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?

How Should the Church’s Clergy Staff be Organized?

by | Mar 24, 2026 | General News

Fill out the survey about clergy structure here: Link for survey 
The survey closes on March 25 at 11:45 pm

After several years of clergy staff transitions in our church, the Church Council recently decided that it was time to consider how to organize our clergy staff on a more stable and sustainable basis. There are several ways for congregation members to provide input on this issue:

  • You can attend an online Zoom forum about this on Tuesday evening, March 24, at 7:00 pm. The Zoom link can be found in the weekly email.
  • Fill out the survey about Clergy structure here: Link for survey The survey closes on March 25 at 9 pm

Background

In January the Council established a six-member Clergy Structure Task Force to assess the issues, get input from key staff and from the congregation, and to report back with their recommendations at the Council’s April 15 meeting. The Task Force consists of Allison Hastings, Miranda Meyer, Dave Colescott, Cassie Emanuel, Priscilla Grundy, with Tim Croll as chair. Their scope includes considering total clergy full-time equivalents (FTEs) structure of the clergy staff (full time, half time, etc.), clergy reporting, portfolios assignments, and other questions that may arise.

After several decades of having a team of three full-time ministers, in more recent years we have had several staff transitions.

  • Michael Ellick was called as a full-time pastor in August of 2023. Shortly thereafter, Rev. Steve Jerbi requested a reduction to half-time status. In September 2024, Rev. Amy Roon resigned to pursue other interests. These staff changes resulted in a clergy configuration of one full-time and one half-time called pastor.
  • Recognizing the need for discernment about organizational and financial issues, church leaders instituted a ‘sacred pause’ before launching a search for any new full-time minister after Rev. Roon’s departure. This period has allowed us to thoughtfully consider the right clergy structure as we move forward.
  • In the spring of 2025, a “Designated Term Minister” role was created (Minister of Worship and Care) to add much needed capacity. Rev. Debra Jarvis was hired through a modified search process. This position is 0.6 FTE, reports to Rev. Michael Ellick, Minister of Congregational Vitality & Vision, and expires December 31, 2026, unless extended by mutual agreement.
  • Currently, there are approximately two clergy FTEs altogether: one full-time called pastor (reporting to the Church Council), one .5 FTE called pastor (also reporting to the Council), and one 0.6 FTE designated term pastor (reporting to the full-time Rev. Ellick).

Congregational input

The Task Force is providing members of the congregation with three ways to give your input on how the church’s clergy staff should be organized to best serve the needs of the church.

  • You can attend an in-person forum on the topic, Sunday March 22, 9:00 am, in O-Hall. Please bring your phone or mobile device to make it easier for you to give us your input.
  • Or you can click on this link to fill out your opinion on an online questionnaire about the topic by March 25.

If you have any questions about this work, or how you can give input, please email Tim Croll.