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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“Ask a Minister” Citywide UU Service at First Unitarian Church
Sunday, May 11, 2025, 10:30 a.m.
Three area UU ministers lead this service at
First Unitarian Church of Cincinnati
536 Linton St. Cincinnati, OH 5219It has become something of a tradition in recent years for all the Unitarian Universalist congregations in Cincinnati to hold a joint worship service each spring, near the end of the “church year.”
Join other UUs from all over the area this morning as the city’s three parish ministers – our own Rev. Bill Gupton, Rev. Jenn Gracen of St. John’s UU Church, and Rev. Alex Riegel of First Unitarian Church – answer your questions about Unitarian Universalism, religion, spirituality, worship, church dynamics, the state of the world, the meaning of life, and probably other more esoteric topics.
Our clergy panel invites you to “Ask a Minister” by submitting your questions, prior to the service, at
They’ll select the best, the funniest, the most poignant and challenging inquiries to answer live from the chancel in a “question box” format. The deadline for submitting questions is Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
All are invited to First Unitarian Church to hear from our local UU ministers, to enjoy beautiful music and singing, prayers and silence. There will also be children’s programming, and great UU fellowship and food. Bring a friend!
Image source: https://www.uua.org/leaderlab/chalice-clip-art
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“If an Office Could Talk . . .”
Sunday, May 18, 2025, 10:30 a.m.
Rev. Bill Gupton leads this service.
One of the mundane but very necessary tasks of preparing for retirement involves cleaning out one’s office. After 23 years in the same office, Rev. Bill has begun the heavy emotional (and also, in some cases, physical) lift of making space in the “Minister’s Study” for his successor. In the process, he’s finding treasured keepsakes, unearthing long-lost records, sparking innumerable memories, and occasionally even coming across a “what the heck is this?” item or two. In this, his penultimate reflection as our Senior Minister, Bill will give the proverbial next-to-last word to his office, which has been silent witness to nearly a quarter century of ministry.
Image source: https://tinyurl.com/yhs5yv7e
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“Fare Thee Well”
Sunday, May 25, 2025, 10:30 a.m.
Rev. Bill Gupton leads this service.
This morning our Senior Minister, Rev. Bill Gupton, completes his ministry with his final reflection on 23 years of service to this congregation he loves.
Join our Choir, our Board, our children and families, church members and friends, and some special guests as we say farewell and thank you to Rev. Bill – and as he bids us farewell. Bring tissues!
Image source: HUUC.net media library
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Congregation “Art Project”
Sunday, June 1, 2025, 10:30 a.m.
The Worship Team leads this service.
The June 1, 2025 Sunday morning worship service will be a time of affirmation of our strength and gifts as a community. The worship team will lead us in a service that considers our journey and calls us to reflect on the emergent beauty and meaning that we create together as our collective life unfolds.
Image source: https://tinyurl.com/4td4rmjp
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The Legacy of Marian A. Spencer
Sunday, July 6, 2025, 10:30 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
Image caption: Dot Christenson
Image source: Dot Christenson
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“Native Spirit”
Sunday, July, 13, 2025
10:30 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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