Time: 12:45 PM - 2:00 PM (in Sanctuary)
Dates: September 21, October 26, November 16, and December 14.

This fall, we’re offering UU Compass, a multi-generational small group (teens through adults) based on the Starting Point curriculum from Soul Matters.

UU Compass is not a lecture series — it’s an experience.

Together, we’ll practice deep listening, share our personal journeys, and explore Unitarian Universalism as a living path of meaning and connection.

Together we’ll:

Explore Our Journeys – reflect on our own spiritual paths and what brought us here.

Discover Our Tradition – learn the unfolding story of Unitarian Universalism through the lens of healing disconnection.

Build Connections – practice the deep listening and sharing that make small groups so life-giving in UU congregations.

Find Our Next Step – discern how each of us can walk more deeply with this community, whether as a newcomer or a longtime member.

Who is UU Compass for?

Newcomers who want more than information — a real taste of UU community.

Long-time members seeking to reconnect with UU values and practices.

Teens and adults alike, eager to walk together across generations.

Whether you’re brand new or have been here for decades, UU Compass will help you find your bearings, discover companions, and chart the next step of your journey.

Facilitators: Kristin R. with Nathaniel B.

Want more information? Contact Kristin R. (kristin.reveal@gnuuc.org)

Welcome to the 2025 -2026 Academic Year!

Greater Nashville UU uses an emergent faith formation space to build community and faith formation with our children and youth. We know that time is a precious resource for parents and volunteers. An emergent faith formation space is a less structured, more experiential approach to spiritual growth that prioritizes relationships, authenticity, and community over traditional curricula and rigid doctrines. These spaces allow for co-creation, collaboration, and opportunities for individuals to explore and "own" their faith in authentic and transformative ways.

What does this look like? On some Sundays we have One-Room Schoolhouse, on others multigenerational services, and on some staffed Wiggle Room/Playground free-play.

Here is a General Calendar

For details on what is happening on what Sunday, contact Kristin R. (kristin.reveal@gnuuc.org)

Multigenerational Sundays (1st Sundays): Sept 7, Oct 5, Nov 2, Dec 7

Very family friendly. These services do not have a “sermon,” but instead have short, interactive components.

One-Room Schoolhouse: Sept 21, Sept 28, Oct 26, Nov 16, Nov 23, Dec 14, Dec 21

Children leave service after the Time for All Sages and exit to class. Teens can help in the One-Room Schoolhouse or attend service.

Multigenerational RE: UU Compass (Teens - Adults): September 21, October 26, November 16, and December 14.

After lunch, Teens go to the UU Compass small group. (See more information below.)

Wiggle Room/Playground Sundays:

Once a month we have free-play staffed by two trained Children’s RE volunteers. There isn’t a lesson on these days; we will have free play, either in the Wiggle Room or the playground.

Sept 14, Oct 12, Nov 9, Dec 28 (staffed)

Nov 30, Dec 28 (parent supervision only)

Community Events: Join us for community Game Nights, Movie Nights, Trivia Nights, and Hanging of the Greens! Some of these events are on Saturday evenings and some on Sunday mornings. Teens also participate in Climate Justice Workshops, as well as other Social Justice events.

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.

Sunday, September 28, 11:30 am-2 pm.

First UU Nashville at 1808 Woodmont Blvd.

We have an invitation from First UU’s new minister, Rev. Charlotte Arsenault, to FUUN’s Epic 75th Anniversary Cook-Out. It’s on September 28, and overlaps a bit with our service, but might be a good opportunity for those interested to pop over, meet Rev. Charlotte Arsenault, and say “hi” from Greater Nashville UU.

Folks will be invited to enjoy hamburgers and hot dogs, and we'll provide all the fixings as well as gluten-free and vegan options. Everyone attending is encouraged to bring their favorite side dish, and we'll have lots of yummy desserts available to help commemorate this great milestone. In addition, we'll have several bands playing, so everyone is welcome to bring their lawn chairs. And, this is a family affair as we'll have facepainting and a Foamboree party available (be sure to bring flip flops or water shoes, goggles, a towel, sunscreen, and bug spray if you plan to participate in the foam!).

Read more to see flyer and video invitation.

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 GNUUC Board held its monthly meeting on June 18, with members gathering via Zoom to discuss congregational matters and plan for the future.

Financial Update

Treasurer Jesse Spencer-Smith reported excellent financial news. The congregation exceeded budget projections with pledge income at 110% and plate income at 131% of budgeted amounts. The positive financial position will allow GNUUC to prepay next year's UUA Annual Fund contribution ($6,600) and add $2,000 to the building capital fund for future AC unit replacements.

Annual Meeting Reflection

Board members reflected on the recent annual meeting, acknowledging that some discussions became heated, particularly around budget matters. The board identified key learnings:

-Share the budget with congregants well before the annual meeting to allow time for questions and discussion
-Implement regular "meet your board member" opportunities during Sunday announcements
-Better prepare congregants for productive participation through resources like the "Be Prepared, Be Kind" guide to annual meetings

Contract to Call Update

Claire S. reported on the Contract to Call Task Force progress. The team is working to schedule a meeting with UUA representative Christine Purcell to clarify next steps. 

Looking Ahead

Board Retreat: Scheduled for Saturday, August 30, 9 AM - 2 PM at Jesse S-S's home.

Shared Ministry: Rev. Denise will provide updates during Shared Ministry meetings about her ministerial activities to help congregants better understand the breadth of her work.

Appreciation

The board expressed deep gratitude to outgoing members Tina and Carol for their years of dedicated service and welcomed new members Nathaniel B. and Gabby to their roles. A special congregational meeting to officially elect Gabby to the board was scheduled for August 24, following the Sunday service.

The meeting concluded with members feeling optimistic about GNUUC's financial health and committed to improving communication and processes for the congregation's continued growth.

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.