We want to make everyone aware that at this Sunday's "Creepies and Crawlies" service, there will NOT be any snakes or bugs* inside the sanctuary.  While our topic is exploring how these feared creatures can teach us more about ourselves and acceptance, we are keeping them out of the sanctuary out of respect for people who may have phobias.

During All Ages Religious Education (which will either be on the back porch or in the REZ building depending on weather), two very docile non-venomous pet snakes will be present, but these snakes will NOT be present in the sanctuary.

*when we say there are no bugs inside the sanctuary, we mean no bugs that we put there on purpose.  The ones who show up on their own are outside of our control!

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 is a capital repairs project that will begin in a couple of weeks. This is to install a new roof for our main facility. There are a couple of phases, the first phase will start in the next couple of weeks.

In the first phase, the old tower on top of church will be removed. Additionally, the existing front door overhang will be removed and replaced. Depending on contractor schedule, there may be need to use an alternate entrance thru the music room sliding door. Signs will be posted if it becomes necessary to use the side entrance.

The second phase is a tear-off and reroof of the entire main building. Repairs to the roof decking and trim will be done at this time. the timing for this is weather dependent and currently set for as early as mid August or as late as end of Sept.

We'll keep updating information on scheduling as contractor updates become available.

Thanks for your patience as we proceed to maintain and improve our facility.

Email facilities@hvuuc.org with any questions.

Tri Pride was our 5th Sunday special offering, June 29.

If you were not able to donate at the service, please donate directly to Tri Pride at https://www.tripridetn.org/donate/

Headlines

• · Minister’s Note

• Ukulele Group

• Potluck

• Treasury Report

•  Circle Suppers

• Adult Sex-ed Survey

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

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.

HVUUC is working on plans to offer an Adult Sexual Education Workshop. Please fill out the survey to help determine community interest and what type of workshop and format would be best to offer.

Survey: https://forms.gle/wpiq71g2C77Di1MA7

If you have questions please reach out to our DRE, Justin Ridley, at dre@hvuuc.org

Join us for church on June 29, 2025!

• 9:30am Religious Education

• 11:00am Sunday Service

• 12:00pm Coffee Hour

“Question Box Service”

Unitarian Universalists love asking the big questions! At the Question Box service, you get to submit your questions to Rev. Tiffany ahead of time, and at the service she will answer as many questions as she can during the allotted time.

Friday at 7 PM on ZOOM.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4857776660

All invited to participate and meet your newly elected volunteer HVUUC Board Members

We have enough people interested in Circle Suppers to begin making plans!  Circle Suppers are simply potlucks held at the home of the host (or at the church if needed). Circle Suppers are a UU tradition that has fostered many friendships over the years.

Our first Circle Supper will be in September.  If you have signed up as being interested in participating, expect more detailed information in August.  If you have not signed up, you may still do so.  Simply email Peggy at circlesuppers@hvuuc.org.  

There are two fun services coming up that need your input!

Sunday June 29th - Question Box Service

Unitarian Universalists love asking the big questions! At the Question Box service, you get to submit your questions to Rev. Tiffany ahead of time, and at the service she will answer as many questions as she can during the allotted time. Serious or silly, simple or complex, submit your questions to minister@hvuuc.org.

Rev. Tiffany needs your questions ASAP so get those to her as soon as possible!

Sunday July 6 - Soapbox Service

Our annual Soapbox Sunday is coming up on July 6th. We need speakers to give a 3-5 minute talk about a topic important to your heart. You are "getting up on your soapbox" to tell it like it is. Our youth are invited to participate, as well!

Soapbox Sunday is a long-standing annual tradition where we - friends and members of HVUUC - exercise our freedom of speech. This right is not to be taken for granted.

If you have questions or want to run a topic by me, or explore a creative method of delivering your Soapbox talk, please contact Rosemary at soapboxsunday@hvuuc.org

Please email all submissions for the July newsletter by Monday June 30th 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.

Join us for church on June 22, 2025!

• 9:30am Religious Education

• 11:00am Sunday Service

• 12:00pm Coffee Hour

“What do you get when you combine different spiritualities?”

As Gary Mongillo has traveled down several spiritual paths, he has come to a realization that the foundation of these spiritual paths is really the same: the quote from Episcopal Bishop John Shelby Spong, “To live fully, love wastefully and be all we were created to be."

The HVUUC Social Justice Committee is seeking volunteers for the 4th annual Rainbow Festival in Johnson City to celebrate Pride!  

The Pride Community Center will host its 4th Annual Rainbow Festival this year to celebrate Pride Month at Founders Park in Johnson City, TN.

The Social Justice Committee at HVUU will have a table and crafts available for the community. Volunteers will be needed for 2-hour shifts throughout the event to manage the table and engage with the community.

Please use this form to sign up for shifts: https://forms.gle/QN5SVP9gumAn47Vq7

Email lgbtqia@hvuuc.org with any questions.

Unitarian Universalists love asking the big questions!

At the Question Box service on June 29th, you get to submit your questions to Rev. Tiffany ahead of time, and at the service she will answer as many questions as she can during the allotted time. 

Serious or silly, simple or complex, submit your questions to minister@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.

Join us for church on June 15, 2025!

• 9:30am Religious Education

• 11:00am Sunday Service

• 12:00pm Coffee Hour

• 4:00pm Youth Group

“Who do you think you are?”

Marina Munjal, co-founder of Appalachian Dharma & Meditation Center in Johnson City and long-time HVUUC member invites us to consider the possibility that who we think we are is merely a product of our history and environment, and not a fixed unchangeable self to protect, defend, and hold onto tightly. What is behind the carefully crafted mask we wear to meet the expectations of those around us? Can we find the space to let go of the tight grip and relax into the liberating flow of life?

The Music Committee and the Facilities Team have worked together to transform the music room into a dual purpose hospitality room for people who need it.  The glass window plus a speaker inside the room makes it possible for folks with a higher needs kid, or adults with sensory overwhelm, or anyone who might find it useful, to tend to their needs with a little more privacy, should they wish it.

In our desire to be hospitable and inclusive, Holston Valley Unitarian Universalist Church has a variety of tools to support families:

The nursery is available with two childcare professionals during services for ages 6 and under.

Our new fidget station has a variety of quiet fidgets for people of all ages who need something to do with their hands while they are in the service.

And we have this hospitality room!

Interested in participating in a Circle Supper?  If so, please send your name to circlesuppers@hvuuc.org.  Interested participants will meet, probably via Zoom, to discuss details and procedures.  Details and procedures will naturally depend on the number of interested participants.

Suppers, if we get enough interest, will start in September.  You are expressing your interest, not your commitment!

What's a Circle Supper?

It is a group of 4, 5, or 6 people who select a date within a month to meet for dinner.  The entire group, not just the group that eats together,  will decide if each person brings something or if the host supplies the food. You may be able to use the church occasionally if hosting is a problem. The next month the people eating together will be changed  (Couples will stay together unless they choose to separate), so that by the end of the cycle, you have met many new friends. A cycle may include three, four, or five months, depending on how many participants there are. At the beginning of the cycle, you will receive an email listing who meets with whom and when.

If interested email circlesuppers@hvuuc.org.