Events
February movie night is this Friday, February 13 at the church. If you didn’t buy it at the auction you are still welcome to come and pay the $10.00 at the door.
Hors d’oeuvres will be served at 6:30 and the movie starts at 7:00.
This month’s film is the multi Oscar-winning film “Moonstruck” Starring Cher, Nicolas Cage and Olivia Dukakis along with other stars.
We look forward to seeing you there, Denee, Tish and Beth
Email movies@hvuuc.org with any questions.
First Friday Women's Night, 6:30 p.m. Friday February 6 at the downtown Kingsport home of Linda W.
All who identify as women are welcome to the first-Friday Women's night. Come be energized by the support of other women.
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 your food and drink home with you when you leave.
There is street parking across the street, and a few spots on the driveway to the right as you are looking at Linda's home. This event will happen regardless of weather, as the home is in an area that is typically not that affected, and flat. If there is inclement weather that day, use your best judgement for your situation.
For questions or address, contact womensgroup@hvuuc.org.
How Do You Potato?
Our 6–12 Religious Education class is cooking up something delicious! They’ll be hosting a baked potato bowl fundraiser with a self-serve toppings bar for the Risk Discernment Workshop on January 25th — and they need your help to make it extra tasty.
Before we shop and prep, we want to know: How do YOU potato?
Do you load it up with all the toppings? Keep it classic? Go bold? Go simple?
Please take a moment to fill out our quick, fun survey so we know which toppings to stock more of (and which ones we can keep light). Your input helps our young fundraisers plan wisely and reduces food waste — a win-win!
Thank you for supporting our youth through their deliciously thoughtful fundraiser!
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).
New Small Covenant Group on UU History - The group discussion will be based on a 6-part UUA video series titled “Long Strange Trip” series by Ron Cordes that explores the history of Unitarian and Universalist thought and practice from the early, liberal strands in faith at the beginning of the Christian era to what we know today as Unitarian Universalism. Each part of Long Strange Trip is approx. 1 hour in length and will be emailed to the group prior to the meetings.
The group will be facilitated by George C and Bryan K and meet on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday evenings, beginning Feb. 17 and ending May 5, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at HVUUC. If feasible, will have a carpool group from Johnson City available. There is a UUA study guide that will be used as a basis for discussion and sharing. Email George at uuhistory@hvuuc.org for questions or to sign up or sign up at the announcement board at HVUUC.
Middle School Stellar Sexual Health Education
Dates
Mandatory Guardian Orientation: Feb 22 [if you cannot make this orientation, please reach out to Cindi Huss as soon as possible to arrange an alternative]
Classes
Mar 1
Mar 8
Mar 22
March 29
April 12
April 19
April 26
May 3
May 16, 17 (class and lock-in on the night of May 16, final class and celebration at the regular time on May 17
Time: 9:30-10:45 (except for May 16) during regular RE time.
Where: Holston Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, 136 Bob Jobe Rd in Gray, TN, uphill in the religious eduction building, 2nd floor meditation hall on the right (please remove shoes when entering)
Ages: 6-8 graders
Cost: Free!
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Youth will learn about the power of language, anatomy, puberty and other life changes, body image, gender, attraction, bias, consent, relationship dynamics, , media literacy, pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes, STIs, and prevention.
Stellar Sexual Health Education (by RISE: Healthy for Life) engages participants in an expansive exploration of their inner and outer space. It fundamentally changes the way we do sexuality education. Free of judgment, Stellar dismantles stigma and invites honest, compassionate curiosity about bodies, identities, and relationships.
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RISE's programs are interactive and engaging. They are inclusive, affirming, and fact-based. This is not your grandma's sex ed!
Guardians are welcome to reach out to Jess Ox at dre@hvuuc.org with any questions/concerns about the program.
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If you can make a donation to help support RISE programming, please visit:https://risehfl.org/donate
REGISTER HERE FOR STELLAR SEXUAL HEALTH: https://risehealthylife.betterworld.org/events/middle-school-stellar-sex-ed-at-2
IF YOU HAVE NOT YET REGISTERED YOUR CHILD FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AS WELL, PLEASE DO SO HERE:
https://hvuuc.org/religious-education-registration-form
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.
In 2026, we will meet at the building on the HVUUC campus up the hill on the left, and move to the main building if numbers outgrow the smaller building's rooms.
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 us April 25 at 5:00pm for a presentation on Astronomy & Extraterrestrial Life
Techno-signatures In Space:
The Universe contains hundreds of billions of galaxies, each with billions of stars and countless planets, many of which could support life. Given these numbers, intelligent civilizations should be common, yet decades of searching have produced no confirmed evidence. This contradiction is known as the Fermi Paradox, famously summarized by Enrico Fermi with the question,"Where is everybody?" Thinkers like Frank Drake attempted to estimate the number of detectable civilizations through the Drake Equation, while Cosmos emphasized both the vastness of space and the fragility of technological societies.
Advancing the Cosmos - Women’s Role in Astronomy:
For much of history, the night sky has been a canvas for human curiosity - yet the stories of many who shaped our understanding of the Universe have gone unheard. Women have played a pivotal role in Astronomy, often working in the shadows of institutions that did not fully recognize their brilliance. Despite barriers to education, limited access to scientific institutions, and systemic exclusion, women have made discoveries that transformed astrophysics, cosmology and space exploration, Their work laid the foundation for star classification, galaxy evolution, dark matter research and even the technologies that allow us to explore the cosmos today. Highlighting their achievements not only honors their legacy but also reminds us that scientific progress thrives where every mind has the opportunity to contribute.
From Mars With Love!
If each of the many robot explorers we have landed on the Martian surface could send a postcard back to Earth, what were the most significant accomplishments/finds they would tell us about? AND, in it's first billion years as a young planet, Mars was very Earth-like. It had water on the surface, an atmosphere containing oxygen and surface minerals containing most of the prime ingredients for life. One of the primary questions we have about Mars - does it have signs of early life and, have we already found it? Maybe we have!!
Email astronomy@hvuuc.org with any questions.