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.
As winter approaches, so does Festivals of Lights on Dec 13! 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 or Cathrine at festivals@hvuuc.org to volunteer!
We will also be decorating the sanctuary on Dec 12 from 9a-12pm and welcome all help. If you have any fresh evergreen trimmings, please bring them!
Join us for church on Nov 8, 2026.
9:30am RE
11:00am Service
12:00pm Potluck
1:00pm Metaphysics Group
What do the characters of the Medusa myth and the characters of the Moana Disney movie have in common? They can teach us a lot about the paths to healing, both when they work and when they don't work. Come explore these complexities with Rev. Tiffany.
(content warning for trauma stories and a brief mention of sexual assault)
A HUGE thank-you to the groups that have stepped up to help host Coffee Hour! The Men's Group, Social Justice Committee, and BUUK Club have all answered the call, and we truly appreciate their support! And of course, all of the other individuals that routinely step up to help.
However, we still need volunteers to fill in the gaps. Never hosted Coffee Hour before? No worries! An experienced volunteer will show you the ropes and make sure you know everything you need to know. Not able to bring food? That's okay, too! We can provide the refreshments.
Hosting Coffee Hour is an easy way to help out, connect with fellow members, and make everyone feel welcome. All you need to bring is a little time and a willingness to help! For more information, please contact coffeehour@hvuuc.org or speak to Debbie after church.
💜 A Note from the DRE
💜✨ Child-care volunteers needed for Auction! ✨💜
🤝 Religious Exploration Collaborative (REC) in person again!
✨ Wonder Worship Returns!
🌟 Youth Group Gathering!
🎂 November Birthdays!
🌟 Gratitudes Across the Bridge
Nursery Volunteers Needed — Saturday, November 7 | 4:30–10 PM
Our regular childcare team is unavailable for this year's Service Auction, and we're calling on our wonderful HVUUC community to help keep our littlest members cared for while the festivities unfold!
Here's where we need help:
- 4:30–6:30 PM: Volunteers to cover the beginning of the evening.
- 6:30–10 PM: A copilot to join Jess, or a few volunteers to share shorter shifts!
Even an hour or two makes a difference! With a handful of helping hands, we can share the responsibility so everyone has a chance to enjoy the celebration.
Interested in helping? Contact Jess at hvuucdre@gmail.com with your availability.
Let's make this a beautiful evening for ALL ages!
Service Auction Families — We Need Your Input!
Are you planning to attend the Service Auction this Saturday, November 7, and will you need childcare for your little ones (ages 6 and under)?
We're gathering a headcount to help us plan childcare coverage for the evening!
If you'll need childcare, please email Jess Ox at dre@hvuuc.org with:
YES — Childcare needed!
Number of children (ages 6 and under)
Your response will help us determine our childcare needs and plan accordingly!
Thank you for helping us make this a wonderful evening for everyone!
We want to make everyone aware that at this Sunday's "Creepies and Crawlies" service, there will NOT be any snakes or bugs* inside the sanctuary. While our topic is exploring how these feared creatures can teach us more about ourselves and acceptance, we are keeping them out of the sanctuary out of respect for people who may have phobias.
During All Ages Religious Education (which will either be on the back porch or in the REZ building depending on weather), two very docile non-venomous pet snakes will be present, but these snakes will NOT be present in the sanctuary.
*when we say there are no bugs inside the sanctuary, we mean no bugs that we put there on purpose. The ones who show up on their own are outside of our control!
There is a capital repairs project that will begin in a couple of weeks. This is to install a new roof for our main facility. There are a couple of phases, the first phase will start in the next couple of weeks.
In the first phase, the old tower on top of church will be removed. Additionally, the existing front door overhang will be removed and replaced. Depending on contractor schedule, there may be need to use an alternate entrance thru the music room sliding door. Signs will be posted if it becomes necessary to use the side entrance.
The second phase is a tear-off and reroof of the entire main building. Repairs to the roof decking and trim will be done at this time. the timing for this is weather dependent and currently set for as early as mid August or as late as end of Sept.
We'll keep updating information on scheduling as contractor updates become available.
Thanks for your patience as we proceed to maintain and improve our facility.
Email facilities@hvuuc.org with any questions.
Tri Pride was our 5th Sunday special offering, June 29.
If you were not able to donate at the service, please donate directly to Tri Pride at https://www.tripridetn.org/donate/
Headlines
· Minister’s Note
Ukulele Group
Potluck
Treasury Report
Circle Suppers
Adult Sex-ed Survey
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
HVUUC is working on plans to offer an Adult Sexual Education Workshop. Please fill out the survey to help determine community interest and what type of workshop and format would be best to offer.
Survey: https://forms.gle/wpiq71g2C77Di1MA7
If you have questions please reach out to our DRE, Justin Ridley, at dre@hvuuc.org
Join us for church on June 29, 2025!
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:00pm Coffee Hour
Unitarian Universalists love asking the big questions! At the Question Box service, you get to submit your questions to Rev. Tiffany ahead of time, and at the service she will answer as many questions as she can during the allotted time.
Friday at 7 PM on ZOOM.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4857776660
All invited to participate and meet your newly elected volunteer HVUUC Board Members
We have enough people interested in Circle Suppers to begin making plans! Circle Suppers are simply potlucks held at the home of the host (or at the church if needed). Circle Suppers are a UU tradition that has fostered many friendships over the years.
Our first Circle Supper will be in September. If you have signed up as being interested in participating, expect more detailed information in August. If you have not signed up, you may still do so. Simply email Peggy at circlesuppers@hvuuc.org.
There are two fun services coming up that need your input!
Unitarian Universalists love asking the big questions! At the Question Box service, you get to submit your questions to Rev. Tiffany ahead of time, and at the service she will answer as many questions as she can during the allotted time. Serious or silly, simple or complex, submit your questions to minister@hvuuc.org.
Rev. Tiffany needs your questions ASAP so get those to her as soon as possible!
Our annual Soapbox Sunday is coming up on July 6th. We need speakers to give a 3-5 minute talk about a topic important to your heart. You are "getting up on your soapbox" to tell it like it is. Our youth are invited to participate, as well!
Soapbox Sunday is a long-standing annual tradition where we - friends and members of HVUUC - exercise our freedom of speech. This right is not to be taken for granted.
If you have questions or want to run a topic by me, or explore a creative method of delivering your Soapbox talk, please contact Rosemary at soapboxsunday@hvuuc.org
Join us for church on June 22, 2025!
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:00pm Coffee Hour
As Gary Mongillo has traveled down several spiritual paths, he has come to a realization that the foundation of these spiritual paths is really the same: the quote from Episcopal Bishop John Shelby Spong, “To live fully, love wastefully and be all we were created to be."
The HVUUC Social Justice Committee is seeking volunteers for the 4th annual Rainbow Festival in Johnson City to celebrate Pride!
The Pride Community Center will host its 4th Annual Rainbow Festival this year to celebrate Pride Month at Founders Park in Johnson City, TN.
The Social Justice Committee at HVUU will have a table and crafts available for the community. Volunteers will be needed for 2-hour shifts throughout the event to manage the table and engage with the community.
Please use this form to sign up for shifts: https://forms.gle/QN5SVP9gumAn47Vq7
Email lgbtqia@hvuuc.org with any questions.
Unitarian Universalists love asking the big questions!
At the Question Box service on June 29th, you get to submit your questions to Rev. Tiffany ahead of time, and at the service she will answer as many questions as she can during the allotted time.
Serious or silly, simple or complex, submit your questions to minister@hvuuc.org
Join us for church on June 15, 2025!
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:00pm Coffee Hour
4:00pm Youth Group
Marina Munjal, co-founder of Appalachian Dharma & Meditation Center in Johnson City and long-time HVUUC member invites us to consider the possibility that who we think we are is merely a product of our history and environment, and not a fixed unchangeable self to protect, defend, and hold onto tightly. What is behind the carefully crafted mask we wear to meet the expectations of those around us? Can we find the space to let go of the tight grip and relax into the liberating flow of life?