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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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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Wed, June 12, 6:30 PM: Nashville Pride Spirituality at First UU
Rev. Denise will be leading a meditation during the event. This interfaith community-wide service will lift up how we all find our sacredness. We’ll share traditions and rituals from our respective groups. And much singing and love will be shared. Sunday Assembly, Music City Sisters, The Table, Congregation Micah, Covenant of the Cross, Nashville in Harmony, Nashville Pagan Coven, FUUN, and Major Minors will be present. Come celebrate and be celebrated. Sponsored by Nashville Pride.
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Tue., June 18: 6:30 PM: NOAH Banquet, Keynote Speaker Dr. Michael Eric Dyson! “A Decade of Justice: Building a Legacy and Charting a Way Forward”
Join us for a fun-filled night to commemorate a decade of NOAH on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at the Boone Convocation Center on the campus of Trevecca Nazarene University, 333 Murfreesboro Pike, Nashville TN 37210. The theme is "A Decade of Justice: Building a Legacy and Charting a Way Forward." We are hosting our biggest celebration yet, with dinner (including a vegan option) and live music, plus a special presentation from our keynote speaker Dr. Michael Eric Dyson! For tickets contact Nancy or Doug.
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June 22 - 23: Nashville Pride Festival & Parade
Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park
Saturday June 22, 2024 (11a-9p)
Sunday June 23, 2024 (11a-7p)
The Nashville Pride Festival returns to Bicentennial Park on Saturday June 22nd and Sunday June 23rd. Nashville Pride is a two-day LGBTQI+ festival featuring top-rated entertainment on multiple stages, a Kids and Family Area, Youth Area, Community Art Installations, and over 225 vendors featuring local not for profits, artists, and businesses.
Nashville Pride is committed to creating a safe and inclusive space for all members of the LGBTQI+ community.
Tickets start at $10. Ages 10 and under do not require a ticket to attend
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June 30, 2024: Listening Circle
Please join Rev. Denise Gyauch on Sunday, June 30, 2024, after service for a Listening Circle. All are welcome and encouraged to attend!
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June Share the Plate Partner is Anera - Gaza Emergency Response
Anera, which has no political or religious affiliation, works on the ground with partners in Palestine (West Bank and Gaza), Lebanon and Jordan. We mobilize resources for immediate emergency relief and for sustainable, long-term health, education, and economic development. Our staff serve in their communities, navigating the politics that constrict progress to get help where it’s needed most.
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Sat., June 1: Workday at the Playground 9 AM to noon!
Workday at the Playground June 1, 9 AM to noon! Mulch will be delivered Saturday morning and needs to be spread around the playground. Bring a wheelbarrow, shovel, gloves and yourself. We have buckets, shovels and rakes.
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Sun., Jun. 9, 2 PM: The Old Folkie Ken Sizemore in Concert (GNUUC Sanctuary)
Ken Sizemore will perform songs from a decade of very special music——“The 60’s REVISITED”!
Tickets are $15 at the door, cash or check.
Ken will play songs from three genres…Folk, Country, and Pop Music.
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Auction and Italian Dinner Success in 2024
This year's GNUUC auction exceeded our goal bringing in over $8000! Sincere thanks go out to all our members who donated food or auction items, attended the auction lunch or bought items at the auction. It was a fun event, and we all helped with the church's budget!
Seats are still available at the Ken Sizemore concert on June 9 and the Roger Wiesmeyer recital on August 18. Email gnuuc@gnuuc.org for more information.
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Board Meeting Summary from May 15, 2024
Please read more for details of the last Board meeting on May 15, 2024.
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Update from Finance
This past Sunday we met for our Annual Congregational Meeting and passed our annual budget for the GNUUC 2024-2025 Fiscal Year. Please drop me an email at jesse.spencersmith@gmail.com if you’d like to have a copy of the approved budget.
It’s important to note that we do not draw on contingency funds for our budget for the year! Thanks to your generous pledges, a well-planned and successful auction, and New Leaf Preschool renting our RE space for the full year, we are able to plan a budget that is balanced for the first time since the pandemic.
Some important highlights of the budget:
We are budgeting support for the Unitarian Universalist Association after not being able to budget for this last year. The UUA depends on congregations for their support, so this is an important improvement.
We have increased the budget for Buildings and Grounds to help address the cost of painting our building.
Due to a technical glitch, pledge request letters went out AGAIN on Tuesday, May 21. Know that we HAVE gratefully received and recorded your pledges. As I noted in a follow-up letter, I would not mind this technical problem, except for the fact that it went out before we had a chance to send out our thanks to each of you for your loving, generous support of GNUUC.
--
Jesse S-S
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May Share the Plate: Planned Parenthood of Tennessee and North Mississippi
Our May Share the Plate organization is Planned Parenthood - Tennessee & North Mississippi, a nonprofit healthcare agency. They provide essential reproductive healthcare and gender-affirming care. Abortion is still legal in many states, and it's legal to go to a different state to get an abortion. If you live in Tennessee or Mississippi and need an abortion, our Patient Navigation team offers needed resources.
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Summary of Extra Board meeting on April 24, 2024
The Board discussed the extension of the A New Leaf school lease for an additional 12 months and received an update on the annual stewardship drive. The Board discussed the importance of welcoming and membership in the coming year. The Board planned the agenda for the upcoming May 5th briefing of the congregation and confirmed that the meeting will be hybrid. This is a preliminary Q&A session in advance of the Congregational Meeting on May 19. The Board put plans in place to start congregational visioning for the next 30 years with a progress assessment scheduled around December 2024.
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April Board Meeting Summary
The board confirmed that the current members are all likely willing and able to continue to serve on the board if asked. The board discussed the ongoing occupancy of the RE building by A New Leaf school. The board began making plans for congregational meetings and training priorities for the upcoming 2024/2025 fiscal year.
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GNUUC Italian Lunch & 2024 Live Auction is Sunday, April 28, at 12:15 PM: Website Catalog is Live. Purchase Tickets Now.
DETAILS:
Date: Sunday, April 28, 2024
Lunch: 12:15 PM
Cost: $10 (Guests to the Service and children under 13 are free.)
Live Auction: 1:30 PM
Location: 374 Hicks Road, Nashville, TN 37221
TICKETS & WEBSITE
Auction Website: Purchase Tickets and View Catalog
Purchasing Tickets online does not require a credit card - just choose the option: Write a check to GNUUC and put "Auction" in the memo.
Tickets can also be purchased onsite, however, there is usually a bottleneck - just a forewarning!
CAN’T MAKE THE AUCTION?
The Auction is our largest fundraiser of the year. We count on your participation to make this a successful event. Our fundraising goal is $5,200!
If you can't make the Auction date/time:
Consider using a Proxy bidder.
Peruse the online auction catalog and your proxy can make bids for you. You will be sent an invoice after the Auction, which you can pay online. Need help or a proxy? Contact Kristin at kristin.reveal@gnuuc.org.
Some "Intermission" concerts/events can also be purchased online on Sunday.
There are upcoming concerts and events that are discounted if you purchase tickets at the Auction.
Or consider making a donation to Greater Nashville UU with "Auction" in the memo.
Go to the Donate page at our website and choose "Give to the Auction" in the box.
WE STILL NEED SOME FOOD DONATIONS
Click to the Details page and scroll to bottom for suggestions. (Updated as of Wed morning.)
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