Posts in Community
Founders Dinner Success

Thank you to everyone who helped celebrate our GNUUC Founders on our 30th anniversary at dinner last Saturday evening. Founders attending in person included Gene B., Ninez G., Fran G., and Mike M.. Fran played, "The Rose", we read the covenant signed by FUUN and GNUUC on December 4th, 1994, and enjoyed a dinner with pasta from Maggiano's Little Italy.

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CommunityKris Thresher
November Share the Plate - Hurricane Helene 2024 Disaster Recovery through Greater Good Charities

Hurricane Helene is now the second deadliest hurricane to hit the mainland U.S. and has left a trail of devastation across the southeastern states. Just days later, Hurricane Milton made landfall as a Category 3 Hurricane. Communities are grappling with catastrophic landslides, historic flooding, and relentless rainfall. Millions of people remain without power, and homes, streets, and businesses have been damaged or destroyed.

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Board Meeting Summary - October 2024

Board Service Discussion: went into more detail about the specifics of the service

-Creating a framework of the vision of ministry to bring to the congregation

-Reflecting on last year’s vision

Discussion of Policies

-Alcohol use policy: What do we want to put in the policy, how specific do we want it to be? Emphasized need for responsible adult around if minors and alcohol are present, all Board members will play a part in crafting a policy

-Building Usage Policy: There was a motion for the Board to authorize the ability for the Minister and Administrator to negotiate prices for building usage, seconded and passed with unanimous approval

Enacted outside of the meeting: The Board approved the Restatement of the UUA Retirement Plan (to take effect 1 January 2025) on October 29.

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Help GNUUC Rebuild the Fund!

Dear Greater Nashville UU Members & Friends,

Our building exterior was in dire need of repair and painting. In September, those repairs were made. It was $10,000 to pressure wash, repair damaged wood, paint the exterior of both church buildings, doors, gutters, and soffits, RE building rear ramp, and the breezeway. The buildings look amazing now!

Even with a generous donation from a congregant, paying this bill depleted our Building Capital Fund.

We need to raise $2200 more to replenish the fund. With your help, we can continue to maintain and upgrade the appearance of our buildings and grounds.

As of Oct. 2, we raised $1,800!

This leaves $2,200 to go! We need you to help donate now. Every dollar counts!

To donate, do one of the following:

1 - Go to https://www.nashvilleuu.org/donate . In the donation box, change the 1st drop list to “Give to Building Capital Fund” and continue through the wizard.

2 - In Breeze, click the “Give Now” menu. In the donation box, change the 1st drop list to “Give to Building Capital Fund” and continue through the wizard.

3- Mail a check made out to GNUUC with “Building Capital Fund” in the memo to GNUUC, 374 Hicks Road, Nashville, TN 37221.

4- Put a check made out to GNUUC with “Building Capital Fund” in the memo in the Sanctuary Donation box on Sunday.

THANK YOU for helping take care of our space!

GNUUC Finance Team

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This Sunday: Show up for the showdown!

 Nashville has been divided into three different Congressional Districts in hopes of suppressing the voice of the people - specifically people of color. But this Sunday, October 20th, at 3:00 pm, NOAH is bringing four districts together to prove that Middle Tennessee voters will not be silenced! 

 Join NOAH for a US Congressional Showdown where you will hear straight from five candidates on the issues that matter to you. This is about all of us! Share the flyer, post on your social media, and invite your network to register at bit.ly/NOAHshowdown.

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October Share the Plate Partner is Room In The Inn

GNUUC will be sharing the plate with Room In The Inn in October. Last year, we resumed our hosting of overnight guests as part of RITI’s Winter Shelter program, which includes sending guests on their way with a sack lunch. We will be assembling the lunches for this winter after church on October 20. 

The program provides safe shelter, warm meals, and fellowship for our neighbors struggling with homelessness during the coldest months of the year. In the 2023-24 season, congregations provided more than 15,000 beds.

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NOAH Public Meetings

Turn out to NOAH's second public meeting on October 20th!

NOAH will host a Candidate Showdown on October 20, for US Congressional Districts 5, 6, and 7 - all of which include a portion of Davidson County. Location is TBD.

Although NOAH focuses on city-level work, it is important that Nashvillians know where ALL their representatives stand on key issues. Join us on Sunday, October 20, at 3:00 pm to hear directly from your candidates!

Spread the word by sharing the flyer and the registration link: bit.ly/NOAHshowdown

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Board Meeting Summary - September 2024

Discussion about facility use and renters

Board service on October 27 will include vision ideas from the retreat and include the congregation

Discussion about the Board service

Work on it over Slack in between Board meetings
Give Congregation advance notice of participatory details (announcement during What’s Next? 1-2 Sundays before)

Nathaneal Reveal has resigned as Board Secretary

Next Board meeting: Oct​. 16

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Greeters wanted! Please volunteer to join the Greeters Team at GNUUC.

Our congregational covenant charges us to make a welcoming community...how better to do this than by welcoming newcomers, members, and friends to our congregation with a warm smile and kind words. Please sign up for a Sunday or several Sundays. The yellow Greeter Folder and greeter name badges are kept at the front entry table. Please read the general guidelines, leave your contact information, and initial on the spreadsheet, the Sunday or Sundays you would be available to greet. You can also sign up online by contacting Claire. If you have any questions, please contact Carol L. Thank you for serving our congregation!

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Save the Date: Sat., Sept. 28 - Sun., Sept. 29: UU Climate Justice Revival Workshop Weekend

GNUUC is joining UUs across the land to revive our commitment to climate justice on Saturday, September 28, 2004 (10:00 am to 2:00 pm). Then, on Sunday, September 29, we will have a special Worship Service to celebrate our participation, plus have an Advocacy hour call to action!

Saturday Registration is Required

People can sign up in three ways:

1. Meetuphttps://www.meetup.com/greater-nashville-unitarian-universalists/events/303343986/

2. GNUUC Slack2024_climate_justice_revival

3. GNUUC Sunday Lunch: On Sundays during lunch at Greater Nashville UU Congregation.

Volunteers Needed

We are currently recruiting volunteers to be facilitators, timekeepers and to provide refreshments. Facilitators don’t need to be climate experts or facilitation experts! Facilitators need to be able to guide discussions, manage group dynamics, and foster an inclusive environment.

If you can volunteer, reach out to Caren.

Click Read More below to see more information about Saturday activities and about facilitator volunteering.

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Make Your Plan to Vote! 

“The vote is the most powerful nonviolent change agent you have in a democratic society. You must use it because it is not guaranteed. You can lose it.” (John Lewis)  

The deadline to register for the November 5 election is October 7! Even if you are already registered, please check now to make sure you have not been purged from the rolls. More information about voting is below.

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Welcome to a New Year of Soul Matters Themes!

This year’s overarching frame is The Practices of Our Faith.

We’re using this frame to focus on how Unitarian Universalism is a lived faith that inspires us to act, live, and love our values out in the world. Or to put it another way, we’re diving into our long-loved commitment to “deeds not creeds.”

Our overarching frame is also a way for us to connect to our new UU core value of Liberating Love, with each of our monthly themes framed as a practice that help us embody liberating love in our daily lives.

Click Read More to see this year's themes....

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CommunityKris Thresher
September 2024 Share the Plate: Nashville Cares AIDS Walk. Donate and/or Join the Walk on October 19!

At GNUUC we have a long-standing tradition of supporting Nashville CARES through our enthusiastic participation in its annual AIDS Walk fundraising. Their mission is to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Middle Tennessee.

Our Team Goal is to raise $500 through Share the Plate in September to sponsor our Team at the AIDS Walk on October 19 at Shelby Park at 7:30 AM.

All September Share the Plate donations under $100 will be split 50/50 between sponsoring our Team and Greater Nashville UU's plate.

All September Share the Plate donations over $100 will go 100% to support our GNUUC team for the Nashville AIDS Walk.

To join our Team of Walkers (or runners - there is a 5K run), or to donate directly any amount to our team online, go to: Greater Nashville UU Congregation (GNUUC) Team

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Board Meeting Summary - August 21, 2024

The GNUUC Board met on August 21, 2024 to discuss various matters related to church operations and planning. Key points included:

1 - Financial Update: The church ended the 2023-2024 fiscal year with income $2,431 over expenses, avoiding the need to move funds from contingency. This positive outcome was largely due to rental income from A New Leaf. For the current fiscal year (2024-2025), 34% of pledges have already been paid.

2 - Board Retreat: A retreat is scheduled for August 31st from 11am-2pm. Board members will bring mixed media items for a group project.

3 - Board Service: The board will lead the service on October 27th, which will be followed by a shared ministries meeting.

4 - Greeters: Carol shared insights from UUA greeter training and suggested implementing a monthly rotation for greeters. The board discussed incorporating safety training into the greeter role.

5 - Memorial Garden: The board discussed concerns about the Memorial Garden space.

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Women’s Group Food Drive in August for the Bellevue Community Food Bank

Last day for donations is this Sunday!

The GNUUC Women’s Group is sponsoring a food drive in August.  Please bring items to church in paper or plastic bags.  Please check the “best by” or expiration date on any donations. The food bank cannot accept anything past those dates. Leave your donations on the table against the wall farthest from the kitchen.

Here is a link to the Bellevue Community Food Bank.  Needed items are listed there as well as items they cannot accept.

Let’s help our neighbors who are food insecure.

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Share the Plate for July: Americans United for Separation of Church and State: ‘Freedom Without Favor, Equality Without Exception’

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.

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Rev. Denise on Vacation for Month of July

Rev. Denise Gyauch will be on vacation for the entire month of July (July 1-31). During that time, our wonderful affiliated ministers, the Revs. Dr. Michelle Pederson and Cynthia Stewart will be available for pastoral emergencies. If you find yourself needing to talk with a minister, please contact the church office by email (gnuuc@gnuuc.org) or phone (615-673-7699; leave a voicemail message). Our administrator, Kris, will connect you with the minister on call.

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