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.
The Community Center construction continues. Looking forward with hope for its future use, our community members speak with pride of our second “garofa” (2-story building) in Rabuor.
This summer has been a busy time in Rabuor! In early summer, because they had qualified in March, our scouting boys and girls competed with 1500 scouts, and scooped up the second-place position at the sub-county competitions, propelling them to the Kisumu County competitions next. Our country manager, Jonathan Oluoka, says that if they had musical instruments they would have taken first place. We’re working on that!
Our teachers, as you may already know, keenly pursue their own professional development as they are able. Earlier this summer Carren Owino, Mollynter Awuor, and Margaret Otieno completed their programs and were awarded their Early Childhood Development and Education diplomas. Jonathan Aluoka continues his pursuit of his Master’s in Education – Special Needs. We heartily congratulate these exemplary members of our faculty.
More recently, Loyce has returned to Kenya, followed shortly by Pastor Amy, with Benjamin and Beau, who were received with hospitality by our MEPF Women’s Group! You may imagine how our professional catering group prepared festive local cuisine for these honored guests.
Our students from Budalangi, whose local school was damaged by severe flooding and who were then welcomed by our Mwanzo Wetu Center of Excellence Academy, are boarding in Mama Rosemell’s home and have received toiletry and other necessary supplies including much-appreciated mosquito nets for their beds. Their teachers have worked overtime to help them catch up and they are now thriving and full of hope, because of the love and care that they have enjoyed.
Due to the long season of drought this year, the need for new and larger cisterns became urgent. With the help of the Jonas Foundation, who assisted in funding the massive tree-planting program, two large cisterns have been purchased, received, and are being installed.
In the midst of these successes, many challenges are faced by our brothers and sisters in Kenya – from the worst flooding in 60 years that created thousands of refugees in Budalangi, to extended drought and war-related shortages causing food and other supply shortages. Thus, our gratitude for your prayers, friendship, and faithful support. We deeply appreciate your partnership.
Submitted by Lily Lahiri
for the Mwanzo Board of Directors