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.

Right now, during the pandemic, we are still united as church. You are welcome to attend our in-person service at 10 am each Sunday. A digital service is also offered on line on Sunday evening at 5 pm. Our service is streamed on YouTube and Facebook. You will find the links just below this section on our home page. Weekly services are are available on line after they are initially presented on Sundays..

We strive to walk in the path of Jesus, and to offer an authentic welcome to everyone who walks through our door or joins us online. If you are new to us, we would love to get to know you and answer your questions about our church, even though we cannot greet you in person. A member of our Welcome Committee, or a pastor, would be happy to correspond on email or talk with you on the phone. Click here to arrange for a meeting.

Our in-person worship service starts at 10 am and includes hymns, prayers, scripture reading and a sermon. It usually lasts about an hour. 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."

Children are an important part of our community, and are welcome for all or part or the service.

UCUCC Parking Map

View for detailed Google Map.

Parking can be a challenge in the University District! Persistence, patience and an early start are keys to success.

UW has free parking on Sundays. Enter the main campus gate at NE 45th and 17th Ave NE and turn left past the toll booth. It's about a three-block walk to the church. The UW Meany Garage at 15th Ave. NE and NE 41st St. is a five-block walk.

The church also owns three parking lots - Lot A is across the street from the church on 16th Ave. E. Lot B is beneath Sortun Court, just north of the church on the east side of 16th Ave. E. (It closes at 2 p.m.) Lot C (for those with difficulty walking, young children and visitors) is at the corner of 15th NE and NE 45th St., next to the church.

If you need to be assured of a close parking spot, you can call the church office before noon on Friday to reserve one: 206-524-2322.

During this pandemic, we have discontinued our in-person lunches. We would love to meet with you via email or phone, however. Click here to arrange a meeting with a Welcome Committee Volunteer or pastor.

We can explore and explain a range of topics about our church, from history, to theology, to membership. Please contact us at the link above for more information.

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.

Our programs for children and youth continue during this pandemic. Sign up at the bottom of the home page to receive our Children's Ministries and/or Youth Ministries newsletter.

Hearing Impaired: Our sanctuary has an induction loop system that uses the T-Coil mode of your hearing aids. You can get the necessary equipment just before entering the Sanctuary on the right or ask any usher.

Visually Impaired: We offer each Sunday's program in large print for easier readability.

Wheelchair Access: The front entry is wheelchair accessible as are the rest rooms. Please don't hesitate to ask for assistance.

New Here?

Superfluity—Our annual extravaganza of recycling and re-use

Superfluity is a long-standing tradition of University Congregational United Church of Christ. Started more than 60 years ago by the Women’s Fellowship of the church, it has grown to involve more than 100 volunteers. Each year Superfluity provides valuable donations to local nonprofits serving low-income women and children. In 2022 the sale raised more than $20,00 which was distributed through grants to several nonprofit organizations. Because of the pandemic, we did not have a sale in 2020 or 2021.

The sale traditionally takes place each year in the Easter season—sometimes just before Easter, sometimes after. We request a $5 donation on Thursday evening, opening night. This gives you first crack at great bargains and the best selection of items.

Items featured in the sale include plants, books, jewelry, games, linens, kitchenware,  antiques, art, children’s clothing, sports items, toys, tools, home decor items, small appliances, CDs, DVDs, records and other collectibles.

 

Donation Guidelines

Donate items to the sale

Superfluity is a success because people donate valuable items that they no longer need or want. It provides a way to recycle and re-use both everyday items and special “treasures.”

The following items consistently sell well:

  • Antiques and collectibles
  • Children’s clothes and toys
  • Books, especially fiction (includes novels, mysteries, Young Adult, etc.), biographies, recent travel books, books about justice issues and current political topics, and children’s books
  • CD’s and DVD’s
  • Plants and garden tools
  • Linens, towels, craft items
  • Sporting goods
  • Decorative items for the home
  • Housewares and small appliances,
  • kitchen items, glassware, utensils
  • Tools and electronics
  • Jewelry, scarves, purses
  • Men’s hats and belts

We CANNOT ACCEPT the following items:

Large furniture, artificial Christmas trees, Christmas lights, dried or plastic flowers, rolled up pictures/posters, macramé plant hangers, stuffed animals, disposable plastics, computers, printers, TV’s, VHS or audio tapes, office supplies, text books, Readers Digest Condensed books, skates, tire chains, adult clothes or shoes.

We have found that large sets of antique china and large pieces of silver plate (trays, large bowls, pitchers, etc.) simply do not sell well. If you have a piece that you think is especially appealing, email Mary Sue Galvin at superfluity@universityucc.org to check.

Drop off your donated items

You may drop off your donations on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 11 am and 4 pm, and Sundays between 9am and 1 pm. The last day we will accept donations for the 2023 sale is March 26. 

If parking is not available on the street, you can park in the lot across from the business entrance on 16th Ave NE (north of the main sanctuary entrance). Note your parking space number and sign in on the parking log just outside the church office.

Please bring your donations into UCUCC through the sliding glass doors on 16th Ave. It is very helpful if you are able to transport your items downstairs to the Superfluity collection area. The carts will fit in the elevator and the office will help you with the key to room 133.

If you have only a few donations, you can leave them on one of the carts in the hallway.

Questions about donations? Please email us.

History

The very first Superfluity sale took place on March 16, 1962. Sponsored by the Women’s Fellowship, it was called a White Elephant sale, and raised $1,366.18. Proceeds supported scholarships for church youth and other church expenses.

Volunteers Evelyn and Janis contribute their horticultural expertise to providing both plants and advice about gardening.

In 1964 the sale was named Superfluity, and the tradition has continued on an annual basis. The sale committee began charging admission in 1973 to increase the proceeds. Then in 1984 the group began giving away the proceeds to nonprofits that support vulnerable children, youth and women.

The Women’s Fellowship faded away over the years, but the sale continued on, powered by a group of men and women who enjoyed the opportunity to serve a good cause. The Superfluity committee is made up of groups of volunteers, each of which focuses on a particular sale area – books, plants, bakery, treasures, housewares, decor, sports, children’s toys and clothes, jewelry, electronics, and tools.

The sale has raised more than half a million dollars over the years. Among the statistics harder to measure are the countless volunteer hours preparing for and staffing the sale, the number of people who have donated valuable items, the amount of “stuff” that has been kept out of landfills through re-use and the countless opportunities for fellowship among church members.

Nonprofits benefiting from Superfluity proceeds

Superfluity focuses primaily on organizations that serve vulnerable women and children. Those benefiting from Superfluity in recent years include the following:

Child Learning and Care Center
Earth Ministry
Edith Trettin Drop-in Center
Elizabeth Gregory Home
Faith Trust Institute for Women
Homestep (Compass Housing Alliance)
Hunger Outreach (Emergency Feeding Program)
Interfaith Taskforce on Homelessness
Mary’s Place
Mwanzo Proud Farmers
New Beginnings for Battered Women
Seattle Days for Girls
Samaritan Center of Puget Sound
The Children’s School
United Churches Emergency Fund
University Congregational Housing Association
University District Youth Shelter (ROOTS)
Wellspring (Early Learning Center)

Superfluity 2023: March 30,31, April 1

March 30  6 pm-8:30pm
March 31  4 pm-8 pm
April 1   9 am-1 pm

Donations are now being accepted. Click on the “Superfluity News” button below for details about this year’s sale.

Superfluity News