If you are a registered Ohio voter and you didn’t get a chance to vote in the Ohio primary, this message from UU Justice Ohio is for you.

The following is from UU Justice Ohio (UUJO):

Yesterday, the Ohio Senate and House unanimously determined that the final deadline for Absentee Ballot voting in the 2020 Ohio Primary is April 28. See: https://www.ohiosos.gov/

• The legislature noted that this is not a rescheduling of the election per se. Rather, it is an extension of the deadline for Absentee Ballots for the March 17 election.
• Ohioans who already cast primary ballots are good and will have their votes counted. Those who did not vote early will now have the rest of March and April to cast Absentee Ballots.
• There will be no in-person voting for this primary election, though exceptions are being made in certain cases for disabled voters and those without access to the postal system.
• Only voters who were registered and eligible to vote on March 17 may cast an Absentee Ballot.
• Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose will be sending a postcard to all Ohioans informing them of this voting process and how they can cast ballots.

The time window is very short! So, it is imperative that you request an Absentee Ballot and send it back as soon as possible.

Then please check with family and friends to make sure they know about Absentee Ballots.

Congregations, please use a text or email list or phone tree to notify all your congregants. We know from experience that many people do not understand the Ohio Absentee Ballot process.

Here are the basics about Absentee Ballots:

• You will have to request an Absentee Ballot from your respective counties’ Boards of Elections.
• The request form is available online. You can fill it out and print, then send it to your county Board of Elections. See the form and instructions at: https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/voters/absentee-ballot/
• Or you can request an application form by phone and have it mailed to you. Once completed, you mail the application back to your county Board of Elections.
• You can find contact, phone and mailing information for all 88 Ohio county Boards of Elections offices here. Or at: https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/elections-officials/county-boards-of-elections-directory/
• Once you are approved as an absentee voter, you will receive a blank Absentee Ballot in the mail.
• Fill out your Ballot and then mail it back or drop it off at your Board of Elections office. Many counties have Drop Boxes for this. If mailed, it must be postmarked by April 27 to count.

Ohio Secretary of State LaRose has noted that the Ohio Revised Code prevents him from being able to simply mail blank ballots to Ohio voters. By law, Secretary LaRose cannot send out blank absentee ballots to Ohio voters. He is not even allowed to send out unsolicited absentee ballot applications, except for a general election, and that’s only if lawmakers provide the funding to do so.

In other words: during a primary election such as this one, LaRose cannot preemptively send out the first step (applications), much less the second step (ballots themselves). That is why you must formally request an Absentee Ballot.

As you might imagine, there are a lot of different organizations trying to change this process through the courts. And I will send out any modifications. But the safest process is to send in an Absentee Ballot request as soon as possible and return the completed Ballot as soon as it arrives.

Please use all available networks to inform your family, friends, and congregants about this Absentee Ballot process for the 2020 Ohio Primary Election.

Inter Parish Ministry (IPM) writes:

Our community is amazing! So many have reached out wondering how you can help! To best help IPM Food Pantry and our neighbors in need, please consider the following:

(1) Collect and assemble Power Packs* in gallon-sized zip lock bags that can be distributed to school-aged children. This includes snacks like granola bars, single serve chips and pretzels, fruit cups, mac and cheese, soups, fruit snacks, ravioli, oatmeal, etc. These can be dropped off at the Newtown Pantry** Monday and Tuesday from 10-12 or the Amelia Pantry** Thursday and Friday from 10-12.

(2) Consider hosting a virtual food drive by encouraging others to give online by going to the IPM website and clicking the “Donate Now” button in the upper right corner.

According to guidance from Feeding America, virtual food drives are preferable to holding collection drives at this time, because we do not want to place any additional unnecessary strain on grocery stores. Because of our relationship with the Freestore Foodbank, we are able to leverage our buying power and source food for families in need.

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* IPM writes: “[A Power Pack] is typically enough for breakfast, lunch and snacks for one day. So, a typical Power Pack might have: breakfast (single serve cereal or oatmeal), morning snack (peanut butter crackers or granola bar), lunch (single serve mac and cheese or soup, shelf-stable pudding, fruit snacks or raisins and chips or pretzels), and an afternoon snack (applesauce or fruit cup). Some include a juice box or shelf stable milk.”

** Location Addresses:

Newtown Location:
3509 Debolt Road
Newtown, OH 45244

Amelia Location:
1075 W Ohio Pike (on K of C Drive)
Cincinnati, OH 45245

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If you have questions, please email Bob Drake at:

Posted 3/26/2020.

Covid-19 has changed lots of things, including how Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) feeds, shelters, and shows love to homeless families. Here are the important things to know.

IHN programming falls under essential services as outlined in section 8 of Governor Mike DeWine’s Stay-at-Home Order. Staff and volunteers can travel for these purposes, but such travel should be reduced and limited as much as possible, especially for volunteers.

Under current emergency Board of Health orders, it is not permitted to have the homeless receive shelter for a week in church buildings. Families in emergency shelter are now in a hotel so that they have access to their own kitchen and bathroom spaces. This also allows for social distancing from volunteers, staff, and other families. Families are still served by their case managers, often by phone and email.

IHN will still rely on persons and congregations to provide food, but this will be handled differently. More information will be provided later. What is known now is that, to limit food handling and number of drop offs, IHN will be asking for donations of pre-packaged breakfast, lunch, and snack supplies only. Possibilities include Lunchables, or packages of luncheon meats and loaves of bread that a whole family can use to make sandwiches, rather than the volunteers making the sandwiches themselves. Items that can microwaved are also especially helpful (mac and cheese cups, soup cups, etc.).

Here are some things you can do now to help:

(1) Donate Kroger gift cards to help provide for families. Luckily, there is a Kroger within walking distance of the hotel.  The large ask, what we need each of you to do, is to donate some amount on a Kroger gift card for IHN.  This can be ordered online to be shipped directly to IHN ( 990 Nassau Ave – 45206), to minimize contact.  Increments of $10 are preferred, not to exceed $50. 

(2) Make a contribution to IHN by visiting: www.ihncincinnati.org/take-action/give

(3) Donate items to make kid/adult activity packs for families. Anything that can entertain a family that is isolated would be helpful. These can include puzzles and board games. Please provide new, unopened items only.

Donations can also be mailed to:

Interfaith Hospitality Network
990 Nassau Street
Cincinnati, OH 45206.

Thanks so much for continuing to work together, even as we remain apart.

If you have questions, please email Rae Jane Araujo at:

March 25, 2020.

(The following is taken from an email from the national #UUtheVote project at the Unitarian Universalist Association.)

Even apart, we can work together.

Right now feels pretty intense.

The COVID-19 global pandemic has many of us stressed and scared; we might be feeling overwhelmed or helpless with uncertainty. While many of us are being asked to work from home and many more do not have that option, we can stay connected to each other as well as with our UU the Vote community.

In the words of UUA executive vice president Carey McDonald, “This is a time when we need more ministry and connection with each other, not less. It just may need to take a different form.”

We hope we can offer some connection and ministry to you.

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Spiritual Sustenance Twice per Month

UU the Vote now offers twice monthly spiritual nourishment circles on the first Wednesday and the third Monday of each month. These groups offer space share stories from organizing and justice work, reflect, bear witness, amplify joy, and lessen the sorrows. Find the Spiritual Sustenance Schedule and RSVP.

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How to #UUtheVote without leaving the house

We looked at our 50+ Ways to UU the Vote and suggest:

1. Visit Vote Forward to send letters to unlikely or unregistered voters.
2. Go to Reclaim Our Vote to make calls to voters who were purged from the rolls.
3. Consider small group meetings instead of large gathering or gather online using zoom, google hangout, or slack.
4. Set a date for your congregation to watch Suppressed: The Fight to Vote by Brave New Films or the movie Rigged: The Voter Suppression Playbook (available on some streaming services, including Amazon Prime) from each individuals home then hold a group conference call to debrief together.
5. Call your legislator to advocate for paid sick leave and relief for affected workers—not a bail out for the fossil fuel industry. Call (202) 224-3121 to be connected.
6. Spend the time to brainstorm who in your life to engage in values conversations with. Start making those calls and texts. See page 27 in our launch guide.
7. Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper with your opinion of how the pandemic is being handled and what you would like to see our elected leaders do.

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Moments like these are actually why it’s so crucial we have elected leadership who hold our values of beloved community, welcome and sanctuary, accountability and transparency. We want a country that responds with empathy rather than fear; we hope we can all find a way to do so.

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If you have questions about UU the Vote and Heritage UU Church, please send an email to:

March 25, 2020

New Pantry Drive-Thru Service. Donations at Heritage Church.

Inter Parish Ministry’s Newtown and Amelia Food Pantries will each offer Drive-Thru Food Pantries. Clients are welcome to visit a Drive-Thru Pantry every two weeks and receive a pre-packaged selection of groceries (rather than the usual policy of every 30 days), because IPM understands this time of crisis may place additional strain on those in need.

Drive-Thru Pantry hours will be as follows:

• Newtown Pantry: Monday and Tuesday, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
• Amelia Pantry: Thursday and Friday, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Donations of food, personal care and cleaning products ONLY will be accepted. IPM will NOT be accepting clothing or household items until the Choice Pantry reopens

To donate $ directly:

https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E162010&id=7

To bring donations for the pantries:

They can be dropped off at Heritage UU Church, in any of the four bins in the fenced in area in back of the church, under the tent cover in the playground. Bob Drake will collect any donations and deliver them to the pantries.

What is currently the highest need are personal care items, especially shampoo/conditioner, shaving lather, laundry & dish soap, cleaning and disinfecting items (Lysol spray, hand sanitizer, bleach, alcohol etc.). Also, items for “period packs,” (pads, tampons, liners). We have plenty of soap & body wash.

Items can also be dropped off directly to the pantries:

Newtown – Monday thru Thursday, 9:00-3:00
IPM Newtown Main Office
3509 Debolt Road
Newtown, Ohio 45244
Phone: (513)561-3932

Amelia – Wednesday thru Friday. 9:00-3:00
1075 W Ohio Pike (on K of C Drive)
Cincinnati, OH 45245

If you have questions, please email Bob Drake at:

Thanks.

You can help address the critical shortage of medical masks by making them at home! Several members of Heritage UU Church are working with TRIHEALTH to create medical masks.

Patterns and tutorials are provided on the Facebook page Sew Masks 4 Cincy. Cloth is available for people who do not have stocks of cloth, and some people are lending sewing machines. You can even sew masks by hand if you like. At least weekly, the administrators of the page arrange for a delivery drop that has no social contact. People with all skill levels can help. If you want to help out, go to Sew Masks 4 Cincy.

If you have questions, please contact Jen James at:

A recent cleaning and organization of our kitchen revealed an abundance of disposable plates, cups, cutlery, napkins, and over 2000 (yes, 2,000) plastic gloves! The greenest thing we can do is to use up the disposables that we already have in the kitchen.

As a Certified Green Congregation, we committed to using reusable plates, cups, etc. PLEASE DO NOT BRING ANY DISPOSABLE KITCHEN ITEMS INTO HERITAGE UU CHURCH.

That includes not bringing any plastic water bottles or, especially, Styrofoam cups.

Plastic is killing more than 1.1 million seabirds and animals every year.

The average person eats 70,000 microplastics each year.

Plastic chemicals are absorbed by the body—93 percent of Americans age six or older test positive for BPA (a plastic chemical), which is linked to fertility problems, male impotence, heart disease, and may cause cancer.

Please read the sign in the kitchen regarding recycling. The chart clearly shows what you can recycle in our area.

Also, another housekeeping item: Do NOT use sand for holding candles, etc., in carpeted areas. The sand spills and is then ground into the carpeting, causing premature wear.

Sincerely,
The Tuesday Morning Green Cleaning Team

Questions? Talk with anyone on the cleaning team, or send email to:

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Editor’s Note: The chalice water bottle pictured is available at InSpirit, the UUA Book and Gift Shop.

Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) is a program whereby homeless families are housed for a week at a time in churches, temples, synagogues and mosques. Organizers have now set the dates when First Unitarian Church of Cincinnati will host families, which means that we now know when Heritage folk can help in this effort.

Please consider signing up to be a Dinner Host, Activity Host, or Overnight Host for one or more of the dates below.

• April 7th (at First Church)
• June 30th (at First Church)
• September 1st (at Grace Place)
• October 13th (at First Church)
• December 22th (at First Church)

First Church is located at 536 Linton Street, Cincinnati, OH 45219 (in Avondale). Grace Place is located in College Hill – see Rae Jane Araujo for more information.

More information on the various hosting roles can be found on Heritage’s IHN page.

To volunteer or for more information, please talk with Rae Jane, or email her at:

January 2020.

In 2004, Heritage UU Church completed a two-year program to become more welcoming and inclusive of people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, and/or transgender. As a result, the Unitarian Universalist Association officially recognized us as a “Welcoming Congregation.”

Since then, the congregation has had several cycles of LGBT welcoming activity, including the “Living the Welcoming Congregation” program.

In 2018, the UUA unveiled its Welcoming Congregation Renewal program. The UUA said, “To honor your original pledge, it’s essential that new people in the congregation (as well as people who were originally involved in the program) understand your congregation’s commitment to this work and learn about the current needs and concerns of LGBTQ+ people.”

In describing the need for renewal, the UUA website says, “Transgender Unitarian Universalists (UUs) are still struggling to find community in UU congregations. Bisexual UUs suffer from invisibility while asexual, intersex, and polyamorous communities are wrestling with a progressive faith that does not privilege their truth. These and the many more social ills that plague our LGBTQ+ and TGQNB* communities are calling us into a deeper commitment to ensure that our Unitarian Universalist congregations are living into the Welcome that we boldly proclaim.”

Heritage Church plans to pursue the Welcoming Congregation Renewal Program in calendar year 2020. If you would like to be on the team to help plan and implement this, or if you just want to know more, talk with Tracey DuEst, or email her at:

November 2019.

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* Transgender, Genderqueer, Non-Binary

Have you ever considered volunteering at the Inter Parish Ministry’s Choice Food Pantry?

IPM is currently looking for help with sorting and stocking food and clothing, AND working with clients as they make their food choices. Volunteers are also needed to pick up food donations each morning before the pantry opens.

Children 9 and up may volunteer with their parents to stock and sort. Children 14 and up may volunteer in the pantry.

Pantry hours are Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and Monday evenings. Volunteers may work at locations in Newtown and/or Amelia. Details about locations will be provided by IPM.

To volunteer, call 513-561-3932 or send email to:

November 2019.