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?

Ministry for Children (Infant – 5th Grade)

When a child is baptized at University Congregational UCC, they receive two deep blessings—one from God the Creator, and another from the church community. The congregation makes a pledge to love and protect that child, to help them grow in Christian love, to help them experience God. We live out this pledge by seeking to be inclusive of families in all our church activities.

 

A Little About Children’s & Family Ministry At UCUCC:

UCUCC has a rich history of children’s, youth and family ministry. Over the pandemic we stayed connected over zoom gatherings, worship leadership, online programs and at-home kits for faith formation. As we have emerged from the pandemic, we have focused on relationships, helping our children connect with their friends and volunteer leaders. We are balancing bring back traditions, with creating new ways of being together. We’ve had a wonderful year full of Sunday morning programs, Fellowship Events, Service Projects, Retreats/Camp, parent/caregiver gatherings and other programs! We are grateful for our thriving community of families! All families are welcome and celebrated! If you are looking for a church community focused on faith formation, justice, anti-racism, progressive theology, and family ministry, we would love to welcome you at UCUCC!

 

Sunday Mornings at UCUCC:

Before worship, families are invited to connect in the lounge, where there are some activities set up for the kids to play. Then for worship, children join their families for the start of worship, often sitting together in the front pews. Shortly into the service they depart for Sunday School Program.

During the school year we have 4 classes:

  • Lambs  = Infant – 2’s
  • Fish = 3’s – 4’s
  • Whales = Kindergarten – 2nd
  • Eagles = 3rd – 5th

First Sundays of the month, Kindergarten – 5th grade gather for Children’s Chapel.

 

If you have questions about the Children’s Ministry Program, please feel free to contact us!

 

If you plan to participate in the Children’s Ministry Program at UCUCC, please fill out our Family Registration Form.

 

Programs throughout the year

Programs for children and families go well beyond Sunday morning. We offer fellowship events for families to connect, workshops for adults, support for church-wide events and more. Below is a sampling of what we offer throughout the year beyond Sunday morning programs.

Fall:

  • HopeComing Event (church wide event)
  • Trunk or Treat
  • Fall Family Retreat (open to children and youth families)
  • B.L.A.S.T. Ministry for 4th & 5th grade (year long program)

Winter:

  • Advent Workshop (church wide event)
  • Christmas Eve Pageant & Children’s Choir
  • Winter Fellowship event (Ice Skating or other event)

Spring:

  • Easter egg dyeing fellowship night
  • Easter Egg Hunt (Easter Sunday)
  • Children’s Choir

Summer:

  • All Church Summer Camp at Seabeck (programs for children, youth & adults)
  • Popsicles in the Park (4th Sundays of June, July, & August)
  • Family BBQ Fellowship event
  • School Supply Drive

 

Children’s Ministry Staff

  • Margaret Irribarra Swanson serves as our Director Of Children, Youth & Family Ministries.
  • Carolyn Johnson Davis serves as our Children’s Ministry Coordinator.
  • Holly Hendrickson serves as our Early Childhood Caregiver.
  • Bryan Cho & LaDrina Davis serve as our Childcare helpers.
  • Rev. Steve Jerbi serves as the Minister of Worship and Christian Formation.

You are invited to be a Sunday Children’s Group co-leader

Being in a classroom with our congregation’s children is an opportunity to play, experience fellowship, and explore and deepen our own faith, and by so doing, serve as models for them. We never need to go into any children’s group believing we have all the knowledge and all the answers. Classroom leaders help hold a safe space for learning about faith and connecting with friends.

Our Safer Church Policy

We take our responsibility for the safety of our children seriously. Every adult who works with children in Church—whether as a Sunday school teacher, a child care provider or an assistant—undergoes a criminal background check. There are always at least two adults present when there are children in the room.

Learn More

To learn more about our programs, you can contact either Carolyn Johnson Davis (Children’s Ministry Coordinator) or Margaret Irribarra Swanson, (Director Of Children, Youth & Family Ministries). They can help integrate families with children into the church community.

You are a child of God. Wonderfully made, dearly loved, precious in God’s sight. Before God made you, God knew you. There is no one else like you.