This month we’ve been learning about four of the courageous changemakers with whom UUSC is partnering to advance human rights and social justice. Here are four short videos in which you can hear directly from these Guests.

All offerings during the Christmas Eve service go toward the Minister’s Discretionary Fund. If you would like to donate now or during the service, you may do so. Via text or online through Breeze. Please text “$50 mdf” to (615) 246-5553 to make a donation to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund or visit Breeze Online Giving. You may adjust the dollar amount.

You may also visit our website to make a donation. Please be sure to select the appropriate category for your donation.

Jane W. has shared a gift with our visiting feathered friends.

SWIM is a week (December 27 – January 1) of virtual UU fun, fellowship, and growth with workshops, concerts, and special events. SWIM is an intentional, inter-generational community of Unitarian Universalists and friends, including awesome people like YOU! We normally gather in South Florida in December but will again meet virtually in 2021. For further information and to register, visit SWIMUU.org

Type of event: Webinar

Email: KCharles@uua.org

Sponsor: UUA Congregational Life Staff Group

With so much uncertainty in the wider world, sometimes it can be hard to find one’s bearings.

Join us to find our collective “compass” as we explore interdependence as a path to wholeness.

Stop by Greater Nashville UU to see our new outdoor gazebo, located between the playground and the Still Spring Park. It is now open to Teams, Covenant Groups, CRE, and other groups who may want to congregate outdoors. A BIG THANK YOU to Jesse S-S, Nathanael R, Sandy B, Larry B, Eric B. (Sandy and Larry's son), Jon H. (Kristin's brother), Caren S-S, and Amelia B for their help.

The Nashville Scene article regarding the meeting on Monday night to discuss state education funding: “Parents and Students Demand ‘a Bigger Pie’ at Education Town Hall”

And from The Tennessean: “Education advocates gave Tennessee schools chief a pecan pie. Here’s why.”

Love Being Sent To You From The Gems

We need you! For each Sunday, we need 2 - 4 greeters. Greeters now play a slightly different role in ministry. We need two people to sit at the two sign-in tables (one at each door) and help people sign in, choose a name tag, and make sure they are masked. We also need one to two people to float and welcome any guest and answer questions. Please sign up! Contact Kris T at gnuuc@gnuuc.org and let her know what Sundays you are available. We’ll train you!

A few of our amazing artist members have been busy hanging their art in the church hallway. The next time you are here for a hybrid service, take a walk down our very own gallery hall!

Our Share the Plate partner for December is the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee Guest At Your Table Program. UUSC works around the world to advance human rights and social justice, transforming our UU values into action. GNUUC has a long tradition of celebrating our UUSC Guests. The theme of this year’s program is “Now is the Time for Courageous Change.”

Please welcome our newest members to the congregation!

We need you: The Worship Team is in need of more volunteers! If you would like to join this vital, creative, collaborative group in a contributing or leadership capacity, please be in touch with Rev. Denise or Jesse Spencer-Smith.

Helping hands needed to complete the gazebo and weed the playground.

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 Tennessee Equality Project Foundation provides educational and awareness programming in Tennessee to advance the inclusion and equality of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people in our state. They monitor and analyze state legislation related to the LGBTQ community, conduct voter registration, advocacy training, sensitivity training, and work against bullying. They also educate the public about state preemption of local government.

During a hybrid service, you can attend either in person or virtually. The goal of the hybrid service is to make the experience of attending a service as similar as possible whether you were attending in person or virtually. If you are attending virtually, you will be able to see, and to be seen. You will be able to see the speaker, the pulpit and the surrounding area, you will be able to see the chalice and people who come up to share joys and concerns. You will be able to hear the speaker, music, and questions and comments from those in attendance, and joys and concerns. You will be able to share joys and concerns much as we have done in virtual services, and those attending in person will be able to see and hear you—Zoom will be projected on the screen in the sanctuary. Attending virtually or in person, you will see and hear, and be seen and be heard.

Are you ready to be back to worship in person? Do you appreciate the work folks have been putting in to bring us together each Sunday?

We've all benefited from the work of a dedicated few. Sadly, the time has come for some of those dedicated volunteers to move on to their next adventures. To keep our services strong and moving toward coming together, we need others willing to pick up the mantle.