Celebrating Yule: The Returning of The Light
Yule is a Pagan celebration of the winter solstice, marks the longest night of the year and therefore the return of the sun. On this day, the earth's axis tilts away from the sun in the Northern Hemisphere and the sun reaches its greatest distance from the equatorial plane. Slowly but surely, the days start to get progressively longer.
Because of this meaningful shift in seasons, the overall theme of Yule is about rebirth and renewal.
When we celebrate Yule, we reflect on the year that has passed while looking forward to the year ahead. It's a time of year for reflection, connecting those we love and spending sacred time in nature.
So come and celebrate Yule with CUUPS. The ritual will be held on Saturday, December 21, 2024 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Holston Valley Unitarian Universalist Church.
The festive evening will begin with a ritual followed with a feast. All are invited to attend.
Don't forget to bring a love offering for the moneta basket. You can contribute a small donation of money, candles, or other ritual supplies.
Please feel free to dress up in your festive attire. We love to see you sparkle!
Also, we will be playing Dirty Santa, gift limit $25.00 maximum, and handcrafted items always welcomed.
Questions? Please email cuups@hvuuc.org.
Join your church home for an informal Christmas Eve gathering to sing all your favorites.
Our beloved New Years tradition returns! A group of our men from the MACHO group will volunteer to cook a delicious pancake breakfast with some toppings and sides. Alongside the eating there will be an informal, open-mic style show of talent. And if musicians want to, we'll end with an on-the-spot group jam session.
Doors open at 10:30, music starts at 11!
You can sign up to perform or ask questions by emailing Rosemary at pancakesandjam@hvuuc.org. Please try to sign up at least by the day before so we have a good head count of who to expect. Also remember there is no RE this day, but your kids are more than welcome to eat and jam with us!
Join us after Pancakes and Jam on Dec 29th to tidy up the sanctuary and return it to it's original state. We'll need help cleaning candle holders, organizing the candles, returning everything to storage. Greens will be taken down and we'll need to put other items or furniture back where they belong. We'll need a ladder for everything up high.
Sarah Sanders will be on hand to direct everything being returned to its proper place. Many hands make light work, and we appreciate any and all help for this effort!
Our tradition continues! We will meet at Dane Faulkner's at: 10:15 to leave at 10:30. Email greg@hvuuc.org for directions.
This tradition goes back years and we will continue on. This is a difficult hike, parts of the trail are so steep, a rope handline is used. The usual hot tea will be provided by at the abandoned airport light tower. For those who want to walk to the West end we will take in the view and pay homage to Dave Calvert's remains. A hearty snack is advised and WATER! It can be windy since we are on the mountain top, so extra warm clothing is advised.
First Friday Women's Night, January 3, 2025 6:30 p.m. This is for all who identify as women, ages 21 and up. Welcoming and supportive. Bring a finger food to share, if you are able, but even if not, just come and enjoy. This month has a theme... read on.
This is our annual Dirty Santa (aka White Elephant) Gift Exchange Game. Bring ONE wrapped or otherwise bagged/hidden gift that SOMEONE might like. We will start the GAME at 7 p.m. going over the how-to's.
It is called "Dirty Santa" but that doesn't have to be literal. Really, the point is the laughs and camaraderie, more so than the gifts. Remember the Elton John concert shoes? The painted wine glasses? The coconut monkey mask wall hanging? We don't want people spending much! If you are repurposing that lovely gift that Aunt Millie gave you, or sharing something nice you made, or passing on a new bath and beauty basket that just ISN'T you, all the better. It SHOULD be clean and in working order.
At the end of the event, everyone gets to free trade anything they want with others. Items that y'all don't want but might benefit our local women's shelter will be collected and donated. NO leaving your gift hidden in the hosts home, thanks!
Write to WomensGroup@hvuuc.org for the address: it is not published for security reasons.
Parking: There is shotgun parking in the driveway for three-four cars (first in, last out), and 3 spots in the back lot in the alley. Beyond that is neighborhood street parking.
We have tons of old photos we'd like to label and digitize, but the problem is a lot of us don't know who are in the photos, when the photos were taken, and what events were going on in the photos. So we need some help from our church elders!
If you've been a part of the church for 20+ years, your experience is required on January 11th from 10AM-1PM in the Fred Ball Room. You all can look at old photos and reminisce while the Archiving Task Force writes down your observations.
Email history@hvuuc.org with any questions or to RSVP.
THE MILKY WAY GALAXY - Imagine gazing up at a clear night sky, far from city lights, and seeing a luminous band stretching across the heavens. This breathtaking sight is the Milky Way galaxy, our cosmic home. With its swirling spiral arms and a core teeming with stars, the Milky Way is a vast and dynamic system, housing billions of stars, planets and mysteries waiting to be unraveled. From ancient myths to cutting edge astronomy, the story of the Milky Way is a journey through space and time, inviting us to explore the wonders of our galaxy......and beyond.
ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY - Donnie will guide you through the fascinating world of astrophotography using just your smartphone, whether you have an Android or iPhone. We'll explore how, with or without a modest telescope, you can capture stunning images of the moon and planets, transforming your smartphone into a powerful tool for celestial photography. You will be introduced to free software that can enhance your imaging experience, and we'll delve into essential techniques for capturing and editing your night sky photos. We will also share tips and tricks to help you make the most of the equipment you already have, proving that the phone in your pocket can open up a universe of photographic possibilities. In addition, weather permitting, Donnie will bring is telescope and share views of the stars, galaxies, or the moon - whichever is most prominent in the January night sky.
THE KARST TOPOGRAPHY IN E. TENNESSEE
A study of the local Karst (limestone) features as seen on topographic maps and a very local field trip (weather permitting). Chemical weathering of local carbonate rocks around HVUUC illustrate streamless valleys, sink holes, sink lakes, sinking streams and blind valleys.
These presentations are open to all Church members and friends of the Church. If you have friends interested in the above presentations, feel free to bring them with you.
Note - we will not be providing refreshments at this event.
Email space@hvuuc.org with any questions.
