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Found House Needs Your Help
Heritage is again partnering with St. John’s, First UU, and other area churches to support Found House. Found House (formerly Interfaith Hospitality Network or IHN) is a nonprofit that works with the homeless in Cincinnati.
The mission of Found House is to provide homeless families with emergency shelter and hospitality through interfaith communities, and to work with families to find and retain stable housing.
Our next opportunity to step up for this cause is the period of November 17-27, 2024 and we need your help.
Each night we will need meals to feed approximately 12-15 people. We also need folks who like to play and entertain children, and we need those who can spend the night with the guests at St. John’s.
If you are interested in volunteering, please use this SignUpGenius URL: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040B49AAA62AA75-51622416-found#/
For more information, contact Rae Jane Araujo; email at:
or phone: 513-638-5746.
Image source: https://www.foundhouse.org/
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Wise Women Gather in Adams County
For well over a decade, the women of HUUC have gathered in the fall at Hope Springs Institute in Adams County to “retreat” from daily life. This year, the retreat was scheduled for the weekend that Hurricane Helene hit. We attempted to get to the retreat center but downed power lines and trees blocked all the roads that lead there. Hope Springs was without power for many days. Our original group of almost two dozen women scrambled with texts, calls, emails and meetings in cemeteries and Amish shops; eventually having a pizza dinner and ingathering at the home of Tracy Jo and David Small.
An impromptu sound bath was received by several attendees. Very late that night it was determined that we had to reschedule for October 11-13, 2024.
The rescheduled retreat was smaller due to schedule conflicts. We found that it was sweet to have a small, intimate group.
Magic wands were created and contributed to the magical space and time.
Hope Springs food is always bountiful and nourishing. However, this year it was even more delicious because we had many of our meals outside under sunny skies. There was plenty of time for leisurely walks and deep conversations. The land at Hope Springs held us as we got know each other even better and did our work individually and as a group.
We look forward to next year when even more sisters can join us. Mark your calendar for September 26-28, 2025. It promises to be a special time.
Images source: Tracy Jo Small
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The Annual Auction and Family Fall Fest is a Success!
The annual HUUC Auction and Family Fall Fest held September 21, 2024 was again a rousing success! Young and old alike had good food and fun at the event. The activities attracted a great turnout of more than 150attendees – many from outside the standard HUUC community. In addition, the combined events raised $7,000 to help support us through the coming months. Thanks to all who helped with this event, especially to John Sandman and Meredith Meyer who were the driving forces behind its triumph.
Fun Fest Bouncy House
Kids play at Fun Fest
Fun Fest Facepainting
Haunted Trail “Characters”
Chili dinner with the evening’s entertainment
Images source: Meredith Meyer
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HUUC Is Even Safer!
The world has never been a completely safe place for us “mere mortals,” but Heritage church became an increasingly safer place in September 2024 via the many efforts of the HUUC Security Team, headed by Bob Lamb.
Through the direction of Susan Conley, we moved forward with the vote during a special congregational meeting on September 15, 2024 to upgrade many safety features to our physical facilities. For details on these upgrades, refer to the September Heirloom at https://huuc.net/heirloom/heirloom_2024_09_7355.pdf,
Through the efforts of Terri Gaitskill, many HUUC congregants were trained in CPR and AED procedures. Terri also organized an after Sunday service training for congregants by the Hamilton sheriff’s department on responding to an active shooter situation.
If you could not attend the active shooter session, the following link. takes you to a video by the FBI that summarizes the recommended responses in less than five minutes via a educational dramatization.
During the active shooter session, Bob Lamb added specific details relevant to HUUC. To obtain these details, contact Bob in-person or via e-mail to his address:
If you have an interest in joining the Security Team, also contact Bob at the above email address.
Image source: https://tinyurl.com/y4jjm6mw
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Heritage Members Support Ohio Haitian Immigrants
Several people returning from the 2024 Universalist Convocation stopped in Springfield, Ohio, to show their support for the Haitian immigrant community. Rebecca Pace and Russ Araujo were part of the group who enjoyed a delicious Creole meal at Rose Goute Creole Restaurant.
Image source: https://tinyurl.com/kkznxajk
