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. 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.
Wheelchair Access: The front entry is wheelchair accessible as are the rest rooms. Please don't hesitate to ask for assistance.
2023 Pledge Campaign: Ubuntu – I am because we are
The pan-African concept of Ubuntu inspires our 2023 pledge campaign, by naming a vital truth of our church: “I am, because we are.” We are living out God’s call for love and justice in the world. We are a cornerstone of philanthropic efforts in our neighborhood and beyond. We are walking this path of faith together. We are supporting each other through difficult times. We are growing the next generation of engaged church participants. We are continuing to build the beloved community.
Ubuntu names our interconnectedness, our web of mutuality, our dependence on God and one another. It is also a reflection of our congregational roots: our leadership is all our members! Our church vision and values and priorities come from within our midst; our church actions come from committee meetings, church council, congregational votes; our church culture is generated and sustained by each interaction – your kindness and hospitality, your prayers, your presence in the pews and online, your volunteer hours, your voice lifted in song. Each card you write, each time you show up to advocate for justice, each time we study and learn, celebrate and grieve, and each time we have fun together — we create the church. Our church exists because you participate. WE are, because YOU are.
As part of this year’s pledge campaign, we encourage everyone to identify what it is about UCUCC that has been meaningful for you and what you can do to make those opportunities available into the future. Your financial gifts, and the action of giving, strengthens our connection to each other and makes the work of the church possible. We believe that giving as a spiritual practice is extremely valuable and will grow your sense of belonging, integrity, and connection to the good work this church is doing. We rely on your participation, no matter what size your financial gift, and together we make it possible to be the church God is calling us to be.
Our 2023 pledge goal of $1.3 million dollars covers the costs of vibrant worship both online and in-person, innovative faith formation, powerful music, opportunities for connection in community, a commitment to fair and just wages for staff, and a building in the heart of the University District. We ask you to prayerfully reflect on what type of financial pledge you can make to support the church.
Watch for these key dates of our 2023 Pledge Campaign
Week of October 2, 2022. Pledge packets arrive in the mail!
Sunday, October 9, 2022. We’ll start our 2023 Stewardship Pledge Campaign with a kickoff in our virtual and in-person worship service.
Tuesday, October 25, 2022. You are invited to join us on Zoom at 7:00 pm for a budget and church finance forum with Kyna Shilling, Director of Finance and Operations. She will share updates on our 2022 budget, give an overview of our church finances and the impact of the pandemic, and will answer any questions you may have about our budget and spending. This meeting will be recorded and shared for viewing afterwards.
Sunday, October 30, 2022: Pledge Dedication Sunday
The budget committee makes budgetary decisions for the next year based on pledges collected by this Sunday. Pledges are always welcome, but pledging by this date is helpful! You can return your pledge via mail to the church, drop off your pledge card in the office (Sunday mornings, or Tue/Thu from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm) pledge via your MyUCUCC account, or fill out an online pledge form. If you are pledging online, we encourage you to connect your bank account to our secure server, otherwise UCUCC pays a fee on your donation.
Sunday, November 20, 2022: Congregational budget vote
Join your fellow congregants in person or online for our all-church meeting to vote on UCUCC’s 2023 budget.
