Announcements

Do you typically rush through the back hallway outside the family lounge, formerly called the nursery, and past the coat racks? Maybe you haven’t noticed the new collection box, tucked discretely in the corner intended for the on-going drive to collect gently used shoes for persons in need – a campaign known as Soles 4 Souls.

Most donations go to the national organization called Soles 4 Souls. That organization takes any shoes, in any condition, and sends them to those people in need all around the globe. For more information on the organization, check out Soles 4 Souls at www.soles4souls.org.

Sometimes, donated shoes are in such good shape that the HUUC organizer, Joann Meyer, can donate them to our local Inter Parish Ministry (IPM). For more information on IPM see https://www.ipmfoodpantry.org/.   

So, instead of throwing away unwanted or old shoes, please bring them to church. Keep them out of a landfill. Put them in the new, blue box. We can make a difference!

For more information, contact Joann Meyer at:

March of 2024, Image source: Joann Meyer

You might have noticed a few space upgrades in process around the church, especially in the family lounge, formerly known as the nursery. Last year we did a small-needs assessment of our young families to find ways to serve them better. One decision to come out of that process was to rework the space to allow for parents and “littles” to share space while providing access to the worship service. The family lounge was born, technology was purchased, and we started work on a gorgeous mural. Next time you are at church, visit the new family lounge and see the progress of the mural.

Now, we need your help with a second project aimed at making our space more welcoming and functional for young families. We will be adding a row of rocking chairs to our sanctuary space and are looking for two kinds of help.

First, we are in need of rocking chairs. We have the first rocking chair, but would love to have six more. Do you have a rocking chair in good working order (without a footrest) that you would be willing to donate to church?

Second, many of these rocking chairs will need new seat cushions, so we are looking for people who sew who would be willing to do a bit of stitching once fabrics are selected.

 If you can help in either or both of these capacities, please email Laci at:

Image source: http://tinyurl.com/4ceba6uk

Would you like to sign up to bring snacks for our congregation to enjoy after Sunday worship on one or more Sundays during our “coffee and conversation” time in the great hall? Sign up here: http://tinyurl.com/2s3v2tnd

Image source: http://tinyurl.com/3snvce3v

Alison Lang-Hickey and Anne Lyon with volunteer flyer

Saturday Stream Snapshot is back and needs your help!

Two of our HUUC members/friends, Anne Lyon and Alison Lang-Hickey, are leading the charge to re-start the Saturday Stream Snapshot (SSS), a water quality monitoring program for the Lower Little Miami River Watershed. Anne Lyon founded the SSS in 2003 and is mentoring the new team as it re-starts. Volunteers are needed to collect stream samples throughout the watershed, or assist in the lab, on the second Saturday of each month starting March 9, 2024. You can select which dates you’d like to help and bring a friend, so this an easy, fun, and rewarding way to help protect the river that many of us love. 

Click here for more information: http://tinyurl.com/37zxjy8t

Sign up here:  SSS Volunteer Sign Up and Interest Link

• Interested in stream sampling? Sign up for the part of town/section of the river you prefer. Then come to the training session February 27, 2024, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Izaak Walton League’s lodge (544 Branch Hill-Loveland Rd) to get your supplies and specific sampling site/meeting place.

( Note: even if you can’t join the February 27 or March 9 events, please still sign up. We’ll reach out later with details for future sampling dates April 13, 2024, May 11, 2024, June 8, 2024, and beyond.)

• Want to help out as a lab volunteer? This is great experience and no advance training is needed – we’ll show you the ropes in the lab on the date you select. (March 9, 2024, April 13, 2024, or June 8, 2024 are available for sign ups now).

Any questions? Please email Alison Lang-Hickey at: Volunteer@SaturdayStreamSnapshot.org

Image Source: Alison Lang-Hickey