Heritage UU Church

Celebrating Life
Creating Community
Seeking Justice

  • Home
  • About
    • History
      • Heritage UU Church History
      • Clara Barton Guild History
      • History Archives
    • Beliefs
      • Principles and Sources
      • Mission and Vision
      • Our Pledge for Living in the Spirit of Community
      • Special Congregational Recognition
      • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Minister and Staff
    • Governance
      • Constitution
      • Affiliations
      • Board of Trustees
    • Membership
    • The Wider UU World
  • Worship
    • Typical Sunday Morning Worship
    • More on Worship
    • Worship Services
    • Reflections Archive
  • Religious Exploration
    • RE Articles
  • Faith in Action
    • Faith in Action Initiatives
    • Social Justice
    • End-of-Life Ministry
  • Congregational Life
    • Columns and Essays
    • Events and Meetings
    • Announcements
    • News Articles
    • Support
      • Stewardship Campaign
      • Legacy Gifts
      • Money
      • Volunteering
    • Members’ area
  • Contact Us

2005 and 2021

by Mike Roberts, Church Historian

January marks the annual attempt to set resolutions for the new year to come. However, to resolve anything regarding next year is enmeshed with the uncertainty of COVID-19. It is difficult to foresee where any of us might be in just a few months let alone at the end of the calendar year.

Making resolutions is much akin to setting goals. In July of 2005, our Board of Trustees produced a Mission and Vision statement and from this produced a set of goals for the future. How well did we do in accomplishing these “resolutions”?

The Mission and Vision statement announced that:

“We are here because we need each other for our hearts, minds and spirits to grow, because our children need us for their own growth, and because the world needs our action for compassion and justice to grow.

“We are here to celebrate the mystery and wonder of life, to share our joys and sorrows, and to care for each other and for the world at large.

“We are here to welcome people of all beliefs, to value diversity of all types, and to offer a safe place to explore all questions with honesty.

“With the strength that comes from community, we move forward with courage into the future, sharing our principles with an ever-widening circle of people, until the world is infused with the values that are the special aspirations of our faith.”

With this Mission and Vision statement, goals were set to accomplish these ideals. They were:

To nurture community for our personal growth…

— The church must develop an overall volunteer strategy. This could include recruitment, the creation of an inventory of volunteer talents and need, education of volunteers and coordinating, supporting and recognizing volunteers.

— The church must create an environmentally responsible outdoor chapel. This would mean creating in the woods south of the church building, an outdoor area for worship.

To nurture community for our children and youth…

— This could include promoting social and fun activities as well as joint youth activities with other UU churches and community groups. Sleepovers could be held at Heritage. Peer offsite activities could be coordinated and a space or game room for pre-teens could be created.

— Provide regular children’s worship through the adoption of new models of education and worship. A combined worship for the first twenty minutes of the Sunday service could be offered as well as adult and children’s education the hour prior to the service. Children’s worship could be led by adults with themes directed towards the youth.

To nurture community for the world outside Heritage…

— We could speak out on and promote our UU values as they relate to issues of the day by holding events with speakers and doing interviews with media. Topics can include current political, social and economic issues. We could encourage members to write letters to editors and have the minister offer inter-faith prayers at public events.

— We could provide avenues for the involvement of Heritage members, friends and youth in social action, social justice and community based organizations. Examples include volunteering in local organizations, working on war issues, working to repeal the “Defense of Marriage Act” and involvement in environmental groups.

— Encourage the use of Heritage space for meetings and community functions consonant with our own values. We could reach out to appropriate groups. The meeting could be used for meetings of AA, the Literacy Council, and faith communities whose services are held on times other than Sunday mornings. Lectures, concerts and performance art could be offered.

How did we do in accomplishing this vision? We’ll let you decide but it seems our current operation includes many of these admirable goals.

As you look into our murky future and attempt to create your own personal goals for 2021, may the new year bring smiles, hope and a sunny optimism about what the upcoming year holds for you and your Heritage family.

Share this...
Share on Facebook
Facebook
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter
Email this to someone
email
Print this page
Print

Filed Under: History Archives

Donate

Search

Building Closed – Church Open

Most church activities are occurring virtually. Through June 2021, no church-affiliated groups are gathering indoors. You can read more at the HUUC Policy Related to COVID-19.

Visitors

Have you visited us for a Sunday morning worship, a Virtual Vespers Service, or other event? Feel free to share your thoughts through our Virtual Guest Book. (No one will contact you unless you request it.)

Heirloom Newsletter

Sign up to receive the monthly Heirloom newsletter in your email in-box. After signing up, be sure to respond to the subscription confirmation email. Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Check your inbox or spam folder now to confirm your subscription.


View the Latest Heirloom Newsletter now.

Email Announcements

Receive the weekly “Our Heritage Connection” email, plus possibly a few other emails per week, by adding your email address to the HUUC Announcements Google Group. Send your request to be on the list, with your first and last name, to our Church Administrator at:

Contact Information and More

Heritage Universalist Unitarian Church
2710 Newtown Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45244-3511
Phone: 513-231-8634.
Church Administrator:

More Contact Information
Map and Directions
Calendar

Community

On Facebook:

Heritage Universalist Unitarian Church

Friends of HUUC

Other Links

What’s Happening at Heritage Catalog
Space Rentals
Turpin High School Parking
Church Auction Catalog
Upcoming Church Sales
LGBT Ally Training Curriculum

More Links

Heritage Acres Memorial Sanctuary website
Heritage Acres on Facebook
AmazonSmile
Kroger Plus Card
Glossary
Privacy Policy
Site Map

Heritage UU Church …

Has Hearing Assist Devices

Is an LGBT+ Welcoming Congregation

Is Wheelchair Accessible

Copyright © 2021 · Heritage Universalist Unitarian Church. All rights reserved unless otherwise indicated · www.huuc.net · Send email to Webmaster