On the Path

by Rev. Bill Gupton

In late March we held a child dedication ceremony for one baby and a couple of two-year-olds (including the grandchildren of two of our longer-term church members!) that highlighted our Unitarian Universalist beliefs that “each night a child is born is a holy night” and “every person is born not in sin, but in beauty and wonder.” I spoke about our inclusive faith, about welcoming both stranger and friend, and about the unconditional love we give our children. I said it matters what we believe – and it matters what we teach our children.

Far too many young people grow up not knowing the kind of acceptance a child experiences in the Heritage community. Far too many adults live their lives not even knowing, not even daring to imagine that a community such as ours exists, where they could be accepted for who and what they truly are. Having found Heritage Church ourselves, isn’t it about time we shared the good news—and that’s, literally, what it is: good news—of this relatively small, relatively unknown congregation in the relatively conservative Cincinnati suburb of Anderson Township? We are growing, for sure—but by and large, people are still finding us only after doing their own homework. Why make them work so hard to discover us?

If you’re feeling good about Heritage (and I know most of you are!)—if you’re proud of the stances we take in the world, be they on religious beliefs or public issues of the day (and I know most of you are!), then please—tell your friends, your neighbors, your co-workers what we’re all about, and why you consider Heritage your church home. Wear a Standing on the Side of Love or HUUC T-shirt (the weather’s nice enough, after all…). Tell people that you’re going to worship, a workshop, a book discussion group, a committee meeting, a choir practice. Tell them where, and why—and then invite them to come along.

You’ve heard the saying about hiding your light under a bushel basket. This month, I invite you to let your light shine! Spring has sprung. Why not give someone else the gift of loving community? The gift of Heritage Church.

Namaste,
Rev. Bill

April, 2017.