Rev. Kellie Kelly

The Rev. Eugene Sparrow was one of our first African American Unitarian ministers. Unfortunately, Sparrow could not find a congregation to call him. Together, we’ll explore what Sparrow’s story tells us.

Worship Associate: Bill Lyon.

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Rev. Kellie Kelly is the minister of Miami Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Dayton, Ohio. As a third-generation single mother, she became the first person in her family to attend college, completing her undergraduate degree at the age of 41. She went on to earn a Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Leadership at Meadville Lombard Theological School. Kellie considers social justice work an important part of her ministry, describing herself as an antiracist feminist socialist. She was the chairperson of UU Class Conversations for 3 years, an organization which seeks to make Unitarian Universalism a more class-inclusive Faith. Currently, Kellie is serving her second term on the UU Justice Ohio Board. She also is a suicide-attempt survivor and mental illness advocate. Kellie is dedicated to creating a world where every human being can thrive, no exceptions.

2022.

Rev. Bill Gupton

Viruses and insurrections and climate catastrophes, oh my! Today’s reflection won’t focus on any of these. Instead, our Senior Minister has heard your requests for a “fun and uplifting” service, and this morning he will strive to provide some light-hearted humor to go with a healthy dose of chicken soup (or vegetable broth, if you prefer) for the soul.

Worship Associate: Lisa Prantl.

2022.

Rev. Bill Gupton

What is God? Who is God? Is there a God? If so, what are God’s attributes? What is God like? These questions have animated the human imagination for as long as there have been people. Religions – even Unitarian Universalism – seek to answer such questions. Historically, Universalists embraced the scriptural declaration “God is Love,” while Unitarians embraced the scriptural declaration “God is One.” What might contemporary Unitarian Universalists say? What might your Senior Minister say? What might you say?

Worship Associate: Regina Pugh.

2022.

Side with Love is a public advocacy campaign that seeks to harness love’s power to stop oppression. It is sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Association, and all are welcome to join.

Each year, Side with Love offers “30 Days of Love,” a celebration of love that continues from Martin Luther King, Jr., Day through Valentine’s Day. With materials from Side with Love, we collectively nurture our spirits, deepen our understanding, and take action on our values for collective liberation. Join us for a special worship service inspired by the love that is the spirit of our faith as well as our church. There will be stirring music, deep-hearted reflection, and moving testimonies from UU leaders. Let’s all SIDE WITH LOVE!!

Service Facilitator: Steph Tacy.

2022.

Rev. Bill Gupton

Homo sapiens has survived and thrived on planet Earth largely because of our adaptability. We have evolved from hunter-gatherers to agriculturalists to technologists. We have learned to live in a variety of climates and social situations. But although we are indeed a very “adaptable species,” we now face challenges that are testing the limits of our adaptability. From viruses (which are also highly adaptable species) to climate change to how to safely and lovingly live in community, we seem to be struggling with how to adapt to the world as it now is. Can we continue to adapt? On one level, this is – literally – an existential question.

Worship Associate: Jenny Hamerstadt.

2022.

Rev. Bill Gupton

In his annual “state of the church address,” our Senior Minister will reflect on the dramatic changes taking place in our church – and churches all over America – here in the third decade of the 21st century. How have the pandemic, the shift to “multi-platform worship,” changing demographics and time demands affected the life of our congregation? What might that shared community life look like, in the year(s) ahead?

Worship Associate: Shannon Murley.

2022.

Rev. Rob Kinslow leads the worship service at First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church of Duxbury, Massachusetts. We join them via Zoom, expanding our UU community.

Unitarian Universalists are a small denomination tackling some of the biggest challenges of our time. How do we maintain our optimism?

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Heritage UU Church’s live, music-themed worship service, originally scheduled for January 23, has been postponed to a date later in the year due to the spike in COVID cases and our desire to keep everyone as safe and healthy as possible.

This Sunday, we will be traveling virtually to Duxbury, Massachusetts, by invitation from Rev. Rob Kinslow, Sabbatical Minister, and his congregation, to join them in worship via livestream. Rev. Kinslow, and those assisting him in worship planning, have been so gracious and welcoming in extending their warmth and hospitality as a community to all of us. We will explore the ways in which we can maintain our optimism during these challenging times. No one has been untouched by the many difficulties that are around us, and this will be a much-needed source of insight as we continue this journey together.

You may wonder how this connection with First Parish UU Church came to be. This church is located in the historical town of Duxbury, Massachusetts, which is said to be the first “suburb” of Plymouth. First Parish was one of the first buildings built in Duxbury in approximately 1638, when the first group of Plymouth settlers moved beyond that village. It is a beautiful church built in the old Greek revival style of the period with solid wooden pews and a magnificent pipe organ, which is still in use. Steph and Les Tacy visited First Parish while visiting a cousin of Steph’s several years ago; the church and its friendly atmosphere left a lasting impression.

Rev. Rob Kinslow is serving as the Sabbatical Minister for First Parish UU Church while their minister, Rev. Catherine Cullen, is on sabbatical. Rev. Rob has led worship in numerous UU congregations. He is a graduate of Starr King School for the Ministry and also attended Andover Newton Theological School. He has served a chaplaincy at Boston Medical Center and was ordained into the Unitarian Universalist ministry in May 2021. He also is the founder of The Meaning of Magic, a nonprofit that teaches magic to young people. He and his wife, Janice, are the proud parents of two grown sons. They share their home now with two furry companions, Daisy and Petey.

The Zoom link will appear on the Heritage UU Church homepage before the service.

Service Facilitator: Steph Tacy.

2022.

Laci Lee Adams

When you think of Dr. King, what images, speeches or writings come to your mind? Often our remembrances of Dr. King come from the earlier moments of his life: the bus boycotts, the March on Washington, the Edmund Pettus bridge. Today’s service will focus on the lessons of the last years of Dr. King’s life and how they can speak to our current moment. Join us for an all-ages service that commemorates the life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Worship Associate: Shannon Murley.

2022.

Rev. Mitra Jafarzadeh

Does it feel like the world is turned upside down? Have all your expectations of “normal” been dashed? If it feels like the end of the world is near, don’t worry! You are not alone. Together we will explore ways to survive the unthinkable with integrity and grace.

Worship Associate: Kathy Wade.

2022.

Michael Tacy

As we begin 2022, and look to the future, could this be the year that we re-examine our perspective on life and shift our focus? Michael Tacy shares a philosophical examination of the driving hold that the concept of Production has on our lives and how it’s possible to loosen its grip.

Michael Tacy is a lifelong musician and advocate for the arts. He is the music director of The Gathering at Northern Hills UU church in Wyoming, Ohio, and teaches music production, composition, piano and guitar. His messages often center around finding inner peace as he believes the key to world peace is to make finding inner peace easier.

This is a Zoom-only worship service. The Zoom link will be on the Heritage Church homepage before the service.

Worship Associate: Steph Tacy.

2022.