First of all, thanks to the Let's Chat Covenant group for hosting coffee hour on September 7. Much appreciated.
Secondly, a coordinator(s) is/are needed for the October 13 potluck, If you can help or have questions, please contact fellowship@hvuuc.org. THANKS!
And, finally, coffee hour hosts are needed for Sunday, October 19. Please sign up on the calendar beside the large coffee urn in the Fred Ball room or email coffeehour@hvuuc.org.
Thank you for all the help!
The Tennessee Unitarian Universalist Community Action Network (TUUCAN) invites all Tennessee UUs to Nashville for the Fall Flock on Saturday, October 18th, at First UU Church of Nashville (FUUN) from 9 am to 4 pm (Central Time)
We will share food, fellowship, and support each other during these difficult times in our cities, state, and country. We will learn how UU State Action Networks across the United States turn UU values into positive action. We will nurture deeper relationships, strengthen our social justice ecosystem, and create plans for a world with love at the center.
We hope to represent - in person or via Zoom - each of our 14 UU communities in Tennessee and beyond. Register at https://bit.ly/tuucan25 or email sjchair@hvuuc.org for questions or assistance.
If attending via zoom, keep in mind that the event will be 10:00-5:00 Eastern Standard Time
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 September 14, 2025!
9:00am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:00pm Potluck
In this service, Covenant Groups will be defined and demonstrated by our trained Facilitators. Selected former Covenant Group members will also offer a brief testimonial about the benefits of being in a Covenant Group. Congregation will have an opportunity to participate in a mini session lead by Facilitators in order to experience how a Covenant Group works. Following the service, congregants will have the opportunity to enroll in several upcoming Groups.
Believe it or not. It's time to think about the Service Auction on November 8th.
If you’re new to HVUUC, our Service Auction is a much anticipated event every fall. Yes, it’s a fundraiser but really it’s more of a FUN raiser, where you and other congregants get together to offer a service, event, or item.
There’s no limit to the activities or the items you can “auction” off. You can offer handyman services, teach a paint party, host a dinner, auction off baked goods, original art, and more! Wherever your passion and talents lie, there’s room for it at the service auction.
Want to provide a meal but don't have the room? Use the churches kitchen for your event! You can check the church calendar on our website and reserve time and space by emailing office@hvuuc.org.
We would encourage you to donate items that can be redeemed any time during the next year.
Donate your services, event, or items using the Auctria website using the link below. Email auction@hvuuc.org with any questions.
Our annual Flower Communion service is on Sunday, April 27th! Please plan on bringing a flower for this very special service: store bought, from your garden, or a roadside wildflower: all are welcome!
If you'd like to volunteer to bring in an entire vase-worth of flowers to share with people who didn't bring a flower, email minister@hvuuc.org to volunteer!
Registration closes April 30th, limited rooms still available as well as camping. INFO & REGISTRATION HERE: Www.tinyurl.com/hvuucwomen
THEME:
Radical Joy in Hard Times
PLACE:
The Peace Pentagon (www.peacepentagon.net)
88 Oracle Way, Independence, VA
We will have access to the entire campus which includes New River frontage, a babbling creek for water ceremony, turtle labyrinth, medicine wheel and peace pole as well as the picnic pavilion, bathhouse and, of course, the Peace Pentagon chapel.
CONVENER:
Rev. Becky Suzik, UU Peace Fellowship (https://uupf.org) Raleigh, NC;
Rev. Becky’s personal charity: www.joyfuel.org
The purpose of our gathering is to persist in bringing the frequency of JOY into our lives as we face difficult times. The greatest antidote to fear and separation is community, heart resonance and kindling JOY. And, yes, better together!
This gathering is flexible. Come Friday evening for a bonfire, drumming and stay on campus – rates ranging from $25/night camping to $100 for a private King bed and bath. Another option it to rent the whole house and share costs. Plus taxes.
OR – come for just Saturday.. arrive at 10 for a full day of JOY immersion.
PLANNING:
Are you interested in planning the details for the gathering? For example, food committee, leading a JOY activity, other?
REGISTRATION:
Fee: By Donation – No One Will be Turned Away;
INTERESTED? – More details as they are developed.
Email Noel: VP@hvuuc.org
Join us for church on April 13, 2025!
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:00pm Potluck
Jeremy Bentham's panopticon has handed us a surprisingly relevant concept for understanding how social media is increasing our self-consciousness to an oppressive degree. Rev. Tiffany explores how we are using technology as a weapon against ourselves, and makes some suggestions about healthy boundaries we can set with ourselves.
Our Annual Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday, April 27th immediately following the church service in the sanctuary. Childcare will be provided. Anyone who has been an official member of HVUUC for at least 60 days as of April 27th is eligible to vote at the meeting. Items on the agenda will include:
Vote on the slate of Nominees for Board of Trustee positions recommended by the Nominating Committee.
Vote on the 2024-2025 Budget. Click here to see the proposed budget.
Any other items as needed.
The complete Agenda, nominations as well as a finalized budget for congregational approval are now presented to you. Voting at this meeting will be in person only. Please make plans to attend. For the vote to take place we must have a quorum of about 55 voting members.
Please contact Tish Kashdan if you have any questions at: president@hvuuc.org.
Congregational Meeting Agenda for April 27th
(1) Establish that a quorum is present.
(2) Vote on slate of new officers determined by the Nominating Committee:
Vice President : Emily Hand
Secretary: Chelsea Collea
Programs: Alesha Chaffin
Membership: Phyllis Cairnes
Stewardship: Greg Kramer (returning for a second term)
Officers who will remain on the Board:
President: Noel Marshall
Immediate Past President: Tish Kashdan
Treasurer: Sarah Sanders
Fellowship: Peggy Wolfe
Facilities: Steven Roberts
(3) Vote on Budget for 2025/2026
(4) New Business
(5) Meeting Adjourns
Many of you know that Raj and Sharmi Mehta were long time active members of our congregation before moving to Northern VA after Raj’s retirement from Eastman. Raj served as President here, and he and Sharmi have continued to stay in close contact with our congregation here.
Sharmi passed away on March 22nd at the age of 91. All of us are invited to attend her celebration of life service which will be on You Tube on April 27th at 3:00pm. You can watch the live service on that day at the link below.
The Johnson City Blue Plum festival is June 6th and 7th this year. We have joined in the fun and met new friends from our booth for the past two years and are excited for 2025. The festival is all about music and art. The HVVUC theme this year is SONGBIRDS! Would you like to join our crew? A sign-up form is available at the link below.
Service times are 2 or 2 ½ -hour blocks with a buddy. There will be chairs at the booth for intermittent sitting down. We are likely to have warm weather. Art and music talent is not required; just bring your smile and love for HVUUC. For questions, talk with Lori or email Membership@hvuuc.org
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!)
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!)
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/
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
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
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
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!)
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/
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
Join us for church on March 23, 2025!
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:00pm Coffee Hour
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.
Join us for church on March 16, 2025!
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:00pm Coffee Hour
4:00pm Youth Group
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.
