Announcements

The April 2025 religious education (RE) theme is Interdependence. It will focus on the many ways in which we are all connected to each other, to our community, to our wider world and to our earth.

On April 6, 2025, we start our learning together to discover the many forms of interdependence. 

On April 13, 2025, we will experience one form of interdependence in congregational life – an ordination in anticipation of Bill Lyon’s ordination later in the afternoon. We will actually be putting on a spirit play ordination during our religious education time!

On April 20, 2025, we will celebrate Easter (in its various forms) and then have a little fun during our post-worship Egg-stravaganza!

On April 27, 2025, we will experience our interdependence through a day of gardening.

Finally, a reminder – Saturday, April 5, 2025, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. is our Spring Service Day, with more information forthcoming.

Image source: courtesy of Laci Adams

The HUUC Board of Trustees will reach out through several publications to potential contract minister candidates as part of our ministerial transition process with the following.

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A full-time senior minister is sought by Heritage Universalist Unitarian Church (HUUC) in Cincinnati, Ohio. HUUC is an avidly Universalist congregation with deep traditions. It is a growing, mid-sized church — a liberal beacon welcoming members from the surrounding conservative suburban neighborhood, especially families with young children. The senior minister is retiring after serving more than two decades. The HUUC Board is seeking a contract minister, with options to extend by mutual agreement. Candidate interviews begin in April. Additional, qualified candidates may apply. Interested parties can reach the HUUC Search committee at:

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For more information on the ministerial transition, contact Board President Jaime Castle at:

Image source: https://tinyurl.com/wvja4dpd

On Sunday, March 23, 2025, four new HUUC members signed the membership book.

The following introduces these new members: Cynthia Kufla, Aaron Bird, Rachel “Rai” Bosch , and Samuel Bosch-Bird to HUUC.

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Cynthia Kukla

Cynthia Kukla is relatively new to Heritage Church, but she has been a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington-Normal in Bloomington, Illinois, since the 1990’s. Since moving back to Ohio a few years ago, she has been wanting to reconnect with UU-ism and a UU church.

Her return to the Cincinnati area was driven by a desire to be closer to her grandchildren. Cynthia lives in West Clermont County, where she has completed construction of a “glorious art studio” right behind her house. She says that “the fun and effort involved in building my studio is what kept me from joining the church sooner. I only fired two contractors!”

Cynthia is an Emerita Professor of Art who started her career at Northern Kentucky University, a place that still holds many fond memories for her. She says, “I am still in touch with many of my former NKU students here – which is wonderful.”

Cynthia specializes in watercolors, and regularly teaches watercolor workshops at the Cincinnati Nature Center and Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park. She’s also an environmentalist, nature-lover, and casual gardener.

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 Aaron works in AI implementation, and enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, cave exploring, and boating, as well as cheering on FC Cincinnati. Aaron and Rai began attending Heritage because they were seeking a welcoming community where their children, Samuel, Zach, and Tyler, could connect with like-minded peers. Aaron has been particularly inspired by the congregation’s commitment to kindness, love, and community, and now feels called to formally join the church, to, in his words, “help sustain this vibrant community for generations to come.”

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After relocating to Cincinnati to pursue a PhD in geosciences, she and Aaron sought a welcoming spiritual home for their family – and Heritage became that safe, supportive community where their children could thrive.

Now a licensed professional geologist and environmental consultant specializing in caves, karst, and fractured rock systems, Rai’s scientific curiosity aligns with her reverence for the natural world.

They find joy in cave exploration, boating, swimming, cheering for FC Cincinnati with their family, and most recently, fly fishing. Rai’s spiritual path continues to be illuminated by the UU principles of the inherent human dignity, the free search for truth, and the pursuit of worldwide peace and justice. They cherish Heritage as a community where individuals support each other’s unique spiritual journeys while collectively working toward these shared ideals.

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Samuel Bosch-Bird 
Samuel Bosch-Bird was born in West Virginia, and then home-schooled in Michigan until sixth grade. In 2016, when its family moved to Cincinnati, some of its first friends in the area were made at Heritage.

Consistent throughout Samuel’s time at Heritage has been evidence of the love that is the spirit of the church. It says “Heritage has a very warm, welcoming, and supportive community, with a clear commitment to support the wider community through service and charity.” Samuel has always felt joy and recognition at Heritage, and wants to continue to be part of such a community whose spirituality is full of love and support.

Images source: courtesy of Rev. Bill Gupton

As the date of Rev. Bill Gupton’s retirement from the role as HUUC senior minister approaches at the end of May, the ministerial transition efforts move forward.

Board President Jaime Castle announced during services on Sunday, March 9, 2025 and in a follow up email announcement that, “we have entered into a contract to work with consultants Rev. Mitra Jafarzadeh and Rabbi Jonathan Cohen (Courage and Covenant LLC.) to professionally guide us through the transition and help our congregation do a meaningful self-assessment.”

Jaime’s announcement continued to describe these consultants’ role and the reasons behind this contract. “Courage and Covenant collaborates with congregations through ongoing consultation and evaluation. They strive to understand both leadership direction and member experiences, ensuring authenticity to the congregation’s mission. Their work evolves as needed, but they remain committed to helping Heritage engage its members, clarify values and priorities, strengthen leadership, and express hopes for its next religious leader. Expect more information to be coming about this as there will be many opportunities for engagement through congregational interviews and discussions! The length of our contract with them is five months and our aim is to have a contract minister in August.” 

More information on these consultants and what they do can be found at: https://courageandcovenant.org

A transition team has also been formed to recommend to the Board a contract minister. Members of this team include Garry Wilson and Jaime Castle (both from the Board), Bob Lamb, Louise Lawarre, Les Tacy, Mimi Sinclair, and Katie Kpaeyeh. 

Image caption: Rev. Mitra Jafarzadeh and Rabbi Jonathan Cohen (Courage and Covenant LLC.
Image source: https://courageandcovenant.org/