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.

We would love to welcome you at our in-person service each Sunday at 10 am. 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. The weekly 5 pm service is  available on line after it is 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 if 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 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."

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.

From time time we host lunches for people who are interested in learning more about our church and/or possibly becoming a member.  We are also happy to meet with you over coffee or at the church to explore and explain a range of topics about our church, from history, to theology, to membership. Click here to arrange a meeting with a Welcome Committee Volunteer or pastor or to set up a meeting and/or to learn when the next Welcome Lunch is planned.

Thank you for your interest in our church community.

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 Margaret Swanson, our Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministries..

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?

Covid Guidelines – Winter 2023

by | Oct 21, 2022 | COVID 19

Free Mother Putting a Face Mask on her Daughter Stock Photo

Throughout this pandemic, we have been cautious in our responses and always paying attention to the science and the most vulnerable in our community. We have worked toward inclusion in our worship services and prioritized accessibility.

How do we, as a church, navigate these next steps of emergence from the pandemic? We are noticing many different truths: Covid-19 is still with us. We are a highly vaccinated community, experiencing low transmission in our city. We have many vulnerable folks who are an important part of our community. We want to prioritize accessibility and creating safer spaces, and, we have many ways of connecting digitally. Our online ministry is growing. We want to empower each person and family to make the best choices for them. We know some are feeling more cautious, while others are wishing we would take steps to get back to normal.

As we prepare to welcome guests for Christmas, here are our new Covid-19 guidelines:

  • NEW: The sanctuary balcony is now mask-optional spaces. Science tells us that with our improved ventilation/filtration, folks choosing to unmask in the balcony will not put those in the main floor of the sanctuary at higher risk of Covid-19 transmission.
  • NEW: The lounge is now a mask-optional location. Coffee hour will be offered in the lounge after worship. Please keep food/drink in the lounge, and replace your mask when you exit.
  • NEW: The area behind the tech team is the new fragrance-free zone. This had been held in the balcony and is an important way we practice hospitality for different needs. Because we cannot assume that those with fragrance sensibilities will want to sit in a mask-optional area, we are designating a different space in the sanctuary. If you usually wear cologne, perfume, or other scented products and normally sit behind the tech team in the back-pulpit side section please plan to not wear those or sit somewhere else. 
  • Please remain masked in the main floor of the sanctuary and in the narthex, hallways, bathrooms, the church office, and other spaces.
  • Small groups may be mask-optional with consent from all participants. Food and drinks are allowed in small groups. Each ministry may define what size group is considered “small” for the purposes of sharing food and unmasking. Please defer to the most cautious in each group. When possible, we encourage you to make a decision about masking and food prior to the event, and communicate to the participants ahead if time so everyone knows what to expect.
  • The library will remain a masked worship-viewing room, with extra filtration, socially distanced seating, and no singing.
  • As always, we encourage you to make the choices that feel best for you and your family – including participating online – and to be welcoming of everyone’s boundaries around masking and distancing.

We know the tools for wellness include being vaccinated and fully boosted, testing when needed, and having high-quality masks. We want to support this in the building and at all times. We have upgraded our building air filtration system and have purchased additional portable filters for some spaces as well. Our church has masks and rapid tests available, especially if you’re having trouble finding them or they are too expensive. We can also help you navigate getting a vaccine or getting boosted. Please get the latest Covid-19 booster! Everyone over 5 years of age is eligible, if it’s been 2 months since your previous vaccine dose.

We also want to encourage you to get vaccinated against the flu, to wash your hands regularly and avoid coming to church if you are feeling unwell.

Please reach out and let us know how we can support you. We’re in this together! If you have questions you can reach out to our Covid-19 officer, Kyna Shilling at kshilling@universityucc.org.