On November 12, 2023, Heritage Church welcomed new members.
David Bourne and Julie Heath
David Bourne and Julie Heath were members of a UU church outside of Memphis, Tennessee, before they moved to Cincinnati in 2012, but say they never really “clicked” at any church here in Ohio “until we came here [to Heritage] in July. From the first moment, we felt welcomed, accepted, and seen. The respect and care that is shown here on a weekly basis is palpable. We are happy to become members of a community so firmly rooted in the articulation and practice of love.”
Both are retired Economics professors, who taught for many years at the University of Memphis. Eleven years ago, Julie was offered a position as the Executive Director of the Alpaugh Family Economics Center at U.C., and the couple moved to Cincinnati. The Center is involved in applied research that provides economic and financial education for students in grades K through 12. They recently retired, and we are glad they did, as that led to a renewed spiritual search – which in turn led them to Heritage.
Both were raised in the Methodist church, but say they felt varying degrees of disconnectedness from that faith as they became adults. When they lost an infant daughter, Katie, it became clear to them that the type of religion they had grown up with was, as they put it, “too small for our grief.” After spending many months simply trying to survive, they found Neshoba Unitarian Universalist Church in Memphis, and a community of searchers that felt like home.
Julie and David now live in Sycamore Township, and love to hike. As they put it, “we’re outside whenever and wherever we can find a trail.” They have two sons, from David’s first marriage, and three grandsons who live in Louisville. Their daughter Maggie lives in Northside with her husband, Neil.
Julie Lusk
Julie Lusk is pleased to join Heritage, she says, “because of your values, beliefs, activities, music, and especially the friendly, caring people and church leadership.” Her current interests include playing Native American flutes and the gold flute her husband Dave handmade for her. She is delving into sound baths and healing with a Reverie harp, Tibetan bowls, harmonium, and various drums, bells, and rattles. She also “sings . . . out-of-tune.”
Julie has taught yoga for nearly 50 years, and even taught here at Heritage, in the Great Hall, for about five years pre-COVID. She currently teaches in person in Milford, as well as on Zoom. She is a SoulCollage© facilitator.
She’s also the author of six professionally published books and numerous audios on guided relaxation, imagery, and meditation. She says she never planned to be an author after getting an F-minus-minus on a college English composition, but her books seem to “come to her” in a remarkable and surprising manner that you can ask her more about.
Julie was born and raised in Kenwood with 12 years of Catholic schooling. Her eclectic career has included working as a college dean for career development and wellness, a decade at a large medical clinic as director of health management, and as regional director at Mercy Holistic Health and Wellness. She’s also done a lot of community organizing.
Julie and Dave, her husband of 46 years (who does all the cooking), live in Milford.