Celebrating Life. Creating Community. Seeking Justice.
Jaime Castle
Over this holiday weekend, we will apply our first principle—that every person has inherent worth and dignity—to our everyday lives. It begs the question: how can we sustain a genuine love for someone or something that we may not necessarily find likable? Bring the whole family for this special message featuring special music!
2023.
Rev. Manish Mishra-Marzetti
Come, let us worship together – with thousands of other Unitarian Universalists! Live from Pittsburgh, this year’s General Assembly worship service features the preaching of Rev. Manish Mishra-Marzetti of Ann Arbor, Michigan, and the amazing GA Choir. The service starts at 11:00 a.m., but come to Heritage at the usual time of 10:30 for some of our own cherished rituals, including Candles of Community. Learn more about the service here: https://www.uua.org/ga/program/highlights/sunday-morning-worship
Worship Associate: Louise Lawarre.
2023.
Rev. Bill Gupton
Today we’ll use some religious language, consider why and how it may be triggering, and seek to acknowledge and affirm the wide variety of beliefs and spiritualities inherent in an unapologetically Universalist church. We’ll also lift up Father’s Day and enjoy special music from church member Bruce Bowdon.
Worship Associate: Roger Miller.
2023.
Rev. Bill Gupton
Some of the most fascinating speculation (and study) in the world of sociology revolves around generations. You’ve heard of Boomers and Gen X and Millennials – and their supposed generational traits – but have you considered the possibility that we have reached such a tipping point in the history of our species and our planet that the next two generations hold the key to our survival? Perhaps that’s why they’ve been dubbed Generation Omega and Generation Alpha. A rebirth may be coming. And it’s long overdue, according to our Senior Minister, who is the proud father of an Omegan – but still trying to understand. Okay, Boomer!
Worship Associate: Jenny Hamerstadt.
2023.
Rev. Meg McGuire
Rev. Meg McGuire
This year, Pride month commences in the shadow of a troubling wave of anti-trans legislation, with nearly 400 state bills introduced since the beginning of 2023. Unitarian Universalist values compel us to cherish and defend LGBTQIA+ people within our communities and in the wider world. Join Rev. Meg McGuire to reflect on the gifts that diverse expressions of gender and sexuality bring to our communities, as well as to our search for truth and meaning.
Rev. Meg McGuire (she/her/hers) is an ordained Unitarian Universalist minister, currently serving as a hospital chaplain. A lifelong UU, she is guided by the work of love and liberation that sets us all free. After working as a union organizer in New York City, Meg completed her M.Div. at Starr King School for the Ministry in Berkeley, Calif., and her ministerial internship in San Francisco. She recently returned to her hometown of Columbus, Ohio, with her wife Paige and their enthusiastic terrier Lottie. Meg finds renewal in sharing meals in community and biking or kayaking along the local rivers.
Worship Associate: Rev. Bill Gupton.
2023.
Rev. Bill Gupton
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly – and we mean rapidly – weaving its way into every aspect of our lives. Two months ago, hundreds of experts in the field (including some very well-known names) signed an open letter to humanity urging a pause in the development of the technology, citing “profound risks to society and humanity.” To date, their call has not been heeded. In fact, in the two months since, the capabilities of artificial intelligence have merely continued to grow at beyond exponential pace. This morning we will consider both the spiritual and existential aspects of human life in a world of artificial intelligence, with a special (digital) guest appearance by someone who is currently working in the field.
Worship Associate: Kathy Wade.
2023.
Rev. Bill Gupton
Today we honor the retirement of our Music Director, Les Tacy, by celebrating the central role that music plays in our lives, and in our Heritage Church worship experience. Les will play for us and sing a solo, the Choir will sing two pieces – one by Choir Director Steve McCamley and one by Heritage member Bruce Bowdon – and we’ll even sing a hymn composed by former Choir Director Clay Pendergrass. There will be other special music as well. After the service, join us for a retirement celebration honoring Les in the Great Hall.
Worship Associate: Lisa Prantl.
2023.
Mother and son
Laci Lee Adams
Considering its historical American ties to abolition, suffrage, and post-war reconciliation, Mother’s Day is the perfect opportunity to embrace the revolutionary potential of mothering to build community, inspire resilience and expand our definition of “care.” Join Laci Lee Adams, Director of Lifespan Faith Development, for this All Ages service that explores our collective commitment to raising up hope together as we birth new worlds!
Worship Associate: Rev. Bill Gupton.
2023.
Rev. Bill Gupton
This Sunday marks the 100th anniversary of the Flower Ceremony, a uniquely Unitarian Universalist rite of spring. Come celebrate the origins, and the modern vitality, of this ritual of springtime sharing. Each person (regardless of age) is asked to bring with them this morning a fresh flower, to place on our altar; everyone will leave with a different flower, brought by someone else in the congregation. We will enjoy music from our Choir and our retiring Music Director, Les Tacy, as we build our bouquet of beauty.
The service will also include a ceremony welcoming new members into the church. If you are interested in becoming a member of Heritage Church, or have questions about the process, please contact Rev. Bill at:
2023.
Rev. Mary Katherine Morn, UU Service Committee President
Rev. Mary Katherine Morn, President of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC)
How do we stop systems based in relentless extraction and move towards ways of being that heal and restore? Communities in the front lines of the climate crisis are leading the way towards the transformations necessary for our collective survival and flourishing. Rev. Mary Katherine Morn, president of Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC), shares stories of the remarkable work UUSC partners are engaging in around the world with our support.
The service will include a story for all ages and separate UUSC related activities for children during the sermon time. There will be a joint choir composed of singers from several local UU congregations and a joint house band to lead us in singing.
The joint UU multi-church worship service will take place on April 30, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at the FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH OF CINCINNATI, 536 Linton Street, Cincinnati OH 45219. People may attend in person at First Church or view the YouTube livestream at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrnA57zRwsU.
Parking will be available in the lot across Linton Street from the church, and additional parking will be available in the Children’s Hospital lot next to the church. Representatives of the UUSC will be available during the coffee hour to answer questions about the UUSC. Pastries, coffee and tea will be provided. You are welcome to bring additional finger food to share.
This joint worship service is sponsored by the six-church Unitarian Universalist Council of Greater Cincinnati. The evening before the service, a joint UU multi-church potluck dinner will be held with Rev. Morn at St. John’s Unitarian Universalist Church. Click here to learn more about the potluck.
After 30 years in faith-based leadership, the Rev. Mary Katherine Morn joined UUSC as President and Lead Executive Officer in 2018. She has helped to grow a number of progressive congregations serving their members and the larger community.
Mary Katherine contributed to efforts for economic, racial, and social justice in Macon, Georgia at the Economic Opportunity Council/ Headstart with the NAACP. She also worked deeply in the reproductive justice movement. In Nashville, Tennessee, she collaborated with the Interfaith Alliance and Industrial Areas Foundation. In Fairfax, Virginia, she worked with interfaith ministries addressing hunger and homelessness, collaborated with LGBTQI+ advocacy organizations, and served on the county’s homelessness task force.
Mary Katherine also served in volunteer leadership with the Unitarian Universalist Ministers’ Association and for four years as Director of Stewardship and Development for the Unitarian Universalist Association.
