Greater Nashville UU News Update
Feb. 11, 2026
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Minister’s Note
Feb. 11, 2026
“There’s so much to do. We need everyone to be healthier. Trusting each other
- individually, as a congregation, as a larger system of congregations and communities - is the only way we’re gonna get it done.”
~Kimberly Debus
Dear Ones,
The quotation above landed in my inbox this morning, courtesy of my colleague Kimberly Debus’ blog “Hold My Chalice”. This week’s post considers trust in the context of covenant. (You can read it here, if you like. It also features some pretty funny “Puritan Valentines”!)
Kimberly has me thinking about the necessity of trust for doing the “so much to do” that surrounds us more than ever right now. I can barely (indeed some days I just cannot!) face the news and opinion feeds on my electronic devices without trusting in the presence and support of many others in my life. And that’s just about knowing what is going on in the world beyond my direct experience, nevermind thinking about what might be mine to do by way of responding! For that, I definitely need good company.
Together, we are healthier (living organisms simply don’t do well in isolation!) and being healthy together requires that we trust each other to provide mutual support, clear and honest communication, and a place to practice tolerating how vulnerable we human beings are. Not easy, but doable, if we are willing–and I hope we are, because I suspect that my colleague is correct that trust is the only way we will be able to do what will be ours to do.
Yours in faith and love,
Rev. Denise
RevDenise@gnuuc.org
P.S. Our office administrator, Kris Thresher, will be on medical leave from Tuesday, Feb. 17, to Tuesday, March 3. If you make a donation by check or cash during that time, the deposit may be delayed. If you have any questions regarding finance issues, please get in touch with Kristin Reveal.
THIS WEEK
The Finance Team will have a retreat on February 21 to prepare for the Pledge Drive and plan the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget.
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.
Welcome to the 2025–2026 year of Children’s Religious Education at Greater Nashville UU!
Winter-Spring Dates:
-One-Room Schoolhouse (Pre-K–6th): Jan 11, Jan 25, Feb 8, Feb 22, Mar 8, Mar 22, Apr 12, Apr 19, May 10, May 31.
Stories, games, and activities from the Soul Matters themes.
-Multigenerational Sundays (1st Sundays): Jan 4, Feb 1, Mar 1, Apr 5, May 3
All ages worship together. Wiggle Room open (parent supervision).
-Wiggle Room/Playground Sundays:
Supervision provided: Jan 18, Feb 15, Mar 15, Mar 29, Apr 26, May 17
Parent Supervision Only: Mar 29, May 24
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.
Join us for UU Compass, a multi-generational small group (teens through adults) based on the Starting Point curriculum from Soul Matters.
Remaining Spring Dates: February 22, March 22, April 19, May 31
What is UU Compass Small Group?
Join us for UU Compass, a multi-generational small group (teens through adults) based on the Starting Point curriculum from Soul Matters.
Together, we’ll practice deep listening, share our personal journeys, and explore Unitarian Universalism as a living path of meaning and connection.
This Spring we are matching longer term UUs to new UUs as mentor/mentee pairs. We’ll start with a discussion of one of the UU values and then break into discussion groups with mentors/mentee pairs. You are welcome to drop in at any time - we’ll recruit a mentor/mentee for you.
Who is UU Compass Small Group for?
Newcomers who want more than information — a real taste of UU community.
Long-time members seeking to reconnect with UU values and practices.
Teens and adults alike, eager to walk together across generations.
Whether you’re brand new or have been here for decades, UU Compass will help you find your bearings, discover companions, and chart the next step of your journey.
Want more information?
Contact Kristin R. (kristin.reveal@gnuuc.org)
Want more information? Contact Kristin R. (kristin.reveal@gnuuc.org)
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Are you interested in becoming a member of Greater Nashville Unitarian Universalist Congregation (GNUUC)?
If yes, talk to Rev. Denise. If you’re not sure, read on!
People become members of our congregation by signing our Membership Book and pledging to support the congregation with their time and resources. The privileges of membership include voting at congregational meetings and eligibility for elected or appointed service on the congregation’s Board, Finance Team, or as a GNUUC delegate to the General Assembly of the UUA (Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations).
To vote in any particular congregational meeting, a member must have signed the Membership Book at least three months prior to the meeting date and must have a recorded contribution to the congregation within the prior twelve months. (To be “recorded”, your contribution must be received with your name attached–as a check or cc contribution, or as cash in a labelled envelope.)
New Members who sign the book during the New Member Signing on February 22, 2026, will be eligible to vote at the May Annual Meeting, as long as we have a recorded contribution. Reach out to Rev. Denise about participating!
To learn more, email Rev. Denise at revdenise@gnuuc.org.
GNUUC Members,
The members of the Contract to Call Task Force (Ryan D., Carol L., and Kristin R.) wanted to thank you for the exceptional turn out at Sunday's Congregational Meeting. We also wanted to thank each and every one of you for your engagement and honest reflections throughout this process. We truly feel like we are a more cohesive and healthy congregation now than we were several months ago. This process has strengthened us in ways that will service us well into the future.
The resolution proposed during the meeting was:
"That the Greater Nashville Unitarian Universalist Congregation call Reverend Denise Gyauch to be our Settled Minister, effective immediately, upon the terms and conditions outlined in the Ministerial Agreement to be signed pending an acceptable and accepted congregational call vote."
Of our 51 Voting members, we had 42 people participate in Congregational Meeting and vote via in-person vote, Zoom vote, proxy vote, and absentee vote. Of the 42 participants, 41 people voted for the resolution and 1 person voted against.
The resolution passed. Reverend Denish in turn, accepted the call and signed the Ministerial Agreement.
According to the UUA Contract to Call process, the next steps in the process as as follows:
Installation Ceremony
It is customary to celebrate a successful call with an installation ceremony. The installation ceremony will distinguish when the minister enters a new stage of ministry with the congregation. This is a separate celebration from that of the covenanting service (a ritual typically performed between the minister and congregation at the beginning of a contract ministry). The installation ceremony signifies that a significant commitment has been made.Committee on Ministry
Early in the ministry partnership, the congregation may have formed a Committee on Ministry to facilitate a supportive relationship between the minister and lay leaders, and with other members of the congregation. This committee supports the idea of “shared ministry” in the congregation based upon how the mission of the congregation is identified, as well as the role of the minister in that mission. Lay leaders and the minister all carry shared responsibility for accomplishing the goals.
If this kind of Committee on Ministry exists, it should continue into, and remain an active part of, settled ministry.The role of the Committee on Ministry is changing in many congregations. The minister, board and congregation should consider whether and how a Committee on Ministry can best support vibrant shared ministry in the congregation.
We also invite all members and friends to join us for a Shared Ministry meeting on Sunday, March 1 at 1 PM. Ryan D. and Rev. Denise will lead the meeting. We'll review the Suggestions for the Future document. Look for upcoming announcements!
And with that information, the work of our Contract to Call Task Force is finished. It has been our honor to serve you.
With love,
Kristin R.
Ryan D.
Carol L.
Donations Needed! Fill out the Donation Form
The Auction is our largest fundraiser and we count on your donations of events, items, and services. Visit the Auction Website to learn more about the Auction, Purchase Tickets, Donate Items, or Browse the Catalog.
A BIG THANK YOU for donating!
Donations can be made using the Online Donation Form OR by filling out the Paper Donation Form at the Welcome tables on Sunday and handing it to Kristin Reveal.
Bring donated items in on any Sunday, from Sunday, March 1, through Sunday, March 22. Kristin will have a setup to photograph them during lunch. All donation forms due by March 22.
Donations needed:
Live Auction Items
Live Auction events, services, and items are auctioned off to the highest bidders.
Live Auction Events or Services could include Hosted Dinners, Sporting Event / Music / Gallery Tickets, Subscriptions, Community Events)
Live Auction Items have a value of $50 + and include fine art, quality artisan items, digital devices, and more.
Silent Auction Artisan Items & Gift Cards
Silent Auction Artisan Items and Gift Cards are auctioned off to the highest bidders via paper bid sheets.
Silent Auction Artisan Items could include any hand-made art, artisan, or craft items.
Gift Cards include donated gift cards to local eateries, parks, events, and services.
Live Auction Items have a value of up to $50 (if it is valued more than $50, we'll probably put it into the Live Auction.)
Intermission Set Price Events or Services
Intermission Events and Services have a set price of $10 to $25.
Intermission Events and Services need to accommodate at least 10+ items/seats to participate. This is so that all the people who want to attend can get a seat. Otherwise, the event would go in the Live Auction.
Event Examples: hosting a Movie & Popcorn Night at GNUUC, hosting a local tour, hosting a Picnic Day at the park.
Questions? Contact Kristin Reveal. (kristin.reveal@gnuuc.org)
The Mental Health Cooperative was founded in 1993 with a bold mission to provide community-based care for adults with serious mental illnesses. We united three essential services — Urban Case Management, Continuous Treatment Team, and the Mobile Crisis Team — into one coordinated model focused on access, dignity, and real outcomes.”
