First Unitarian Universalist Church Nashville TN
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Who we are
Our Beliefs
We are a community of women, men and children with diverse spiritual orientations, who come from many different backgrounds. We invite you to come visit us and learn more about us.
We seek to share a journey of spiritual growth and work together to find ways to live our faith in the world, while respecting the right to freedom of individual beliefs. Our principles and statements of covenant and mission speak our most cherished values, both as part of a larger faith and as an individual congregation. Please take time to explore this website to find out more about who we are and what we do.
Our Ministry
The ministry of the congregation, in our free tradition, is the responsibility of the entire Congregation. It’s a ministry in which the lay leadership, the professional staff and the membership all have complementary responsibilities in fulfilling the covenant between the members and friends of the congregation and in carrying out the mission of the congregation.
We have two professional ministers on staff: our Senior Minister, The Reverend Gail Seavey and Assistant Minister, Holly Meuller. We also have an intern minister, Sara Green.
We are a community of women, men and children with diverse spiritual orientations, who come from many different backgrounds. We invite you to come visit us and learn more about us.
We seek to share a journey of spiritual growth and work together to find ways to live our faith in the world, while respecting the right to freedom of individual beliefs. Our principles and statements of covenant and mission speak our most cherished values, both as part of a larger faith and as an individual congregation. Please take time to explore this website to find out more about who we are and what we do.
Our Ministry
The ministry of the congregation, in our free tradition, is the responsibility of the entire Congregation. It’s a ministry in which the lay leadership, the professional staff and the membership all have complementary responsibilities in fulfilling the covenant between the members and friends of the congregation and in carrying out the mission of the congregation.
We have two professional ministers on staff: our Senior Minister, The Reverend Gail Seavey and Assistant Minister, Holly Meuller. We also have an intern minister, Sara Green.
Street Address
1808 Woodmont Blvd
Nashville,
TN
37215
United States
Phone: (615) 383-5760
Fax: (615) 383-5785
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Church Pastor
Reverend Gail Seavey
Lead Minister
1808 Woodmont Blvd
Nashville,
TN
37215
United States
Phone: (615) 383-5760
Download Lead Minister Reverend Gail Seavey vCard with bio
Click here to contact Reverend Gail Seavey
Denomination
Unitarian Universalist
Affiliations
Unitarian Universalist Association
Church Website
First Unitarian Universalist Church on Social Media
First Unitarian Universalist Church on YouTube
Leadership
Leader Name:
Reverend Gail Seavey
Leader Position:
Lead Minister
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Click here to contact Reverend Gail Seavey
Leader Bio:
“At FUUN I am part of a shared ministry that arises from the expression of this community’s unique experiences of the holy spirit of compassion and justice during worship. I am part of a shared ministry made up of the diverse and surprising ways that spirit calls each of one of us to serve love and justice at home, at church, at work, as neighbors and as citizens.”
The congregation called the Reverend Gail S. Seavey to serve us in the fall of 2005. Having served both a humanist and a traditional Universalist congregation, the Rev. Seavey describes herself as “a theological Unitarian Universalist, believing in a sacred Unity that is expressed in diversity.” A committed social activist, the Rev Seavey has been a leader in family and sexual violence prevention, interfaith dialogue, and economic equity programs. She now serves on the Middle TN Jobs with Justice Board, the TN Advisory Committee to the U.S. Civil Rights Commission and as Executive Secretary of Nashville Organized for Action and Hope (NOAH).
The congregation called the Reverend Gail S. Seavey to serve us in the fall of 2005. Having served both a humanist and a traditional Universalist congregation, the Rev. Seavey describes herself as “a theological Unitarian Universalist, believing in a sacred Unity that is expressed in diversity.” A committed social activist, the Rev Seavey has been a leader in family and sexual violence prevention, interfaith dialogue, and economic equity programs. She now serves on the Middle TN Jobs with Justice Board, the TN Advisory Committee to the U.S. Civil Rights Commission and as Executive Secretary of Nashville Organized for Action and Hope (NOAH).
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Lead Minister Reverend Gail Seavey
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Administration
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(615) 383-5785
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Parking
There are two parking lots. One off Hopkins and one off Stokesmont.
First Unitarian Universalist Church Service Times
9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sundays
6 pm Wednesday Night Dinners
May topics are Transcendence/Harmony
May 6: “Transcendence of Relationships in Prison Ministry”
Guest Minister Mandy Goheen, Church of the Larger Fellowship for Prison
Sister Helen Prejean was once asked how she kept from getting attached to the men she served on death row. She replied, “I don’t.” We explore how to be in the “I” and “Thou” relationships instead of objectification of people who have lived in systems of mass incarceration.
May 13: “A Harmony on the Edge of Falling Apart”
Rev. Gail Seavey and Worship Associate Elaine Bailey-Fryd
There is a Harmony called Shalom that transcends permanence and change, order and chaos, creating and falling apart, including and integrating all things. We will explore transcendence and harmony from our experiences of Process Theology.
May 20: Religious Education Sunday
Children and Volunteers, and Marguerite Mills, Director of Lifespan Religious Education
We have sought guidance this year through the lens of our Unitarian Universalist values, coming to know that we can see right from wrong, and that we have the power to make a difference. When all is said and done, it is our respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part, and our appreciation of its beauty, excitement, and mystery, that carries us through. Join us as we share with you some of what we’ve done this year.
May 27: “Be Still”
Intern Minister Sara Green
This season is ending. Soon, we will leave from this space for vacation, to visit family and to rest. But before we rush off into the next chapter, let us pause in gratitude, fortification and hope as we continue the work together and apart.
It's been more than 6 years since the last service times update. Please make sure to contact the church to confirm service times.
Please contact the church to confirm Service Times or SUBSCRIBE to updates below
6 pm Wednesday Night Dinners
May topics are Transcendence/Harmony
May 6: “Transcendence of Relationships in Prison Ministry”
Guest Minister Mandy Goheen, Church of the Larger Fellowship for Prison
Sister Helen Prejean was once asked how she kept from getting attached to the men she served on death row. She replied, “I don’t.” We explore how to be in the “I” and “Thou” relationships instead of objectification of people who have lived in systems of mass incarceration.
May 13: “A Harmony on the Edge of Falling Apart”
Rev. Gail Seavey and Worship Associate Elaine Bailey-Fryd
There is a Harmony called Shalom that transcends permanence and change, order and chaos, creating and falling apart, including and integrating all things. We will explore transcendence and harmony from our experiences of Process Theology.
May 20: Religious Education Sunday
Children and Volunteers, and Marguerite Mills, Director of Lifespan Religious Education
We have sought guidance this year through the lens of our Unitarian Universalist values, coming to know that we can see right from wrong, and that we have the power to make a difference. When all is said and done, it is our respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part, and our appreciation of its beauty, excitement, and mystery, that carries us through. Join us as we share with you some of what we’ve done this year.
May 27: “Be Still”
Intern Minister Sara Green
This season is ending. Soon, we will leave from this space for vacation, to visit family and to rest. But before we rush off into the next chapter, let us pause in gratitude, fortification and hope as we continue the work together and apart.
It's been more than 6 years since the last service times update. Please make sure to contact the church to confirm service times.
Please contact the church to confirm Service Times or SUBSCRIBE to updates below
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First Unitarian Universalist Church Nashville Photos
First Unitarian Universalist Church, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
First Unitarian Universalist Church, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
2016 Valentine Show
First Unitarian Universalist Church - Nashville, Tennessee
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First Unitarian Universalist Church History
History of the The First Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashville
by Deborah Wilbrink
Unitarian ministers have preached in Nashville since 1851, and ministers preached Universalism in middle Tennessee even earlier. This congregation began at a meeting in 1946 on the Vanderbilt University campus, and became the Unitarian Fellowship of Nashville, Tennessee on May 26, 1950. With 79 members, and 43 children enrolled in Religious Education, it became the First Unitarian Church of Nashville on May 26, 1954. It was one of many congregations who voted to approve a merger proposal of two denominations. Unitarians and Universalists consolidated their denominations in 1961; this church changed its name in 1969 to the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashville, known fondly as FUUN. We belong to the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), which represents the interests of more than one thousand Unitarian Universalist congregations.
In 1961, the congregation purchased property and began renovation and additions to an existing home located at 1808 Woodmont Boulevard, moving there in April. Member and architect Bruce Draper designed the building inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s design for the First Unitarian Society in Madison, Wisconsin. Several renovations and the additions of two more neighboring renovated homes followed: the Morgan House in 1987 and the Norris House in 1999. These have adapted the FUUN campus to a growing congregation, more staff, an active religious education program, and community outreach.
Social justice has been an important thread in FUUN history. Some of the causes officially supported by the congregation were separation of church and state (1955), civil rights, sexual discrimination, human rights, sanctuary and immigration, fair wages, neighborhood integrity, and religious freedom. Congregants produced the first of the annual Palmer Lecture on Human Rights in 1983. FUUN members have been instrumental in reforming ministerial misconduct procedures in the denomination after using lay leadership and denominational procedure to address it within FUUN in the early 1990s. The importance of lay leadership has remained a strong differentiating feature of FUUN history. In 1994, First Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashville and the new Greater Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashville signed a covenant of support of Unitarian Universalist principles.
FUUN has always had a strong religious education program with nursery, classes, activities, events and retreats that assist lifelong learning and spiritual growth. The first Minister of Education was hired in 1978. The congregation was an area leader in ministry to singles in the 1970s and 1980s. In 2000, the UUA awarded FUUN the O. Eugene Pickett Award for its continued growth and living out to the fullest the principles and purposes of Unitarian Universalism. Musical opportunities reached a zenith with multiple choirs and the addition of an Associate Minister of Music in 2008. Art exhibits, drama, readings and coffeehouses are also part of the history of FUUN. In 2014, FUUN entered a formal partnership with the Pingwait Unitarian Church in Meghalaya, India.
HISTORY of Our History
In the 1980s, FUUN developed three formal ways of memorialization: a trust fund, memory garden and columbarium, which have evolved as needed. Church services marked history: a 10-year anniversary in 1964; 25-year anniversary in 1975; a double anniversary in 1983 (20 years for building dedication and 30 years for the Church); participation in the city-wide church Homecoming in 1986; and the 40th birthday of formation in 1987. A Women’s History Service in 1991 honored 25 year members, and inducted historically significant female leaders into Clara Barton Sisterhood. The 50th Anniversary was marked in 2001 and a service honored 25 and 50-year members in 2016. Several papers on the history of the earlier congregations are in the FUUN Archives, most notably two sermons by the congregation’s first minister, Reverend Bob Palmer, and a treatise by longtime member Gean Morgan.
In 2012, the FUUN Endowment Trust commissioned a congregational history book. Fire of Commitment by Deborah Wilbrink, with the help of an editorial committee and many volunteers, celebrated release on June 19, 2016. The 334-page, fully illustrated book can be purchased by emailing [email protected]. If you are contributing any corrections or additions for a later edition, please email your written suggestion with the book page number to [email protected].
Settled Ministers, First Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashville
2005-current Reverend Gail Seavey, Lead Minister
2008-current Reverend Jason Shelton, Associate Minister of Music
1998-2004 Reverend Mary Katherine Morn
1981-1993 Reverend David More Maynard
1978-1980 Reverend Jerry Wright, Minister of Education
1972-1981 Reverend William “Bill” Gardiner
1955-1971 Reverend Robert “Bob” Palmer
by Deborah Wilbrink
Unitarian ministers have preached in Nashville since 1851, and ministers preached Universalism in middle Tennessee even earlier. This congregation began at a meeting in 1946 on the Vanderbilt University campus, and became the Unitarian Fellowship of Nashville, Tennessee on May 26, 1950. With 79 members, and 43 children enrolled in Religious Education, it became the First Unitarian Church of Nashville on May 26, 1954. It was one of many congregations who voted to approve a merger proposal of two denominations. Unitarians and Universalists consolidated their denominations in 1961; this church changed its name in 1969 to the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashville, known fondly as FUUN. We belong to the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), which represents the interests of more than one thousand Unitarian Universalist congregations.
In 1961, the congregation purchased property and began renovation and additions to an existing home located at 1808 Woodmont Boulevard, moving there in April. Member and architect Bruce Draper designed the building inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s design for the First Unitarian Society in Madison, Wisconsin. Several renovations and the additions of two more neighboring renovated homes followed: the Morgan House in 1987 and the Norris House in 1999. These have adapted the FUUN campus to a growing congregation, more staff, an active religious education program, and community outreach.
FUUN has always had a strong religious education program with nursery, classes, activities, events and retreats that assist lifelong learning and spiritual growth. The first Minister of Education was hired in 1978. The congregation was an area leader in ministry to singles in the 1970s and 1980s. In 2000, the UUA awarded FUUN the O. Eugene Pickett Award for its continued growth and living out to the fullest the principles and purposes of Unitarian Universalism. Musical opportunities reached a zenith with multiple choirs and the addition of an Associate Minister of Music in 2008. Art exhibits, drama, readings and coffeehouses are also part of the history of FUUN. In 2014, FUUN entered a formal partnership with the Pingwait Unitarian Church in Meghalaya, India.
In 2012, the FUUN Endowment Trust commissioned a congregational history book. Fire of Commitment by Deborah Wilbrink, with the help of an editorial committee and many volunteers, celebrated release on June 19, 2016. The 334-page, fully illustrated book can be purchased by emailing [email protected]. If you are contributing any corrections or additions for a later edition, please email your written suggestion with the book page number to [email protected].
2005-current Reverend Gail Seavey, Lead Minister
2008-current Reverend Jason Shelton, Associate Minister of Music
1998-2004 Reverend Mary Katherine Morn
1981-1993 Reverend David More Maynard
1978-1980 Reverend Jerry Wright, Minister of Education
1972-1981 Reverend William “Bill” Gardiner
1955-1971 Reverend Robert “Bob” Palmer
First Unitarian Universalist Church Historical Photos
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Teach us to serve Thee
Teach us, good Lord, to serve Thee more faithfully; to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labour and not to ask for any reward, save that of knowing that we do Thy will, O Lord our God.
First Unitarian Universalist Church listing was last updated on the 10th of May, 2018
