Easter at Heritage UU Church, 2015
Rev. Bill Gupton
At Heritage, we celebrate Easter in many different ways – with stories unique and traditional to our Universalist congregation’s history, with Unitarian-influenced gratitude for the rebirth of spring, with lovely choral music and congregational singing, and more. All ages are invited to come spend a fun, celebratory, unique Easter Sunday with us. Fancy Easter hats optional but encouraged.
Worship Associate: Laci Lee Adams.
2022.
Louise Lawarre
Join Louise Lawarre as she explores her journey of learning, understanding, and managing the complexity of the UUA’s anti-racism/anti-oppression processes, including the proposed 8th Principle and the pending Article II revisions. How has she held in love the voices for change and the voices of concern about some of the processes? How might her journey help Heritage members hold space for their own thoughts and for the different ideas of others? And how might we all answer the invitation to be part of the journey?
Our Choir will sing for us today. After the service, there will be a community conversation—facilitated by Bill Gupton and Laci Lee Adams—to allow for questions, and for processing Louise’s message.
Worship Associate: Rev. Bill Gupton.
2022.
Laci Lee Adams
Sesame Street has been teaching and entertaining children and families for more than 50 years! Sunday’s All Ages worship service is inspired by the newest phase of Sesame Street’s “Word of the Day,” created in collaboration with the Coming Together Initiative. We will explore how we can all reinforce love, unity, inclusivity and resilience in our children and wider community! Worship will include media clips from Sesame Street and even the National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman!
Worship Associate: Lisa Prantl.
2022.
Portrait of Cincinnati Unitarian minister W.H.G. Carter is held aloft during Racial Reconciliation Weekend in 2001.
Rev. Bill Gupton
As America continues to struggle with its own racial reckoning, Unitarian Universalist institutions, large and small, are also reflecting on our own disturbing history of racism. While many individuals and groups of UUs have been active in racial justice movements, from abolition to civil rights to Black Lives Matter, we also have a shameful and painful history (and present) of racial injustices within our own UU communities. The racial reckoning we find ourselves facing as Unitarian Universalists illuminates uncomfortable truths from the distant past, unconscionable realities in the recent past and present, and completely unpredictable futures. Today’s service, which will also feature our Choir, is the first of three that will explore related topics; the remaining two will take place April 10 (“Article 2 and You”) and April 24 (a service about our UU General Assembly).
Worship Associate: Kathy Wade.
2022.
Rev. Bill Gupton
One online dictionary defines “hodgepodge” as “a confused mixture,” or a “jumble of heterogenous items.” Synonyms include “miscellany” and “muddle.” This morning’s service will include a variety of ostensibly unrelated things – perhaps even heterogeneous things – that are on Rev. Bill’s mind and heart, that he wants to share with you … but he promises to strive more for the “miscellany” than the “muddle.” Come find out what will pop up this Sunday!
Worship Associate: Shannon Murley.
2022.
Rev. Bill Gupton and Reid Hester
Today we kick off our annual stewardship campaign – the opportunity for Heritage members and friends to manifest how much this church means to all of us. Join us to learn about the many exciting new initiatives and plans our lay leadership and staff have for the upcoming year, as we prepare to resume a full array of in-person and online opportunities to engage with one another, build community, and serve our wider world. Our Choir will also bless us with the gift of song this morning.
Worship Associate: Roger Miller.
2022.
Rev. Kellie Kelly
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.
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.
Getting ready for a short but elevating trip
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.
Today’s service will be an all-ages, intergenerational worship experience, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Worship Associate: Regina Pugh.
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: Kathy Wade.
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.
