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 Tale of Two Kings: Politics and Religion
Join us for church on January 19, 2024!
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:00pm Coffee Hour
4:00pm Youth Group
“A Tale of Two Kings: Politics and Religion”
What do Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King and King John Sigusmund of Transylvania have to teach us about the intersection of politics and religion? Join Rev. Tiffany for this exploration of two important historical figures, how they impacted both Unitarian Universalism and the wider world.
Newsletter Birthdays
Happy Birthday! Feliz Cumpleanos! Congratulations! Buon Cumpleanno! E ku asheye ojo ibi! Bon Anniversaire!
Long ago, when HVUUC (paper) newsletters arrived to (USPS) mailboxes, they included a list of member and friend birthdays occurring that month. Where did all the birthdays go? We’re not sure but we are proposing to bring them back.
Members, friends, and staff: Would you like to add your birthday (month and day only) to the monthly newsletter? It’s free! Discontinue at any time. If you would like to opt in, send your name that we know you by (first and last) and your birthday (month and day) to Membership@hvuuc.org or contact Lori. Parents/caregivers opt in for folks under 18 years old.
Interest will be determined by the number of responses received in January, so please don’t wait until your birthday month to reply. Thank you and bring out the cake!
Youth Group & Wednesday Night Supper
MLK Day Events
There are so many opportunities for celebrating Martin Luther King Day in Johnson City!
We are especially excited about participating once again in the Peace Walk that begins at the Carver Center in Johnson City at 1pm on January 20th. We hope to see you there!
Click through for more details about MLK Day Events.
The Power of Personal Precepts
Sunday morning your Minister, Board President, and Facilities representative will assess whether we feel it is safe to have church open or not. IF we decide to close church, you can find out about the closure in two ways:
-Our Facebook Page
-In the text of our Home Page at www.hvuuc.org
We are unable to share this timely information via ENews when it happens because of a delay built into our ENews system. So please monitor these other sources of information on Sunday morning.
If church is cancelled we will post an abbreviated version of the church service to YouTube by Sunday night, you can access our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/c/HolstonValleyUnitarianUniversalistChurch/featured
Join us for church on January 12, 2024!
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:00pm Potluck
“The Power of Personal Precepts”
How do we make principled decisions? Can we create a solid foundation so that we can go beyond reactions and triggers and live the life we want to live? Today Rev. Tiffany explores how Systems Theory approaches to life and community can help us in navigating the big questions of life.
Watching the Weather
We are watching the weather and want to inform you about how you can find out IF church is cancelled on Sunday morning. Read on for more detail!
Sunday morning your Minister, Board President, and Facilities representative will assess whether we feel it is safe to have church open or not. IF we decide to close church, you can find out about the closure in two ways:
-Our Facebook Page
-In the text of our Home Page at www.hvuuc.org
We are unable to share this timely information via ENews when it happens because of a delay built into our ENews system. So please monitor these other sources of information on Sunday morning.
If church is cancelled we will post an abbreviated version of the church service to YouTube by Sunday night, you can access our YouTube channel here:
https://www.youtube.com/c/HolstonValleyUnitarianUniversalistChurch/featured
Check Spam Folder for HVUUC Communications
UU History Covenant Group
Interested in learning and discussing Unitarian Universalist history?
George Cross and Bryan Kleske are facilitating a Small Covenant Group, starting on
February 4th, and meet on 1st and 3rd Tuesdays through April for a total of six meetings.
The first meeting will be at HVUUC. We will discuss further meeting format to possibly include
an in person and zoom combo.
We will be watching Long Strange Trip, a six-part video 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.
The video parts will be emailed out for viewing prior to the planned 2 hour meetings.
Only 8 spots are available so email uuhistory@hvuuc.org to claim your spot before the class fills up!
Comprehensive Sexuality Education for 3-5 Graders
HVUUC will be hosting Comprehensive Sexuality Education for 3-5 graders beginning in January during normal RE hours. The program will begin with a Guardian Orientation on Sunday, January 12, from 9:30 - 10:45 AM in the Meditation Hall of the REZ. Subsequent workshops will begin on January 26 from 9:30 - 10:45 am. Please see the registration page for more information and full details and schedule. Registration is free and we are limited to 15 spaces so please sign up as soon as possible.
Please follow the link to the registration page: https://hvuuc-3.betterworld.org/events/our-whole-lives-sexuality-educat
If you have questions or would like more information please reach out to our DRE, Justin Ridley dre@hvuuc.org
Photo Archiving Event, Astronomy and Geology, & January Newsletter
Fire Communion
Please bring drums and noisemakers to share at Fire Communion this Sunday, January 5th! Towards the end of the service there will be a drum circle and we want everyone to be a part of the joyous noise. Bring hand drums (djembes, bongos, congas, frame drums, etc.), noisemakers (shakers, tambourines, etc.) and anything else you would like to share with the drum circle.
Join us for church on January 5, 2024!
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:00pm Coffee Hour
“Fire Communion”
Begin the New Year by letting go of the old year! Fire Communion is a chance to contemplate what in your life you want to burn up and leave behind as we move into the new year. This clears the way for what is good and new in 2025. Come celebrate the possibilities with us!
5th Sunday Offering this Sunday
Because of the holidays we are having our Fifth Sunday Offering on the First Sunday of January instead!
This quarter's recipient of the 5th Sunday Offering is RISE: Healthy for Life
RISE has its origins in our very own congregation's OWL program when members of this community were inspired by a vision of offering comprehensive, evidence-based sexuality education to the wider community here in East Tennessee. They work to change culture by educating and empowering youth as young as kindergarten through older adults. Truly comprehensive sex ed (CSE) leads to healthier, more respectful relationships, self-confidence, and more responsible decision-making.
If you wish to support RISE's work in the Tri-Cities, please make your donation in the white envelope that will be included in this Sunday's bulletin.
If you cannot attend on Sunday and still want to support their work, you can click on this link to donate directly to RISE: https://risehealthylife.betterworld.org/campaigns/support-our-work-today
Bring Drums this Sunday!
Please bring drums and noisemakers to share at Fire Communion this Sunday, January 5th! Towards the end of the service there will be a drum circle and we want everyone to be a part of the joyous noise. Bring hand drums (djembes, bongos, congas, frame drums, etc.), noisemakers (shakers, tambourines, etc.) and anything else you would like to share with the drum circle.
Email musicdirector@hvuuc.org with any questions.
January 2025 Newsletter
Headlines
• Minister’s Note
• UU History
• Music Corner
• Photo Archiving Event
• Women’s Night
• Geology and Astronomy
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
Christmas Eve Gathering, Pancakes and Jam, & Un-Greening of Sanctuary
Spam Email Alert
Just a reminder that scammers routinely try to impersonate staff to get sensitive info. If your receive a questionable email please report it to the office and be sure you only send emails to hvuuc addresses such as the ones listed below
office@hvuuc.org
minister@hvuuc.org
dre@hvuuc.org
musicdirector@hvuuc.org
What Does it Mean to Be Promethean?
Join us for church on December 22, 2024!
9:30am Religious Education
11:00am Sunday Service
12:00pm Coffee Hour
“What Does it Mean to Be Promethean?”
Warmth in a cold world, light in a dark space - what do these mean to our species, our society, our community, and ourselves? What do these teach us literally and metaphorically? How can the physical flame inform us about altruism in rebellious acts? And why should we continue to carry these torches and fan these flames? Join us with local church member Alesha Chaffin to ponder the gift of fire granted from the gods as we explore the question: What Does It Mean To Be Promethean?
Giving Tree Donations still Needed
The Social Justice Committee would like to thank everyone who has volunteered and given presents for The Giving Tree. We should have enough items for the tree through Christmas. However, we plan to keep this tree stocked with warm and necessary items until our tree is taken down, Jan. 5th. Please keep items coming so we can show Tri-Cities that this is not just about the holidays, it’s about caring for those in need.
This would be a great time to regift holiday gifts that the needy can use. Below is a list of items needed. In addition to these items, we have received some great larger items that we can squeeze on the tree such as sneakers, sweatshirts, snacks, etc. We request that all items are new and unused to let folks know that we think they are worthy.
Recommended Donations
· gloves
· hats
· scarves
· socks
· underwear
· feminine hygiene items
· washcloths
· soap
· lotion
· shampoo and conditioner
For questions, please contact:
givingtree@hvuuc.org
Coffee Hour Volunteers Needed
We need coffee hour volunteers for January, specifically for January 05 as we begin the new year.
Please sign up on the calendar beside the coffee urn in the Fred Ball Room or email coffeehour@hvuuc.org.
We'd hate to start 2025 without coffee and conversation!