Sunday, September 21, 7 PM

First UU Nashville at 1808 Woodmont Blvd.

The annual Robert C. Palmer Lecture on Human Rights was established by the church’s Board of Directors in 1983 to honor the legacy and service of the Rev. Robert Palmer, our first called minister. Rev. Palmer was a social activist on many fronts, including the United Nations, nuclear disarmament, and the Civil Rights Movement.

Saturday, October 18th

First UU Nashville at 1808 Woodmont Blvd.

9 am to 4 pm

We are calling people from UU communities across the state to Nashville on Saturday, October 18th, to join in the spirit of our shared values and Side With Love. We are building relationships between our communities to ground our spirits, grow our skills, and act strategically for justice to build a world where everyone thrives. We are meeting to nourish our minds, bodies, and souls.

Register to join us in person or via Zoom as we meet at The First UU Church of Nashville (FUUN). We will share meals together, we will provide home hospitality, and we will help cover travel expenses.

Registration URL: https://bit.ly/tuucan25​

At GNUUC we have a long-standing tradition of supporting Nashville CARES through our share the plate program. Their mission is to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Middle Tennessee, and help in care for those with HIV/AIDS. Nashville CARES works to achieve their mission through education, advocacy and support for those at risk for, or living with, HIV.

The GNUUC Board held their annual retreat on August 30th, bringing together seven board members for a day of reflection and planning focused on the congregation's future direction. 

Through structured exercises and collaborative discussion, the board crafted this year's Vision of Ministry statement: 

"This year we will be a sanctuary where every person is known, fed, and transformed through authentic connection and courageous action." 

Key themes that emerged throughout the day included 

-radical hospitality, 
-the unique strengths of being a small congregation (such as nimble decision-making and deep personal connections), and
-the importance of accessibility in all forms. 

The board also discussed transitioning toward a more hands-on "working board" model that better fits the congregation's current size, including plans to open portions of monthly board meetings for congregational input. 

The retreat highlighted core values of community care, witnessing each other's humanity, and maintaining flexibility to respond quickly to both congregational and community needs - all while celebrating the distinctive advantages that come with being a close-knit congregation.

Want to learn about the inequities in Nashville's criminal legal system? Attend Transformational Justice's Town Hall on August 28th!

This Thursday, August 28, the NOAH Transformational Justice Task Force is hosting a panel of experts to address mass incarceration, cash bail, and racial profiling in our criminal legal system. Our panel includes representation from CALEB (Gamaliel organization in Chattanooga, a counterpart to NOAH), Nashville Community Bail Fund, Unheard Voices Tennessee, and Freehearts.

If you're interested in learning more about the state of these issues in our city, join us at Clark Memorial United Methodist Church, 1014 14th Ave. N., from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm on August 28th! You can register here.

On August 17, 2025, we had a Shared Ministries meeting after service to talk about volunteer opportunities, covenant groups, and upcoming events. I’m very excited about our programming and events this Fall!

To download a PDF copy of the following, click: Shared Ministries Notes & Calendar.

If you are interested in finding out more about any of the following, reach out to the associated contact. If you need the contact’s name, let Kristin R. know (kristin.reveal@gnuuc.org).

United Volunteers of TN (UVOTN) is hosting a protest picnic during Sen. Marsha Blackburn's event at the Tennessee State Museum on Saturday, 8/23.

For months, ICE has been operating in Nashville, separating families and forcibly removing members of our community without any trial. We will not be silent as our neighbors continue to be dehumanized and disappeared.

Join NOAH for a powerful inter-faith rally to uplift the dignity, safety, and humanity of immigrant communities in Middle Tennessee. We invite people of all faiths and backgrounds to show up for justice and compassion. The demonstration will be held at Richland Park at 3:00 pm.

Together, we can send a clear message: We will not be silent. We will stand with those most affected by fear, displacement, & injustice.

The GNUUC Board convened via Zoom from 6:30 to 7:15 pm, with Nathaniel Berle facilitating, Eddie Bailey serving as timekeeper, and Gabby observing process.

Key Updates and Discussions:

Preschool Zoning Variance:
Rev. Denise provided an important update on the preschool’s temporary zoning variance, which is expiring. Due to construction delays, the preschool is applying for a two-year extension. A recent neighborhood meeting revealed resident complaints about noise from the preschool, despite no previous communication or concerns raised with GNUUC. Rev. Denise attended the meeting and has submitted a letter of support to the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA), citing benefits such as reduced litter and trespassing on church grounds.

Member Feedback – Second Projector Screen:
Nathaniel shared feedback from a congregant expressing concern that a second projector screen could obstruct views from the sanctuary windows. The board discussed options including:

• Delaying installation to gather broader input

• Installing but not keeping the screen down permanently.

• Exploring alternatives like TVs or repositioning the screen.
  

It was agreed to check with Ryan about the purchase status and consult the congregation before finalizing plans.

Reminders:

• Board Retreat is scheduled for August 30, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM at Jesse’s residence (and via Zoom).

• The board encourages open communication and welcomes congregants to share concerns or ideas directly.

White Stork is a US-based, veteran-led critical aid and last mile logistics charity that delivers medical supplies and evacuates civilians from the frontlines in Ukraine. Taking their name from the national bird of Ukraine, their mission is to give every Ukrainian the means to survive. They focus only on Ukraine, assembling and delivering high-quality individual first aid kits to soldiers and civilians. They also provide temporary housing and other forms of humanitarian aid. They do not provide any weapons or ammunition. 

“Live Life like a Book Tennessee Would Ban” pride shirts are now available on the FUUN website, with the proceeds going to help fund their pride activities for next year. 

https://fuun.breezechms.com/form/Pride-Donations

The Covenant Renewal service is an opportunity for NOAH's diverse membership to make a stand against the rise of tyranny, nationalism, oppression, and hate. It will be a chance to publicly demonstrate our unity in these divided times. Following the service, we will have a reception for all our NOAH members, new and old, to celebrate our shared commitment!

Americans United for Separation of Church and State is a nonpartisan educational and advocacy organization dedicated to advancing the separation of religion and government as the only way to ensure freedom of religion, including the right to believe or not believe, for all. Please donate to Americans United through Share the Plate in July, defending freedom of religion, and freedom of belief.

Please help us by bringing bottled water to church during July.  We will deliver to the Nashville Rescue Mission.  If you have a large vehicle and can help with delivery, please let us know. Please put the water bottles on the table at the back of the Fellowship hall.

On Sunday, June 15, members from FUUN joined GNUUC for Music Sunday. More than 100 people attended in person, and over 30 attended online! After the service, refreshments were shared in the Fellowship Hall. This event was a great success for both congregations, and we look forward to more co-hosted events in the future.

Click Read More to see pictures of Music Sunday.

The Belonging Fund was established by the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, Conexión Americas, and Tennessee Justice For Our Neighbors, in conjunction with the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, and will be used to support families impacted by civil immigration enforcement operations in Middle Tennessee that began on May 4, 2025, and are ongoing. This fund will be responsive and evolving to the community's needs as determined by the founding organizations and will be flexible to adjust to the shifting policy landscape. 

Thank you to all who attended the Congregational Annual Meeting on Sunday, either in the sanctuary or via Zoom. It is your unceasing dedication that allows the mission of GNUUC to thrive.
I also want to thank GNUUC for choosing me to serve as your president for these past three years.

I have had the honor of working alongside some awesome folks on the Board, with a plethora of talents. Each one of you brought something unique and valuable to the table, every single meeting, and you all have found ways to keep GNUUC strong. I am awe-inspired… Nathanael, Caren, Ryan, Sandy, Theresa, Jesse, Eddie, Carol, Claire, and thank you to Rev. Denise for your continued thoughtful conversations and encouragement. 

One door is closing, and another will open for new opportunities of service with GNUUC. 

GNUUC is one of the most welcoming environments I have been a part of. I do think that we can carry this welcoming spirit to every person we come into contact with. You never know what someone is going through… a smile, a quick hello, or a wave might give that person the lift they need in that moment, and you will receive the same one day. That’s the way it works!

Tina

This Sunday (May 25)  please bring easy to serve picnic food.  Think sandwiches, chips, fruit, vegetables with dip, cookies, etc.  No silverware needed.  If weather permits we will eat in the breezeway.

We will no longer be hosting Rise for Freedom trainings in person at the church.

Join us at the Bellevue Picnic. Many members of the congregation have volunteered at our booth, which will be open 10 AM to 7 PM. Come by and visit us!

May 17th, 2025: Bellevue Picnic

In the recreational area behind Bellevue Middle School

10 am until 9:30 pm!

655 Colice Jeanne Road Nashville, TN 37221

To learn more about the Bellevue Picnic, visit: https://www.bellevueharpethchamber.com/bellevue-community-picnic/