The Board is officially calling a Congregational Meeting on February 15, 2026, immediately after the service at noon. The Congregational Meeting has a single item on the Agenda: To vote on whether to call Rev. Denise as our Settled Minister

The Contract to Call Task Force (Ryan D., Kristin R., and Carol L.) will oversee the vote. In-person members will vote via paper ballot. The ballot will have your name on it. Zoom attendees will directly message their vote directly to the co-host, Kristin Reveal. (We'll review how to do this.) We will use the transcript as the vote. The Contract to Call Task Force will tally the votes.  The individual ballots will remain secret, except for the Contract to Call Task Force.

If you cannot attend in person, a Proxy will be available to give to another member for your vote. The Proxy will be distributed next week at the Town Hall meeting, as well as emailed.

IMPORTANT: We will not open the floor to discussion during the Congregational Meeting. Please attend the Town Hall meeting on Feb 8 to participate in discussion.

In order to vote, you need to have signed the book at least 3 months ago, as well as given a recorded contribution to GNUUC within the past 12 months. If you are a member, but have not made a recorded contribution in the last 12 months, consider making a donation of any amount in the next couple of weeks. You can write a check, contribute on Breeze, or put cash in an envelope with your name on it at the donation table. If you put loose cash in the offering, it is not a "recorded donation." Contact Kristin R. with questions. (kristin.reveal@gnuuc.org)

Donations Needed! Fill out the Donation Form

The Auction is our largest fundraiser and we count on your donations of events, items, and services. Visit the Auction Website to learn more about the Auction, Purchase Tickets, Donate Items, or Browse the Catalog.

A BIG THANK YOU for donating!

Donations can be made using the Online Donation Form OR by filling out the Paper Donation Form at the Welcome tables on Sunday and handing it to Kristin Reveal. 

Bring donated items in on any Sunday, from Sunday, March 1, through Sunday, March 22. Kristin will have a setup to photograph them during lunch. All donation forms due by March 22.

Donations needed:

Live Auction Items

Live Auction events, services, and items are auctioned off to the highest bidders.

Live Auction Events or Services could include Hosted Dinners, Sporting Event / Music / Gallery Tickets, Subscriptions, Community Events)

Live Auction Items have a value of $50 + and include fine art, quality artisan items, digital devices, and more. 

Silent Auction Artisan Items & Gift Cards

Silent Auction Artisan Items and Gift Cards are auctioned off to the highest bidders via paper bid sheets.

Silent Auction Artisan Items could include any hand-made art, artisan, or craft items.

Gift Cards include donated gift cards to local eateries, parks, events, and services.

Live Auction Items have a value of up to $50 (if it is valued more than $50, we'll probably put it into the Live Auction.)

Intermission Set Price Events or Services

Intermission Events and Services have a set price of $10 to $25. 

Intermission Events and Services need to accommodate at least 10+ items/seats to participate. This is so that all the people who want to attend can get a seat. Otherwise, the event would go in the Live Auction.

Event Examples: hosting a Movie & Popcorn Night at GNUUC, hosting a local tour, hosting a Picnic Day at the park. 

Questions? Contact Kristin Reveal. (kristin.reveal@gnuuc.org)

Are you interested in becoming a member of Greater Nashville Unitarian Universalist Congregation (GNUUC)? 

If yes, talk to Rev. Denise. If you’re not sure, read on!

People become members of our congregation by signing our Membership Book and pledging to support the congregation with their time and resources. The privileges of membership include voting at congregational meetings and eligibility for elected or appointed service on the congregation’s Board, Finance Team, or as a GNUUC delegate to the General Assembly of the UUA (Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations). 

To vote in any particular congregational meeting, a member must have signed the Membership Book at least three months prior to the meeting date and must have a recorded contribution to the congregation within the prior twelve months. (To be “recorded”, your contribution must be received with your name attached–as a check or cc contribution, or as cash in a labelled envelope.)

New Members who sign the book during the New Member Signing on February 22, 2026, will be eligible to vote at the May Annual Meeting, as long as we have a recorded contribution. Reach out to Rev. Denise about participating! 

To learn more, email Rev. Denise at revdenise@gnuuc.org.

The Mental Health Cooperative was founded in 1993 with a bold mission to provide community-based care for adults with serious mental illnesses. We united three essential services — Urban Case Management, Continuous Treatment Team, and the Mobile Crisis Team — into one coordinated model focused on access, dignity, and real outcomes.”

The Kitchen's supply of containers used for take-home leftovers is depleted. Please return containers you have used to take leftover food home, or donate any extras that you don't need. Bring them on Sundays and drop off at the Kitchen.

Game Night is canceled this month due to inclement weather.

Come to GNUUC on Sunday, January 18, from 1:00 - 2:00 PM for our next Auction planning session.

New and previous auction planners - join us!

Our theme this year is: Going, Going, Greek!
The lunch will be Greek food - think gyro, falafel, Greek salad, dolmades, marinated veggies, feta, hummus, spanakopita, baklava, etc.

Dan L. is our Auction coordinator.

Mir S. is in charge of lunch. Ryan D. will reach out to local Greek and Mediterranean restaurants for donations. Allie W. will be also be helping. Reach out to Mir to find out how you can help with food.

Carol L, Theresa K., and Sandy B. are in charge of decorations. The Women’s Group will help. They will also make sure the bid paddles have all numbers 1-50.

Ryan D. is in charge of Gift Cards - if you have a place you would like to recommend to donate a gift card, or to recruit yourself, just reach out to him.

Kristin R. is in charge of e-blast updates and marketing to members. She will also recruit Live, Silent, and Intermission events. If you would like to help in this capacity, please reach out. Also, if you are an artisan and could make 10-15 items for donation to the Silent Auction, let her know.

Kris T. and Kristin R. will enter donations into the Auction software and be in charge of tech.

ABOUT THE AUCTION

At GNUUC, the Auction is more than just a fundraiser. We decorate, have food and entertainment, and have a great time! It is one of the best social events of the year. Items are priced so that everyone goes home with something. Join the Auction team - we have so much fun planning this event!

The date of the 2026 Auction is set for the afternoon of Sunday, March 29, 2026. It will include a themed lunch, a live Auction, and fun intermission events and silent action items.

Our January Share the Plate partner is Side with Love, the organizing strategy team of the Unitarian Universalist Association.

Side With Love confronts exclusion, oppression, and violence rooted in identity. With the goal of building Beloved Community, they pursue social change through advocacy, public witness, and solidarity with those whose lives are publicly demeaned.

Through education, organizing, and collective action, Side With Love supports work for democracy, climate justice, racial and immigration justice, and LGBTQIA+ and gender justice—reminding us that these struggles are deeply connected, and that lasting change happens when we act together, grounded in love.

Side With Love has also supported our wider Tennessee UU community, including a recent grant that helped make the TUUCAN Fall Flock in Nashville possible.

We invite you to give generously today as a way of choosing, together, to Side With Love.

Americans United for Separation of Church and State Nashville will be hosting Andrew Seidel, attorney and author, to speak about "Tennessee: The Tip of the Sword of Christian Nationalism. What Can We Do?" on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at 7:00 PM at the Glendale Baptist Church, 1021 Glendale Lane. The event with be emceed by Monte Mader, Deconstructed former Alt-Right Christian Nationalist. Doors open at 6:30 PM.  Light refreshments will be served. 

Middle Tennessee Humanists are hosting national executive director of the American Humanists Association, Fish Stark on December 13, 2025, at 7:00 PM at First UU. The event is being cohosted by Americans United for Separation of Church and State Nashville.

Our December Share the Plate partner is the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) through its Guest at Your Table program. For half a century and counting, UUSC has worked with faith communities across the country to bring our partners’ stories and experiences to your family table. The long-running Guest at Your Table program is a chance to learn about our partners’ work and support our shared efforts to advance human rights.

Now is the time for us to build voter momentum ahead of the December 2 General Election for the 7th Congressional District. Early voting begins today and continues through November 26. A schedule of early voting times and locations can be found here.

After a successful canvassing action last month, NOAH is ready to build on that good work. Two more canvassing dates have been scheduled for November 22 and November 30, so mark your calendars and save the dates! Register now! The more hands and feet we have, the more voters we will reach!

To register for the Lee Chapel (1722 Scovel St, 37208) event on November 22, use the QR code on the attached flyer or click here: 11/22 Lee Chapel Registration

To register for the Muslim American Cultural Center (1513 Jefferson St, 37208) event on November 22, use the QR code or click here: 11/22 MACA Registration

To register for the Riverside Seventh Day Adventist Church (800 Youngs Ln, 37207) event on November 30, use the QR code or click here: 11/30 Riverside Registration

Contact Nancy C with any questions.

Save the Date: November 9, 3 - 5 PM

Location: Scarritt-Bennett Center, 1027 18th Ave S.

NOAH will be hosting a General Election Candidates Forum on November 9th for the winners of the primary for Congressional District 7. A strong turnout at this critical public meeting will make a statement to our candidates that we care about the future of our community! This is a great opportunity to exercise our power as we raise our voices and our concerns, as we make our priorities clear to those representing us.

Save the Date: Sunday, November 23, during Lunch

We’ll be making snack bags for Room In The Inn (RITI) guests to take with them after spending the night here at GNUUC.

We will be hosting 8 guests on the 1st Wednesday of the month, from December to February, plus we might accept extra emergency nights, so we’ll need at least 32 snack bags.

To see what is needed, go to the Build Room In the Inn Snack Bags Event.

Email kristin.reveal@gnuuc.org what you can contribute!

Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee is dedicated to ensuring equitable access to the food and resources people in our community need to thrive. For nearly 50 years, we have welcomed our neighbors with radical hospitality, empowering them to live free from the daily burden of food insecurity. We prioritize innovation and remain committed to sustainability as we strive for a future where everyone is food secure, and no food is wasted.

Vision Presentation Success The Board celebrated the successful presentation of our 2025 vision to the congregation, with excellent feedback from members who found it engaging and thought-provoking.

Preschool Milestone Exciting news! The preschool received zoning approval. Thanks to a $4,000 grant to New Leaf, the remaining fence cost is only $1,100, which the Finance Committee will address. The Board recommended keeping the gates open by default unless security issues arise, and will add reflectors for safety.

Labyrinth Project The Board approved exploring a parking lot labyrinth, proposed by Larry Blanz. We'll start with spray chalk to test the concept, consult with Buildings & Grounds, and potentially coordinate with Reverend Michelle for a labyrinth-focused service in spring 2026.

Next Meeting: November 19, 2025

Date: Saturday, October 25th

Location: Greater Nashville UU Fellowship Hall

Time: 6 PM - 9 PM

Bring your own Pumpkin! Some carving tools are available to use, but feel free to bring your own knife or pumpkin-gut scoop if you prefer.

You may choose to bring a 2-liter, a side, or a dessert if you wish, but not required! Pizza will be provided.

Please stay for the group photo with all the beautiful pumpkins if you can!

Please RSVP to Kayla ASAP so we can get a rough count of how much pizza we need!

This October, GNUUC’s Sharing the Plate partner is Room In The Inn. The program provides safe shelter, warm meals, and fellowship for our neighbors struggling with homelessness during the coldest months of the year.

This year, we will continue to host overnight guests as part of RITI’s Winter Shelter program. Contact Nathaniel B for more information on volunteering.

The October GNUUC Climate Justice Revival has been postponed until Winter / Spring 2026.

With the TUUCAN meeting also happening in October, we felt we had too much going on this month.

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​