Come one, Come all to the regular Friday game night Friday Between 530 and 930 pm!
Email gamegroup@hvuuc.org with any questions.
CUUPS will host a winter solstice/ Yule ritual on Sat 12/20/2025 at 6:00pm.
Join CUUPS in honoring Yule. Activities this year we include a ritual, bonfire, potluck dinner, and a "dirty" Santa gift exchange. All are welcome.
For the gift exchange hand crafted items are welcome, purchased gifts should be be limited to $15-25.
Email cuups@hvuuc.org with any questions.
Join the HVUUC choir in some Christmas caroling to some of our homebound members and friends of the church after service this Sunday December 21st.
Homemade white chicken chili will be provided to all carolers during Coffee Hour, and departure time will be 12:45.
Please contact musicdirector@hvuuc.org with any questions.
We will have an informal gathering for singing Christmas Carols and sharing some cookies afterwards on Christmas Eve from 6pm to 7pm. Please join us, and bring some cookies if you'd like!
There will be no childcare as this is an all ages event.
Information about the meetings and NUTS group is on the official web page: https://sites.google.com/view/northeastukesters/home
Check out the Music page for the upcoming month's playlist where you can download chord sheets, and review play-along videos.
NUTs Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/nuts.uke.group/
This is a community event, held at the HVUUC campus. It is not an HVUUC event.
The annual tradition called Pancakes and Jam is coming up on December 28th, 2025. This is a fun, casual morning where we all gather for breakfast and musical 'jam'. This is in place of a traditional sermon-based service that morning.
Come one, come all, to Pancakes and Jam. This is a tradition at HVUUC offering a fun opportunity for fellowship in a novel manner. At 10:30 our M.A.C.H.O. group cooks pancakes and provides other breakfast staples such as fruit, yogurt, bacon or sausage (and vegan alternatives). We join in and eat. Wearing festive PJ's is encouraged but not required.
Then, at 11 a.m. we start a musical portion of the morning during which friends and members share their talents. Breakfast and a show, if you will.
Making it all happens takes a village. You can help in one of two ways:
1. Meal setup, prep, and cleanup:
All those who identify as men: please contact Doug C. at MACHO@HVUUC.org to volunteer to help make this a success.
NOTE: M.A.C.H.O. stands for "Men Achieving Community Helping Others."
2. Talent:
Singers, players of instruments, poets of all ages and levels:
Please contact PancakesAndJam@HVUUC.org, preferably by or before December 27th.
All who identify as women are welcome to the first-Friday Women's night, at the Johnson City home of Rosemary K. Come be energized by the support of other women.
The featured activity for January 2nd's Women's Night is the annual Silly Santa gift exchange game (like a white elephant exchange). Bring ONE wrapped gift - but we don't ask you to spend money if you can help it. Did cousin Madge gift you something that is lovely, just not your thing? Is there something you have that is in good shape, that could be a treasure for someone, just not you? Did you receive Kalua at a work event but you don't drink? It is fair game for Silly Santa. We take turns picking a mystery gift or choosing to 'steal' an opened gift from someone else. Evening starts at 6:30, game starts at 7 p.m. If you cannot bring a Silly Santa gift, you are still welcome to attend - extra items are provided by the host.
Sharing of easy finger-food snacks and libations is always welcome, but it is not required to bring something to attend; bringing food should never be a barrier. For the host's comfort, please bring all food and drink home with you when you leave.
Weather: event will proceed. If weather is a potential issue, use your best judgement and your own ease with getting out of your neighborhood.
The address can be accessed by contacting WomensGroup@hvuuc.org. Alternatively, it is posted on the private women's group FB page. www.facebook.com/groups/womensgrouphvuuc/
Driving and parking: Carpooling is suggested. There is parking in the space in the alley, shotgun parking in the driveway, or street parking.
For questions, contact womensgroup@hvuuc.org.
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 January 25th 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).
TN Renters United is a statewide organization of renters fighting for tenant rights and truly affordable housing. This gathering is for people who want to connect to others with similar values, learn more about this issue, and get involved in the cause.
Potluck will begin at 6pm and all are welcome with or without bringing food to share.
Email alesha@hvuuc.org with any questions.
Join us on December 14th for second Sunday Potluck.
Bring a treat to share and, if you like, the recipe on a card or piece of paper. The card/paper will be beside the treat. Thus, anyone who wants a copy of the recipe can easily snap a picture. What a great way to add to your recipe file.
All are welcome, whether or not you’re able to bring a dish.
Email potlucks@hvuuc.org with any questions.
Join CUUPS as we host an ecstatic trance class this Saturday Oct 4th at 6:00pm.
We will be teaching a technique developed by Felicitas Goodman. Class will include an overview of Goodman's work, a discussion of ecstatic trance, and a demonstration of a trance posture.
Please wear comfortable clothes. Journaling material will be provided if needed. All are welcome. We will be meeting in the Meditation Hall in the REZ.
Email cuups@hvuuc.org with any questions.
We are decorating the sanctuary for Festivals of Light! If you enjoy decorating, have an eye for beauty, or just want to get involved, please join! Anyone and everyone is invited. If you have any fresh, evergreen branches please bring some. A wide variety is always welcome and needed. Light finger foods will be provided.
If you also want to participate in Festivals of Light on Dec 14th, email Sarah S at festivals@hvuuc.org. Thanks!!
Come one, Come all to the regular Friday game night Friday Between 530 and 930 pm!
Email gamegroup@hvuuc.org with any questions.
Everyone is invited to join the Social Justice Committee on Friday, December 12th at 5pm for writing holiday letters through the Worthy Now Prison Ministry for incarcerated UU's. Bring your holiday cheer!
The Worthy Now Prison Ministry is a group serving incarcerated UUs that provide support, and materials to support and foster Unitarian Universalist values, and spiritual life. Every December Worthy Now sends holiday cards to all 1,700 UU's served by the program.
The Social Justice Committee at HVUUC is hosting a holiday card writing event to assist the Worthy Now ministry. Everyone is welcome to meet on the second floor of the REZ on Friday, December 12th at 5pm. Families are welcome to participate with popcorn and movie provided for younger children. Anyone who can bring black or blue ink pens, or stamps are encouraged to do so.
Email sjchair@hvuuc.org with any questions.
The Green Arts Fair is ON. This is a chance for local crafters to sell their works, and friends and members to purchase locally - either for self or for holiday gifting with meaning.
When you purchase an item at the Green Arts Fair, a percentage of the proceeds goes to the church for green initiatives for the facility.
Calling all friends and members, and local crafters. This long-standing annual tradition of the Green Arts Fair at HVUUC continues. This is a great opportunity to support our local economy by purchasing unique handcrafted goods. Plan ahead for holiday gifting, birthday gifting, or treat yourself. You may find items such as jewelry, knits and crochet, music CDs, weaving, bookmarks, ornaments, etc.
If you are a crafter interested in selling, contact GreenArts@hvuuc.org no later than December 5th, 2025. We want to hear about what you'll be selling so we can put out some 'teasers' to tempt folks.
5th Sunday offering was pushed back to the first week of December to do the holidays.
Kristen Reedy, the Program Director from Second Harvest Food Bank will be our 5ths Sunday guest on 7 December. If you cannot attend then donations can be electronically via PayPal on HVUUC’s website at https://hvuuc.org/donate and designate special instructions that it’s for 5th Sunday.
The mission of Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee is simple yet vital. It is to bring hope to our neighbors facing hunger by ensuring they have nourishing food when they need it most. We refuse to let hunger win.
To meet this goal, each month we serve up to 37,000 thousand food insecure neighbors across Washington, Sullivan, Carter, Hancock, Hawkins, Unicoi, Greene, and Johnson counties. In FY 25 we distributed nearly 14 million pounds of food through more than 300 food distribution points, including104 partner agencies, 74 mobile distribution sites, 120 Backpacks for Kids schools and 39 Summer Feeding sites
Our direct service programs include Mobile Food Pantries, bringing food directly to underserved communities without access to traditional pantries or agencies. We provide shelf stable goods, produce and protein to neighbors each month through these sites.
We also provide delivery to 185 homebound seniors through our Senior Home Delivery program. For many, our outreach person is their only weekly contact turning deliveries into vital “well-check” visits.
Children are our most vulnerable population, one in five children in our region is food insecure and we have two direct service programs to meet their needs. The Backpacks for Kids program works with schools to identify children at risk of hunger. These students receive backpacks twice a month filled with ready-to-eat meals and snacks—food they can count on after school, over the weekend, and during school breaks. For many of these children, when they leave school on Friday afternoon, they will not eat another meal until they return on Monday morning.
Summer is a difficult time for families struggling with food insecurity due to the absence of meals provided for children while they are in school and this program helps meet that need. This past summer our Summer Feeding Program provided over 300,000 meals for students across all 8 counties and on site at Second Harvest. Families with children 18 and younger received three prepared meals, a 7-day meal box of shelf stable goods along with protein and produce for each child in their household
The impact of these programs goes far beyond full stomachs. When children are free from the anxiety of hunger, they can grow, learn, and thrive. Our Food for Kids programs fuel healthy bodies and strong minds, helping to break the cycle of poverty by giving children the foundation they need to succeed.
For every $1 donated, Second Harvest can provide 3 meals. In FY 2025 that was almost 12 million meals. With 94% of every dollar going directly to community programs, ypur support makes a tangible difference,
.
Hunger is not just an empty stomach—it is a barrier to hope, health, and opportunity. At Second Harvest we deliver more than meals—we deliver dignity, relief, and a chance for a better tomorrow. We refuse to let hunger win
We encourage you to join us - advocate, volunteer or donate. Be the reason a neighbor does not go to bed hungry tonight. Together, we can turn compassion into action and make hunger one less worry for thousands of families. Because when we feed hope, we change lives.
All who identify as women are welcome to the first-Friday Women's night at Deb H's home in Kingsport. Come be energized by the support of other women.
Special focus: We will collect more items for the HVUUC Giving Tree and help prepare the items for placement by separating and bagging, etc.
Sharing of easy finger-food snacks and libations are always welcome, but it is not required to bring something to attend; bringing food should never be a barrier. For the host's comfort, please bring all food and drink home with you when you leave.
For the special activity, preparing items for replacement on the HVUUC Giving Tree - you are welcome to bring donation items like hand warmers, scarves, socks, gloves, hats, etc. Also feel free to bring items to package them for the tree: ziplock bags, twine, hole punches, scissors, and permanent markers if attendees want to have that readily available as they bag items. We will work under the guidance of Jenna W. (member of the Social Justice Committee). She will be passing around a daily sign-up sheet for the month of December in case anyone would like to volunteer checking the Giving Tree to see if re-stocking bagged items is needed.
NOTE: We will be decorating the Giving Tree on Friday, November 28th at 11 a.m., and everyone is invited.
You do not need to bring items or packaging to attend. Just come and pitch in or simply be buoyed up.
The address can be accessed by contacting WomensGroup@hvuuc.org. Alternatively, it is posted on the private women's group FB page. www.facebook.com/groups/womensgrouphvuuc/
Driving and parking: parking is plentiful. Carpooling is always a fun idea - the "party before the party".
For questions, contact womensgroup@hvuuc.org.
CUUPS will host a soup and mediation event as a way to slow down during the busy holiday season.
Join CUUPs on the Saturday after Thanksgiving to enjoy breads and soups followed by a guided meditation.
Please bring a favorite soup or bread to share. All are welcome.
Email cuups@hvuuc.org with any questions.
Come on down regulars and new people alike! Game night happens every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month up in the REZ building.
Email gamegroup@hvuuc.org with any questions.
Everyone is invited to help decorate our tree on Friday, November 28 at 11am. We are tree #78, in King Commons Park.
We’d also love for you to join us for the tree lighting ceremony on November 29th at 6:30pm.
Email givingtree@hvuuc.org with any questions.
Come share Thanksgiving dinner with our HVUUC family. Thanksgiving Day (Nov 27), 2-5 pm, Fred Ball Room. Sign up on the sheets in the sanctuary, or by emailing thanksgiving@hvuuc.org--with your name, contact text or email, how many adults & children will attend, what food you want to bring, & whether you can help with setup or cleanup.
Can't bring a dish? No worries. Just bring you & come on. EVERYONE is WELCOME!!!
The NUTs community ukulele group meeting is November 22nd, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
We will incorporate a lot of favorite holiday songs and maybe even one honoring fall in Appalachia.
All ukulele enthusiasts of any level are welcome to attend. Are you curious or just want to sing along for now? Join us. We might even have an extra ukulele to loan out at the meeting.
Information about the meetings and NUTS group is on the official web page: https://sites.google.com/view/northeastukesters/home
Check out the Music page for the upcoming month's playlist where you can download chord sheets, and review play-along videos.
NUTs Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/nuts.uke.group/
This is a community event, held at the HVUUC campus. It is not an HVUUC event.
Email ukulele@hvuuc.org with any questions.
Join the Pride Community Center of the Tri-Cities and the Social Justice Committee for a Transgender Day of Remembrance observance on Wednesday, November 20th at 7:00 PM at Holston Valley Unitarian Universalist Church.
This annual memorial honors transgender individuals lost to violence in the past year. Through readings and reflection, we gather to remember these lives and renew our commitment to a world where all people can live authentically and safely.
This is a time for the community to gather in mutual support. All are welcome. Join us for light refreshments after the ceremony.
Email sjchair@hvuuc.org with any questions.
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.
The second Sunday of the month is our usual potluck lunch, November 9 after the service.
Please bring a dish to share. Someone will be available in the kitchen at 10:30 to accept your dish. We can keep the dish warm, but we cannot cook it.
Here's an idea: When you are preparing your food for the Auction on November 8, double the recipe and bring it to the Sunday lunch!
Also, we always need a few helping hands to clean up after potluck. Thanks!
Email potlucks@hvuuc.org with any questions.
Saturday November 8th 2025 6-9 PM
There will be refreshments, a Silent auction, and a Live auction.
Click here to see a list of all the events that have already been submitted for this year’s auction.
Plan your bids, surrogates available
As items are donated, they will appear in the catalog on the Auctria website. You can review the catalog to consider what you would like to target the evening of the auction.
Additionally, if you know you will be unable to attend, let us know what you would like to bid on and the ranges for bids on each item by emailing auction@hvuuc.org. We are committed to ensuring those still distancing from home can participate.
Any questions can be sent to auction@hvuuc.org.
Join CUUPS as we celebrate the last of the harvest festivals; known as Samhain. We will hold ritual space and a potluck dinner.
An ancestors / departed loved ones shrine will be available to place photographs and mementos of those who are no longer with us.
All are welcome to attend.
Please bring a dish or snack to share.
Email cuups@hvuuc.org with any questions.
Join us for our monthly church-wide supper October 29th. Fellowship fun and food!
Dinner is at 6pm
Cost
$8.00 per person
$15 per couple
$5.00 for kids under 12
All are welcome! We'd love to have clean up help too!
Menu: presently a mystery!
Sign up by emailing WNS@HVUUC.org or on the sheet in the Fellowship Hall.
Last sign up time is Sunday, the 26th at 12:30.pm
The RE Collaborative is sponsoring HVUUC's annual Trunk or Treat on Sunday, October 27, at 12:00 pm in the HVUUC parking lot.
If you would like to register a trunk please follow the link and fill out the Google Form -- https://forms.gle/trLjyxuowePqyb3K8
Or, you may e-mail dre@hvuuc.org
Gather in an informal setting with your HVUUC community as we celebrate the life of Lyle Eagan. This will NOT be a formal memorial service, but will instead be a chance for us to bring snacks, sit in a circle, and informally share our stories about Lyle. It's what he would have wanted! Facilitated by Rev. Tiffany Sharing will start at 1pm and will go for as long as we need.
The NUTs community ukulele group meeting is October 25, 2025 at 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
All ukulele enthusiasts of any level are welcome to attend. Are you curious or just want to sing along for now? Join us. We might even have an extra ukulele to loan out at the meeting.
Information about the meetings and NUTS group is on the official web page: https://sites.google.com/view/northeastukesters/home
Check out the Music page for the upcoming month's playlist where you can download chord sheets, and review play-along videos.
NUTs Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/nuts.uke.group/
This is a community event, held at the HVUUC campus. It is not an HVUUC event.
Come one, come all to the regular game group! Beginners especially welcome!
Our 4th Friday is coming soon and we would love to see all the regular faces and a bunch more in attendance! We will meet at the REZ October 24th around 6:00pm.
Email gamegroup@hvuuc.org with any questions.
A 4-part series which will detail authoritarianism and resistance movements in the US with an intro session that will be Sept 21 . All sessions will be from 4:00-6:00pm
October 19
October 26
November 2
November 16
Email bob@hvuuc.org with any questions.
Join CUUPS for our last Leadership Meeting of 2025. This is also our annual voting meeting. All CUUPs members are encouraged to attend to cast votes regarding leadership team members, and changes to policy.
We will be meeting in the REZ .
All are welcome to attend.
Email cuups@hvuuc.org with any questions.
Join CUUPs as we host a party to decorate and carve pumpkins.
CUUPS will provide pumpkins, candles, markers and carving tools. Participants may bring additional pumpkins and personal decorations and carving sets.
Please bring a snack or refreshments to share.
Email cuups@hvuuc.org with any questions.
The Tennessee Unitarian Universalist Community Action Network (TUUCAN) invites all Tennessee UUs to Nashville for the Fall Flock on Saturday, October 18th, at First UU Church of Nashville (FUUN) from 9 am to 4 pm (Central Time)
We will share food, fellowship, and support each other during these difficult times in our cities, state, and country. We will learn how UU State Action Networks across the United States turn UU values into positive action. We will nurture deeper relationships, strengthen our social justice ecosystem, and create plans for a world with love at the center.
We hope to represent - in person or via Zoom - each of our 14 UU communities in Tennessee and beyond. Register at https://bit.ly/tuucan25 or email sjchair@hvuuc.org for questions or assistance.
If attending via zoom, keep in mind that the event will be 10:00-5:00 Eastern Standard Time
The Music Committee and Rev. Tiffany will be hosting a Music Listening Circle after worship services on Sunday, October 12th.
This is your chance to help shape the future trajectory of our music program. Whether you like to make music or just want to listen to it, we want your help and your input to make our future programming and staffing the best it can be for HVUUC.
Second Sunday Potluck, October 12, after the service.
Please bring a dish to share - appetizer, salad, veggies, entree, or dessert. Bring your contribution to the kitchen between 10:30 and 11:00. Helpers during cleanup are always welcome!
Email potlucks@hvuuc.org with any questions.
