Celebrating Life. Creating Community. Seeking Justice.
Jen Ciolino
In this service we will explore the transformative power of compassion in our daily interactions. Choosing compassion not only enables us to view situations from a more positive perspective, but also enriches our internal emotional and spiritual journey. Join us as we delve into how making this choice is not just an act of love towards others, but also a rewarding way to engage with the world.
Worship Associate: Bob Lamb.
2023.
Rev. Mitra Jafarzadeh
Rev. Mitra Jafarzadeh
For centuries, religion offered inspiration and funding for “great art.” In our more cynical and secular era, how does art function for those who seek the spirit of love and justice? Beauty can shape our spirit. As autumn deepens, and nature paints the trees in russet hues, take some time to revel in the beauty we share.
Join Rev. Mitra Jafarzadeh to explore the relationship between beauty and faith; art and awe; humanity and the creative spirit. We will also hear music from our wonderful choir.
Worship Associate: Kathy Wade.
Rev. Mitra lives in Cincinnati with her husband, rapidly growing young adult children, dog, cats, and freshwater fish. After concluding a season of service to congregations, she began a new ministry when she founded Open Rose Coaching to offer life, end-of-life, and grief coaching.
2023.
Rev. Bill Gupton
There is so much wisdom and inspiration to be found in TED Talks that Rev. Bill thought he might curate some of his favorite moments from TED to share with you this year. TED (which stands for Technology, Entertainment, and Design . . . Oxford comma required [or is it?]) is a non-profit organization founded in 1984 (Orwellian?) that has, for nearly 40 years, been sharing human insights and vision with the world. This morning, we’ll share some too.
Worship Associate: Jenn Hester.
2023.
Rev. Bill Gupton
We live in very stressful times. For each of us, anxiety – both apparent, and subtle – can be a dangerous and debilitating part of daily existence. No one is immune. This morning, let us find a refuge – literally, a sanctuary – with one another, in loving and supportive community. With music (including from our beloved Choir), words and silence, we will seek an antidote to anxiety.
Worship Associate: Roger Miller.
2023.
Kathy Wade and Steph Tacy
Creativity lives in each of us. It reveals who we are as individuals. As a community, it shines a light on all we were, are and can be. This Sunday, we celebrate that light as we gather in community for Poetry Sunday. Have you written a poem or a song that resounds in your heart?
If you’d like to share the harvest of your creative seeds during the service, you are invited to go to: huucpoetrysunday@gmail.com and type or paste in your poem or song. Note: Limiting it to one side of a page will leave time for more people of all ages to share.
Last day to send your words in is Wednesday, August 23 — but earlier is encouraged.
Look for reminders each week from Church Administrator Martha Viehmann in your email box.
2023.
Water Ceremony at Heritage UU Church, 2010
Rev. Bill Gupton
In our annual intergenerational Ingathering service, we bring the waters that we have collected over the summer, combine them in a ritual known as the Water Ceremony, and mark the beginning of another cycle of the seasons together in community. Please bring a small amount of water from somewhere you have traveled (or from your home, if you like) to join with that collected by others in this special and moving ceremony for all ages. Today also features the first performance of the new church year by our wonderful Choir.
Worship Associate: Steph Tacy.
August 2023.
Rev. Bill Gupton in the pulpit during the Universalist Convocation, held at Heritage Universalist Unitarian Church in May 2014.
Rev. Bill Gupton
This morning, our Senior Minister continues his introductory / explanatory sermon series by examining why Universalism is a faith tradition that particularly resonates with him—and many others—within the broader religion known as “Unitarian Universalism.” Did you know our congregation was founded as the First Universalist Society of Cincinnati in 1827? Today would be a great Sunday to bring a friend or first-time visitor!
2023.
Bruce Bowdon
There are times in our lives that we must face the abyss: a decision where we consider the previously unimaginable or are faced with having to let go of a system of beliefs and/or comfort we thought we could rely upon. To face an abrupt change can be demoralizing and seem to call for more fortitude than we know we possess. Nothing in our past offers any guidance of how to make this decision.
Worship Associate: Rev. Bill Gupton.
2023.
Stellar Grouping R136, which is in a turbulent star-birthing region of a nearby galaxy. Image taken by the Hubble’s Wide Field Camera 3.
Rev. Bill Gupton
With each passing year, we human beings are learning more about this wondrous Universe in which we live. And the more we learn, the more we are amazed at its mysteries. Come to Heritage today to lean into the awe and reverence that an open-minded, open-hearted look at our Universe cannot help but inspire.
Worship Associate: Bob Lamb.
2023.
