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.

Reminder: Church Picnic: Saturday, August 23, 5:00 - 7:30, at the church

Please bring appetizers, salads, vegetables, snacks, and desserts. The church will provide the burgers, hot dogs, buns, and condiments. There will be a bouncy house for the kids!

Join us for church on August 10, 2025!

• 9:30am RE

• 11:00am Sunday Service

• 12:00pm Youth Pizza Fundraiser

• 12:00PM Holy Ground Workshop

“Making Homes and Crossing Boundaries: What Teaching World Religions Has Taught Me”

The power of religions to make homes, cross boundaries, intensify joy, and confront suffering. These reflections invite us to think more deeply about what religion is and how it helps u navigate the human experience.

With guest speaker Dr. Jennifer Axsom Adler

The Music Team is looking for anyone who enjoys music that would like to occasionally help volunteering as a temporary choir director in the near future. James or Alesha will be more than happy to coach you on what to do and would only ask to schedule you for services that you are able and willing to be involved.

Email musicdirector@hvuuc.org if you would be interested to learn more!

Social Justice Committee have purchased, "Know your rights" cards and placed them on the shelf near the library in the sanctuary. These red cards can be used as a reference for individuals and also handed to police and/or immigration to communicate constitutional rights; such as remaining silent and requesting an attorney. These cards are written in both, English and Spanish.

These cards were purchased by Social Justice Committee as part of the church's, "Statement of Support of U.S  immigrants facing oppressive violence" and "Standing on the side of LOVE". This statement can be found at https://hvuuc.org/immigration-support

Please take these cards for yourself and anyone else who may benefit from knowing their rights.

August 6th is the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki which nihilated over 200,000 humans. This is a prayer that this never happens again. Pray for Peace.

A NUCLEAR PRAYER

The Beginning and the End are in your hands, O Creator of the Universe. And in our hands you have placed the fate of this planet.

We, who are tested by having both creative and destructive power in our free will, turn to you in sober fear and in intoxicating hope.

We ask for your guidance and to share in your imagination in our deliberations about the use of nuclear force.

Help us to lift the fog of atomic darkness that hovers so pervasively over our Earth, Your Earth, so that soon all eyes may see life magnified by your pure light.

Bless all of us who wait today for your Presence and who dedicate ourselves to achieve your intended peace and rightful equilibrium on Earth.

In the Name of all that is holy and all that is hoped.

Amen.
Rev. Bishop Swing,
United Religions Initiative

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.

August 10th during the service will be our backpack blessing to ensure our students will have a blessed school year. If you have a student at home, bring their backpack to church, and if you are a teacher, please bring your teacher bag to be blessed as well.

Join us for church on August 3, 2025!

• 9:30am RE

• 11:00am Sunday Service

• 12:00pm Coffee Hour

“Shelter and Shadow”

Unitarian theologian James Luther Adams once said "Church is a place where you get to practice what it means to be human." In these days, how do we welcome, encourage and protect the humanity of each other?

With guest preacher Rev. Laura Bogle

Headlines

• Minister’s Note

• RE News

• Holy Ground Workshop

• Backpack Blessing

• Church Picnic

• Game Nights Return

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

The Social Justice Committee is happy to share that we raised over $500 for TriPride during June's 5th Sunday service!

Email sjchair@hvuuc.org to learn how you can get involved with our social justice team.

Pastoral Care Support is Available during Rev. Tiffany's Sabbatical from our DRE, Justin Ridley

As you may know, Rev. Tiffany is currently on sabbatical through the end of August. During this time, I will be coordinating pastoral care for our HVUUC community, working closely with our dedicated Caring Team.

My name is Justin Ridley, and I'm your Director of Religious Education. I'm honored to step into this expanded role and offer support to our congregation. My five years of hospital chaplaincy experience and nearing completion of spiritual director training uniquely equip me to walk with you through life's challenges.

I am available to offer confidential support during times of crisis, grief, and other significant life events.

If you need support beyond the scope of our Caring Team, I have office hours available for appointments.

Please email pastoralcare@hvuuc.org to receive a link to schedule a time.

I look forward to being a supportive presence for you during this interim period.

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.

The Religious Education Collaborative is collecting feedback on a potential topic for an RE class. There has been some interest by Religious Education members for a class on the topic of Jesus. To help facilitate this interest please fill out the survey below.

Survey Link: https://forms.gle/c1iHoCWD7Gd7XRVo9

For questions please contact our DRE, Justin Ridley, dre@hvuuc.org

Join us for church on July 27, 2025!

• 9:30am RE

• 11:00am Sunday Service

• 12:00pm Coffee Hour

“The Library of Alexandria: What, Why, and Who Cares?”

Historians pine about the ancient knowledge lost in the Library of Alexandria, but how much is legend and how much is fact? Guest speaker Bradley discusses the history of the library, why people like it so much, and whether or not its reverence is justified.

Summer temps are still with us, but we still need our coffee and conversation.  Please consider volunteering to host coffee hour.  August has five Sundays, so there is room for anyone interested.  If you need help or instruction on what coffee hour hosts do, just email coffeehour@hvuuc.org. Thank you.

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

Service Info:

Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Sunday, August 10

Title: Making Homes and Crossing Boundaries: What Teaching World Religions Has Taught Me

Description: The power of religions to make homes, cross boundaries, intensify joy, and confront suffering. These reflections invite us to think more deeply about what religion is and how it helps you navigate the human experience. With guest speaker Dr. Jennifer Axsom Adler

Workshop Info:

Time: 12:30 - 3:00 pm, Sunday, August 10

Title: Holy Ground: Reimagining the Religious Landscapes of Appalachia

Description: How do we understand religion in Appalachia beyond familiar church steeples and denominational labels? Join Dr. Jennifer Axsom Adler, a historian of religion at East Tennessee State University, for a workshop that explores the surprising diversity of religious life across the Appalachian region. Dr. Adler invites participants to explore how sacred landscapes, lived experience, and vernacular religious practices have shaped Appalachian identity, often in unexpected ways. This workshop offers an opportunity to challenge stereotypes, reflect on your own community’s religious history, and gain new insight into what religion has meant—and continues to mean—in Appalachia.

BIO: Dr. Jennifer Axsom Adler is an assistant professor of history at East Tennessee State University, where she teaches courses in world religions, American religious history, and religion in Appalachia. Her research focuses on sacred space, material culture, ritual practice, and lived religion in American life. A first-generation college student and native of Indiana, she earned her A.B. in Government from Harvard College and her M.A. and Ph.D. in Religion from Vanderbilt University.

Additional Information: Childcare is available for both the service and the workshop. The Youth Group will be hosting a Pizza Sale Fundraiser between the service and workshop during coffee hour -- 12:00 - 12:30.

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.

Dear HVUUC family, unbeknownst to the congregation, I have spent the last half a year doing my best to try to care for an ill family member.  It has taken a toll on my well-being.  With the support and encouragement of the Committee on Ministry, our Board of Trustees, and our excellent Staff Team, I have decided that I must take a mini-sabbatical in the month of August.

The Religious Services Committee, along with a few wonderful minister colleagues of mine, are working to ensure that we have truly excellent programming in August while I am out.  I hope you'll enjoy what they're cooking up for you in August!

Justin Ridley, our Director of Religious Education, has agreed to offer Pastoral Care support in our absence.  He comes to us with extensive experience as a hospital chaplain, and is currently studying to be a spiritual director, so he is quite qualified to offer support should you decide you need it.  He will be available for Pastoral Care by appointment only so please reach out to him at pastoralcare@hvuuc.org if you have a need.  And of course, our Caring Team is always available for support as well, and you can reach them at caring@hvuuc.org

I have a week of vacation schedule for right before this sabbatical begins, so my last day before I'm off is this Sunday, July 20th.  I'll be back to it on Friday, August 29th, hopefully with renewed energy!