Congregational Meeting Vote Results

GNUUC Members,

The members of the Contract to Call Task Force (Ryan D., Carol L., and Kristin R.) wanted to thank you for the exceptional turn out at Sunday's Congregational Meeting. We also wanted to thank each and every one of you for your engagement and honest reflections throughout this process. We truly feel like we are a more cohesive and healthy congregation now than we were several months ago. This process has strengthened us in ways that will service us well into the future.

The resolution proposed during the meeting was:

"That the Greater Nashville Unitarian Universalist Congregation call Reverend Denise Gyauch to be our Settled Minister, effective immediately, upon the terms and conditions outlined in the Ministerial Agreement to be signed pending an acceptable and accepted congregational call vote."

Of our 51 Voting members, we had 42 people participate in Congregational Meeting and vote via in-person vote, Zoom vote, proxy vote, and absentee vote. Of the 42 participants, 41 people voted for the resolution and 1 person voted against.

The resolution passed. Reverend Denish in turn, accepted the call and signed the Ministerial Agreement.

According to the UUA Contract to Call process, the next steps in the process as as follows:

• Installation Ceremony
  It is customary to celebrate a successful call with an installation ceremony. The installation ceremony will distinguish when the minister enters a new stage of ministry with the congregation. This is a separate celebration from that of the covenanting service (a ritual typically performed between the minister and congregation at the beginning of a contract ministry). The installation ceremony signifies that a significant commitment has been made.

• Committee on Ministry
  Early in the ministry partnership, the congregation may have formed a Committee on Ministry to facilitate a supportive relationship between the minister and lay leaders, and with other members of the congregation. This committee supports the idea of “shared ministry” in the congregation based upon how the mission of the congregation is identified, as well as the role of the minister in that mission. Lay leaders and the minister all carry shared responsibility for accomplishing the goals.
  
  If this kind of Committee on Ministry exists, it should continue into, and remain an active part of, settled ministry.

  The role of the Committee on Ministry is changing in many congregations. The minister, board and congregation should consider whether and how a Committee on Ministry can best support vibrant shared ministry in the congregation.

We also invite all members and friends to join us for a Shared Ministry meeting on Sunday, March 1 at 1 PM. Ryan D. and Rev. Denise will lead the meeting. We'll review the Suggestions for the Future document. Look for upcoming announcements!

And with that information, the work of our Contract to Call Task Force is finished. It has been our honor to serve you.

With love,

Kristin R.
Ryan D.
Carol L.