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.
“Let all you do be done with love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14
I decided this summer to become a part of the Pledge Campaign Committee, along with Cristin Miller, Liz Gilbert, Joyce Jackson and Kyna Shilling. At one of our early meetings someone suggested that “Love in Action” might make a good theme for the campaign. But another person cautioned: “What if people hear the theme as Love Inaction? That would not be good!”
As you likely are aware by now, we went with “Love in Action” as our theme. But the comment really got me thinking and playing around with the words. Love Inaction. What did that even mean?
The meaning of “Love in Action” seems pretty straight forward. Be courageous in your faith. Express your love of God in the actions you take as you see the face of Christ in those you meet along the way. Go forward cloaked in the love of Christ.
Sometimes, though, inaction might seem like the more desirable path. Self-doubt creeps in through the tiniest crack: “What could I really do about world hunger? Why should I vote? It won’t make any difference. I don’t have the skills to contribute. [That other person] is so much more capable, persuasive, articulate, [fill in the blank] than I am.” Love Inaction is about fear and doubt—fear that we are not enough and doubt in our own faith.
But the thing about a church community like ours is that there is a place for everyone to take action, no matter how small—by their quiet presence in worship, their simple volunteer tasks like making coffee or serving communion, their service on a committee, their financial gifts, their warm greetings to others on a Sunday morning. All that is really needed is that first step toward love in action to begin the journey toward community and wholeness.
About a year ago, I was part of our church pilgrimage to Iona. I arrived on Saturday afternoon full of joy and expectation. I wanted the time to bring me closer to God and to my fellow pilgrims. By Monday afternoon I was experiencing the first symptoms of Covid, and by Tuesday morning I tested positive. I spent the rest of the week in my hotel room feeling crappy, isolated, and yes, feeling sorry for myself. My fellow pilgrims were generous with notes and little gifts, but I was still missing out.
On the worst night of the fever, I had a restless sleep with vivid dreams—probably the closest I have ever come to experiencing a vision. When I awoke the next morning I felt calmer, and immediately wrote about it. Here is an excerpt:
And through the night, waking and sleeping, I wrestle with the angels,
Where am I going, O God, what is your plan for me?
Thoughts and images dart and weave,
Swallows moving above a barren field.
And in the night, mothering God answers,
“Your steps make the path, the path makes the way, keep going.”
There is also a song we have sung in worship that echoes this thought: “Just put one foot in front of the other, and lead with love. You gotta put one foot in front of the other, and lead with love.” Sometimes it is amazingly hard to just keep going. Discouragement, doubt and inertia are powerful forces. But fortunately, so is love. May it ever guide our steps.
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