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.

💜 A Note from the DRE

 🗣️More Than Words: Pronouns Workshop

🎃 HVUUC Annual Trunk or Treat!

🌟 Youth Group Gathering — Next Week!

🎂 Happy October Birthdays!

❤️ 🩹Healing Vibes Across Our Community

💜 Gratitudes Across the Bridge

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.

Join us for church on Oct 4, 2026.

• 9:30am RE

• 11:00am Service

• 12:00pm Coffee Hour

“Let Books Be - Protecting the Freedom to Read”

Come kick off Banned Books Week with Rev. Tiffany as we look at some of the books that were banned or challenged this year and why.

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.

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.

💜 A Note from the DRE

🤝 Join a Religious Exploration Collaborative (REC) Monthly Meeting

🗣️More Than Words: Pronouns Workshop

🎃 HVUUC Annual Trunk or Treat!

✨ Many Gifts, One Community

🎂 Happy October Birthdays!

💜 Gratitudes Across the Bridge

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? ….

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.

✨ 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. 💜✨

Join us for church on Sept 27, 2026.

• 9:30am RE

• 11:00am Service

• 12:00pm Coffee Hour

• 12:30pm Social Justice Meeting

“Creativity and Capitalism: Who are We Becoming with AI?”

So much has changed, both with technology and humanity, since Rev. Tiffany last explored topics around Artificial Intelligence. So she revisits this topic, this time with an eye toward who we humans are becoming as usage of AI becomes more pervasive in our society.

Please email all submissions for the October newsletter by Wednesday Sept 30 to newsletter@hvuuc.org.

 🌉 RE Bridge Weekly | Falling Into Balance 🍂 | Trunk & Treat Sign-Ups

September 27, 2026

💜 A Note from the DRE

 🤝 Religious Exploration Collaborative (REC) monthly meeting.

🧸 Nursery Families — Please Register

🗣️More Than Words: Pronouns Workshop

🎃 HVUUC Annual Trunk or Treat!

📦 Small Boxes Needed!

🎂 Happy September Birthday!

✨ Volunteers Make the Magic Happen

💜 Gratitudes Across the Bridge

It’s not uncommon for scammers to pose as members or staff of the church. Please remember that no one from HVUUC will ever spontaneously reach out to you and ask for you to purchase something with promises of being reimbursed later!

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.

Join us for church on Sept 20, 2026.

• 9:30am RE

• 11:00am Service

• 12:00pm Coffee Hour

• 4:00pm Youth Group

“Whaddya Know?”

The Rev. Jeff Briere doesn't know much, so he wants to know what you know. He wonders if we rely too much on others to know what we know.

💜 A Note from the DRE

 🧭 Our RE Journey Has Begun!

🌟 Youth Group Gathering — This Sunday!

👶 Nursery Families — Please Register

🍎 Facilitator Training

🗣️Pronouns Workshop — October 11

🎃 Save the Date: Trunk or Treat!

📦 Small Boxes Needed!

💜 Gratitudes Across the Bridge

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.

There has been SO MUCH community care happening behind the scenes and in plain sight lately! Religious Exploration is never created by one person—it comes to life through all the many ways our community shows up, pitches in, adapts, and shares their gifts.

This week, a whole lot of gratitude goes to:

Join us for church on Sept 13, 2026.

• 9:30am RE

• 11:00am Service

• 12:00pm Potluck

• 1:00pm Metaphysics Group (Near Death Experience discussion)

• 1:00pm Path to Membership

“Green Eggs and Youth”

During this youth-led service our teens and preteens will be sharing their wisdom about Friendship, Empathy, and Trying New Things! Plus a LOT of music. Rev. Tiffany will be providing support, but the youth are in charge today!

Sunday, October 25

Trunk or Treat is coming to HVUUC! 🎃🚗✨ Start dreaming up those costumes—and those

decorated trunks!

We'll soon be sharing a sign-up for anyone who would like to enter a vehicle in our Trunk

Decorating Contest , complete with prizes and plenty of Halloween fun. Whether you're

decorating a trunk, dressing up, bringing the family, or simply coming to enjoy the festivities,

save the date and join us!

More details and sign-ups coming soon!

 💜 Note from the DRE

 🎉 We’re Back! Regular RE begins this Sunday.

 🎤 Youth-Led Service This Sunday!

🌱 Teacher Commissioning

🌿 Path to Membership

📦 Small Boxes Needed!

🎃 Save the Date: Trunk or Treat!

💜 With Gratitude

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.

Come join HVUUC for a day of celebrating inclusion, diversity and a safe place to be your own unique self at the Seventh Annual Tri-Cities TriPride festival and parade in Bristol, TN/VA.

Saturday October 10, 2026

Mark your calendars to be part of “YOU MAKE PRIDE: Unbreakable-Unshakable-United” Tickets are free.

Come enjoy a day of fun and inspiration!

Interested in volunteering? Email Elizabeth at pride@hvuuc.org.

Join us for church on Sept 6, 2026.

• NO RE

• 11:00am Service

• 12:00pm Coffee Hour

“A Ball Without Billionaires”

Rev. Tiffany explores lessons learned from the 2026 MET Gala, and the valuable lessons it offers us in relationship to Art and Labor.

Church Yard Sale at Bryan and Rosemary’s Home in the Tree Streets, September 12th. This allows congregants to donate bulkier and smaller items to the church and sell them to a larger audience than the Service Auction. All proceeds of sold donations go to HVUUC.

Click through for full details.

Headlines …

• Men’s Annual BBQ

• Wednesday Night Supper

• Paid Nursery Substitutes

• Church Yard Sale

• Path to Membership

• Potluck

• Women’s Day Retreat

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.

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.

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.