This Sunday is the last day to help the survivors of hurricane Helene by donating new or gently used holiday decorations. Just place your donations in the project Deck The halls bin in the social hall. Thanks to everyone who has already donated and helped to share the holiday spirit with others.
Jonesborough Area Ministerial Association Food Pantry
Many people have been asking how they can help people who have lost their SNAP nutritional support this month. We would like to invite you to donate to the Jonesborough Area Ministerial Association, which runs the Jonesborough Food Pantry.
Please just click on this link for easy donating!
https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=96ef5196-a56f-4145-b179-9e5f74eb68b8&brid=5LtdELwwtD7rM3QoR_-wkg
Facilities Help Wanted
Help Wanted !!!
We need help with our Facilities maintenance and projects.
With increasing usage and the change of seasons, there are numerous things to be addressed, both large and small. From general cleaning, small maintenance tasks, major repairs to Capital projects- volunteers are needed.
All genders and ages welcome, there’s something that needs done that you can help with. Our list is long currently.
To paraphrase “ Ask not what your church can do for you, instead Ask what you can do for your church “.
Weekends, weekdays, evenings, I’ll work with your schedule and talents to continue our efforts to improve our facilities.
Please contact facilities@hvuuc.org or Steven Roberts in person.
Astronomy Presentation, Trans Day of Remembrance, & Giving Tree Donations
Giving Tree Donations
It's the time of year for collecting Giving Tree items!
Our tree will be in need of items for children, women, and men such as: gloves, hats, scarves, socks, and hand warmers. We will collect items all through the holiday season to keep the tree replenished.
Additionally, monetary donations are welcomed and we will do the shopping for you!
If you would like to volunteer for bagging items to be hung on the tree or for the day of tree decoration, you can email givingtree@hvuuc.org.
Honoring Those That Serve
Join us for church on November 9, 2025 and stick along afterwards for Potluck!
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:00pm Potluck
“Honoring Those That Serve”
As Veteran's Day approaches, Rev. Tiffany leads us in honoring all who have served though military service. What does it mean to put your life on the line for your values? What does it mean to serve and protect? Unitarian Universalists hold a variety of beliefs regarding war, peace and military service, but one common thread that we hold to is the inherent worth and dignity of all who serve. Rev. Tiffany reflects on the many ways we live our values, and the power of her own father's example as a career Air Force officer.
Preview Auction Items
To review items for sale at the upcoming service auction go to the main page:
a) Click on the blue link at the top, Auction, to view the silent auction items.
b) Click on the blue link at the top, Live, to view the live auction items.
c) You can view all the services with DATES listed in one place (PDF).
Then join us this Saturday at 6:00pm for the auction! If you’d like you can bring a snack to share!
Email auction@hvuuc.org with any questions.
November 2025 Newsletter
Headlines
• Our Covenant
• Trans Day of Remembrance
• New Frontiers in Astronomy
• HVUUC Thanksgiving
• Service Auction
• Choir
• Facilities Volunteers
• Giving Tree Donations
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
Auction Hors D'oeuvres Needed
Please bring heavy hors d-oeuvres, finger foods, or a snack to share. Someone will be available in the kitchen beginning at 5:00 to help do whatever you need to prepare and present your contribution.
It's always fun to have a plateful of tasty treats while browsing the silent auction offerings and vying for special live auction items.
PS: Potluck Sunday happens to be the next day, November 9. Maybe prepare for two events at one time!
Email auction@hvuuc.org with any questions.
Gone But Not Forgotten
Don’t forget Daylight Savings time is this Sunday!
Join us for church on November 2, 2025!
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:00pm Coffee Hour
“Gone But Not Forgotten”
This time of year many religious traditions take time to honor their dearly departed, and the Remembering service here in our church has become an annual tradition. During this service Rev. Tiffany names and honors the people connected to this congregation that have died this year, as well as important figures in the world. And then we share a ritual of remembering together. You are invited to bring photos or mementos of your departed friends and loved ones to place on the altar during this service.
Service Auction, Festivals of Light, Locks Changed at Church
Calling all Turkeys! (& Turkey Lovers)
No need to wear yourself out making an entire meal. Join us at HVUUC for a Thanksgiving potluck from 2-5pm on Nov 27.
Sign up in the sanctuary or by emailing thanksgiving@hvuuc.org to tell us who’s coming & what you’re bringing.
Everyone is welcome!
November Newsletter Deadline
Choir Rehearsal This Sunday - Everyone Welcome!
At our recent Listening Circle, it became very clear that choir deserves more energy and attention than it has been given. This coming Sunday, November 2, will be the first official rehearsal for our re-booted choir program! Please assemble in the sanctuary by the piano at 12:30, after relaxing for a while at Coffee Hour. Rehearsal will last approximately an hour.
This Sunday we will begin working on two songs for the upcoming Festival of Lights: Pass on the Light and De Noche. If you have never joined the choir or are hesitant to sing, you are invited to sit with the choir and simply observe! New voices are always welcome.
Email musicdirector@hvuuc.org with any questions.
What Happens at a Service Auction?
What happens at the Auction, besides purchasing items?
We will have lots of food while you peruse tables laden with Silent Auction Items. When you enter you will be given a bidder’s paddle. Use this number when purchasing items during the silent auction as well as the live auction.
The Silent Auction starts as you enter the church at 6 PM and after the first half of the Live Auction the Silent Auction ends, and all the winning bids are entered, and you can catch another snack.
How do you find out what is in the auction?
Click this link to to see what items and events have already been added to the auction. You can use the same link to enter your own auction items and events you may want to donate, as well.
Do want to spend another person’s money? You’ll need PROXY bidders so that people who can’t make the Auction but want to purchase items. If you can’t be at the Auction, you can ask about needing a PROXY bidder.
Can’t pay your whole bill that night? We can allow you to defer payments.
Email auction@hvuuc.org with any question.
Samhain Ritual, Astronomy Presentation, and Thanksgiving Potluck
Festivals of Light Volunteers Needed
As winter approaches, so does Festivals of Lights on Dec 14! 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 at festivals@hvuuc.org to volunteer!
Halloween
Don’t forget to wear your costumes this Sunday!
Join us for church on Oct 26, 2025!
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:00pm Trunk or Treat
“Halloween”
On the last Sunday of October, our congregation is visited by all sorts of interesting characters dressed up in their Halloween best! Rev. Tiffany hosts a very special service where we are taught about ethics from Robin Hood, the history of voting rights from a Suffragette, the importance of bees in our ecosystem from a bee, and many many other insightful characters. Come in costume and stay for the Trunk or Treat!
KEYS
In the interest in increasing our security, all locks at the church have been rekeyed!
If you are a Board Member or a Staff Member, your key is ready for you! Come by the office during office hours to get your key, or ask Rev. Tiffany after the service.
If you are not Board or Staff but need access to the main building or the REZ, anyone can get through the door by getting the code to the key box outside the front door. Contact a Board Member or Church Staff for that code.
Please note that front door keys will no longer open office doors. If you need office access please discuss your needs with a Board Member, and they will help you through the process of getting office access.
New Frontiers in Astronomy Presentation
Saturday, November 15, 2025
6:00 PM 7:00 PM
New Astronomy telescopes completely change our understanding of the Cosmos! Astronomers and Physicists are scrambling to understand the meaning of these new discoveries.
With just two new Telescopes, our knowledge of the universe has changed forever! The night sky is no longer a static tapestry. The Vera Rubin Observatory and James Webb Space Telescope have produced a "time-lapse movie" of the Cosmos!
The quest for life in our Solar System. Is Mars our best hope for discovering evidence of life? What secrets do the Gas and Ice Giant planets hold? Maybe their moons hold the answers!
Exoplanets -- We've discovered over 6,000 planets orbiting other stars in the Milky Way! Some are quite Earth-like! Our 2 new telescopes are giving us exciting new information on these Earth-like worlds!
Urban Lighting -- Rapid growth of bright urban lighting conflicts the night sky and handicaps ground based telescopes. How can we resolve this issue?
Weather permitting, Donnie will set up his telescope after the presentations for views of the night sky.
Email astronomy@hvuuc.org with any questions.
















