Financial Review

- Reviewed budget to actuals and financial position. Insurance costs have increased significantly due to claims, but new revenue sources (facility rentals, donations) help offset this.

Timetable for Pledge Campaign

-The pledge campaign is planned for April 7 and April 14 (materials will be distributed). The goal is to finalize pledges by April 21 to inform budget planning and stewardship celebrated. The date of the congregational meeting is tentatively set for May 19th.

Creating a Culture of Periodic Self-Assessment

- An assessment task force proposed establishing an annual self-assessment for key church groups/teams. The goal is to empower teams and build community. The board will conduct a self-assessment in February using the governance policy document as a guide.

Discussions on Rev. Denise's Contract

- A small task force comprised of Jesse Spencer-Smith (Treasurer) and Claire Stanton (At-Large) will meet with Rev. Denise to discuss potential updates to her contract for the next fiscal year. These early discussions allow time to finalize details aligned with the budget by March/April.

Lease with the New Leaf Preschool: The members discussed updates regarding the proposed use of the RE Building by New Leaf. This continues to move forward appropriately. It was proposed that liaisons be appointed from the congregation and New Leaf, with Rev. Denise potentially being the representative from the congregation, as she was already in contact with the school.

Share the Plate Conversation: As part of her monthly report to the Board, Rev. Denise briefed the board on the pastoral care issues related to conversations about the November Share the Plate partner.

Parking Lot Concerns: We discussed the few incident reports regarding the parking lot. These discussions were focused on addressing the challenges posed by the parking lot's location and its potential attractiveness as a secluded spot. Solutions such as improved lighting and security measures were discussed, but the consensus was that we are doing all that is appropriate at the moment. Non-police intervention will continue to be used, with police intervention used as appropriate.

- Claire will send a list of small congregations in nearby states to Carol to potentially reach out to about governance models. The goal is to learn how other small congregations operate and make decisions. 

- A New Leaf preschool representative visited to view the rental space for a potential lease. Discussions are ongoing. 

- A job description was created for hiring a bookkeeper on a contract basis for around 7 hours per month. The board approved hiring someone and will use contingency funds to pay them.

- The board agreed to spend the last 5 minutes of each meeting reviewing and approving a summary of the meeting to be shared with the congregation. This will be sent to Kris for the weekly eblast and also printed for the bulletin board. 

- The board reviewed the monthly finance reports. Pastoral care funds may need to be supplemented given low remaining balance. A bookkeeper will be paid from contingency funds, not added to the budget.

- The healthy congregations team currently includes Jane Spears and Gene Bryant. Reverend Denise works with the team.

- The board formally created a 2 person task force of Caren Spencer Smith and Reverend Denise to continue the dialogue on assessment.

- There was discussion around a UUA request for assistance for a program to support transgender individuals traveling through Nashville. Reverend Denise will inform the congregation of this opportunity.

Overall, the meeting focused on improving transparency through posting board meeting summaries, making progress on important administrative needs like hiring a bookkeeper, and having generative discussions to support the congregation's mission and needs.

The GNUUC Board invites you to attend the Annual Congregational Meeting on Sunday, May 14, 2023, at 1PM (after Mother’s Day lunch). All voting members will have the opportunity to vote, in person or via Zoom, on the following: 1) Election of the Board Slate and 2) Annual Budget.

We are looking forward to seeing you all there! GNUUC President, Tina Conti

Our Annual Pledge Campaign runs from March 12, 2023, through March 26, 2023.

Pledge season is a time to reconsider the ways in which we each contribute to our communal life, to dream about lovely and exciting things we might do and create together, and to recognize that our individual generosity is the lifeblood of our congregation and crucial to the embodiment of our collective commitment to the transforming power of love.

This an invitation to love yourself, each other, and the communities in which our congregation is embedded, to be a part of choosing who and how we hope to be together in the future, and to make plans about how you will share your time, attention, and money with GNUUC next year.

Make your commitment to our future together at Greater Nashville Unitarian Universalist Congregation by visiting https://www.nashvilleuu.org/pledge (or mailing in a hard copy pledge card) and pledging as generously as you are able.

Now is the time. This is your invitation.

Hybrid: Pittsburgh, PA/ Zoom. June 21 - 25, 2023. Are you interested in attending GA this year? GNUUC will pay the registration fees for its 2 voting delegates. Plus, members can apply to the Larry Romans Leadership Fund if they are not a delegate and interested in attending for assistance with registration fees. If you are interested in attending or learning more, click Read More below.

Greater Nashville UU Congregation is pleased to announce its 2022-2023 Board: President Tina C., Vice-President: Caren S-S., Secretary: Bonnie G., Treasurer: Ryan D., and Members-at-large: Theresa T-K, Sandy B, and Eddie B. The new board starts service on July 1st.

Our pledge campaign this year is “Holding Space for the Future.” Click Read More below to read an invitation to pledge and see the proposed budget. Make your commitment to our future together at Greater Nashville Unitarian Universalist Congregation by visiting https://www.nashvilleuu.org/pledge and pledging as generously as you are able.

We, the Board of the Greater Nashville Unitarian Universalist Congregation, support the adoption of the proposed 8th Unitarian Universalist principle.

Hybrid: Portland, Oregon / Zoom. June 22 - 26, 2022. Are you interested in attending GA this year? GNUUC will pay the registration fees for its 2 voting delegates. Plus, members can apply to the Larry Romans Leadership Fund if they are not a delegate and interested in attending for assistance with registration fees. If you are interested in attending or learning more, click Read More below.

The Board has passed an Indoor Hybrid Meeting policy! With certain precautions, we can now gather indoors. We encourage everyone who can to get vaccinated. Masks are required. Stay home if your sick. Whenever possible, especially for worship, remote options will be available. We’ll do our best to make our building safer. Trust yourself - you are the best judge of your comfort and safety. For details, click Read More.

The building is now available for indoor meetings! Plus, we have a new cedar 12x16 Gazebo between the Still Spring Park and Playground, with internet and power! Team Leaders / Group Sponsors who are members of GNUUC are welcome to request this space. Here’s how!

The recent Shared Ministries meeting on Sunday, September 12th, resulted in two lists of committed volunteers for two task forces: one to complete and manage the COVID 19 Safety Policy and one to manage infrastructure needs related to a hybrid service structure.

In the Governance and Ministry model, the Vision of Ministry is an answer to the question, “In what new and different ways will we transform lives this year?” Each year, at the Annual Board Retreat, the minister and the Board, do our best to answer that question. This year, we kept it simple. We have one goal: To nurture or connections. Our connections to each other. Our connections to our physical place. And our connections to our Middle Tennessee community. The Shared Ministries Council will be meeting this Sunday to discuss how different Teams can make this vision happen this year. For more details about this year’s vision, click Read More below.

Our guest has moved out of the church and is in an apartment in Nashville. Thank you to all who helped both physically and monetarily to make our guest’s stay successful and his move an easy process..

For me, the first time I heard of K and his need for emergency shelter was on April 22nd at the GNUUC board meeting, although others in Social Action and leadership had already begun plans for GNUUC to provide sanctuary - a place of refuge and safety - to a new member of our community in desperate need.

Some weeks are busier than others, in the world, in our lives, and in the congregation. For GNUUC, this was one of those weeks.

The 5/23/2021 Sunday Service included the Annual Meeting, with about 30 attendees. Within this meeting, Nathanael Reveal and others provided an update on the ministerial search, presented the proposed GNUUC budget and slate of GNUUC board officers for the 2021-2022 operational year.

Please offer feedback on the proposed "Emergency Shelter" policy.

Please offer feedback on the proposed "Outdoor Gathering" policy.

Minister Search Task Force Formed