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/.

This year’s banquet will again take place at the Boone Center at Trevecca Nazarene University, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Charlane Oliver, District 19 Senator in the Tennessee legislature, will be our keynote speaker. Tickets may be purchased here. The deadline is MAY 15 for ticket purchase. GNUUC folks can share a table. For information about NOAH and some of its recent accomplishments, opportunities to purchase ads in the banquet program, as well as different levels of sponsorship, click here.

The American Civil Liberties Union originated in 1920 as a response to the Palmer raids, in which thousands of people were arrested without warrants or regard to constitutional protections against unlawful search and seizure, then brutally treated and held in horrible conditions before deportation. The ACLU today is the nation's largest public interest law firm, with a 50-state network of staffed, autonomous affiliate offices. It appears before the United States Supreme Court more than any other organization except the U.S. Department of Justice. About 500 ACLU staff attorneys collaborate with about 2,000 volunteer attorneys in handling close to 2,000 cases annually.

We are thrilled to share that the Fiesta 2025 Auction raised $8,343, surpassing our goal of $8,000!

This year’s auction was a resounding success — and it was amazing to witness our community come together to make it happen. The event was a true reflection of the power of collaboration, generosity, and shared purpose. Thank you all for turning our vision into reality.

Heartfelt thanks to everyone who made it possible:

-Kris T. for Auctria support and donation entry— a monumental effort!
-Jesse S-S. for thoughtfully assisting with live auction item planning.
-Dan L. for his dynamic and entertaining work as our auctioneer.
-Mirabelle S. and the Tex-Mex food crew for preparing a truly delicious meal (see Maribelle’s Thank You).
-The Women’s Group for crafting beautiful and festive decorations.
-The Saturday Setup Crew for transforming the space by setting up tables, silent auction displays, and live auction items.
-Kris T. and family (again!) for stepping up to ensure a smooth registration, bidding, and checkout process.
-To all who donated, all who attended, and all who bid — your contributions made this event joyful and successful.

Together, we created more than just an auction — we strengthened our community. Thank you!

Many thanks to the following who helped make the Taco Bar a great success-I know I’ve missed some, please forgive me, if I have.

Bonnie, who supplied lovely Mexican cookies and rice, an homage to her New Mexico roots, and took care of the cold section;

Leisa, who prepped all the veggies and took care of the tacos and tortillas;

Mike for his delicious key lime pies;

Lisa who brought a delicious flan with chocolate cake, and with Gina, were the baristas for the delicious beverages;

Jane W. who quietly and without fuss did whatever she was called upon to do, cleared tables, and more;

Dan, who sourced 99% of the food, and was still running to Kroger in the last minutes; 

And very, very special thanks to Charles and Melissa who were there when I arrived, warmed up and set up almost all of the food, stayed throughout  the serving, washed ALL of the dishes, pots and pans, and serving dishes ENTIRELY by themselves- thank you - you were my rock.

Mirabelle

All food, drinks, and desserts will be provided. Please do not bring any food, as there is no need or room. Vegetarian and vegan options will be available.

Sunday morning at 9:00 AM, assistance is needed to put out the food and clean up after lunch.

Please, can you let Mirabelle S. know if you’re available.

April 5, 2025, is the deadline to apply or recertify for Nashville’s Tax Relief and Tax Freeze programs for 2024. These programs are for those 65 and older, the disabled, and disabled veterans and widow(ers). This is the first year that the qualifying annual household income limit has been raised to $60,000 for the tax freeze program; the income limit for the tax relief program is $36,370. You can find more information about the two programs here and here. Download a flyer here.

Mark your calendars now for NOAH’s annual banquet on May 29 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. This year’s banquet will again take place at the Boone Center at Trevecca Nazarene University, with Charlene Oliver, District 19 Senator in the Tennessee legislature, as keynote speaker. More details to come. Watch this space!

The picnic is on May 17 and runs from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Please see Bonnie G. to select a two-hour period in which you would be willing to help out. We will have GNUUC brochures to hand out and encourage guests to come check us out!

Join us on Sunday, March 30, 2025, for the GNUUC Fiesta 2025! Our annual lunch & auction is our biggest fundraiser of the year.

Tex Mex Taco Lunch: 12:15 PM
Live Auction: 1:30 PM
Location: 374 Hicks Road, Nashville, TN 37221
Cost: $10 for Tex Mex Taco lunch and bidder number
Guests and children eat lunch for free.

Visit the Auction Website to See the Catalog and buy Tickets!

The Auction Website is LIVE! Go to the Auction website to register and purchase tickets to the auction and to see the Auction catalog. Tickets can also be purchased at the door.

Can’t Make the Auction?

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 right now!
  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.

John Brown, a founding member of GNUUC, died early this morning, March 5, 2025, after a year-long battle with a rare form of leukemia. John and his wife Loretta moved to Perth, West Australia, several years ago to be near their only daughter Kristen, her children, and grandchildren. Kristen was with John at his passing. Two sisters of John from eastern North Carolina, John’s home of origin, have been in Australia to be with John at the end. Many will remember John as the blind bagpipe and penny whistle player at GNUUC. John was always ready with a good tale or arcane fact. He was blind from birth and, for more than 25 years, held the record for the lowest-weight surviving birth in North Carolina. To John’s great fortune, he met Loretta early in life, and they had been married for more than 50 years.  Our dear Loretta has welcomed messages from her church family. You will find her contact information on Breeze.

At GNUUC, the Auction is more than just a fundraiser. We decorate, have food and entertainment, and have a great time! This year our theme is “Fiesta 2025.”

We are planning for a Live Auction and set price Intermission items/events.

Tickets are $10 and include a Tex Mex lunch and bidder number. Children/Teens 18 and under are free but must have a Teen/Child’s ticket to attend.

Lunch is Tex-Mex taco bar. (Meat and Vegetarian)

We need Auction Donations Now! Click Read More below to learn how to donate to the live auction, intermission items/events, and Tex Mex taco lunch. Please let us your donations as soon as possible. Donations are accepted until Sunday, March 23!

Go to the Auction Donation Page and fill out the Auction Donation Form.

We will be having a themed “Souper Bowl” Sunday Potluck Lunch after ther service on February 9. We are asking for 4-5 soups and sides you would bring to a Superbowl Party. We are also hosting a canned soup drive for the food pantry at the same time. Any questions, contact Gina.

⁸The Faith Forward program out of the First Unitarian Church of Dallas is excited to offer an online session of our Biblical Literacy series for all congregations. We will offer this 11-week course in two parts, one in the winter and one in the fall. Part I includes the sessions "Approaching the Bible;" "Many Books, Many Sources," "God and Covenant," "Jesus in the Gospels," "Kingdom of God Parables," "Creation Stories," and "The Bible and Our Lives." This is a unique opportunity to view the Bible through a Unitarian Universalist lens.

Commemorating National Religious Freedom Day

Thank you to all who contributed to the GNUUC Vision of Ministry for this year!

GNUUC Vision of Ministry 2024-25 (as stated and approved by our Board):

Cultivating a safe space in our community by welcoming & caring for each other, both inside and outside our walls, and celebrating the unique gifts of each person.

Hurricane Helene is now the second deadliest hurricane to hit the mainland U.S. and has left a trail of devastation across the southeastern states. Just days later, Hurricane Milton made landfall as a Category 3 Hurricane. Communities are grappling with catastrophic landslides, historic flooding, and relentless rainfall. Millions of people remain without power, and homes, streets, and businesses have been damaged or destroyed.

You may have recently received a text from Breeze asking you to OPT IN to receiving texts from GNUUC. To continue getting text alerts for church events and announcements, please text YES to 87447 or STOP to no longer receive text notifications.

Board Service Discussion: went into more detail about the specifics of the service

-Creating a framework of the vision of ministry to bring to the congregation

-Reflecting on last year’s vision

Discussion of Policies

-Alcohol use policy: What do we want to put in the policy, how specific do we want it to be? Emphasized need for responsible adult around if minors and alcohol are present, all Board members will play a part in crafting a policy

-Building Usage Policy: There was a motion for the Board to authorize the ability for the Minister and Administrator to negotiate prices for building usage, seconded and passed with unanimous approval

Enacted outside of the meeting: The Board approved the Restatement of the UUA Retirement Plan (to take effect 1 January 2025) on October 29.