Join us for church on August 30, 2026.

• 9:30 am Religious Education

• 11:00am Service

• 12:00pm Coffee Hour

“The Journey Home”

What if the joy, healing, and clarity we seek are not something to be given to us, but something we already hold within? Join Jess Ox for an experiential service exploring The Journey Home—the movement from unconscious living to embodied wisdom. Through original music, guided breath, reflection, and insights drawn from multiple spiritual traditions, we'll explore how awareness transforms the way we experience ourselves, one another, and the world around us. This service invites us to pause, listen deeply, and remember the wholeness that has been within us all along.

Our internet service has been interrupted at the church due to reasons out of our control so the office will be closed this week and until further notice. We are hoping that the issue will be resolved soon. Thank you for your understanding. You can still reach the office with any church needs at office@hvuuc.org.

🎉 All-Ages RE Kick-Off on the Deck — August 30!

 🌱 A New Adventure for Our K–5 Explorers!

🙌 Volunteers Make This Possible!

🔥 Teacher Commissioning & Blessing

📦 Save Those Dryer Sheet Boxes!

🎶 “This Joy” — Time for All Ages

🏕️Youth Group Heads to Wilderness at the Smokies!

🧭 Adult 1: Exploratorium Continues!

🎤 Youth-Led Service — September 13

🎵 Heartstrings & Harmonies

🗓️A Quick Schedule Reminder

🤝 REC Meeting — September 6

Please email all submissions for the September newsletter by Monday August 31 to newsletter@hvuuc.org.

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.

Don’t forget your water for Water Communion this week!

Join us for church on August 23, 2026.

• 9:30 am Religious Education

• 11:00am Service

• 12:00pm Coffee Hour

• 12:30pm Social Justice Meeting

“Water Communion”

Our annual interactive and intergenerational Water Communion service where we celebrate our interconnectivity. Many people bring water from their travels throughout the year, or from another water source that holds meaning for them.

Our annual interactive and intergenerational Water Communion service where we celebrate our interconnectivity is this Sunday. Many people bring water from their travels throughout the year, or from another water source that holds meaning for them.

If you’d like, please bring your water for water communion this Sunday!

💜 A Note from the DRE

💧 This Sunday: Water Communion

✨ Wonder Worship: Celebrating Our SHINE!

🌻 August 30: RE Kickoff on the Deck!

🎶 August 30: The Journey Home

🚌 Youth Group Trip: Wilderness at the Smokies

🎙️ September 13: Youth-Led Service!

🗺️ Curious Conversations: Exploratorium!

📚 Regular RE Begins September 13 — Please Register!

🙌 Your Gifts Belong Here: Volunteer With RE!

🎵 Heartstrings & Harmonies: What's on Your Soundtrack?

💜 Gratitude from the Bridge

The NUTs group will be hosting a sing-along at the church picnic on Saturday, August 22nd between 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 in the sanctuary. Everyone is encouraged to bring their ukulele and their voice and sing along.

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.

Kitchen of Hope in Kingsport is this month’s Fifth Sunday offering recipient. The Kitchen of Hope, where teams from various local organizations prepare and serve meals to anyone who needs them, has been operating since 1998. Everyone is welcome. On average, the kitchen serves 153 meals per day.  

If you would like to learn more about the Kitchen of Hope, a video is available here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJMiT_zn8QU

If you would like to contribute, please place your gift in the envelope included in the bulletin on Sunday morning August 30th. If you cannot attend that Sunday but would like to participate, you can give electronically through our website at https://hvuuc.org/donate. Designate in the instructions that your contribution is for the “Fifth Sunday” collection. This option will be available August 23rd through September 6th.

Join us for church on August 16, 2026.

• 9:30 am Religious Education

• 11:00am Service

• 12:00pm Potluck

• 1:00pm Flamy Grant Concert!

“Unshaken”

Where do we find the courage to be ourselves? How can we stand unshaken in the midst of circumstances that rattle us? Join us for a service full of art and music that can help us connect to the courageous human spirit that dwells within each of us.

Join us next Saturday, August 22, beginning at 400 to celebrate the end of summer with an afternoon filled with great food, laughter, games, and fellowship!

Hamburgers (beef, vegan, and vegetarian options) & hot dogs

Fruit Dessert Bake-Off Competition

Cornhole

Backgammon/Checkers

Bocce Ball

Jump house and bubble area for the children

Dunk Tank (weather permitting) – Ever wanted to soak your minister or a few brave church volunteers? Here’s your chance!

Door Prize Drawings

Email fellowship@hvuuc.org with any questions.

Religious Exploration: A Little More Space to Breathe

 Registrations Are Open!

Volunteers Make the Magic Happen!

Wonder Worship Continues!

Youth Group Gathering

Youth Group Trip to Wilderness at the Smokies

Religious Exploration Book Sale Update

We're seeking an On-Call Nursery Caregiver Substitute to support our nursery throughout the year.

This flexible paid position is perfect for someone who enjoys working with young children and would like to serve our congregation on an occasional basis.

Position Highlights:
• Paid hourly
• Flexible on-call schedule
• Historically 6–8 substitute hours annually (may vary)

Responsibilities include creating a safe, welcoming, engaging environment where every child and family feels they belong.

A background check will be completed at no cost for the selected applicant.

Apply Here:
https://form.jotform.com/262084690861059

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.

Volunteers Make the Magic Happen

As our Religious Exploration programming continues to grow, so does our need for wonderful volunteers!

Whether you'd enjoy:
Leading a class
Assisting a facilitator
Helping little hands explore the garden
Supporting Wonder Worship
Or serving quietly behind the scenes...

...there is a place for your unique gifts.

Each Sunday we're currently seeking:
2 adults for K–2
2 adults for Grades 3–5
2 adults for Grades 6–12
1 Adult Discussion Group Guide
1–2 Wonder Worship volunteers (serving 2–3 Sundays each month)

Not a classroom person? Wonderful! We have plenty of behind-the-scenes opportunities as well.

If you'd like to explore where your interests and gifts best align, we'd love to hear from you!

Volunteer Interest Form:

https://form.jotform.com/262058660418055

Background checks are required for those serving with children and youth and are provided by the church at no cost to you.

Join us for church on August 9, 2026.

• 9:30 am Religious Education

• 11:00am Service

• 12:00pm Coffee Hour

• 12:30pm Metaphysical Group Presentation

“The Merchant's Last Coin”

The Merchant's Last Coin is a story of a person who gives up everything for the sake of greed. How much can we lose when we lose sight of who we are? And if greed can transform us, can generosity do the same?

A Little Space to Breathe Before Our RE Year Begins!

Our fall Religious Exploration schedule has shifted! Summer All-Ages RE will continue August 9, 16 & 23, followed by a celebratory All-Ages RE Kickoff on August 30. After our Labor Day weekend pause, regular K–12 and Adult RE classes will officially begin September 13!

Religious Exploration: A Little More Space to Breathe

After hearing from our RE community, we're excited to share our updated schedule for the beginning of our new Religious Exploration year!

August is a season of transition—summer winds down, school begins, schedules shift, and families and volunteers start finding their new grooves. Your responses made it clear that a little extra space to breathe before jumping into our regular classes is very welcome!

Here's our new schedule:

Registrations are officially OPEN!

Whether you're enrolling a little one, a youth, or yourself, now is the perfect time to reserve your place for the year ahead.

A special note for our adults: If you're currently participating in—or interested in joining—one of our Adult Discussion Groups, please take a moment to complete the registration form, too. Registration isn't just for children...YOU matter, too!

Your registration helps us:
* Plan for our continually growing programs.
* Understand participation as we dream about future expansion.
* Keep our communication lists up-to-date so everyone who wants information receives it.

Register Today:

Nursery through Grade 12:

https://form.jotform.com/262060977369064

Adult Discussion Groups:

https://form.jotform.com/262061181173146

You can also find program descriptions and QR codes on colorful material throughout the sanctuary, in the lobby, on the REZ door and billboard, and in the Fellowship Hall!