Greater Nashville UU News Update
Sept. 2, 2026
Keep up with all the upcoming events: www.nashvilleuu.org
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Submit an announcement here.
Minister’s Note
We create transformative, resilient realities
by becoming transformed, resilient people.
~Krista Tippett
Friends,
As you may have noticed, this is the time of year when my thoughts about ministry turn toward the new church year (which doesn’t follow the official calendar, but more closely follows the typical western school calendar). I am wondering how we will shape our shared ministry this year: What will we choose to learn, to notice, to address, to cultivate, or to do, in both our individual and collective lives? What new tools, projects, and relationships could we decide to embrace? How will we envision living out the commitments we make to each other and the world around us every Sunday when we recite our congregational covenant?
Every new year (or month, or day, or moment, for that matter!) is an opportunity to do our best to see clearly the worlds within and around us and to nourish the conditions for change and a sturdy, persistent commitment to growth. Both we and the world around us are always in need of transformation and resilience. I am grateful to Tippett for the reminder that we need not–and in fact, should not–think of the inner work and the outer work as separate.
In our current environment, it is distressingly easy to be aware of the need for the transformation of social, economic, political, environmental, legal, and diplomatic realities. The call to pull our energies in closer to home–to our selves and our smaller human groupings–seems helpful in these overwhelming times. I do not know how tomorrow’s news will affect me or my neighbors, loved ones, and wider networks of relations, but I am curious about, invested in, and excited to discover how our own beloved community of faith will choose to nurture resilience and transformation this year.
Yours in change and love,
Rev. Denise
RevDenise@gnuuc.org
THIS WEEK
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.
Join us for UU Compass, a multi-generational small group (teens through adults).
Upcoming Dates: Sept 20, Oct 18, Nov 15, Dec 20
What is UU Compass Small Group?
Join us for UU Compass, a multi-generational small group (teens through adults) that explores how to use our UU Values as we interact with the world.
Together, we’ll practice deep listening, share our personal journeys, and explore Unitarian Universalism as a living path of meaning and connection.
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.
Facilitators: Kristin R. and Nathaniel B.
Want more information? Contact Kristin R. (kristin.reveal@gnuuc.org)
You are Invited to the Installation of
Reverend Denise Gyauch
as the settled minister of
Greater Nashville Unitarian Universalist Congregation.
Saturday, September 26, 2 PM.
Reception to Follow.
An installation is the congregational act of formally entering into shared ministry with their professional minister. Offering and accepting a call to parish ministry is a life-changing event that gives us the opportunity to embody our Unitarian Universalist history and theology in a meaningful way.
Rev. Denise Gyauch joined Greater Nashville Unitarian Universalist Congregation as a contracted minister in the Fall of 2021 as we started to meet again in person after the pandemic. During these years together, our congregation has grown and become more grounded. Earlier this year, our congregation held a vote to call Rev. Denise as our settled minister.
We invite everyone to participate in the preparation of the installation service and join us that day as we celebrate this important milestone for GNUUC, our third permanently called minister in our 34 year history.
During lunch, we’ll be making 32 snack bags for our Room In The Inn (RITI) guests to take with them after they spend the night.
Click HERE to see list of needed items and current sign-up.
To sign up contact Kristin R. (email kristin.reveal@gnuuc.org or via Slack.)
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
We're excited to come together to participate in The 34th Nashville AIDS Walk & 5K Run, a fundraiser supporting Nashville CARES. Our collective passion for this cause drives us, and we need your support to make a difference! Every donation—big or small—helps us reach our fundraising goal and directly impacts this important cause.
Here's how you can help:
Donate: Contribute whatever you can. Every dollar counts!
Spread the Word: Share our Greater Nashville UU fundraising page with your friends, family, and social networks. Let’s spread awareness so we can raise more!
How to Donate
Help Greater Nashville UU raise funds to support the critical mission of Nashville CARES. Our goal this year is to raise over $500! Here are ways to donate:
Most members of the congregation will be giving to Nashville CARES through the regular Share the Plate fundraiser. You can donate via Breeze to “Share the Plate”, or by paper check, made out to “GNUUC”, with “Share the Plate” in the memo. 50% of your donation will go to our Greater Nashville UU fundraising page and 50% of your donation will go to the GNUUC general fund.
On the other hand, if you can contribute $100 or more, your generous donation will go 100% to our Greater Nashville UU fundraising page. If you want your donation to be in memory of someone, please let us know.
Thank you so much for your support! We couldn’t do this without you!
Pre-Release of Bad Faith: 2026 Christian Nationalism in Power
The Reverend Dr. William Barber II, co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival, and other faith leaders warn that the implementation of Project 2025 has accelerated a full-scale assault on government— gutting the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, tearing apart public education, social programs and health care.
Darkhorse Theatre
4610 Charlotte Ave
Nashville, TN 37209
An installation is the congregational act of formally entering into shared ministry with their professional minister. Offering and accepting a call to parish ministry is a life-changing event that gives us the opportunity to embody our Unitarian Universalist history and theology in a meaningful way.
Rev. Denise Gyauch joined Greater Nashville Unitarian Universalist Congregation as a contracted minister in the Fall of 2021 as we started to meet again in person after the pandemic. During these years together, our congregation has grown and become more grounded. Earlier this year, our congregation held a vote to call Rev. Denise as our settled minister.
We invite everyone to participate in the preparation of the installation service and join us that day as we celebrate this important milestone for GNUUC, our third permanently called minister in our 34 year history.
NOAH’s annual public meeting will be on Sunday, September 27th, at 3 pm at First Baptist Church Capitol Hill.
Make plans to join your fellow GNUUC delegates to attend and to act on our values and fight authoritarianism in our city, state and country! All interested members encouraged to attend.
Register here.
A New Whole Church Curriculum for Greater Nashville UU!
This year, GNUUC is moving from Soul Matters to a new curricular series from the UUA called Woven Faith. We're excited to be part of its inaugural pilot year!
Woven Faith is built on a simple idea: the congregation is the curriculum. Rather than treating faith formation as something that happens only in a classroom, Woven Faith weaves a shared monthly theme through every part of congregational life — worship, religious education, small groups, fellowship, and justice work alike. Wherever you find your place in our community this year, you'll find the same thread running through it.
Each month centers on one of our UU shared values. This year's themes are:
September — Interdependence
October — Living the Questions
November — Covenant
December — Pluralism
January — Courageous Love
February — Equity
March — Transformation
April — Generosity
May — Expressing Our Faith
June — Justice
September’s Theme: Interdependence
We're kicking things off in September with Interdependence — the recognition that our lives, our choices, and our wellbeing are bound up with one another and with the wider world. You'll see this theme show up throughout September: in worship, in our small groups, in the Fellowship Hall, and beyond. We hope you'll find your own thread to add to the weaving.
SAVE THE DATE (click links for more information)
Join us as we introduce the monthly Woven Faith theme of “Interdependence.”
What does it means to belong to one another over time — showing up as our whole selves with people we trust, caring for each other reciprocally, and honoring both our needs and our limits along the way? We hope you'll bring your whole self, and join us in exploring what it means to truly belong.
An interactive, multi-generational service. All ages are welcome!
This hybrid service will be in the Sanctuary at Greater Nashville UU Congregation, as well as on Zoom. See How to Join a Virtual Service at GNUUC.
After the service, join us for a potluck lunch.
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.
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.
Join us for UU Compass, a multi-generational small group (teens through adults).
Upcoming Dates: Sept 20, Oct 18, Nov 15, Dec 20
What is UU Compass Small Group?
Join us for UU Compass, a multi-generational small group (teens through adults) that explores how to use our UU Values as we interact with the world.
Together, we’ll practice deep listening, share our personal journeys, and explore Unitarian Universalism as a living path of meaning and connection.
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.
Facilitators: Kristin R. and Nathaniel B.
Want more information? Contact Kristin R. (kristin.reveal@gnuuc.org)
You are Invited to the Installation of
Reverend Denise Gyauch
as the settled minister of
Greater Nashville Unitarian Universalist Congregation.
Saturday, September 26, 2 PM.
Reception to Follow.
An installation is the congregational act of formally entering into shared ministry with their professional minister. Offering and accepting a call to parish ministry is a life-changing event that gives us the opportunity to embody our Unitarian Universalist history and theology in a meaningful way.
Rev. Denise Gyauch joined Greater Nashville Unitarian Universalist Congregation as a contracted minister in the Fall of 2021 as we started to meet again in person after the pandemic. During these years together, our congregation has grown and become more grounded. Earlier this year, our congregation held a vote to call Rev. Denise as our settled minister.
We invite everyone to participate in the preparation of the installation service and join us that day as we celebrate this important milestone for GNUUC, our third permanently called minister in our 34 year history.
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.
All members and friends, join us at 1 PM for the Shared Ministries Meeting, where we organize and plan our upcoming events.
Please make sure that we have a representative from each of the following Teams/Groups. If you are interested in joining/working with any of these teams, show up too!
- Greeters
- Worship Team
- Lunch Team
- Religious Education Team
- Building and Grounds Team
- Women’s Group
- Fellowship/Fun Events Team
- Room In The Inn Team
- NOAH Team
- TUUCAN Team
- Climate Justice Team
- Membership Team (NEW Potential)
- Social Media Team (NEW Potential)
Join us on Saturday, October 17 at 4 PM for Game Night! Bring your favorite board game to share. Bring your favorite board game to share. Pizza will be provided!
All ages are welcome.
Questions? Contact Ryan / Kristin
Join us at GNUUC on October 18th at 3PM for a concert by Shawn Tairyu Head. Attendance is free and open to the public.
https://www.tairyushakuhachi.com/
With an active performing and recording schedule, and a growing studio of students, Shawn Tairyu Head has dedicated himself to bringing the shakuhachi to new audiences around the world. While he embraces the traditional melodies of the ancient repertoire known as honkyoku, his classical conservatory training and Western spiritual perspective make him equally at home composing and commissioning new works that explore the unique sonic possibilities of the shakuhachi. As a performer, composer, and teacher, his goal is nothing less than a shakuhachi revival.
Join us on Saturday, November 7 at 4:30 PM for Movie Night with pizza and popcorn!
Cost: This is an Auction Fundraiser Event. If you purchased tickets at the Auction, you are set. Otherwise, we encourage a suggested donation of $10.
We’ll be watching Wicked For Good, the continuation of the Wicked series. It is rated PG.
Adults - you will enjoy this movie too! Please come! Wicked reframes a familiar fantasy based on The Wizard of OZ, through complex moral, political, and social questions. It challenges the ideas of good and evil, showing how systems of power define morality to maintain control. The main character, Elphaba refuses to conform when she sees injustice, choosing truth over reputation. Wicked also explores how propaganda, fear, and bureaucracy sustain power. The Wizard’s regime depends on controlling narratives and silencing dissent. In short, Wicked asks profoundly adult questions: What does it cost to stay true to your values? How do we tell truth from illusion when authority shapes the story?