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 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.

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. 

The GNUUC Board met on May 14, 2025, with all members present. 

The board reviewed the upcoming annual congregational meeting agenda, approving nominations for Nathaniel B. as President and Gabby D. as Director at Large, with Theresa, Jesse, and Claire up for re-election. They noted no Secretary nomination was received despite efforts by the nominating committee. The board discussed meeting procedures, including how to handle the slate vote, and confirmed a quorum requirement of 14 members.

The board unanimously approved the 2025-26 proposed budget presented by Jesse, which shows a balanced budget with plans to use $9,938 from contingency funds. Key budget elements include maintaining ministerial compensation in line with UUA guidelines, establishing a new lay pastoral care program with Rev. Michelle Peterson as consultant (4 hours/month), and temporarily suspending UUA Annual Program Fund contributions with hopes to make a contribution from the current year's surplus instead.

The board scheduled a transition meeting for June 18th to welcome new board members, and Claire reported on the Contract to Call Task Force progress. Board members also recognized the need to review bylaws in the coming year to better fit the congregation's current size and structure.

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/

This month we are honored to share our offering with Free Hearts, a Tennessee-based organization led by formerly incarcerated women. Rooted in Nashville, Free Hearts works to support and reunite families impacted by incarceration through education, advocacy, and grassroots organizing.

In partnership with the National Bail Out collective, Free Hearts is participating in the 2025 campaign to free as many Black mothers and caregivers as possible in time for Mother’s Day—offering not only release, but reunion, dignity, and healing.

Free Hearts also leads Nashville’s Participatory Defense Hub, a powerful community initiative where families and loved ones come together each week to learn about the court system and advocate for justice. Since 2017, these efforts have resulted in more than 1,100 years of incarceration avoided—a testament to the transformative power of collective care and resistance.

Your generosity today helps Free Hearts continue this vital work: reuniting families, shifting power within the criminal legal system, and imagining a world where love and liberation prevail.

To learn more about Free Hearts, visit https://freeheartsorg.com/.

Dear Members and Friends,

We are grateful to share that we have raised $68,360 so far in our annual pledge campaign. To fund our programs and commitments, we still need at least $11,640.

If you have not yet submitted your pledge card, we invite you to do so as soon as possible. Even if you are giving to sustaining pledge, we like to know that you plan to continue. Your continuing pledge has not been included in this year’s total.

Please visit nashvilleuu.org/pledge to make your pledge today. Your generous support sustains our shared ministry and strengthens our beloved community. (If the form is complicated, you are welcome to email Kristin at kristin.reveal@gnuuc.org or call her directly. Email for phone number.)

With gratitude,
Jesse S-S, Pledge Drive Coordinator
Kristin R, Finance Chair