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?

Updated Covid-19 Guidelines, Spring 2023

by | Apr 20, 2023 | COVID 19, General News

Effective 4/22/2023

Throughout this pandemic, we have been cautious in our responses and always paying attention to the science and the most vulnerable in our community. We have worked toward inclusion in our worship services and prioritized accessibility. Here are some things we have noticed and named at our most recent Covid-19 Action Team meeting.

  • King County is experiencing the longest sustained period of low community transmission of Covid-19 since the pandemic began. Hospitalizations from Covid-19 are also low, primarily happening for those who have other risk factors.
  • The vaccines are working! Risk of hospitalization from Covid-19 is significantly reduced if you are fully vaccinated and have the latest booster.
  • If you do get Covid-19, there are treatments available to reduce the severity. Studies show taking Paxlovid also reduces the risk of  “long Covid.”
  • At the moment, there are no concerning new variants on the horizon. New variants have been following a trend of becoming more contagious with milder symptoms – and while that doesn’t guarantee we won’t see another “delta-type” variant, it is encouraging.
  • Rapid tests are widely available and do a good job measuring your viral load (how likely you are to spread Covid-19) with this current variant. Please note: a common pattern with this variant is to test negative for the first 2-4 days of symptoms and then to test positive, however, you are unlikely to be spreading Covid-19 until your viral load is high enough to be detected on a rapid test. If you are sick and concerned about Covid-19, we suggest you test daily for at least 5 days and/or schedule a PCR test through your doctor’s office (as the free PCR sites are closing down this month). A prompt and accurate Covid-19 diagnosis helps reduce transmission, and allows you to access treatments like Paxlovid if you are eligible.

How do we, as a church, navigate these next steps of emergence from the pandemic? 
As the Covid-19 State of Emergency ends, we recognize that Covid is still with us.
We are entering a new phase of emergence, with vaccines/boosters, treatments, and other precautions (like the upgrades to our church HVAC system and air filters, the accuracy of rapid tests, and the availability of high-quality masks). Accessibility and welcome are values of UCUCC, and we know those with vulnerable immune systems, those with certain medical conditions, our elders, and caretakers or family members of vulnerable folks face challenges in navigating a world with no Covid-19 restrictions. We hold a unique space as a church, and when we gather in person we choose to be in close proximity to one another, to participate intergenerationally, to welcome the stranger, and to sing praises to God.
With all this in mind, here are our updated Covid-19 guidelines:

  • NEW: starting Sunday, April 23rd, the church is moving to “masks encouraged” instead of masks required on Sunday mornings.
  • NEW: the sanctuary balcony is now a mask-required space, for those who wish to participate in worship with others who are masking.
  • NEW: The lounge, narthex, office, classrooms, and other spaces are now mask optional.
  • The fragrance-free zone will remain in the main floor of the sanctuary behind the tech tables.
  • NEW: Coffee hour will be moving back to the Narthex.
  • NEW: Singing in the choir will be mask optional. Choir members who are feeling unwell or experiencing any symptoms are encouraged to stay home, or to mask while singing.
  • NEW: masking is optional in all small and large groups, however any group can choose to be masked or “masks encouraged.” Please consider expectations around masking when you plan an event, and communicate proactively to folks can be prepared.
  • We encourage everyone to be welcoming and supportive of folks who choose to stay masked. We endorse a consent-based culture where all those participating check in with each other with care and support. Please accommodate those who have higher risk and/or higher discomfort.
  • We encourage everyone to stay home from church if they are sick, and participate through our digital worship and online ministry options.
  • If you do come to the church building when you are feeling unwell or experiencing any symptoms, such as coughing, we ask that you wear a mask to protect those in our community who are more vulnerable to viruses of any kind.

We know the tools for wellness include being vaccinated and fully boosted, testing when needed, and having high-quality masks. We want to support this in the building and at all times. We have upgraded our building air filtration system and have purchased additional portable filters for some spaces as well. Our church has masks and rapid tests available, especially if you’re having trouble finding them or they are too expensive. We can also help you navigate getting a vaccine or getting boosted. Please get the latest Covid-19 booster! Everyone over 5 years of age is eligible, if it’s been 2 months since your previous vaccine dose.

We also want to encourage you to get vaccinated against the flu and other viruses, to wash your hands regularly and avoid coming to church if you are feeling unwell (and mask up if you have symptoms).

Please reach out and let us know how we can support you. We’re in this together!
If you have questions, you can contact our Covid-19 officer, Kyna Shilling at
kshilling@universityucc.org.