuc.org
Festivals of Light, Sunday Dec 15th at 11:00AM
Join us for our favorite, pluralistic holiday tradition. This service is a must see!
Christmas Caroling, Sunday December 15th at noon.
After Festivals of Light stay for soup and then we will carpool to sing Christmas Carols for some of our members and friends.
Email minister@hvuuc.org
Christmas Eve, Tuesday December 24th time TBA
We will gather for cookies, carols, and candlelight again on the night before Christmas.
Pancakes and Jam, Sunday December 29th at 11:00AM
Our favorite casual “service” where we leave the sanctuary for the Fred Ball room to eat breakfast and enjoy some open mic music.
Email pancakesandjam@hvuuc.org if you’d like to sing or play.
Tree Day 2025 - Order Now!
TN Environmental Council Tree Day is March 15, 2025. Order early for best selection.
Plant a tree!
The TN Environmental Council has announced its 2025 annual Tree Day event.
Planting trees benefits our environment in many ways including decreasing air pollution, filtering rainwater, and improving wildlife and pollinator habitats. For more information about the impact of native trees: https://www.tectn.org/tennesseetreeprogram.html
Tree orders are underway and continue through early March 2025. Order early for the widest species selection. To order seedlings visit: https://www.tectn.org/tennesseetreeday.html
HVUUC is serving again as a community pick-up location! The dates are March 14th and 15th, 2025. Volunteers welcome to help with bundling and distribution during morning hours. We will need a tall stack of newspaper to bundle seedlings. Newspaper donations appreciated early 2025.
For questions or to participate one or both days contact, environment@hvuuc.org
December Newsletter Deadline
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.
Thanksgiving Potluck, Giving Tree Decorating, and Women's Night
Before We Were Human: Celebrating Lucy’s 50th
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
“Before We Were Human: Celebrating Lucy’s 50th”
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.
Church Emails Working Again
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!
Service Auction, Youth Group, and Thanksgiving Potluck
The Resilience Toolbox
Join us for church on November 10, 2024!
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:00pm Sunday Potluck
“The Resilience Toolbox”
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.
HVUUC Email Forwarding System Down
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
Don't be fooled! Spam email alert.
Sunday Potluck, Thanksgiving Potluck, and Decorating the Giving Tree
November 2024 Newsletter
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
Women's Night, Samhain Ritual, and Youth Bake Sale
A Year of Memories
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
“A Year of Memories”
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.
Who is Coming to Our Door? A Halloween Celebration.
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!
“Who is Coming to Our Door? A Halloween Celebration.”
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.
Giving Tree Donations Needed
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.