About Us
Mission Statement
Our Mission is to be:
- a visible center for worship and religious education
- a force for social justice and
- a diverse and welcoming community
Distinguished by an emphasis on:
- life-long learning
- works of the imagination, especially music, poetry, and the visual arts as sources of spiritual vitality.
Open to All Regardless of Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity
The UUA Welcoming Congregation program is an accreditation process for Unitarian Universalist congregations wishing to formalized their commitment to civil rights for all. The congregation as a whole, through a process of self-reflection and community education pledges to celebrate the lives of all people and welcome same-sex couples, recognizing their committed relationships, and equally affirming displays of caring and affections without regard to sexual orientation.
History
In 1994 several members of First UU Church in Nashville decided to take on the challenging and exciting new direction of forming a second UU congregation in Nashville. They met with a church consultant who agreed that forming a new congregation was a viable objective. This group began meeting in the homes of interested persons, developing their plan for a new congregation.
This original group was drawn together by shared ideals and a common purpose: the formation of a congregation pledged not only to address social issues, but to integrate the ideals of art and humanity into the spiritual and personal growth of members. They began meeting at our current Hicks Road location in January of 1999.
Our congregation is a member of the Thomas Jefferson UUA District, which includes UU congregations in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and parts of Georgia.
Congregation Governance
Unitarian Universalist congregations find a common voice in the Unitarian Universalist Assocation (UUA), a national association of some 1000 Unitarian Universalist congregations. GNUUC is part of the Thomas Jefferson district of the UUA which is comprised of congregations in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and parts of Georgia.
The Unitarian Universalist Association
The Thomas Jefferson District of the UUA
GNUUC Governance
The Congregation is organized on democratic principles. The leadership is centered on an elected Board of Directors and in elected officers: President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. They work closely and cooperatively with the Minister who reports at least monthly to the Board about her activities, views, and recommendations. Committees are of two types. The Board Committees are appointed by the Board on the recommendation of the President. The Committees of the Congregation are composed of volunteer members who regularly attend the meetings of the respective committees.
2010-2011 Board of Directors
PRESIDENT: Larry Romans
VICE-PRESIDENT: Mary Ellen Aurelius
SECRETARY: Judy Goetz
TREASURER: Tracy Primich
DIRECTORS-AT-LARGE:Thena Berry & Wayne Morris
COMMITTEE CHAIR REPRESENTATIVES
Membership / Fellowship: Margaret Wright & Larry Romans
Caring: Twilla McClellan
Children’s RE: Kristin Reveal
Communications: Nathanael Reveal
Worship: Larry Romans
Building & Grounds: Jack Goetz
Adult RE: Oscar Touster
Social Responsibility: Lyn Wahnsiedler
Committees
Board Committees
Finance/Long Range Planning, Ministry, Nominations, and Personnel
Congregation Committees
Adult Religious Education, Building and Grounds, Caring, Children’s Religious Education, Communications, Denominational Affairs, Fellowship/Membership, Music, Social Responsibility and Worship.
Social Responsibility Group
The Social Responsibility Group is currently chaired by Margaret Wright. This group is active in Tying Nashville Together (TNT) and many other community interests.
Adult Religious Education Committee
The Adult Religious Education Committee is busy planning the fall series. Many aspects of the nature of mankind are explored, from music to poetry to the spiritual experience. Chairman is Oscar Touster.
Children’s Religious Education Committee
The Children’s Religious Education Committee meets the first Sunday of each month before services at7:30 AM. The chair is Kristin Hasfjord Reveal. This committee plans & directs all activities of the children’s religious education program. Age appropriate curriculums are chosen for each class and the theme for 2009-10 is “World Religions.”
Fellowship/Membership Committee
The Fellowship Committee is busy planning events from after service social time to Dinner’s for Nine. Co-chairs are Margaret Wright and Larry Romans.
Building and Grounds Committee
The Building and Grounds Committee is always busy with what it takes to keep our facility in good repair and looking nice. Co-Chairs are Jack Goetz and Lenore Vanderkooi.
(Updated 26 July 2010)
