For Sunday morning worship, join us in the sanctuary (map and directions) or click the Zoom link that will appear before the service in the service description. The worship service and its attendees may be video recorded and appear later on various media.
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The Legacy of Marian A. Spencer
Sunday, July 6, 2025
10:00 a.m.
Dot Christenson leads this serviceMarian Spencer, Ohio’s most important woman leader of the 20th Century is best known in Cincinnati as the person who led the desegregation of Coney Island Amusement Park in 1952. That was only one of dozens of actions and activities she accomplished over her extraordinary 99 years. Where did this leadership come from? How did she change her high school in Gallipolis, OH, the University of Cincinnati, the City of Cincinnati, the State of Ohio, and introduce a City Ordinance that became state and national law?
Dot Christenson, author of Keep on Fighting: The Life and Civil Rights Legacy of Marian A. Spencer, will tell Marian’s story and the importance of family to help learn patience, respect, and perseverance to become a good leader, and how and why she came to Cincinnati from tiny Gallipolis, OH, 150 miles up the Ohio River. Dot met Marian in 1970 just after Marian co-founded Housing Opportunities Made Equal. They served together in the League of Women Voters, Woman’s City Club, and the Charter Committee. In 2012, over coffee, Marian related the story of her grandfather who was a slave. This conversation triggered 16 weeks of interviews for Marian’s biography published by Ohio University Press.
Dot Christenson has authored several books. She has served as Executive Director of the Better Housing League of Greater Cincinnati, and Director of Development with the Cincinnati Area Senior Services.
Images captions: featured image – Dot Christenson, second image Marion A. Spencer
Images sources: Dot Christenson and from Wikipedia by Solivers12 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0
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“Native Spirit”
Sunday, July, 13, 2025
10:00 a.m.
Mimi Sinclair, Louise Lawarre, and Tracy Jo Small will lead this serviceToday we turn to one of our faith sources, the earth-centered spiritual teachings of Native American peoples which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature. AI describes Native American spirituality as not a single, unified religion, but rather a diverse collection of interconnected spiritual practices and beliefs that vary by tribe and region. Common themes include a deep connection to the natural world, respect for ancestors, and the importance of balance and harmony. Many traditions also incorporate concepts like the Great Spirit, guardian spirits, and the sacred circle.
With stories that illustrate native belief systems, prayers and chants that call out to the sacred in and around all of us, we gather for healing and inspiration in community. Special music will be provided by Julie Lusk on the native flute. All are invited to bring a drum or shaker for accompanying chants.
Image source: https://tinyurl.com/ywnkd6d9
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“Reflections: Windows and Mirrors”
Sunday, July 20, 2025, 10:00 a.m.
This service is led by Jen Ciolino
“We do not see things as THEY are, we see them as WE are.”
— Anaïs NinIn our pursuit of justice, it’s easy to look out the window—pointing to injustice, ignorance, or harm in others. But real transformation begins when we dare to look in the mirror. In this service, we’ll reflect on the challenges of self-awareness, the discomfort of unintended harm, and the grace we need to grow—together and as individuals—on the path to justice.
Image attribution: Image generated using OpenAI’s ChatGPT and DALL·E, based on a concept and prompt by Jen Ciolino.
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Being Open to Surprise and Delight
Sunday, July 27, 2025
10:00 a.m.
Rev. Mitra Jafarzadeh leads this service
Rev. Mitra Jafarzedah shares how friendships and faith continue to bless our world. She remembers her friend Linda Kraeger who bedazzled everyone with her rhinestones but taught the true meaning of faith through tragedy. She died in the shooting at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church in Knoxville, TN on July 26, 2008.
Rev. Mitra Jafarzadeh, now retired from the UU ministry, focuses on using her skills in pastoring and coaching to help individuals and groups live with integrity and grace. Her company, Direct Light Consultation, uses individual coaching, group facilitation, and public speaking / teaching to help people move from good to better.
Images sources: https://tinyurl.com/3ve73ydp and https://tinyurl.com/hvb3n53a
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Invitation to a Joint UU Service
Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025 10:30 a.m. at
St. John’s UU Church, 320 Resor Ave.
Cincinnati, OH 45220
A joint service will be held by First Unitarian and St. John’s on Aug 3, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John’s Church. Heritage members are invited to attend. There will be no service that day at Heritage.
Image source: https://tinyurl.com/36u4thrp
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Hymn Sing Followed by a Picnic
Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025
10:00 a.m.
The HUUC Worship Team leads this service
Image source: https://tinyurl.com/4p2h4ejp
Join us in a good ole’ hymn sing for this service which will be followed by a summertime picnic as our regular second Sunday potluck. Bring your wicker baskets and share the bounty!
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“Backpack Blessing”
Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025
10:00 a.m.
Laci Lee Adams, DLFD, leads this service
Image source: https://tinyurl.com/3u7whfz7
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Heritage Blooms
Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025
10:00 a.m.
The HUUC Gardening Team leads this service
Image source: https://tinyurl.com/45efx3s6
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Turning the Page
Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025
10:00 a.m.
The Worship Team leads this service
Image source: https://tinyurl.com/4y2tnze3
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