No matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here at University Congregational United Church of Christ. Young, old, sure of your path, or still searching --- we invite you to join us in imagining love and justice - as Jesus did - in acting to change the world.
Our in-person worship service starts at 10 am and includes hymns, prayers, scripture reading and a sermon. It usually lasts about an hour and fifteen minute.. During the 10 am service we also offer live-streaming to a nearby room that offers those with compromised immune systems to be more isolated. We also offer a separate space for children, with supervised play and crafts during the 10 am service. Sections of the 10 am service are programed into the 5 pm digital service, which is offered as a "vespers."
We are an inter-generational church and strive to be family-friendly, with an active ministry for children and youth. All ages are welcome in worship. We also offer nursery and child-care, Younger children begin the 10 am service with us and usually leave after about 15 minutes. Older children have the option of leaving for a special sermon time. Junior high and high school youth meet at 9 am and then often sit together in worship. Give us a call at 206-524-2322 for more specifics or email 
Wheelchair Access: The front entry is wheelchair accessible as are the rest rooms. Please don't hesitate to ask for assistance.
Recently Wes brought home this hand carved gourd that a Brazilian friend gave him. I loved it—a wise little owl! I thought of all the things the owl symbolizes: wisdom, intuition, intelligence, a connection to the spirit world. So cool. I said, “I’ll put this up on the shelf right where I can see it every day.”
I thought, “Maybe I can meditate and use the owl as an icon—gaze at it and wait for those who have passed on to give me some good advice.” So I made a mental list of all the dead people I’d like to consult.
Honestly? The list wasn’t that long—only four. Oh, sure there are dead people I’d like to ask, “Did I leave those red sunglasses in your car?” But I didn’t count them. I didn’t count Jesus because we all know he’s available any time.
Anyway, I kept talking about the owl symbolism but then Wes took the gourd off the shelf, turned it upside down and asked, “But what about this?”
I gasped. A monkey. Clear as day. Now what do you think of when you imagine monkeys? Fun! As in, “a barrel of!” Monkeys are also smart, resourceful and resilient. They live in community. They groom one another, they play together, they share food. Monkeys are party animals.
Owls? Not so much. More fun than a barrel of owls? Nope.
Owls. Monkeys. They couldn’t be more different. And yet, I think we carry both Owl and Monkey within us. Some of us lean more Monkey, others seem only Owl. I think we need both.
I’m afraid we live in a Monkey culture; constant stimulation, active, external—I’m talking to you cell phone. We also worship in Monkey way or an Owl way.
Sunday is the Monkey Service: music, singing, hand motions, talking, sometimes dancing! Of course there are some Owl parts: listening prayer, receiving the prelude and the postlude; but it’s mostly Monkey.
Monday night, our contemplative service is our Owl Worship: going inward, listening, stillness, quiet. There is wisdom to be received there.
As it says in Ecclesiastes:
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
There is a time to be a Monkey and a time to be an Owl.”
Well, it doesn’t really say that in Ecclesiastes, but don’t you think it should? I do, but with a little explanation. It’s not all or nothing—Owl today, Monkey tomorrow. It’s more nuanced than that. It’s more like modulating the hot and cold on your water faucet so you get the perfect temperature for the circumstances.
Both Owl and Monkey are good and necessary, so we must feed them both. So no matter how you perceive it, just remember: it’s all in how you look at it.
And I welcome the time and challenge to take a look at anything in more than way. There are so many owly/monkey opportunities . Thanks for the visual reminder
My, what a clever gourd carver and a clever reminder to use our inner and outer selves each day.
Praises for all the unrecognized artists among us.
Debra,
Thanks for the hoot and the inspiring direction!