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 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."
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 
Wheelchair Access: The front entry is wheelchair accessible as are the rest rooms. Please don't hesitate to ask for assistance.
Me on Iona many years ago writing one of my first blogs.
The Comma blog began because I wanted to say more than I could say in my Sunday morning sermons. Kind of like “Catherine is still speaking.” Some of you might remember that when I came to this congregation, my sermons were usually over 20 minutes long. Every now and then, they still range into the 20 minute zone. But in an attempt to make my sermons shorter, I took some of the points I might have made in preaching, and turned them into a blog. In the process I got to share a lot about my life on the farm. You all helped me write a book, in fact.
I’ve told you stories of stormy farm days and quiet, sunny farm days. I’ve told about ferry life and motorcycle riding and life as a preacher and a keeper of sheep. I’ve tried to tell about the wonder of such a life. We have laughed together. We have cried. Anything I have to say now is simply a repetition. Except that now we have to say goodbye.
My sister told me a few weeks ago that with her grandkids she has started a tradition. Every time she says goodbye she also says “I love you.” They have picked up on this. For them, “goodbye I love you“ is one long and quickly said word. Always the reminder that we are connected. Always the reminder, when we say goodbye, that between us there is love.
And so here I am. This is my final blog. All my reflections on sheep and chickens and dogs and people and mystery and ordinary, now comes down to this. It is time to say goodbye.
But not just goodbye. There is between us much connection. I am incredibly grateful for all this twenty years of ministry has given me. I carry it with me, and I trust you carry it with you. So not just goodbye.
Goodbye. I love you.
Now I am crying. But those are tears of gratitude more than loss.
And the love comes back to you with much gratitude and joy for these past 20 years.
I simply cannot face this goodbye. It is so painful. You are my last leadership connection at UCUCC and it likely means I will move on as well. You brought so much wisdom and foundation to my journey of faith. I treasure and love our experiences together. This is NOT goodbye but a thank you and I will see you again!
I, too, am in tears reading this, Catherine. My faithful Blog Buddy!
The church will not be the same without you and your wisdom and your dog and sheep stories. I just feel heartbroken but also heart-filled! I’m glad we are on the planet at the same time. It’s been an honor–and a blast!–to know you.
GoodbyeILoveYou!
i, too, have tears in my eyes. The church will definitely not be the same without you, nor will bible study. Thank you, Catherine, for being our loving shephard.
GoodbyeILoveYou!
Thank you so very much. GoofbyeIloveyou
Oh so hard to say “Good bye”–and looking at your last photo–first I thought you were hugging a sheep, then, oh no, it must be one of your Big Dogs! And does it really matter? You are so generous with your compassion–so your photo is simply a picture of your generous spirit–plenty of love and caring for us two-leggeds as well as the four-leggeds in our midst. And the joke is on me–can ‘t I tell a dog from a sheep?!
Which reminds me of the first blog I sent your way–Mac curled up in a ball, and at first glance I saw his black and white fur as an Oriental bowl! Seeing is believing and feeling, loving and caring–thank you Catherine for your generous spirit.
Tears here too. The gratitude I have for your friendship and ministry is too big to be contained within, so it’s overflowing & running down my cheeks.
Goodbye, I love you.
Catherine, I add my tears. It’s so hard to trust in the future when it feels like so much of our foundation is being torn away. But our faith helps us to stay strong. My heart is filled with gratitude for your leadership, your shepherding, your love and compassion for your flock. Sending wishes of love as your transition. You will be with us always. and so Goodbye, I love you. and I thank you for your 20 years with us. and then, more tears.
Dear Catherine, More tears here along with abundant blessings to you as you create whatever is next for yourself. I have no doubt it will be full of surprises and adventures and more risk taking and chocolate consuming. I suspect it will also be informed by deep reflection and spiritual musings as you do the inner work of aging. May this be a rich and fruitful time for you. I trust that it will be so.
A year of ‘Loss and Found’. I lost Joel, but have found him in everything I do. It gives me faith that I will find you everywhere as well. Every time I see a lamb, or a Border Collie, every time I see a motorcycle or travel on a ferry…you’ll be there. I may not see you physically, but I know you are part of the weave and warp of my life. Thank you for all the patterns you have instilled in my heart.
Goodbye.I.Love.you!
Annemarie, this is beautiful and so profound. I love that you see Joel in everything you do. Love lives on and so our connection lives on, albeit in different ways. I believe that will be true with our beloved Cath as well.
Beautiful. You have been my friend longer than you have been my pastor. But while you can no longer be my pastor, you will always be my friend.
Retirement is good! Congratulations. A time of new beginnings, time to do some things that previously there just didn’t seem to be enough time for. Thank you for all you have done for me and for the many others you have helped and “shepherded” over the years.
I didn’t see this until just now (Dec. 2). So, Catherine, you may not see this message. Thank you and thank our church for having you. You will not be forgotten! Be well.