Our History

Foothills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship began as a satellite program of Tennessee Valley UU Church (TVUUC) in Knoxville. There were a number of people interested in UUism in Blount County, and many attended TVUUC, but there was a desire to have church “closer to home.” A Steering Committee was formed under the leadership of Owen Rhodes and included Crystal Colter, Carl Gombert, Herb Nachman, Gloria Crittenden, Lelia Rogers, and Cathy Rhodes. Cathy also served on the Board of Directors of TVUUC as the Blount County Advocate.

Blount County UU met for services one Sunday a month in the Center for Campus Ministry of Maryville College beginning in March 2006. There was enthusiasm about having a UU congregation available closer to home, but there was another reason for heightened excitement: services led by Owen, Carl, Crystal and others were showing us what it felt like to have a place to express liberal spiritual views in our own community. Quickly outgrowing space in the Center for Campus Ministry at Maryville College, BCUU moved to Chilhowee Club, and increased our meetings to 2 Sundays a month. In 2007, Everett Senior Center was chosen as a rental space that could meet the needs of the congregation.

By January of 2008, the Steering Committee, by now including new members as others rotated off, was investigating the possibility and logistics of transitioning from the satellite relationship with TVUUC. A congregational survey had been completed that indicated a need for visioning a future for the group, and a desire to put a process in place for becoming an independent congregation. In April

2008, Sara Jacobus, Susan Fuhr and Tom Walsh were appointed as the Transition Team, with the charge to determine the process and timeline by which BCUU would transition to an independent congregation. They were joined by 3 members of TVUUC (Jayne Raparelli, Ted Jones, and Grier Novinger) to help ensure a smooth transition process.

The Transition Committee worked diligently over the next several months to collect information, both from the congregation about hopes for the future and from other sources regarding issues to consider as we worked toward independence. Cottage meetings, where people could meet and discuss ideas and issues, were held in June and July, and a half-day retreat for the entire congregation was held on August 17. At that time a name was finally chosen: Foothills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. Charter Sunday was October 19, 2008. FUUF was officially born! By the end of the Charter Membership period in December, 69 people had signed the membership book.

Almost immediately, the newly elected Board realized that the congregation needed a vision of itself and its future and a long range plan for achieving it. In April 2009, the late Jim Key, then President of the Thomas Jefferson District, led a 2-day retreat entitled, “Dreaming Big.” Through the process of appreciative inquiry, participants talked in pairs about what had made them feel most alive and excited about their involvement at FUUF and then about their three wishes for FUUF. In April 2010, the first FUUF Long range plan was presented, focused on the mission and four mission areas: (1) congregational growth and development, (2) spiritual growth and development, (3) service and example, all supported by (4) organizational health and development.

By 2010 we had become a chartered UUA congregation with our official name, affirmed a congregational mission statement, approved a Long Range plan, moved to a much larger meeting space, employed a part-time administrator and musician, and were holding weekly worship services. We also hired Reverend Billy Newton as a part-time consultant to strengthen our ministry.

In 2011, FUUF formed a ministerial search committee in coordination with the UUA and hired Laura Bogle in 2012 as a part-time consulting minister. With the support of ministerial leadership, we deepened our worship experience and spiritual reflection through the use of monthly worship themes. We successfully engaged the Welcoming Congregation program with high attendance, and unanimous congregational vote, and received the UUA’s Welcoming Congregation designation in December2013. Earlier that year, in August 2013, we ordained our consulting minister, Reverend Laura Bogle.

A small group ministry program was launched, with over half of our adult members participating. One outcome of small group meetings was the creation and approval of the congregation’s first congregational covenant in May of 2014.

For the year 2014-15, the congregation approved a plan to hold services the first three weeks of each month. On the fourth week of the month were “Circle Sundays,” on which small groups met to focus on a monthly theme or on classes such as faith development. In a month with a fifth Sunday, we completed a multigenerational community service opportunity at Blount County Habitat for Humanity.

In 2014-15 we began a staff sharing arrangement through Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church. Over the years this collaboration has mostly centered on administrative and bookkeeping support, though it also included shared music staff at times. 

During a 5-year period, congregational pledges increased from $31,610 in 2010 to $54,391 in 2015, a growth of almost 60%.

In May 2015 FUUF moved to a new worship space at Smith Life Event Center. The contract provided for access to the facility every Sunday morning. At this point, the congregation decided to hold an event in the worship space every Sunday. Examples of “Casual Sunday” events include coffee and chat, music performances, and screening of documentaries.

During 2014-15 FUUF supported our mission by encouraging spiritual growth through 8 adult discussion groups on topics such as UU history, perception, and decision making, 9 multigenerational faith development activities and at least 4 FUUF walks/hikes designed to build community and encourage fellowship in nature (7th UU principle). FUUF sent a delegation of members to the Moral March in NC in 2014.

We celebrated personal and religious diversity when we joined with other UU churches in our area to support Pridefest, honored the Transgender Day of Remembrance, showed our support to St. Paul AME for their prayer vigil over 20 members and friends, which inspired Blount County United, on which several FUUF members now serve. We participated in the Selma 50th Anniversary Jubilee and the MLK March in Blount County.

In 2015 we put aside $5000 from a bequest to fund a community outreach project. The Talking with Kids and Teens about Race project was led by our congregation for two years, in partnership with other organizations, and provided education opportunities for students, parents and educators and the general public.

In 2018-2019 three new Teams became active: Smoky Mountain Green Team, Rainbow Team, and Immigration Justice Team. 

In April 2019 the congregation voted to call Rev. Laura and a service of installation was held that August.

September 2019 FUUF sent three members: Sheri Liles, Terri Lyon, and Kathie Shiba to the UUA Climate Justice meeting in Washington DC and helped spearhead a march for climate justice through downtown Maryville, along with partners, as part of an international day of action.

In October 2019 we also were key to organizing the first-ever Blount Pride celebration which drew over 700 attendees.

The Immigration Justice Team formed a relationship of accompaniment with one local family and continues that support today.

In 2021, Rev. Laura took a sabbatical and in 2022 we said goodbye after ten wonderful years of her ministry.

In 2023, we were joined by our current contract minister, Lóre Stevens. We have recently moved our worship site to Springbrook Recreation Center in Alcoa.