Members are encouraged to stay after our Sunday service for our Annual Congregational Meeting where we will vote on the proposed budget for the next fiscal year and the new slate of nominees for the Board of Trustees.

Join us for church on April 27, 2025!

• 9:30am Religious Education

• 11:00am Sunday Service

• 12:00pm Coffee Hour

• 12:20pm Annual Congregational Meeting

“Flower Communion”

Flower Communion is our annual celebration of community through flowers. Everyone brings a flower to share, everyone leaves with a different flower as a symbol of the ways we learn from each other and transform together. Bring a flower to share.

Art work, from friends and members, is welcomed for the month of May. It will be hung in our sanctuary.

If you are able to share art that you have made that is hangable, please bring it to church on Saturday, May 3 between 10am and 3pm. Or you can drop of your art this Sunday if you’re unable to come Saturday May 3. We will hang it on our walls and enjoy it for the whole month and you can pick up your art again the first Sunday in June

Email art@hvuuc.org with any questions.

Please email all submissions for the May newsletter by Wednesday April 30th to newsletter@hvuuc.org.

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

Click here to see the proposed budget.

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.

Join us for church on April 20, 2025!

• 9:30am Religious Education

• 11:00am Sunday Service

• 12:00pm Egg hunt and Open Mic

• 4:00pm Youth Group

“Easter - Four Perspectives”

An Easter celebration highlighting the diverse perspectives present within Holston Valley Unitarian Universalist Church. This member-led service offers us an opportunity to hear about Easter, past and present, from four of our members, Denee Mattioli, Deb Helmer, Charlie Miller, and Lee Sinnot.

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

Register here: http://www.tinyurl.com/hvuucwomen

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.

Join us for church on April 13, 2025!

• 9:30am Religious Education

• 11:00am Sunday Service

• 12:00pm Potluck

“We are the Panopticon”

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

Click here to see the proposed budget.

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.

https://www.youtube.com/live/TXii2YSD0oU

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

https://forms.gle/Hz8TVEYpydGwabY67

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.

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/

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!)

“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/

Please email all submissions for the April newsletter by Monday March 31st to newsletter@hvuuc.org.