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.
Invitations to Empathy
Join us for church on March 30, 2025!
9:Join us for church on April 6, 2025!
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:00pm Coffee Hour
12:00pm Postcards to Voters Event
12:30pm Social Justice Committee Meeting (all are welcome!)
“Invitations to Empathy”
Compassion, empathy, kindness and love. These things are the foundation of what we do. This Sunday Rev. Tiffany explores stories that invite us to activate our empathy.30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:00pm Coffee Hour & Youth Bake Sale Fundraiser
12:30pm Social Justice Committee Meeting (all are welcome!)
“Trans Day of Visibility”
Every day, we strive to recognize and empower the trans community, both here and abroad. This Sunday, we will strengthen that deliberate effort by once again celebrating Transgender Day of Visibility. All are welcome in this intentionally inclusive space, and all are invited to commune with our trans friends as they bring their knowledge and talents, their history and experience, their journeys and lessons to this service.
Fifth Sunday Offering
This quarter's recipient of the 5th Sunday Offering is Johnson City Recovery Center (JCRC). JCRC is a peer-led and operated recovery community center. All services are free and provide advocacy training, recovery information, mutual aid support, recovery and health information, technology and internet assistance, resource mobilization, employment assistance, recovery coaching, volunteerism, yoga for recovery, social activities, etc. JCRC is a ‘recovery hub’ offering a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental environment for those seeking recovery where all paths to recovery are welcomed, affirmed, and celebrated.
JCRC's website: https://jcrecoverycenter.org/
Slate of Nominees
The Annual Congregational Meeting will be held in person on April 27th at 12:15 pm in the Sanctuary. Only people attending in person will have the ability to vote on the candidates for the Board of Trustees and the Nominating Committee. Those candidates are listed below. They will also be voting on the 2025-2026 Budget which will be sent out prior to April 17 th .
Listed below is the final slate of Board Candidates that will be voted on at this meeting:
Immediate Past President – Tish Kashdan
President – Noel Marshall
Vice President – Emily Hand *
Treasurer – Sarah Sanders
Secretary – Chelsey Collea *
Facilities – Steven Roberts
Stewardship – Greg Kramer *
Programs – Alesha Chaffin *
Membership – Phyllis Cairnes *
Fellowship – Peggy Wolfe
Nominating Committee – 2025-2026/2027
Jen Corbin (2026)
Ellen Barker (2026)
Linda Waltner (2027) *
Lori Krause (2027) *
Sophia Peterson (2027) *
The * indicates the person is starting a new term of office which lasts for two years: the VP will serve for a total of 3 years.
People completing their term of office in the Board of Trustees include: Dottie Blades (Past President), Alicia Culbertson (Secretary), Greg Kramer (Stewardship), Bradley Quick (Programs), Lori Krause (Membership).
Nominating Committee Members who have completed their term of office include: Michele Markstrom-Frish and Dana York Ensor.
Please thank these people for the time they have spent in the betterment of our church community.
Tish Kashdan
April 2025 Newsletter
Headlines
· Minister’s Note
· RE News
· Ukulele Group
· Potluck
· Women’s Night
· Appalachian Service Project
· Game Night
· Women’s Retreat
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
Grief Group in Bristol
A member of our congregation has been made aware of a local grief group and we’re passing it along for those who may be interested in this service. It is not affiliated with the church.
Where:
Slater Community Center
325 McDowell St
Bristol VA
When:
Third Thursdays at 2:00PM
For more information contact Rebecca Blalock at 276-494-0465 or email Rblalock@carishealthcare.com
Trans Day of Visibility & 5th Sunday Offering
Join us for church on March 30, 2025!
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:00pm Coffee Hour & Youth Bake Sale Fundraiser
12:30pm Social Justice Committee Meeting (all are welcome!)
“Trans Day of Visibility”
Every day, we strive to recognize and empower the trans community, both here and abroad. This Sunday, we will strengthen that deliberate effort by once again celebrating Transgender Day of Visibility. All are welcome in this intentionally inclusive space, and all are invited to commune with our trans friends as they bring their knowledge and talents, their history and experience, their journeys and lessons to this service.
Fifth Sunday Offering
This quarter's recipient of the 5th Sunday Offering is Johnson City Recovery Center (JCRC). JCRC is a peer-led and operated recovery community center. All services are free and provide advocacy training, recovery information, mutual aid support, recovery and health information, technology and internet assistance, resource mobilization, employment assistance, recovery coaching, volunteerism, yoga for recovery, social activities, etc. JCRC is a ‘recovery hub’ offering a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental environment for those seeking recovery where all paths to recovery are welcomed, affirmed, and celebrated.
JCRC's website: https://jcrecoverycenter.org/
April Newsletter Deadline
Social Justice 5th Sunday Speaker
The Social Justice Committee invites Johnson City Recovery Center, a peer-led and operated recovery community center. All services are free.
This quarter's recipient of the 5th Sunday Offering is Johnson City Recovery Center (JCRC). JCRC is a peer-led and operated recovery community center. All services are free and provide advocacy training, recovery information, mutual aid support, recovery and health information, technology and internet assistance, resource mobilization, employment assistance, recovery coaching, volunteerism, yoga for recovery, social activities, etc. JCRC is a ‘recovery hub’ offering a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental environment for those seeking recovery where all paths to recovery are welcomed, affirmed, and celebrated.
JCRC's website: https://jcrecoverycenter.org/
With any questions email sjchair@hvuuc.org
Game Group, Move Night, & Youth Bake Sale Fundraiser
Will the Real Rumi Please Stand Up?
Join us for church on March 23, 2025!
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:00pm Coffee Hour
“Will the Real Rumi Please Stand Up?”
Many know and love the poetry of Persian mystic Rumi, but most of our experiences of Rumi's poetry come from translations that separate his poetry from his Muslim identity. This week we get to know the real Rumi, and see what he has to teach us.
Website and Emails Temporarily Down
MACHO Gathering, Ostara Celebration, & Youth Bake Sale
Spirit, Grant Healing: The Art of Pastoral Care & Chaplaincy
Join us for church on March 16, 2025!
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:00pm Coffee Hour
4:00pm Youth Group
“Spirit, Grant Healing: The Art of Pastoral Care & Chaplaincy”
Join us for a transformative service exploring the sacred practice of pastoral care and chaplaincy. Together, we will reflect on the art of healing through spirit, presence, and compassionate guidance. In a world marked by struggle, this sermon illuminates the path of understanding, empathy, and kindness. How do we offer solace to those in need? How do we create a community of love and support? Let us embrace the healing power of spirit and cultivate a ministry of radical love and care.
Lake Clean Up Opportunity
On Saturday, March 22, the Keep TN River Beautiful crew be taking volunteers in their 26-foot jon boats to clean the shorelines of Douglas Lake in Dandridge, Tenn!
Our 7th annual Tennessee River Grand Slam Cleanup Series will kick off with a cleanup on Douglas Lake of the French Broad River. Our friends at Living Lands & Waters will join this cleanup with three of their boats to add to our two work boats, making this one huge cleanup!
This lake has a lot of debris from the outfall from Hurricane Helene, so we will need many hands to help clean these shorelines! Fill out the form below to register! This cleanup will be held from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
**Please be sure to register at https://www.keeptnriverbeautiful.org/douglaslake2 to reserve your seat as space in our boat is limited!**
Let's Chat Covenant Group
The Let's Chat Covenant Group is looking for New members. We meet 2nd and 4th Monday's in the REZ we start at 6:30 and runs to 8:30.
Want to meet other church members on a more personal level? That's the purpose of Covenant Groups. Latest topics were, Acceptance, Scarcity or Abundance, Humor, Gratitude, and Aging.
We will hold your information private. I do ask that; are you willing to commit to make as many sessions as possible. A copy of our Covenant is available upon request to me, Greg Kramer.
Email letschat@hvuuc.org with any questions.
Ukulele Group, Game Night, and MACHO Gathering
Mental Makeover
Join us for church on March 9, 2025!
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:00pm Potluck
“Mental Makeover”
Every thought we have is a neural pathway in our brain, which is why sometimes our thinking becomes a bit of a rut. But we have the power to train our brain, to make over our mind. Today Rev. Tiffany explores neuroplasticity and how it's never too late to change our brains.
Escape From Rape: A Cultural Change
Hello!
We are pleased to invite you to attend the upcoming Second Annual Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Summit scheduled for April 2, 2025, at the Brinkley Center This summit aims to bring together professionals, advocates, and community members to address critical issues surrounding sexual assault and domestic violence.
The summit will provide an opportunity for meaningful discussions, resource sharing, and collaborative efforts to strengthen our community's response to these challenges. With a range of expert speakers, informative sessions, and workshops, this event is designed to inspire and empower those working to make a difference in the lives of individuals affected by violence.
Event Details:
Date: April 2, 2025
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Location: The Brinkley Center, 2001 Millennium Pl, Johnson City, TN 37604
We would be honored for you to participate and contribute to the ongoing efforts to create safer, more supportive environments for survivors. For additional information, please scan the attached QR code or contact us at 423-439-8025 or taylormr1@etsu.edu.
We look forward to your attendance and hope that you can join us in advancing the conversation and making a positive impact.
All best,
Ruth Taylor Read
Women's Night, Hunger First, and March Newsletter
UU Summer Camp for the Whole Family - SUUSI
How is your family vacationing this year? Did you know you that your whole family can go the a special camp for ALL ages and all kinds of activities!? The Unitarian Universalist camp in Radford Va, may be the place for you! This year it will be the week of July 20th to the 26th.
SUUSI is the Southeast Unitarian Universalist Summer Institute, a walloping week long summer camp for the young and the young-at-HeaRT, a meet-up of Unitarian Universalist community, bringing together old friends and new. SUUSI is an intentional week to grow, relax, play, share and connect with others, a week you’ll remember for years to come.
For more than 50 years UU's gather from all over the Southeastern US and go to SUUSI! We have workshops and outdoor activities for people of all ages and abilities. From origami to caving and hundreds of activities in between. Special age appropriate activities for children from toddlers to 18-year-olds. Special activities for young adults, as well. Play all day and dance all night!!
If your are interested go to www.SUUSI.org or email greg@hvuuc.org.