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?

Worship service recordings and sermon transcripts

Since March 2020, we have been recording our worship services and sharing them over the internet. All of the services are available to view on the UCUCC YouTube page. Some transcripts are available below.

Prior to March 2020, before we began videotaping our services, each Sunday the sermon were recorded and uploaded to the website as podcasts. Later, some of the sermons were transcribed by a volunteer, proofed by the minister who preached it, and then placed in this archive in PDF format. Click on each link to read/print the sermon.

June 25, 2022 | Living into God’s Gratuitous Giving | Loren McGrail

June 5, 2022 | Why Not Become Fire or at least a Firefly | Loren McGrail

May 15, 2022 | When Was it When We Saw You? | Loren McGrail

April 14, 2019 | Band Together: Deepening | Todd Smiedendorf

March 24, 2019 | Band Together: Serving | Todd Smiedendorf

March 17, 2019 | Band Together: Speaking truth | Amy Roon

March 10, 2019 | Band Together: Centering | Todd Smiedendorf

February 24, 2019 | Defiant Hope: our faithful response to climate crisis | Jim Antal

February 17, 2019 | In Search of Refuge: she persisted | Catherine Foote

February 10, 2019 | In Search of Refuge: David Finds Sanctuary | Amy Roon, Sam Vance Productions (video)

February 3, 2019 | In Search of Refuge: stranger in our midst | Todd Smiedendorf

January 20, 2019 | In Search of Refuge: a home in the desert | Todd Smiedenorf

2018

December 30, 2018 | God Surprises: go in peace | Foote, Ilgenfritz, Roon, Anderson 

December 24, 2018 | a meditation for Christmas Eve | Peter Ilgenfritz

December 23, 2018 | God Surprises: expecting a child | Peter Ilgenfritz

December 9, 2018 | God Surprises: and you, my child, a prophet | Peter Ilgenfritz and members

October 21, 2018 | Engaging Passion: power of a story | Peter Ilgenfritz

October 14, 2018 | Engaging Passion: nevertheless we persist | Catherine Foote

September 30, 2018 | Engaging Passion: finding a way | Amy Roon

September 23, 2018 | Never put a period where God put a comma | Foote, Ilgenfritz, Roon, Anderson

September 9, 2018 | Be the Church: be opened | Peter Ilgenfritz

August 26, 2018 | Be Our Church : speak boldly | Amy Roon & Kiran Oommen

August 12, 2018 | Be Our Church: shaping community | Catherine Foote & Beth Amsbary

May 13, 2018 | The Gospel Outside: Empty Nests | Amy Roon

May 6, 2018 | Journey’s Ending: Naomi comes home | Peter Ilgenfritz

April 29, 2018 | Journey’s Ending: return from exile | Catherine Foote

April 22, 2018 | Journey’s Ending: Elijah’s sweet chariot | Amy Roon

April 8, 2018 | Journey’s Ending: Jacob’s return | Catherine Foote

March 18, 2018 | The Gospel Outside: storm | Amy Roon

March 11, 2018 | The Gospel Outside: healing at the border | David Vásquez-Levy

March 4, 2018 | The Gospel Outside: the Sea of Galilee | Catherine Foote

February 25, 2018 | The Gospel Outside: let justice roll down | Amy Roon

February 18, 2018 | The Gospel Outside: immersion | Peter Ilgenfritz

January 28, 2018 | Living Rooms: 360º hospitality | Peter Ilgenfritz

2017

December 17, 2017 | Go! Hillsides to the Manger | Amy Roon

December 10, 2017 | Go! Bethlehem calling | Peter Ilgenfritz

December 3, 2017 | Go! Mary to Elizabeth | Catherine Foote

November 26, 2017 | Light for the Journey: Ready to go? | Debra Jarvis

November 19, 2017 | Light for the Journey: Go Anyway | Catherine Foote

November 12, 2017 | Light for the Journey: walk, stop, run | Amy Roon

October 29, 2017 | Light for the Journey: Re-forming | Debra Jarvis

October 22, 2017 | Light for the Journey: going on after heartbreak | Amy Roon

October 15, 2017 | Light for the Journey: rejecting false gods | Peter Ilgenfritz

October 8, 2017 | Light for the Journey IV | David Anderson

October 1, 2017 | Light for the Journey III | Amy Roon

September 24, 2017 | Light for the Journey II | Debra Jarvis

September 17, 2017 | Light for the Journey I | Peter Ilgenfritz

September 10, 2017 | Living Hope: Abundant Life | Amy Roon

September 3, 2017 | Living Hope: coming together | Peter Ilgenfritz

August 27, 2017 | Living Hope: salvation by sea creature | Peter Ilgenfritz

August 20, 2017 | Living Hope: do you see the donkey | Audrey Musewe

July 23, 2017 | Living Hope: food for all | Peter Ilgenfritz

May 28, 2017 | The Heart of the Matter: open the eyes of my heart | Amy Roon

May 21, 2017 | The Heart of the Matter: kept in our hearts | Peter Ilgenfritz

May 14, 2017 | The Heart of the Matter: the untroubled heart | Catherine Foote

May 7, 2017 | The Heart of the Matter: the heart’s voice | Peter Ilgenfritz

April 30, 2017 | The Heart of the Matter: from the heart | Catherine Foote

April 16, 2017 | The Heart of the Matter: you will see him there | Catherine Foote

April 9, 2017 | Gifts of the Dark Wood: the gift of disruption | Amy Roon

April 2, 2017 | Gifts of the Dark Wood: the gift of temptation | Peter Ilgenfritz

February 26, 2017 | The Tie that Binds: Annointed | Catherine Foote

February 12, 2017 | The Tie that Binds: Lifted | Marcia McFee

2016

December 11, 2016 | Into this World: Sing a New Song | Peter Ilgenfritz

December 4, 2016 | Into this World: for such a Time | Amy Roon

November 27, 2016 | Into this World: the Vision Made Plain | Catherine Foote

Nov 13, 2016 | Together | Catherine Foote

Sept 18, 2016 | Called to the Common Good-Trust in the Source | Peter Ilgenfritz

September 11, 2016 | Called to the Common Good | Debra Jarvis

Sept 4, 2016 | Risking Yes | Peter Ilgenfritz with guests

Aug 28, 2016 | Risking Your Soul | Amy Roon

Aug 21, 2016 | Risking Preaching | Peter Ilgenfritz with guests

Aug 14, 2016 | Risking the Whole Truth | Catherine Foote

July 3, 2016 | Draw the circle wide: ripples of Reconciliation | Peter Ilgenfritz

May 8, 2016 | Where God is Found-FIRE | Peter Ilgenfritz with guests

May 1, 2016 | Where God Is Found-THE FIRE OF ANGER | Catherine Foote

April 24, 2016 | Where God is Found-THE FIERY FURNACE | Catherine Foote

March 27, 2016 | Finding Life: the Light of Day | Easter | Peter Ilgenfritz 

Feb 21, 2016 | Where God is Found-EMPTINESS | Amy Roon