On Thursday, February 18, at 7:00 pm, the Temple’s Social Justice Team will host a virtual panel discussion on the death penalty considering the issue from four perspectives. Participants include the Rev. Stacy Rector, Executive Director of Tennesseans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, federal public defender Kelley Henry, Rolanda Holman, sister of Pervis Payne, and exoneree Sabrina Butler-Smith.

The Tennessee Justice Center’s goal is health justice and equity, achieved when every person, regardless of race, income, education, gender or other status, has access to what they need to be healthy. TJC works with clients to help them get the food and healthcare they need. TJC advocates that laws and policies honor the value and potential of every person.

NOAH’s Action of Public Lamentation was a moving action of public witness and a success in terms of media attention. Thank you to those who made stars for this event. Stories appeared in the Tennessean, on NewsChannel 5, and on Fox 17. To date, however, the governor has not taken action. Please contact Governor Lee today about releasing stockpiled TANF money!

Our Share the Plate Partner for January 2021 is Open Table Nashville, an interfaith homeless outreach nonprofit that disrupts cycles of poverty, journeys with the marginalized, and provides education about issues of homelessness. They take a stand on the side of people experiencing homelessness and work for justice by fostering personal and systemic transformation. Please give generously.

On Tuesday, Dec. 29, NOAH is holding a PUBLIC ACTION, calling on Governor Lee and our state government to do the following:

• Issue a statewide mask mandate;

• Immediately free up the surplus $740 million in federal TANF funds to help low-income families with children (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families).

This public action will pay tribute to lives lost to COVID-19.

So what have NOAH’s task forces been accomplishing? They have been working on Affordable Housing, Education, Criminal Justice, and Economic Equity & Jobs. NOAH’s vision is for Nashville to be a city that is anti-racist and just and equitable for all people. Here a link to NOAH’s accomplishments and progress.

Recently, House Speaker Cameron Sexton appointed Laurie Cardoza-Moore, a notorious bigot, to the Tennessee Textbook Commission. A diverse group of interfaith leaders are uniting in opposition and asking for her appointment to be rescinded because of her anti-Muslim rhetoric and promotion of false historical narratives. And they are asking us to join them in signing on to their letter.

Our December Share the Plate partner is the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee Guest At Your Table Program. UUSC works around the world to promote human rights and social justice, transforming UU values into action. This year marks GNUUC’s 26th year of participating in the Guest at Your Table program. Our primary fundraiser for UUSC is our Share the Plate program.

Some suggestions for material donations for Room In The Inn. Look in the attic and the cupboards.

Some of us were able to attend the Palmer Lecture last Saturday, where we heard Rasheedat Fetuga, founder and CEO of Gideon’s Army, speak on Healing Justice. She described the inspiration driving her life’s work on behalf of children and the ongoing progress in bringing restorative justice practices to MNPS and the community. You can view the presentation here.

For the past several years, GNUUC has volunteered in RITI’s Winter Shelter program. We are sad that we aren’t able to do this during the pandemic. The pandemic is increasing homelessness, threatening the health of the homeless, and making providing services to the homeless more difficult. They can use our financial support all the more this year. Please give generously!

Thank you to everyone who attended NOAH’s annual public meeting, “The Fierce Urgency of NOW”, last Sunday! Here is a link to a recording of the event, in case you missed it (or just want to relive it!). Here are links to two news stories about the event, one in the Tennessean and one by WSMV.

GNUUC joined with NOAH organization members throughout Nashville to strive for 100% registration and voting among all eligible members. Thanks to everyone who participated in our GNUUC Voter Challenge. We will be reporting at the NOAH Public Meeting this Sunday that at least 96% of our people are committed to voting! Read more>>

We exist solely to help lgbtq+ children in need to feel safe, secure and valued. Every decision we make is in service to them.

GNUUC is joining NOAH organization members throughout Nashville to strive for 100% registration and voting among all eligible members. Please help us reach our goal by completing the pledge. “The vote is the most powerful nonviolent change agent you have in a democratic society. You must use it because it is not guaranteed. You can lose it.” (John Lewis)

Are you or someone you know struggling to pay rent due to a COVID-19-related job loss or reduction? Good news! Affordable Housing Resources, a local non-profit, may be able to help you.

"Peace be with you" is a traditional greeting in Hebrew, Christian, and Islamic traditions. But this "peace" is not just the absence of conflict. It means "completeness," "wholeness," and having what you need. Many Nashvillians are desperate for peace, for wholeness, in the COVID-19 economic crisis – especially those facing eviction.

GNUUC has a long-standing tradition of community outreach, in our annual fundraising to support the work of Nashville CARES.

The deadline to register to vote in the November 3 election is October 5. To register or update your registration online, go here. (You must have voted in person at least one time or registered in person at the Davidson County Election Commission, in order to vote absentee.) To make sure you have not been purged, check your registration status. Early voting will start on October 14 and run through October 29. If you plan to vote in person, go early!

A BIG THANK YOU to all who have donated to “Share the Plate” in June and July! In June we raised $395.50 for the Mayor’s COVID-19 Response Fund. In July we raised $511 for Black Lives Matter. Everyone remember to contribute to UU the Vote in August - we have one Sunday left!