The Hands Team is the new name for our service group. It is open to ALL! We assist church friends with low-skill “multi-handed” projects like a house move or a backlog of yardwork. All levels and types of capability are welcome, from lifting and carrying to planning logistics to providing refreshments or encouragement. Pitch in, do good, and build community all at the same time!
Join our Google Group (https://groups.google.com/g/hvuuc-hands-team) or email handsteam@hvuuc.org to get notifications about upcoming opportunities, with no obligation to participate.
Religious Education Update – May 24, 2026
✨ Youth Lock-In Success!
Our very first Youth Lock-In was an absolutely awesome experience!
The youth kicked off the evening with a full democratic debate to establish a “rule council” for one of their favorite versions of Uno. Each candidate had three minutes to present their case and answer questions before voting began — and the silly, dramatic enforcement of those rules throughout the night made for some truly unforgettable rounds of Uno. 😆
We connected more deeply through the card game Worst Case Scenario, sang our hearts out during karaoke, and watched Logan build a giant Avatar creation that turned out to be just as fun to destroy as it was to build. The Sensory Corner was a huge hit and provided a calming, grounding space between activities.
We also got to explore Justin and Logan’s family commune-building YouTube channel, Axis Vitae — definitely worth checking out! Conversations throughout the night led to thoughtful discussions about generational shifts in social connection, online gaming, and group hangouts. As someone who grew up in the “play outside until the streetlights come on” generation, it was genuinely insightful and engaging to hear everyone’s perspectives.
A huge shoutout also goes to Justin for repeatedly saving the day by fixing the A/C so everyone could continue gaming comfortably!
As the night came to a close, Mary and Bentley became the final two standing — and Mary claimed the victory as Bentley surrendered to a well-earned mini power nap. 😄
We also had the joy of meeting some of the PRISM youth and hope to continue building connections with them during future youth gatherings. This is such an amazing group of young humans, and I’m already looking forward to our next lock-in adventure!
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Memorial Day Weekend Reminder
There will be no RE classes this Sunday due to Memorial Day weekend.
However, we will have Wonder Worship during service! ✨
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🎉 All-Ages End of Sessions Celebration
Join us on May 31st for our All-Ages End of Sessions Celebration as we wrap up another wonderful RE year together!
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💜 The REC Invites YOU!
The Religious Education Collaborative (REC) warmly invites all attendees and parents/guardians to participate in conversations surrounding RE programming and vision.
The decisions we make within RE impact each of you, and we genuinely want your voice included in the process.
🗓️
REC Meetings are held via Zoom on the first Sunday of each month at 5pm.
We also stay connected through an ongoing group text for continued collaboration and communication.
📧 Reach out to
to be added to the group and help shape the future of RE at HVUUC!
Church membership is not required to participate.
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🌈 Stay Connected
Join our HVUUC Families Facebook Group to stay up to date on all things RE:
[HVUUC Families Facebook Group](https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CbL7p4Lp9/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
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☀️
A Summer of Shared Ministry
This summer, instead of a traditional day camp, we’ll be offering a whole-church summer experience inspired by We Are the Builders — creating opportunities for all ages to come together in community while sharing our innate gifts, talents, creativity, and passions with one another. ✨
Keep an eye out for more information through E-News, Facebook, and the RE Bridge Board in the Fellowship Hall!
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🧩 Fidget Station Reminder
We are grateful to offer a fidget station for youth and community members who benefit from sensory support and hands-on engagement.
Please encourage your children to help clean up the area after use and return borrowed fidgets so this resource can remain available for everyone.
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🌿 Quiet Room Reminder
Our Quiet Room is available for anyone needing a calmer, lower-stimulation space during services or RE time.
Please help us keep this area peaceful, welcoming, and accessible for all who may need it. 💜
Want to share your Hurricane Helene experience? We want to learn from you!
We are a team of university researchers studying how disaster relief was provided after Hurricane Helene and the impacts of aid delivery on communities. If you lived through the storm, we want to hear about your experiences accessing aid. Your participation could help other communities affected by disasters in the future.
What is involved?
Take part in a 1-1.5 hour interview related to your experience during Hurricane Helene.
Are you eligible?
You lived in the greater Tri-Cities area during Hurricane Helene.
You are 18 or older.
Have questions about the study? Contact the lead researcher,
Dr. Samantha Penta, at spenta@albany.edu.
You can find more info here or scan the QR code below.
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 May 17, 2026.
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Service
12:00pm Coffee Hour
What does it look like to love your neighbor as yourself? To see no strangers in others? To exercise humility and practice grace? This week, Alesha Chaffin talks about not just putting love at the center, but making love a radically transformative experience.
Headlines .…
· Minister’s Note
· Painting Needs
· Tree Day
· Pledge Drive
· Women’s Night
· Youth Group
· Astronomy Presentation
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
Join us for church on March 1, 2026.
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Service
12:00pm Coffee Hour
Wild Bodema is a women’s percussion group specializing in music from West Africa using instruments from that area. Bodema means “wimmin who drum” and their energetic beats are sure to call to your inner sense of rhythmic wildness. Based in Asheville, NC, the group performs regionally to share their joy of rhythm and their love of community.
Thank you to all who came together for our impromptu All-Ages class last weekend! And so much gratitude to Reverend Tiffany for stepping in as a guest teacher and sharing her wisdom around animal connections, her personal practice, and the beautiful nature-art she created. I loved witnessing the rich engagement across ages — the many wisdom-drops and the way insight and curiosity flowed between generations was truly fantabulous!
Here’s a glimpse into what’s happening in RE this week:
K–5 RE:
Sue and Greg will be guiding our youngest learners through the lesson “What Makes You, You?” — exploring identity, story, and belonging through thoughtful wonder questions. Our K–5 class continues to nurture curiosity, self-awareness, and connection in age-appropriate and joyful ways.
Families are also invited to participate in the ongoing Gratitude Zine challenge and make use of the Sanctuary Fidget Station — both small but meaningful practices that support our shared worship experience.
6–12 RE & Youth Service:
Justin and Shylah will be collaborating with our youth to explore how they’d like to shape the remaining spring curriculum. When our youth express interest in shifting direction, we listen — co-creation is part of the practice.
Their Feeding the Hungry initiative continues gaining momentum! Youth have created food bags, are assembling pet-care bags, and are coordinating a hot meal distribution in partnership with The Melting Pot in Johnson City. We are currently gathering availability input for two possible service dates — if you’d like to see how this effort is unfolding or support our youth in action, you can find the Helping Hands in Action survey here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfBxV2D6l7mVQyONRYvmLcbczmGVHeuUlERgKCT3L70wZrQPQ/viewform?usp=header
Additionally, families registered for Stellar Sex Health (grades 6–8) are reminded that classes meet in the Meditation Room.
Adult RE 2:
This Sunday, Byron will be leading a discussion on The Joy of Rhythm — a reflective aperitif to the Wild Bodema Women Drummers joining us in service. Adult RE continues to be a vibrant space for reflection, conversation, and shared growth.
As our Adult RE community expands, we are exploring the possibility of adding an Adult RE 3 group to support smaller discussion circles and deeper engagement. We would love congregational input — please consider sharing your thoughts through our More Circles, More Connection Survey:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfRkninSMUUyju7xlfmmnbDRpm3vgx9faiov0xLC2szIbmzsQ/viewform?usp=header
Religious Education at HVUUC is truly shared ministry in motion — across ages, across ideas, and across the many ways we show up for one another. Thank you for being part of it!
Jess Ox, DRE
dre@hvuuc.org
Please save the date for a Memorial Service to honor the life of our own Ray Hatch, for Sunday March 29th at 4:00pm, with reception to follow.
Help with reception setup and food is always appreciated, please contact memorialreception@hvuuc.org to volunteer.
I hope this note finds you well. It is that time of the year when the Stewardship Trustee asks all our church members and friends how much they intend to pledge to the church for our next fiscal year, June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2027. I will then take this amount to the Board of Trustees to develop next year’s budget. The budget that the Board proposes will be voted on at our annual congregational meeting on April 26.
We have so much to celebrate this past year! It is through your generous pledges that we have been able to afford the Church Services in person and on YouTube, Religious Classes by Rev Tiffany, Covenant Groups, Religious Ed for our Adults and Children, Wednesday Night Suppers, the Giving Tree, Special Interest Groups and more!
The present preliminary budget is up 33% from last year. We have an increase in our preliminary budget because: 1) Increase of Training Budgets for members. In the past only members of means, could go to training classes. We need to pay for training for our up-and-coming leaders. With our growth in membership we have needs to hire new people or increase hours of existing employees.
Please mail to PO Box 8383 Gray, TN 37615
OR email your pledge to pledge@hvuuc.org.
Join us for church on February 22, 2026.
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Service
12:00pm Coffee Hour
The Unitarian Universalist commitment to love, empathy, and the inherent worth and dignity of all is always drawing the circle wider. Many of us understand that these values are for more than just humans, but all living beings who call this Earth home. Today, guest musicians PossumTrot Road and Rev. Tiffany reflect on our relationship with the rest of the natural world in this very special service, "Songs for the Animals".
Hello You Gorgeous Souls!
Our Religious Education program is seeking two volunteers to help facilitate the K–5 class this Sunday, and this is a beautiful opportunity to step into shared ministry with our youngest community members!
One of our beloved facilitators is currently taking time to heal following the passing of her husband, and several of our regular volunteers will be attending the Guardian Orientation for the upcoming Stellar Sex Health (RISE) program. This creates an opening for others in our community to step forward and help hold this meaningful space.
If you have already completed a background check, wonderful — we would be so grateful for your support!
If you have not yet completed a background check, but have been attending HVUUC for three months or more, we can get that process started lickety-split! This includes a simple background screening and a brief discernment conversation with Rev. Tiffany and Jess. Our goal is always to create a safe, welcoming, and well-supported experience for both our volunteers and our youth.
You would not be stepping into this alone — curriculum and guidance are provided, and support is always nearby. What matters most is your presence, care, and willingness to be part of the whole that nurtures our children.
If you feel called to help this Sunday, or would like to begin the volunteer process, please contact Jess Ox, Director of Religious Education, at dre@hvuuc.org
Thank you for helping create a space where our children — and our entire community — can continue to grow, connect, and thrive together!
Jess Ox, DRE
Last year there was the first Women's Retreat since COVID. It was a great event and fully subscribed. Is it time to do this again? If so, where/when? May 29-31? This is a call for those interested to join a planning committee hosted by Noel.
Interested parties should email president@hvuuc.org for more information.
HVUUC is sending four individuals to UUA's virtual General Assembly this year, June 14-21! If you are interested in leadership development and building connections with other HVUUC folks as well as the wider UU community then please submit your application here: https://tinyurl.com/HVUUC-GA2026
Learn more about UUA's General Assembly here: https://www.uua.org/ga
Email vp@hvuuc.org with questions
Please join the Tennessee Unitarian Universalist Community Action Network (TUUCAN) Safety and Security Workshop at Westside Unitarian Universalist Church at 616 Fretz Rd, Knoxville, TN 37934 on Saturday, February 21st. It will also be on Zoom. The program will start with a section to reflect on individual risk assessment and then shift to conversations and best practices around protest safety, digital safety, and congregational safety.
The event runs from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM ET, with a potluck lunch and childcare provided. Home hospitality is available if needed. Registration is required to attend, and you can do so using this link-https://tinyurl.com/yc7ts8cp
Schedule of events:
9:30 AM ET- Coffee and conversation
10:00-12:00 PM ET- Spiritual grounding and discussion of risk assessment
12:00-12:45 PM ET- Potluck lunch
1:00- 3:00 PM ET- Discussions around protest, digital, and congregational safety- includes Q&A opportunity
Families/Couples attending: Please complete one form for each adult attending. If childcare is required, only complete that information on one form.
Registration link-https://tinyurl.com/yc7ts8cp
Join us for church on February 15, 2026.
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Service
12:00pm Youth Baked Potato Fundraiser
1:00pm Risk Assessment Workshop
To live our lives is to engage with risk. Which risks are worth taking for you personally, and which aren't? How does taking risks change when we're talking about taking risks as a community in order to live our values? Join Rev. Tiffany to begin addressing this vital topic for congregational life, and then stay for a meal and the Risk Discernment workshop that will be held after the Sunday Service.
Make your wishes known as the congregation discerns which risks we want to take together as a community to transform ourselves, our community and our world!
On Sunday February 15th after church, Rev. Tiffany and team of our church leaders will be facilitating a Risk Discernment workshop sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist's social justice organization Side with Love.
This workshop is designed specifically for us to gauge the risk tolerances of congregation members so that we can make better decisions about what is worth doing and what is too risky for our congregation when it comes to social justice matters. But we can't do that unless you come and let us know where you're at. We hope this workshop will be very well attended to help us get a clear sample of congregational values, hopes, and boundaries.
The youth group will be providing lunch as a fundraiser right after church, and the workshop itself will go from 1-3pm.
Please use the sign up sheet on the back table of the sanctuary, or email risk@hvuuc.org to let us know you're coming (and to help the youth prepare enough food).
Join us for church on February 8, 2026.
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Service
12:00pm Potluck
What do the visual arts offer us when it comes to our shared quest for truth and meaning? This Sunday Rev. Tiffany explores how art through the ages has reflected the human experience, and our yearning for the sublime.
As many of you know, First Presbyterian Johnson City, 105 S Boone St, operates a warming center during the winter for our neighbors who are homeless. Whenever they have "white flag" conditions, that is when the temperature drops to 35 or below, First Presbyterian opens its fellowship hall for those who need a safe, warm place to be. Because First Pres also operates a preschool, the warming center is only open on weekends, holidays, and when Johnson City Schools are closed for inclement weather (because the preschools is also closed then,) but with the recent pattern of weather, they've been open every weekend and holiday recently.
Running the warming center relies on volunteers, which is where you can help. They need people to help with the following:
• Providing food (they offer breakfast and lunch as much as possible)
• Kitchen assistance with prepping and serving food, and cleaning up
• Guest sign-in when people arrive
• Set up and/or clean up of the space before guests arrive and after they leave
• Guest engagement
• General help wherever needed
The warming center is open 8am to 4pm on days it's open. Volunteers usually work in shifts of about two hours, although you are welcome to come for longer or shorter as your schedule allows.
If you are interested in learning more, or to be added to the volunteer roster to be contacted as needed, please reach out to Lynnea Hunter Salinas at 828.266.1917 or at LynneaSalinas@gmail.com.
The Bridge is our monthly Religious Education newsletter reflecting the life, love, and shared ministry of our RE community.
Each issue shares reflections from our Director of Religious Education, gratitude shared by members of all ages, volunteer spotlights, and updates on upcoming classes, gatherings, and opportunities to connect.
Whether you’re deeply involved in RE or simply curious about what’s blooming, you’re invited to step onto the bridge with us — connecting where we are now with where we’re growing together.
Read the first issue by clicking here.
With deep sadness we share that Ray Hatch died suddenly at his home on Thursday January 29th.
Even those who did not meet Ray personally may know him as the smiling man who was often seen doing yard work around the church accompanied by his dog Scout.
We hold Cyndi and their family in our hearts.
When we have additional information to share about a memorial service or other arrangements we will send out an additional ENews.
