Jessica Bowman
Choir Rehearsal This Sunday - Everyone Welcome!

At our recent Listening Circle, it became very clear that choir deserves more energy and attention than it has been given. This coming Sunday, November 2, will be the first official rehearsal for our re-booted choir program! Please assemble in the sanctuary by the piano at 12:30, after relaxing for a while at Coffee Hour. Rehearsal will last approximately an hour. 

This Sunday we will begin working on two songs for the upcoming Festival of Lights: Pass on the Light and De Noche. If you have never joined the choir or are hesitant to sing, you are invited to sit with the choir and simply observe! New voices are always welcome. 

Email musicdirector@hvuuc.org with any questions.

Choir Rehearsal This Sunday - Everyone Welcome!
Jessica Bowman
What Happens at a Service Auction?

What happens at the Auction, besides purchasing items?

We will have lots of food while you peruse tables laden with Silent Auction Items. When you enter you will be given a bidder’s paddle. Use this number when purchasing items during the silent auction as well as the live auction.

The Silent Auction starts as you enter the church at 6 PM and after the first half of the Live Auction the Silent Auction ends, and all the winning bids are entered, and you can catch another snack.

How do you find out what is in the auction?

Click this link to to see what items and events have already been added to the auction. You can use the same link to enter your own auction items and events you may want to donate, as well.

Do want to spend another person’s money? You’ll need PROXY bidders so that people who can’t make the Auction but want to purchase items. If you can’t be at the Auction, you can ask about needing a PROXY bidder.

Can’t pay your whole bill that night? We can allow you to defer payments.

Email auction@hvuuc.org with any question.

What Happens at a Service Auction?
Jessica Bowman
Samhain Ritual, Astronomy Presentation, and ...

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.

Samhain Ritual, Astronomy Presentation, and Thanksgiving Potluck
Jessica Bowman
Festivals of Light Volunteers Needed

As winter approaches, so does Festivals of Lights on Dec 14! This is an annual, intergenerational service that recognizes different holidays around light that are celebrated by people in our congregation and people who have come before us.

We are looking for speakers, candlelighters, and singers. This is a wonderful chance to get involved and there are opportunities for all ages and interests.

Email Sarah at festivals@hvuuc.org to volunteer!

Festivals of Light Volunteers Needed
Jessica Bowman
Halloween

Don’t forget to wear your costumes this Sunday!

Join us for church on Oct 26, 2025!

  • 9:30am Religious Education

  • 11:00am Sunday Service

  • 12:00pm Trunk or Treat

“Halloween”

On the last Sunday of October, our congregation is visited by all sorts of interesting characters dressed up in their Halloween best! Rev. Tiffany hosts a very special service where we are taught about ethics from Robin Hood, the history of voting rights from a Suffragette, the importance of bees in our ecosystem from a bee, and many many other insightful characters. Come in costume and stay for the Trunk or Treat!

Halloween

Lovingkindness and other Meditation Resources

Lovingkindness and other Meditation Resources

After our brief December series on Lovingkindness, several of you have expressed interest in resources to go deeper into this kind of practice. We all have different learning types, so hopefully you will find something that works for you on this list!

A comprehensive online guide to Lovingkindness with How-To instructions, both audio and video guided meditation, and links to more in-depth articles: https://www.lionsroar.com/metta-meditation-guide/

YouTube guided meditation on Lovingkindess: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-TeW9CI0bc

A picture book for children, sold at the UUA’s bookstore: https://www.uuabookstore.org/Loving-Kindness-P19204.aspx

Book by a renowned Buddhist teacher Pema Chodron: https://pemachodronfoundation.org/product/awakening-loving-kindness/

Best app for guided meditations: https://www.headspace.com/

Small Group Ministry Session Guide on Lovingkindness: https://www.smallgroupministry.net/public/sessions/Loving_Kindness.Hayward.2.2021.pdf

Together at the Table

Together at the Table

Join us for church on December 8, 2024!

  • 9:30am Religious Education

  • 11:00am Sunday Service

  • 12:00pm Coffee Hour

  • 12:00pm Green Arts Festival

“Together at the Table”

This time of year there's a lot of opportunities to sit at the table with people we may not agree with. This is true of both church life and family life, and both can be challenging. But both can also bring opportunities to grow: sometimes by opening us up to a new perspective, sometimes by challenging us to understand where our boundaries are. Come explore with Rev. Tiffany what it means to sit at a diverse table.

Robert Clark Lynching Historical Marker

Robert Clark Lynching Historical Marker

ROBERT CLARK HISTORIC MARKER DEDICATION

In 1891, Robert Clark was lynched in Bristol, Virginia near the current day United Company headquarters. A dedicated group of Bristolians, has worked through the Equal Justice Initiative’s Community Remembrance Project for a number of years to publicly acknowledge this tragic moment of local history. The Project includes community engagement and education of our nation’s darkest history and brings it to the local community level.

Our Social Justice Committee has been monitoring and supporting the progress of this effort for months.

As a part of the local effort, a permanent marker will be placed to honor Mr. Clark on Saturday, December 14 at 11am at Citizens Cemetery. Shuttles from State Street Methodist Church start at 10:30. We invite HVUUC members and friends to join us at the dedication.

You can learn more about the Community Remembrance Project and EJI at: https://eji.org/projects/community-remembrance-project/

Richard Boyd Memorial

Richard Boyd Memorial

With great sorrow we report that Richard Boyd passed away last week, November 21st, 2024, while in Knoxville seeking a second opinion about a serious medical concern.

All are invited to his Celebration of Life on Saturday December 7th at 1pm here at Holston Valley Unitarian Universalist Church. A reception will follow.

The following is Richard's Obituary:

Richard Porter Boyd passed on 11/21/2024 at 80 years. He was born in Wakefield, Mass 11/16/1944 to Bertha A. Thayer and her husband Gordon Boyd.

He loved playing sports and was part of a winning high school Massachusetts football team honored at the White House by President John F. Kennedy.

He served in the Air Force security service in Vietnam where he was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal. After an honorable discharge, he earned a BA in Accounting and his first position was in a tax firm. He actually enjoyed doing taxes and he often helped people without pay including volunteering to do community taxes with AARP. Later, he became the Comptroller of a hospital where he became the Senior Vice President for 15 years. During this time, he also earned his Masters in Healthcare Administration. The next 12 years he was the first CEO of a multilevel retirement community in San Antonio.

Richard is survived by his wife of 48 years Joy, and his Son, Marty Boyd and his wife Missy, of Bronte Texas, 2 Granddaughters, Cheyenne Vasquez and her husband Jesus, Whitney Jones and her husband Ryan, Sisters Wanda Conroy and Beverly Selway and her husband Brian, Brothers, George, and Ray and his wife Pat, and also 9 Nephews and 4 Nieces. He has 4 great grandchildren, Amaris Avery, Elias Samuel, Ana Grace, and Emilia Claire Vasquez.

Richard was preceded in death by his Mother and Father, 2 brothers, Gordon and Chet (Sylvia), a grandson, Branson Scott Boyd, Son of Marty and Missy, Brother-in-Law, John Conroy (Wanda), and Niece Karen Clark.

He was an active member of the Holston Valley UU Church in Gray, TN for 20+ years.

Richard Boyd never had an enemy and made friends wherever he went. He was a man of Honor, Responsibility, Generosity and Humor and he will be truly missed by many who were lucky enough to meet and know him.

Filled with Loving Kindness

Filled with Loving Kindness

Join us for church on December 1, 2024!

  • 9:30am Religious Education

  • 11:00am Sunday Service

  • 12:00pm Coffee Hour and Cookie Exchange

“Filled with Loving Kindness

Part of HVUUC's Vision statement is that we "transform ourselves, our community and our world," but how do we do this? This Sunday Rev. Tiffany shares her personal story of how she has engaged with the Buddhist Metta meditation for over a decade now and how she has experienced this practice's transformative power in her life.

Proposed Kitchen Utensil Policy

Proposed Kitchen Utensil Policy

*this announcement was previously run but with incomplete information*

According to our Congregation's policies, any time a new policy is proposed to be added to our Board Policy book, there is a "first reading" during a Board meeting where the Board votes to approve, then the policy is shared with the congregation along with an email address to submit comments to the Board about the proposed policy, and then the Board will have a "second reading" where they can make amendments and vote on the policy. Only after going through this process does a new policy become part of the Congregation's policies.

The following policy has been voted to send to the congregation for comment:

"HVUUC disposes of all plastic kitchen utensils and use the Green Sanctuary Fund to purchase non-plastic kitchen utensils to replace them."

Research connected to this policy can be found here:

The study: From e-waste to living space: Flame retardants contaminating household items add to concern about plastic recycling - ScienceDirect

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)

If you have any comments for or against this policy, please email your comments to office@hvuuc.org by Monday December 16th so that your comments can be reviewed prior to the Board's final vote on this policy.

Decorating the Giving Tree

Decorating the Giving Tree

Holiday Greetings!


We are continuing to collect items for the Giving Tree.  Our donation bin is in the Fred Ball room at HVUUC.   Suggested items are for children, men and women are:

· gloves

· hats

· scarves

· socks

· underwear

· feminine hygiene items

· washcloths

· soap

· lotion

· shampoo and conditioner


We have been given our specific spot for The Giving Tree at Kings Common, in front of the JC library.  We are tree number 113, best accessed from W. King St., but Millard St. is good, too.  This will be easy access for both decorating and restocking the tree.   The Giving Tree will be decorated on Friday, November 29th, 11:00.  We will have decorations, presents, and ladders coming.   We just need volunteers with giving spirits.  


We also need volunteers to restock the tree daily from November 29th to January 7. We will supply you with packages and the timing is up to you.  Please email us at givingtree@hvuuc.org with dates that you’d like to volunteer for restocking. Consecutive dates would logistically be easier than scattered dates throughout the season.  see you Friday!  Thanks for your generosity.

 

Policy on Plastic Kitchen Utensils

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 study: From e-waste to living space: Flame retardants contaminating household items add to concern about plastic recycling - ScienceDirect

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)

Holiday Happenings

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!

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

Before We Were Human: Celebrating Lucy’s 50th

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.