At our church, we speak of a wedding in the broader sense of it’s being not only the joining together of heterosexual couples in marriage, but also the joining together of same-gender couples in committed partnership.  In this context, our church offers a variety of marriage and blessing ceremonies.  These ceremonies are more than a celebration of social customs.  Your guests gather not only to witness the ceremony, but also to provide support to you, give thanks to God, and ask God’s blessing on your relationship.

Because a wedding here is a Christian service of worship, ministers prepare ceremonies consistent with the liberal theology of our church and the traditions of the United Church of Christ.  You are encouraged to offer suggestions for readings, symbols you would like to use, and commitments you would like included in your vows.  Your minister will provide the actual text of the service.  In addition, the church will assist you in preparing your program for the ceremony.

Our church is eager to make your marriage or blessing ceremony a beautiful and memorable occasion.  Click the links on the left for help in planning this important event. 

Please contact Juanita Watt, our Wedding Coordinator, to confirm building availability for your ceremony and rehearsal dates.  She may be reached by email: juanitawatt@hotmail.com or phone: (206) 932‑8845.  She will be at the rehearsal and present for your ceremony at the church.  She will coordinate overall preparations, will see that family and ceremony participants enter the church at the proper time, and will help you organize your exit from the church efficiently and thoughtfully.  She will work closely with your officiating minister to help your ceremony be a joyful and significant event in your lives

Who may officiate at weddings or commitment services here?
For member weddings, one of the four staff clergy must officiate for services in this building.  Guest officiants or religious leaders of other faiths are very welcome to co-officiate.

For non-member weddings, ministers with an association to this congregation must officiate.  A list of these ministers appears elsewhere in this brochure. Guest officiants or religious leaders of other faiths are very welcome to co-officiate.

Because we are committed to this church being a safe and welcoming space for all God’s children, any minister or religious leader co-officiating at a wedding in our building must agree not to speak against our Open and Affirming covenant from the pulpit or in the building. What does Open and affirming mean?

What expectations does the church have regarding pre-marital counseling?
It is expected that each couple planning a wedding in this church will have pre-marital counseling at Presbyterian Counseling Service (or equivalent service or specially trained therapist).  After that has been completed, the counselor will notify the officiating minister that it has taken place.  The minister or ministers will discuss the results of that experience with the couple.  Pre-marital counseling is not psychotherapy.  It is an educational experience designed to help couples anticipate the complexity of their life together.

Who is responsible for preparing the worship bulletin for the wedding?
Our church office is able to provide a worship bulletin for weddings.  However, the couple may wish to do this themselves.  The following statement about this church should appear on every worship bulletin for weddings:

“University Congregational United Church of Christ has been serving God in the Seattle community since 1891. In addition to the worship of God and the education of our minds and spirits, we have a number of social programs serving the University District and greater Seattle. Outreach programs include direct service through money and hands-on help, social and political action, and interfaith activities. We are an Open and Affirming congregation, welcoming all people to the life and ministry of the congregation. Everyone is welcome to join us for worship in the sanctuary at 10 a.m. on Sundays. We also have a Taize service of meditation and communion in our chapel on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 p.m.”