Jessica Bowman
From Genesis to the Universe Story

Join us for church on February 9, 2025!

  • 9:30am Religious Education

  • 11:00am Sunday Service

  • 12:00pm Potluck

“From Genesis to the Universe Story”

The Genesis Creation and Fall stories in the bible are foundational to our Unitarian Universalist Heritage. What does this 3000 year old myth mean to Unitarian Universalists today? Longtime member George Cross shares some of his thoughts about the Adam and Eve story.

From Genesis to the Universe Story
Jessica Bowman
Reimagining the Boundaries of Religion in ...

BEYOND THE CHURCH WALLS: REIMAGINING THE BOUNDARIES OF RELIGION IN APPALACHIA

PRESENTED BY DR. JENNIFER AXSOM ADLER

Saturday, February 15th, 10:00 a.m. First Presbyterian Church Elizabethton 119 West F Street, Elizabethton, TN

Click here to register

First Presbyterian Church Elizabethton is sponsoring a free lecture on Sat , February 15, by Dr. Jennifer Axsom Adler, titled "Beyond the Church Walls: Reimagining the Boundaries of Religion in Appalachia." This event will be conducted at the church and also streamed live from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Refreshments will be offered. For a head count, please register by going to fpcelizabethton.org. Thanks go to the Christian Education Committee for coordinating the program.

According to Adler, religion in Appalachia is much more complicated than is commonly recognized. "It is often imagined as predominantly Christian, with Baptists playing a particularly central role," she asserts. "But a thorough examination of the history reveals a much more complex and diverse narrative. For church groups, this exploration could offer a fresh perspective related to their own congregations histories.

A native of Bloomington, Indiana, Adler is currently an assistant professor of history at ETSU. She holds a bachelor's degree in government from Harvard College and a master's and doctorate in religion from Vanderbilt University. From the lecture, Adler would like attendees to gain deeper- appreciation for the rich diversity of religious practices and identities in the region. In addition, she plans to introduce the concept of 'vernacular religion," which scholars define as "religion as it is lived: as human beings encounter, understand, and interpret it." This concept offers a valuable framework for examining the lived experience of religion in Appalachia .

www.FPCelizabethton.org

Reimagining the Boundaries of Religion in Appalachia
Jessica Bowman
New Group Size Policy

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 the policy. It is then shared with the congregation along with an email address to submit comments to the Board about the proposed policy. After the comment period, 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 Policy Book.

The following policy has been voted by the Board of Trustees (BoT) to send to the congregation for comment:


The BoT has developed a new policy about types of groups within the church and the  privileges granted to them. There are some groups at HVUUC that are integral to the operation of the church like Choir, Social Justice, Small Group Ministries, Youth Group, etc. There are other fellowship groups that use the church facilities but do not ask for funding from the Church as a line item on our budget like MACHO, Women’s Group, BUUK Group, etc. And there are, or may be, other fellowship groups that would like to use the Church facilities and be funded as part of the church budget. To address the differences in the way both fellowship groups would be handled, the Board proposes the following:

 

 

Types of Groups and Their Privileges 

 

The definition of a ‘Group’ is the following: 

·         A number of people, including church members and friends 

·         People gather to do one or many activities for fellowship or education 

·         They are not a standing Committee of the church 

·         Their existence is acknowledged by Holston Valley Unitarian Universalist Church 

·         To form a Group, a minimum of (5) church members or friends must be committed to being members of the Group. Group of this size is called a ‘Level One Group’.

 

Privileges of a Level One Group are the following: 

·         Having a church email address 

·         Receiving support from the office and minister 

·         Having the ability to reserve the building or rooms in the church building 

·         Having the Group’s events in the church calendar and e-news 

·         Level One Groups do not have a line in the church budget nor are they provided funding from the church. 

 

If a Group would like funding from the church, they would have to become a ‘Level Two Group’. The requirements to become a Level Two Group are: 

·         At least five (5) members of the Group are church members and friends 

·         A written structure of organized leadership, including a process of rotating leadership 

·         A written internal covenant with the leadership and its members 

·         A written covenant with the Board 

·         A mission statement 

·         Meet at least four (4) times a fiscal year 

·         A record of attendance of every meeting submitted to their designated Board Trustee 

·         A yearly report submitted to their designated Board Trustee 

 

The privileges of a Level Two Group are all privileges of a Level One Group as well as the ability to be funded by the church. In exchange for being funded by the church, Level Two Groups are required to do at least two (2) of the following every fiscal year: 

·         Conduct and clean up Coffee Hour at least four (4) times a fiscal year 

·         Provide a Sunday service one (1) time a fiscal year 

·         Provide a Sunday potluck and clean up at least two (2) times a fiscal year 

·         Offer at least one item or service at the annual church auction 

·         Have at least 75% of Group members participate in church work days 

·         Conduct a fundraiser where the proceeds will be donated to the church 

·         Any item(s) or service(s) that is approved by the current Minister 

 

The Board has full oversight and final say on funding Groups and which Groups qualify. 

 

If you have any comments for or against this policy, please email your comments to president@hvuuc.org  by February 16, 2025, so that your comments can be reviewed prior to the Board's final vote on this policy.

New Group Size Policy
Jessica Bowman
Women's Night, Photo Archiving Event 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.

Women's Night, Photo Archiving Event and Potluck
Jessica Bowman
Brigid: Goddess and Saint

Join us for church on February 2, 2025!

  • 9:30am Religious Education

  • 11:00am Sunday Service

  • 12:00pm Coffee Hour

“Brigid: Goddess and Saint”

Across the sea, in an island of green, the figure of Brigid looms large. Is she a Goddess? Is she a Saint? What would it mean to be both? And what can that teach us about our Pluralism?

Brigid: Goddess and Saint

Fire Communion

Fire Communion

Please bring drums and noisemakers to share at Fire Communion this Sunday, January 5th! Towards the end of the service there will be a drum circle and we want everyone to be a part of the joyous noise. Bring hand drums (djembes, bongos, congas, frame drums, etc.), noisemakers (shakers, tambourines, etc.) and anything else you would like to share with the drum circle.

Join us for church on January 5, 2024!

  • 9:30am Religious Education

  • 11:00am Sunday Service

  • 12:00pm Coffee Hour

“Fire Communion”

Begin the New Year by letting go of the old year! Fire Communion is a chance to contemplate what in your life you want to burn up and leave behind as we move into the new year. This clears the way for what is good and new in 2025. Come celebrate the possibilities with us!

5th Sunday Offering this Sunday

5th Sunday Offering this Sunday

Because of the holidays we are having our Fifth Sunday Offering on the First Sunday of January instead!

This quarter's recipient of the 5th Sunday Offering is RISE: Healthy for Life

RISE has its origins in our very own congregation's OWL program when members of this community were inspired by a vision of offering comprehensive, evidence-based sexuality education to the wider community here in East Tennessee.  They work to change culture by educating and empowering youth as young as kindergarten through older adults.  Truly comprehensive sex ed (CSE) leads to healthier, more respectful relationships, self-confidence, and more responsible decision-making.

If you wish to support RISE's work in the Tri-Cities, please make your donation in the white envelope that will be included in this Sunday's bulletin.  

If you cannot attend on Sunday and still want to support their work, you can click on this link to donate directly to RISE: https://risehealthylife.betterworld.org/campaigns/support-our-work-today

Bring Drums this Sunday!

Bring Drums this Sunday!

Please bring drums and noisemakers to share at Fire Communion this Sunday, January 5th! Towards the end of the service there will be a drum circle and we want everyone to be a part of the joyous noise. Bring hand drums (djembes, bongos, congas, frame drums, etc.), noisemakers (shakers, tambourines, etc.) and anything else you would like to share with the drum circle.

Email musicdirector@hvuuc.org with any questions.

What Does it Mean to Be Promethean?

What Does it Mean to Be Promethean?

Join us for church on December 22, 2024!

  • 9:30am Religious Education

  • 11:00am Sunday Service

  • 12:00pm Coffee Hour

“What Does it Mean to Be Promethean?”

Warmth in a cold world, light in a dark space - what do these mean to our species, our society, our community, and ourselves? What do these teach us literally and metaphorically? How can the physical flame inform us about altruism in rebellious acts? And why should we continue to carry these torches and fan these flames? Join us with local church member Alesha Chaffin to ponder the gift of fire granted from the gods as we explore the question: What Does It Mean To Be Promethean?

Giving Tree Donations still Needed

Giving Tree Donations still Needed

The Social Justice Committee would like to thank everyone who has volunteered and given presents for The Giving Tree. We should have enough items for the tree through Christmas. However, we plan to keep this tree stocked with warm and necessary items until our tree is taken down, Jan. 5th. Please keep items coming so we can show Tri-Cities that this is not just about the holidays, it’s about caring for those in need.

This would be a great time to regift holiday gifts that the needy can use. Below is a list of items needed. In addition to these items, we have received some great larger items that we can squeeze on the tree such as sneakers, sweatshirts, snacks, etc. We request that all items are new and unused to let folks know that we think they are worthy.

Recommended Donations

  • · gloves

  • · hats

  • · scarves

  • · socks

  • · underwear

  • · feminine hygiene items

  • · washcloths

  • · soap

  • · lotion

  • · shampoo and conditioner

For questions, please contact:

givingtree@hvuuc.org

Festivals of Light - NO RE

Festivals of Light - NO RE

Join us for church on December 15, 2024!

  • 9:30am Religious Education

  • 11:00am Sunday Service

  • 12:00pm Coffee Hour

  • 12:30pm Christmas Caroling

“Festivals of Light”

An annual, intergenerational service to recognize different holidays of light celebrated throughout the year from different faith traditions, including Hanukkah, Diwali, Advent, Humanlight, Bhodi Day, Winter Solstice, and the history of our own Unitarian Universalist chalice. The entire service will be lit only by candles and includes a candle lighting ceremony for everyone to participate in. Join us for this beloved service full of stories and songs where we will discover how each of us has our own light to share for the world.

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.