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.

 

Since I’m a per diem chaplain, I often work on Mondays to fill in for staff who are off on the Federal holiday. So it was on a Monday that I started my day seeing a patient whose reason for referral was “emotional distress.” This is a catch-all term that can mean anything from hysterical sobbing with terror and grief to bored and lonely. I could tell right away this guy was not filled with terror and grief.

“So what’d you do yesterday?” he asked sipping his coffee. I felt like we were on a first date except that I had no beverage. (I had many dates like this.)

“Church. I went to church.” I answered.

He raised an eyebrow. “So whaddya get out of that?”

“Well, it’s time reconnect with people and—”

“Why don’t you just see ‘em during the week? Don’t you like to sleep in? Maybe on Sunday, God should be thanking you!” Then he laughed like he said the most hilarious thing in the world.

I could see right away that this guy didn’t want a conversation about anything meaningful, he was simply trying to provoke me. Sometimes people do this as a test. They need to know that I’ll stick with them, be compassionate, understanding and non-judgmental. Then there are times when they’re just yanking my chain. He was a Yanker Guy.

I stayed a bit longer listening to him talk about how he taught his pit bull to fetch his cigarettes (bacon in the pack) and how these antibiotics better clear up his infection—or else.

“Or else what?” I asked “Or else you die?”

He actually choked on his coffee. When he was done coughing he said, “I’m really tired” which is code for, “Please leave,” or in his case, “Get outta here.” I was grateful to go because I had a long list of patients.

But I must admit, his question about church, about worship circled around my brain like the contents of a toilet about to clog. I thought about that word, “worship,” and the phrase, “worship God.” Images of a slaughtered  fatted calf upon an altar! Ack. As I ate lunch (totally vegetarian cheese sandwich) I pondered not just the word “worship”, but the whole experience.

The word literally means “bend over” or “bow down.” When I was a child I figured Sunday worship was about thanking and praising God and telling Him how sorry I was for being human. So maybe that patient grew up hearing that too. As a child I thought, “Better be nice to God or He will get mad.”

Yes, sadly, I thought of God as male with a capital “H.” But that is what we were taught. But may I tell you the truth? I can hardly stand to type the letters G-o-d because I think of an old bearded white man on a throne. That is just the height of creepiness to me. (No offense to old bearded white men.) So, please bear with me when instead of God,  I use the  “Divine,” “Spirit,” “Universe” or even  “Force.”

Anyway, what did Jesus say about worship? That’s the thing–Jesus never said , “Worship me,” but, “Follow me.”  Yanker Guy is right.  Sunday worship is time for us to be renewed and refreshed and recharged.

I believe that the Divine isn’t self-centered and greedy,  but generous with overflowing love. So when we come to worship, we bring our emptiness and then through word, sacrament and connecting with one another, we are filled and inspired to continue to serve.  That’s a church service—the Divine serving us.

If we think of the entire Sabbath this way, then no points off for cuddling on the bed with your pet or going on a hike Sunday morning if that fills and inspires you. It is true that Worship is our way of showing up for each other—on Sunday.  And I am truly fed by connecting with my church community—in person.  Watching on Zoom makes me feel like I’m reading the menu and then watching other people eat. I leave feeling hungry.

Anyway, I thought about all of this on my lunch hour! I can only think it was the Brie in my sandwich. I’ve always found it a thoughtful cheese and combined with Grey Poupon—something of a snooty genius—it was the perfect setup for deep reflection.

I moved through the day and saw every single patient on the referrals list—what we chaplains call, “Crushing Epic” because Epic is the name of the software but it makes us sound mighty as if we’ve been out fighting dragons all day.

I get off at 4:30 p.m. but wouldn’t you know it–at 3:45 p.m. another referral came in. I secretly pride myself on leaving a clean slate for the next chaplain (although I guess it’s no secret now) so I was bummed to see another referral and then horrified to see that it was for Yanker Guy.

I adjusted my armor, picked up my sword and mounted my steed. Onward!

Yanker Guy was in a totally different mood now. Perhaps because it was the end of the day. He said, “I want to tell you about this tattoo.” He pushed up the sleeve of his gown. “It’s the White Tree of Gondor from Lord of the Rings. But, like, it’s not white because I’m white, so on me it’s black.”

Here’s the thing about being a chaplain—about being a human—it rarely works to go in armored and wielding a sword. Yielding, not wielding is the thing to do. “Tell me about that,” I said.

He cleared his throat. “It’s a symbol of hope and renewal. It means the return of the king, to bring peace and prosperity to the people of Gondor who have been f**ked under the rule of Denethor.”

I did see Lord of the Rings even though I spent 40 minutes in the lobby because I was so tired of all the fighting. So I knew Gondor, didn’t recognize Denethor, but instantly recognized the power of the F-bomb.

“So you have hope?” I asked.

“Yes,” he said. He talked a little more about trying to kick his meth habit and go back to his wife and son. Then he thanked me for coming. I offered a prayer and he accepted.

And with that I not only crushed Epic but was renewed and refreshed and inspired. Worship on a Monday.