News Articles

Heritage member Mary Pember launched the release of her book, Medicine River, A Story of Survival and the Legacy of Indian Boarding Schools on April 22, 2025 at Joseph Beth Books in Oakley. Mary Annette Pember is an independent journalist focusing on Native American issues. 

Amazon.com describes the book as, “A sweeping and trenchant exploration of the history of Native American boarding schools in the United States, and the legacy of abuse wrought by them in an attempt to destroy Native culture and life.”

Editorial reviews on Amazon.com indicate that this book is one of the New York Times’ nonfiction books to read this spring. It is a most anticipated book by The Minneapolis Star Tribune, Ms. Magazine, The Orange County Register, and Electric Literature.

Publisher’s Weekly starred review indicated that the book is “A devastating history. . . . Weaving into her narrative her own mother’s experiences . . . Pember explores the psychological ramifications the schools had on subsequent generations. She comes to many quietly ruinous insights about the emotional neglect she herself suffered at the hands of her wounded mother. . . . Concluding with a searing call for accountability, this strikes a chord.”

Image source: https://images.randomhouse.com/cover/9780553387315

Laughter, flowers, and food were present in abundance on the last Saturday in March. Two dozen adventurous beings showed up ready to say “Yes and…” This auction fundraiser produced $600 for HUUC. Julie Kane and Tracy Jo provided assorted crostini and antipasta, eggplant parmesan, baked ziti, salad with foraged flowers, cannoli cake, Italian Easter ricotta pie along with limoncello, and various wines and spritzers.

This was not a night of classic stand-up comedy Improv. It was light-hearted night of storytelling, brain-teasers and simple techniques led by Tracy Jo. Jen Ciolino and Sherry McCanley graciously contributed a few Improv games. It was a time of connection through laughter and team building. We all learned something new about everyone there. It may become an annual event!

Image source: https://tinyurl.com/2smztyyn

The Heritage UU Church Board of Trustees met on March 10, 2025. The following summarizes their activities.

1. The Board has engaged Courage & Covenant (Reverend Mitra Jafarzadeh and Rabbi Jonathan Cohen) to assist us with our upcoming minister transition.  Courage & Covenant will be working with our community in a few different capacities over the coming months to help make our ministerial transition as successful as possible.
2. The Board has appointed the following people to our ministerial transition team: Jaime Castle, Katie Kpaeyeh, Bob Lamb, Louise Lawarre, Mimi Sinclair, Les Tacy, and Garry Wilson. Thank you all for your service!
3. The Board has appointed Rae Jane Araujo as a HUUC delegate to the Mid-America Regional Meeting. If anyone else is interested in serving as a delegate to this meeting, please speak with a Board member.
4. The facility improvements from the security grant are ongoing — cameras are in place, and the new doors will be going in soon!

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HUUC Board of Trustee members –
Front row: Jaime Castle, Rebecca Pace
Back row: Luke Walczewski, Antonio Ciolino, Garry Wilson, Susan Conley, Roger Miller

Image source: https://huuc.net/huuc-board-members/

The 2025 Heritage UU Church rummage sale, held March 6 – 8, 2025, was our most successful to date, reports Barbara Rohrer, coordinator of this annual fundraiser. The sale took in over $5,000, netting over $4,700 for this year’s church operating budget, once the $300 expense for signage was deducted, she says.

Barbara attributes the success of the sale to three factors: the myriad of donations of items to sell from many members of the congregation; the efforts of over 35 members who volunteered their time to help with set up, the sale itself, and clean up; and the marketing partnership with Lisa Johnson from the Early Bird Resale Shop. Click the following link to obtain more information about this firm: https://earlybirdresale.com/

The annual event proves more than a fundraiser for the church. As Heritage member and rummage sale volunteer, Karen Rush said, “I found it oddly satisfying to help the young woman who shopped near closing time. When she came to us, she had very little in her new home. She walked away with plates, glasses, and many other household items, all inexpensive and practical. Our donations found the right owner! In one perspective, the rummage sale is about generating revenue for the church. In another perspective, it’s about clearing out our basements and closets. In a higher perspective, it’s about service, and the infinite process of giving and receiving.”

Barbara asks members to start now putting aside items for next year’s sale. Planned for the early spring of 2026, a date has yet to be finalized.

Images source: courtesy of Barbara Rohrer

The Heritage UU Church Board of Trustees met on February 10, 2025. The following summarizes their activities.

1. Budget season is rolling around again! The Board had a preliminary conversation with Reid Hester to discuss requests and priorities for the upcoming budget cycle as he helps us prepare for our budget planning and creation process. Thank you again Reid — your continuous work is greatly appreciated!

2. HUUC will be co-ordaining Bill Lyon later this spring to officially make him a UU minister. Congratulations, Bill — looking forward to the celebration!

3. We’re still looking for a new Technology Coordinator following Kevin Palmer’s departure from the position. If you know anyone who might be interested, please talk to a Board member!

4. The security cameras that were purchased through the security grant have been installed and are functioning. The upgraded doors should be going in sometime in the next few months. Thank you to Susan Conley and the rest of the security team for all of their work in moving us forward on this!

5. The Board is in discussion with Rabbi Jonathan and Rev. Mitra regarding hiring them as consultants to help us through the minister transition process this spring. We are excited to work with them!

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HUUC Board of Trustee members –
Front row: Jaime Castle, Rebecca Pace
Back row: Luke Walczewski, Antonio Ciolino, Garry Wilson, Susan Conley, Roger Miller

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Image source: https://huuc.net/huuc-board-members/