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.
New Member in Need of Meal Train
We are setting up a meal train for one of our new members, Kat. She fell and has a cast on both her right arm and leg, and we're trying to drum up support for this meal train since they are so new.
Here is the meal train link: https://mealtrain.com/w5dglq
Reframing Persephone: A Modern Take on an Ancient Myth
Join us for church on Oct 18, 2026.
9:30am RE
11:00am Service
12:00pm Coffee Hour
4:00pm Youth Group
“Reframing Persephone: A Modern Take on an Ancient Myth”
Is the story of Persephone and Hades just an ancient myth explaining the reason for changing seasons, or something deeper? Join Erin Jenkins in discussing this ancient story, and what we can learn from its strong female archetypes even in our modern world.
Donate Your Service Auction Items Now!
The Auction Website is ready for you to enter your items! If you have registered before go straight to "Donate Items" If you have never used the Auctria Website before go to "Register" and then "Donate Items".
Donate Items and Services Now:
🌉 RE Bridge Weekly | Balance & Beauty | Youth Group Gathering
🌉 RE Bridge Weekly | Balance & Beauty | Youth Group Gathering
💜 A Note from the DRE
🎃 HVUUC Annual Trunk or Treat!
🌟 Youth Group Gathering — This Sunday!
🌎 Adult 1: Curious Conversations — An Exploratorium of Their Own!
🎂 Happy October Birthdays!
🌈 Celebrating Our Newest HVUUC Members!
💜 Gratitudes Across the Bridge
Snacks Needed for Service Auction
Planning to attend this year’s Service Auction? We’d love for you to bring a finger food to share! After all, bidding wars are much more fun when there are snacks involved.
Bring your favorite appetizer, nibble, libation or tasty little something—and come prepared to bid, laugh, and have a great time!
Giving Tree Donations Needed
Our Giving Tree will be in need of items for children, women, and men such as:
handwarmers
warm socks
undies
hygiene items (shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste)
feminine products
gallon-size freezer/storage backs (double zipper only)
We currently have a large supply of hats, gloves, and scarves and are not in need of those items at this time. The Giving Tree donation bin will be in the Fred Ball room. You may leave items as they are, packaged or not. We will collect items all through the holiday season to keep the tree replenished.
Service Auction, The Giving Tree, & A Walk in My Shoes Workshop
Queer Voices Within World Religions
Join us for church on Oct 11, 2026.
9:30am RE
11:00am Service
12:00pm Potluck
1:00pm More Than Words Pronoun Workshop
“Queer Voices Within World Religions”
As religions are often keepers of tradition, it's natural to assume that most religions are not LGBTQ+ friendly, and this is supported by the vocal components of many world religions that equate their own bigotry with the tenets of their faith. And yet, there are strong, beautiful, and sometimes ancient queer voices in most world religions that say otherwise. This day after Tri-Pride Rev. Tiffany explores a few world religions and the LGBTQ+ voices within them.
TriPride Canceled
MORE THAN WORDS: A Pronouns Workshop
MORE THAN WORDS: A Pronouns Workshop
Sunday, October 11 • 1–3 PM Holston Valley Unitarian Universalist Church 136 Bob Jobe Rd, Gray TN 37615
Pronouns may be small words, but they can carry a whole lot of meaning — and sometimes, a little curiosity can open the door to a whole lot more understanding.
More Than Words is an interactive workshop for anyone who wants to better understand pronouns, and explore how the words we choose can help people feel seen, respected, and affirmed.
RE Bridge Weekly | Falling Into the Moment | More Than Words | Youth Group Gathering
TriPride, Pronoun Workshop, & Dance Party
Let Books Be - Protecting the Freedom to Read
October 2026 Newsletter
Headlines …
TriPride
Church Dance Party
Pronoun Workshop
The Giving Tree
Service Auction
Trunk or Treat
Women’s Night
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.
Finger Foods Needed for Service Auction
Planning to attend this year’s Service Auction on Nov 7? We’d love for you to bring a finger food to share! After all, bidding wars are much more fun when there are snacks involved.
Bring your favorite appetizer, nibble, or tasty little something—and come prepared to bid, laugh, and have a great time!
Email fellowship@hvuuc.org with any questions.
🌉 RE Bridge Weekly | Supported by the Season 🍂 | REC + October Happenings
2026 Service Auction Coming Up!
What is a Service Auction?
Great question! A service auction is a Fun Raiser in which friends and members donate services. We, all the members and friends of this HVUUC community, can bid on these services to win them. The winning bidders will pay the church, while the donor of the service provides the service.
What does a service mean? ….
Dance Party, Scam Alert, & Women's Night
Lots of Ways to Volunteer with RE!
✨ Many Gifts, One Community
Religious Exploration is growing—and with that growth comes more opportunities for our whole community to help bring it to life! 💜
Volunteering with RE doesn't have to mean becoming a teacher. There are so many ways to share your time, interests, skills, and gifts:
● Lead a class and help guide exploration and conversation.
● Assist a lead facilitator and be an extra supportive presence.
● Support Wonder Worship and help create meaningful worship experiences for our youngest UUs.
● Help with communications, organization, or behind-the-scenes projects.
● Lend a hand where needed without committing to an ongoing role.
If you've been a friend of HVUUC for 3 months or longer, stop by the Volunteer Sign-Up Board in the church lobby and see where you might like to jump in!
For the safety of our children and youth, background checks are required for volunteers working directly with them and are fully provided by the church.
Our programs don't happen because of one person. They happen because a community of people chooses to show up, share what they have, and create something meaningful together.
You don't have to do everything. Come share your something. 💜✨