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. Our service is streamed on YouTube and Facebook. You will find the links just below this section on our home page. New services are offered weekly at 10 am on Sundays, and are available on line after that.

We strive to walk in the path of Jesus, and to offer an authentic welcome to everyone who walks through our door. 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 worship service starts at 10 am and includes hymns, prayers, scripture reading and a sermon. It usually lasts about an hour. Right now we are worshiping online and will adjust this message once we are able to meet together in our sanctuary once again.  More information here.

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 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

Superfluity is a long-standing tradition of University Congregational United Church of Christ. Started more than 50 years ago by the Women’s Fellowship of the church, it has grown to involve more than 100 volunteers.

In 2019, the sale raised $31,800, which was distributed through grants to 22 nonprofit organizations, most of which serve low-income people.

The sale takes please each year in the Easter season—sometimes just before Easter, sometimes after. It runs from Thursday evening until early Saturday afternoon.

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.

Lunch is served on Friday, and an assortment of home-baked goods is available.

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 and games
Records, 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.

Drop off your donated items

In the weeks leading up to the sale (generally February and March) items may be dropped off at University Congregational United Church of Christ during business hours, Monday – Friday, 9 am – 4 pm or Sundays, 8:30 – noon.

If you are dropping off items during business hours Monday-Friday, 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.

If you are unsure about what to do next, just ask at the office.

If you are able, it is very helpful to Superfluity volunteers if you transport your items  downstairs to the Superfluity collection area. You may see a blue cart that you can use in the hallway. There is an elevator between floors. Ask at the office if you don’t see the cart, or need to know where to take your donations.

If you just have a few items to donate, you can leave them on one of the carts inside the 16th Avenue entrance.

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)

No Superfluity in 2020

Seattle’s annual extravaganza of recycling and re-use has been cancelled in 2020 because of the COVID-19 Pandemic. We hope to return in 2021.

Superfluity News