Greater Nashville UU News Update
Nov. 5, 2025

www.nashvilleuu.org/eblast

Keep up with all the upcoming events: www.nashvilleuu.org
Follow us! Twitter: @nashvilleuu Facebook: @GNUUC
Submit an announcement here.

Minister’s Note

“Story is our only boat for sailing on the river of time.”
~Ursula K. LeGuin

Beloveds,

Today I am grateful for the stories of gratitude we shared on Sunday, and grateful to Kristin for creating the service which invited those stories. It’s easy to find unhappy things to worry about, sadnesses that genuinely need our attention and compassion, and dangers that call for vigilance and vigorous resistance. It is equally true that our lives are gifted with the presence of each other, the acts of kindness and courage we witness and work, the simple (but not always easy) discipline of keeping each other company, and the joy and inspiration that comes from sharing our stories.

This morning, I spent Zoom time with my sisters, which is always filled with stories: of recent happenings, about our children (who are not children) and elders, comparing notes on what we know about ancestors, trading medical advice and stories (we’re that age now!), and titles of books we have loved enough to recommend. Once again, I am reminded that so many stories touch my own, and I am grateful to have such wise and nourishing companions (you, the sisters, children, elders, the books) as part of my story. I hope your day has its own story of gratitude running through it…

Yours in story and gratitude,
Rev. Denise
RevDenise@gnuuc.org

P.S. Update on our collection of pasta for Second Harvest (with thanks to Elizabeth for raising the question and Caren for researching a better answer than I had!): Second Harvest also needs sauces for the pasta we are collecting! So: for the month of November, we are collecting pasta AND sauce. Pick up a few extra items when you do your regular shopping and leave them in the collection box at church. I will be delivering to 2nd Harvest throughout the month, so give as often as you like through Nov 30!

THIS WEEKEND

Featured

Sun., Nov. 9, 11 AM: Sunday Service, Jesse Spencer-Smith, "The Call We Make Together" (Hybrid)

For the past four years, Rev. Denise Gyauch has served as our contract minister, guiding the Greater Nashville UU Congregation through a time of growth, connection, and renewal. As we enter the Contract to Call process recommended by the Unitarian Universalist Association, our congregation begins a season of discernment — listening together for whether to call Rev. Denise to settled ministry.

In this service, Jesse Spencer-Smith explores the meaning of the call in our UU tradition, the power of congregational polity, and the beauty of shared ministry. Grounded in our congregational mission, covenant, and vision of ministry, this service invites all members and friends to reflect on how we live our faith through love, trust, and community.

Prepared by the Contract to Call Task Force, this service outlines the steps of the Contract to Call Process. All members are encouraged to attend.

Join us as we begin this important chapter in our shared story.

This hybrid service will be in the Sanctuary at Greater Nashville UU Congregation and on Zoom. See How to Join a Virtual Service at GNUUC.

Children and youth will be dismissed to programming after the Time for All Sages.

After service, please join us for a potluck lunch.

Sun., Nov. 9, 2025, 11 AM - noon: Children's Programming

Welcome to the 2025–2026 year of Children’s Religious Education at Greater Nashville UU! This fall we’re creating an emergent faith formation space—a community where kids learn, play, and grow together while exploring our UU values.

Our Fall Schedule

One-Room Schoolhouse (Pre-K–6th): Sept 21, Sept 28, Oct 26, Nov 16, Nov 23, Dec 14, Dec 21
Stories, games, and activities from the Soul Matters themes.
Multigenerational Sundays (1st Sundays): Sept 7, Oct 5, Nov 2, Dec 7
All ages worship together. Wiggle Room open (parent supervision).
Wiggle Room/Playground Sundays:
Sept 14, Oct 12, Nov 9, Dec 28 (staffed)
Nov 30, Dec 28 (parent supervision only).

At GNUUC, children are celebrated just as they are—wiggles, play, and all. Parents and caregivers are supported as partners in nurturing spiritual growth.

For questions or to get involved, contact Kristin R.

Sun., Nov. 9, 1 PM: Worship Team Meeting (Hybrid Sanctuary/Zoom) Newcomers Welcome!

The Worship Team meetings are in-person/hybrid on the 2nd Sunday of the month at 1 PM in the Sanctuary.

Please join us if you are interested in the Sunday Worship Service content, volunteering as a Service Leader or Service Designer, volunteering to play music or sing, or joining the Tech Team. We would love to have you!

If interested in joining on Zoom, the link is in Slack at the top of the Worship channel reach out to revdenise@gnuuc.org to join this channel.

CONGREGATION ANNOUNCEMENTS

Featured

An Introduction to the Contract to Call Process

Dear friends,

For the past four years, Rev. Denise Gyauch has served our congregation as our contract minister. Together, we have grown in trust, deepened our shared ministry, and clarified who we are becoming as a community of faith.

Now, we are entering a new and meaningful phase: discerning whether it is time to call Rev. Denise to settled ministry with the Greater Nashville UU Congregation.

The Contract to Call Process, recommended by the UUA, invites the whole congregation into learning, reflection, and conversation. Over the next several weeks, we’ll explore together what it means to call a minister to settled ministry. The Board has created a Contract to Call task force composed of Kristin Reveal, Carol Looney, and Ryan Davison in implement this process.

Step 1: Sunday, November 9, 11 am.: Worship Service and Sermon “The Call We Make Together” (Hybrid)
This special service will introduce the meaning and purpose of the Contract to Call Process. We’ll reflect on how congregations and ministers discern together, and how covenant, trust, and shared ministry form the heart of this decision. Please make sure to attend, either in person or on Zoom.

Step 2: Small Group Conversations

Following the November 9 service, we’ll hold small-group sessions where every member is invited to share hopes, concerns, and reflections. This is the time we can discuss your questions.

Each group will begin with a chalice lighting, covenant, and deep-listening guidelines. We hope all 51 members and new members will attend one of the following sessions. The sessions will be facilitated by Kristin Reveal, Carol Looney, and Ryan Davison.

If you would like to have an individual session with a member of the Contract to Call Task Force (Kristin, Carol, or Ryan), you can arrange this after attending a small group meeting.

You can use the Contract to Call Sign-Up Form to choose your date, or you can sign up during lunch.

Step 3: Your Voice Matters

After all small groups meet, the Contract to Call Task Force — Kristin Reveal, Carol Looney, and Ryan Davison — will compile a summary report for the Board and Rev. Denise.

The Board will then use this report to determine if the congregation is ready to hold a vote to call Rev. Denise as our settled minister. If we are ready, a congregational meeting will be set in 2026.

Why This Matters

Whether you’ve been here for years or are a new member, your presence and perspective are essential to this discernment.

Let us approach this time with open hearts, deep listening, and gratitude for the ministry we share.

In faith and community,
The Contract to Call Task Force
Kristin Reveal
Carol Looney
Ryan Davison

Save the Date: November 9, 3 - 5 PM

Location: Scarritt-Bennett Center, 1027 18th Ave S.

NOAH will be hosting a General Election Candidates Forum on November 9th for the winners of the primary for Congressional District 7. A strong turnout at this critical public meeting will make a statement to our candidates that we care about the future of our community! This is a great opportunity to exercise our power as we raise our voices and our concerns, as we make our priorities clear to those representing us.

Save the Date: Sunday, November 23, during Lunch

We’ll be making snack bags for Room In The Inn (RITI) guests to take with them after spending the night here at GNUUC.

We will be hosting 8 guests on the 1st Wednesday of the month, from December to February, plus we might accept extra emergency nights, so we’ll need at least 32 snack bags.

To see what is needed, go to the Build Room In the Inn Snack Bags Event.

Email kristin.reveal@gnuuc.org what you can contribute!

Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee is dedicated to ensuring equitable access to the food and resources people in our community need to thrive. For nearly 50 years, we have welcomed our neighbors with radical hospitality, empowering them to live free from the daily burden of food insecurity. We prioritize innovation and remain committed to sustainability as we strive for a future where everyone is food secure, and no food is wasted.

GNUUC Women’s Group has provided requested toys, games, books, weighted blankets, etc. to the new Children and Youth ER Psychiatric unit at the Mental Health Cooperative in Nashville.

The need for mental health services for children is urgent and growing. Left untreated, mental health disorders can cause severe and long-lasting problems

We hope to make this an on-going service project and will inform the congregation of future opportunities.

Read More →