I’m refreshing the RE snack cabinet and fridge, and I’d love your input! We want to make sure the snacks and drinks we keep on hand are things our community actually enjoys — everything from healthy bites to fun treats is welcome here (no snack judgment in this space ).

If you have a moment, please share your favorites in this quick survey:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScLRC_tGwqus-WQlhrNsc0uINae5Ctparjlo2if_1eCWZQc8Q/viewform?usp=header

Thank you for helping keep our snack game strong!


K–5 RE
Brooklyn and Kita will be leading the class in the lesson “Why Do People Disagree?” The group will explore perspective, how listening to someone else’s viewpoint can help us understand more deeply, and how even when we disagree, we can still practice kindness and respect.

6–12 RE
This week the youth begin a new adventure they designed themselves! The curriculum they chose for the remainder of the season is centered around them — focusing on emotional regulation, acceptance, resilience, and practical topics they feel will help them step confidently into young adulthood, such as budgeting and taxes. It’s a beautifully aligned program the youth created together, with true UU spirit guiding the process.

Last weekend was also an exciting one for them. The youth distributed the food bags they created at The Melting Pot in Johnson City, and even had the opportunity to connect with the director there about future community service collaborations. They felt proud of their work — and they absolutely should!

Adult RE 2
This week Heather will be facilitating a conversation that connects with Sunday’s service theme around peace, power, and the ways we shape the world around us. The discussion will invite participants to reflect on how our values guide our actions, how power can be expressed through compassion and courage, and how each of us contributes to building a more peaceful and just world.

Help us restock the RE kitchen with snacks and drinks that spark joy! Share your favorites (healthy, sweet, salty, fizzy — no judgment here!) and help us create a welcoming, delicious space for all ages.

We’re refreshing our RE snack cabinets and fridge — and we’d love your input!

Around here, we believe in joyful experiences, self-love, and snack discernment. That means we honor the kale chips and the cookies. The sparkling water and the soda. The wholesome and the mischievous.

Tell us:

* What snacks make you happiest
* What drinks you actually reach for
* Whether brand names matter to you

Your input helps us balance stewardship and celebration — creating a space that feels welcoming, thoughtful, and well-stocked for everyone.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScLRC_tGwqus-WQlhrNsc0uINae5Ctparjlo2if_1eCWZQc8Q/viewform?usp=header

Thank you for helping us nourish both body and community

Our K–5 Religious Education team is almost fully scheduled for March — and we’re just two volunteers away from completing the month!

We’re currently seeking:

A co-facilitator with Kita on March 8

A co-facilitator with Greg on March 22

Facilitators are never alone — lessons are prepared, you're paired with another volunteer, and support is always nearby. What matters most is your presence and willingness to help create a warm, engaging space for our young learners.

If one of these dates aligns for you, please reach out to Jess Ox at dre@hvuuc.org. Shared ministry thrives when many hands and hearts contribute. We are so grateful for you!

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.

A new group is forming to care for the physical needs of our members and friends. We need someone to lead this effort.

Who do you contact when you need physical help and want to ask the church for a hand? Our church has plenty of people willing to help. We need a Point Of Contact to receive requests and communicate with volunteers. Today it is an idea without a formal name. There is an opportunity to help this take form and support to get you started.

In the past, this effort was conducted by the men's group; we want to extend this group to include all genders. Typically we would receive 6-8 requests in a year that were managed on the fly, so we expect this to take a small amount of time while making a meaningful impact.

If you would like more information, please contact programs@hvuuc.org.

Don’t forget it’s Day Light Savings this week!

Join us for church on March 8, 2026.

• 9:30am Religious Education

• 11:00am Service

• 12:00pm Potluck

“The Seven Deadly Sins”

On International Women's Day Rev. Tiffany explores the Seven Deadly Sins from a feminist perspective. Where did the Seven Deadly Sins come from? What is their purpose? And how can we use this framework to consider how we shape our own meaningful and happy lives?

There is so much beautiful movement happening across our Religious Education community this week — thank you for being part of it all.

K–5 RE

Kita and Sue will be guiding our young humans through the lesson “What Is Time?” This playful and thoughtful exploration will include a one-minute challenge game, creating 3D stars, and (weather permitting!) some time enjoying the beautiful outdoors together.

Families are also invited to continue participating in the ongoing Gratitude Zine challenge and to make use of the Sanctuary Fidget Station — both small but meaningful practices that support our shared worship experience.

6–12 RE

This Saturday, March 7th, those who are available will be handing out food and care bags at The Melting Pot in downtown Johnson City as part of our continued outreach efforts. If you have any questions, please email Jess Ox at HVUUCDRE@gmail.com

During Sunday’s class, youth will reflect on the service event — celebrating what felt aligned, noting what could evolve, and continuing to build upon our growing collaborative connection with The Melting Pot. They will also finalize their curriculum shift goals for the remainder of the session.

Reminder: Families registered for Stellar Sex Health (grades 6–8) are reminded that classes meet in the Meditation Room.

Adult RE 2

Byron will be facilitating this week, holding space for rich conversation, thoughtful reflection, and meaningful connection. Adult RE continues to be a place where curiosity, lived experience, and deep listening come together in powerful ways.

As our Adult RE community grows, we are exploring the possibility of adding an Adult RE 3 group to support smaller discussion circles and deeper engagement. We would love your input! Please consider sharing your thoughts through our
More Circles, More Connection Survey:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfRkninSMUUyju7xlfmmnbDRpm3vgx9faiov0xLC2szIbmzsQ/viewform?usp=header

Thank you for being part of this shared ministry — learning, growing, and building together.

Love & Light,
Jess Ox

Jess Ox and Alesha are building a gender affirmation support workshop and would love your input. This short, anonymous survey helps them tailor the experience to real-life needs and relationships within our community.

Alesha and Jess Ox are collaborating on an upcoming workshop centered around gender affirmation support.

The intention is to offer practical tools, thoughtful processes, and supportive language that help loved ones show up in ways that feel aligned and affirming — whether as parents, friends, congregants, leaders, or community members.

We know that for some, pronouns are deeply personal. For others, it may feel like new terrain. For many, it’s a mix of curiosity, care, and wanting to “get it right.”

This short, anonymous survey will help us understand:

* What pronouns mean to you

* How comfortable you feel using them

* What kind of support or tools would be helpful

* The roles and relationships you’re hoping to strengthen

Your voice helps us build something that meets real needs with compassion and clarity.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf9Sx-pB-vlqLqv75i8SiRQFOgWlIVUBSTcvtMnFEfEKkdz8Q/viewform?usp=header

Thank you for growing with us

We are excited to offer Zelle giving! This allows you to donate digitally without paying a credit card fee of 3%. You can do a one-time donation, or schedule donations. Go here to see if your bank offers Zelle https://enroll.zellepay.com/

In order to utilize Zelle, you’ll go through your online banking page. You can do this both on your phone or using your computer. We’ll also have QR codes to scan in person. The information you need is below.

Name of Business: Holston Valley Unitarian Universalist Church

Email: treasurer@hvuuc.org

Questions? Email treasurer@hvuuc.org

To the wonderful HVUUC members and friends … our facility is in need of careful painter skills.
Both inside and outside work is available as weather permits.

Please Contact facilities@hvuuc.org and lets work as a team to improve our facilities.

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.

Headlines .…

· Minister’s Note

· Painting Needs

· Tree Day

· Pledge Drive

· Women’s Night

· Youth Group

· Astronomy Presentation

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.

Up to date church info is always available at www.hvuuc.org

Join us for church on March 1, 2026.

• 9:30am Religious Education

• 11:00am Service

• 12:00pm Coffee Hour

“Wild Bodema Women Drummers”

Wild Bodema is a women’s percussion group specializing in music from West Africa using instruments from that area. Bodema means “wimmin who drum” and their energetic beats are sure to call to your inner sense of rhythmic wildness. Based in Asheville, NC, the group performs regionally to share their joy of rhythm and their love of community.

Thank you to all who came together for our impromptu All-Ages class last weekend! And so much gratitude to Reverend Tiffany for stepping in as a guest teacher and sharing her wisdom around animal connections, her personal practice, and the beautiful nature-art she created. I loved witnessing the rich engagement across ages — the many wisdom-drops and the way insight and curiosity flowed between generations was truly fantabulous!

Here’s a glimpse into what’s happening in RE this week:

K–5 RE:

Sue and Greg will be guiding our youngest learners through the lesson “What Makes You, You?” — exploring identity, story, and belonging through thoughtful wonder questions. Our K–5 class continues to nurture curiosity, self-awareness, and connection in age-appropriate and joyful ways.

Families are also invited to participate in the ongoing Gratitude Zine challenge and make use of the Sanctuary Fidget Station — both small but meaningful practices that support our shared worship experience.

6–12 RE & Youth Service:

Justin and Shylah will be collaborating with our youth to explore how they’d like to shape the remaining spring curriculum. When our youth express interest in shifting direction, we listen — co-creation is part of the practice.

Their Feeding the Hungry initiative continues gaining momentum! Youth have created food bags, are assembling pet-care bags, and are coordinating a hot meal distribution in partnership with The Melting Pot in Johnson City. We are currently gathering availability input for two possible service dates — if you’d like to see how this effort is unfolding or support our youth in action, you can find the Helping Hands in Action survey here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfBxV2D6l7mVQyONRYvmLcbczmGVHeuUlERgKCT3L70wZrQPQ/viewform?usp=header

Additionally, families registered for Stellar Sex Health (grades 6–8) are reminded that classes meet in the Meditation Room.

Adult RE 2:

This Sunday, Byron will be leading a discussion on The Joy of Rhythm — a reflective aperitif to the Wild Bodema Women Drummers joining us in service. Adult RE continues to be a vibrant space for reflection, conversation, and shared growth.

As our Adult RE community expands, we are exploring the possibility of adding an Adult RE 3 group to support smaller discussion circles and deeper engagement. We would love congregational input — please consider sharing your thoughts through our More Circles, More Connection Survey:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfRkninSMUUyju7xlfmmnbDRpm3vgx9faiov0xLC2szIbmzsQ/viewform?usp=header

Religious Education at HVUUC is truly shared ministry in motion — across ages, across ideas, and across the many ways we show up for one another. Thank you for being part of it!

Jess Ox, DRE

dre@hvuuc.org

Please save the date for a Memorial Service to honor the life of our own Ray Hatch, for Sunday March 29th at 4:00pm, with reception to follow.

Help with reception setup and food is always appreciated, please contact memorialreception@hvuuc.org to volunteer.

Please email all submissions for the March newsletter by Wednesday Feb 25 to newsletter@hvuuc.org.

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.

I hope this note finds you well.  It is that time of the year when the Stewardship Trustee asks all our church members and friends how much they intend to pledge to the church for our next fiscal year, June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2027.  I will then take this amount to the Board of Trustees to develop next year’s budget.  The budget that the Board proposes will be voted on at our annual congregational meeting on April 26.

We have so much to celebrate this past year! It is through your generous pledges that we have been able to afford the Church Services in person and on YouTube, Religious Classes by Rev Tiffany, Covenant Groups, Religious Ed for our Adults and Children, Wednesday Night Suppers, the Giving Tree, Special Interest Groups and more!

The present preliminary budget is up 33% from last year. We have an increase in our preliminary budget because: 1) Increase of Training Budgets for members. In the past only members of means, could go to training classes. We need to pay for training for our up-and-coming leaders. With our growth in membership we have needs to hire new people or increase hours of existing employees.

Click here to download the pledge drive form.

Please mail to PO Box 8383 Gray, TN 37615

OR email your pledge to pledge@hvuuc.org. 

Join us for church on February 22, 2026.

• 9:30am Religious Education

• 11:00am Service

• 12:00pm Coffee Hour

“Songs for the Animals”

The Unitarian Universalist commitment to love, empathy, and the inherent worth and dignity of all is always drawing the circle wider. Many of us understand that these values are for more than just humans, but all living beings who call this Earth home. Today, guest musicians PossumTrot Road and Rev. Tiffany reflect on our relationship with the rest of the natural world in this very special service, "Songs for the Animals".

Hello You Gorgeous Souls!

Our Religious Education program is seeking two volunteers to help facilitate the K–5 class this Sunday, and this is a beautiful opportunity to step into shared ministry with our youngest community members!

One of our beloved facilitators is currently taking time to heal following the passing of her husband, and several of our regular volunteers will be attending the Guardian Orientation for the upcoming Stellar Sex Health (RISE) program. This creates an opening for others in our community to step forward and help hold this meaningful space.

If you have already completed a background check, wonderful — we would be so grateful for your support!

If you have not yet completed a background check, but have been attending HVUUC for three months or more, we can get that process started lickety-split! This includes a simple background screening and a brief discernment conversation with Rev. Tiffany and Jess. Our goal is always to create a safe, welcoming, and well-supported experience for both our volunteers and our youth.

You would not be stepping into this alone — curriculum and guidance are provided, and support is always nearby. What matters most is your presence, care, and willingness to be part of the whole that nurtures our children.

If you feel called to help this Sunday, or would like to begin the volunteer process, please contact Jess Ox, Director of Religious Education, at dre@hvuuc.org

Thank you for helping create a space where our children — and our entire community — can continue to grow, connect, and thrive together!

Jess Ox, DRE

Last year there was the first Women's Retreat since COVID. It was a great event and fully subscribed. Is it time to do this again? If so, where/when? May 29-31? This is a call for those interested to join a planning committee hosted by Noel.

Interested parties should email president@hvuuc.org for more information.

HVUUC is sending four individuals to UUA's virtual General Assembly this year, June 14-21! If you are interested in leadership development and building connections with other HVUUC folks as well as the wider UU community then please submit your application here: https://tinyurl.com/HVUUC-GA2026

Learn more about UUA's General Assembly here: https://www.uua.org/ga

Email vp@hvuuc.org with questions

Please join the Tennessee Unitarian Universalist Community Action Network (TUUCAN) Safety and Security Workshop at Westside Unitarian Universalist Church at 616 Fretz Rd, Knoxville, TN 37934 on Saturday, February 21st. It will also be on Zoom. The program will start with a section to reflect on individual risk assessment and then shift to conversations and best practices around protest safety, digital safety, and congregational safety.

The event runs from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM ET, with a potluck lunch and childcare provided. Home hospitality is available if needed. Registration is required to attend, and you can do so using this link-https://tinyurl.com/yc7ts8cp

Schedule of events:

9:30 AM ET- Coffee and conversation

10:00-12:00 PM ET- Spiritual grounding and discussion of risk assessment

12:00-12:45 PM ET- Potluck lunch

1:00- 3:00 PM ET- Discussions around protest, digital, and congregational safety- includes Q&A opportunity

Families/Couples attending: Please complete one form for each adult attending. If childcare is required, only complete that information on one form.

Registration link-https://tinyurl.com/yc7ts8cp

Join us for church on February 15, 2026.

• 9:30am Religious Education

• 11:00am Service

• 12:00pm Youth Baked Potato Fundraiser

• 1:00pm Risk Assessment Workshop

“Risks: The ones worth taking and the ones that aren't”

To live our lives is to engage with risk. Which risks are worth taking for you personally, and which aren't? How does taking risks change when we're talking about taking risks as a community in order to live our values? Join Rev. Tiffany to begin addressing this vital topic for congregational life, and then stay for a meal and the Risk Discernment workshop that will be held after the Sunday Service.

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).

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.

If you receive a suspicious email from staff or members please be sure to check the it’s coming from a legitimate email address. Scammers in particular like to pose as staff requesting a copy of our directory. Be sure to never send anyone a copy of our directory!

Join us for church on February 8, 2026.

• 9:30am Religious Education

• 11:00am Service

• 12:00pm Potluck

“Truth and Beauty: An Exploration of Religious Art”

What do the visual arts offer us when it comes to our shared quest for truth and meaning? This Sunday Rev. Tiffany explores how art through the ages has reflected the human experience, and our yearning for the sublime.

As many of you know, First Presbyterian Johnson City, 105 S Boone St, operates a warming center during the winter for our neighbors who are homeless. Whenever they have "white flag" conditions, that is when the temperature drops to 35 or below, First Presbyterian opens its fellowship hall for those who need a safe, warm place to be. Because First Pres also operates a preschool, the warming center is only open on weekends, holidays, and when Johnson City Schools are closed for inclement weather (because the preschools is also closed then,) but with the recent pattern of weather, they've been open every weekend and holiday recently.

Running the warming center relies on volunteers, which is where you can help. They need people to help with the following:

• Providing food (they offer breakfast and lunch as much as possible)

• Kitchen assistance with prepping and serving food, and cleaning up

• Guest sign-in when people arrive

• Set up and/or clean up of the space before guests arrive and after they leave

• Guest engagement

• General help wherever needed

The warming center is open 8am to 4pm on days it's open. Volunteers usually work in shifts of about two hours, although you are welcome to come for longer or shorter as your schedule allows.

If you are interested in learning more, or to be added to the volunteer roster to be contacted as needed, please reach out to Lynnea Hunter Salinas at 828.266.1917 or at LynneaSalinas@gmail.com.

The Bridge is our monthly Religious Education newsletter reflecting the life, love, and shared ministry of our RE community.

Each issue shares reflections from our Director of Religious Education, gratitude shared by members of all ages, volunteer spotlights, and updates on upcoming classes, gatherings, and opportunities to connect.

Whether you’re deeply involved in RE or simply curious about what’s blooming, you’re invited to step onto the bridge with us — connecting where we are now with where we’re growing together.

Read the first issue by clicking here.