News

Wednesday, May 21, 6:30–7:30 p.m. in Knatvold

Worship services at 9:30 and 11:15 a.m. in the chapel and via livestream

Wednesday, May 21, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. in Knatvold and via Zoom

~Janine Larsen, Acting Administrator My turn. As of June 30, I’ll be retiring from full-time work at UUC. I’m ready to take up a different pace in my life and turn more fully to other passions. It’s particularly satisfying to wind up my staff position with the end of this fiscal year, to help staff restructuring to be fully embraced and more effectively funded going forward. While I’ll discontinue my Leadership Staff role and full-time presence at the church on June 30, my relationship with the congregation will transition differently than we’ve experienced with other recent staff retirements and resignations. Unlike the “no contact” protocols other staff have followed or chosen, I’ll continue to be available to consult with Leadership Staff as new staff come on board, particularly around on- or off-site orientation and training for the incoming Congregational Engagement Coordinator (look for an announcement next week!). Given current needs, this will likely include some continuing paid time when more than minimal help is needed for staff support, special projects, or to cover gaps in office coverage through the summer months. Most importantly to me, I’ll continue to lead our lively Zen Buddhist Meditation and Study group at UUC. As the program has grown, we’ve named ourselves the Bright Cloud Zen practice groups. We’re affiliated with the larger UU Buddhist Fellowship, and we’re part of the Empty Moon Zen Sanghas, founded by UU Minister and Zen Roshi James Ford. To provide clear boundaries around my continued involvement at UUC, I’ve asked to be recognized as a Covenanted Community Minister, in accountable relationship with the ordained UU ministers of this church. Such appointment will be similar to the “Minister Affiliated” role called out in UUC’s bylaws, but different in some significant ways. First, I am not a UU Minister and will not be eligible to represent UUC as ministerial delegate to the UUA General Assembly. I was ordained as a Zen Buddhist Priest at UUC in 2019. My calling is to serve UUs and others who are exploring or have committed to the path of Zen Buddhism, informed by Unitarian Universalist values and practices. Second, I will be in covenant with UUC’s ministers and Leadership Staff, not the congregation as a whole. So, my appointment will come from the Senior Minister, not by vote of the congregation as is the standard for UU Ministers Affiliated. We’ll have the chance to share this at the short Worship Service before the Annual Meeting on June 15. I will continue to be a regular member of UUC, but in order to make space for UUC’s staff and volunteer transitions I will largely absent myself from participating in congregational meetings, Sunday worship, and most other community events for a while, except by request and consent with the Senior Minister and Staff Leadership. Here’s a fun example of that: I will be your guest preacher on July 6! We continue to walk this liminal time together, very much as I entered UUC in July 2016. I feel like I’ve carried out transitional ministry my entire time on staff here. It has been completely consistent with my Zen practice of “being with what is” and meeting each moment with curiosity, determination, and love. As I approach my 70 th birthday at the end of October, I am eager to devote myself to things that beckon me now: Getting my house in order (literally!), paying attention to my health by making more time for exercise and “sleep hygiene,” the joy of cooking, planning some road trips, hanging out with dogs, and expanding my devotion to Zen practice and teaching beyond UUC. I know we wish each other well and enter this new phase with great fondness. We will still see each other, but not as regularly and without getting into the intimate details of UUC structures. Thank you for your deep care of me, and welcoming me into your community so joyously. Serving this congregation has been a great blessing to me. 

Artist Reception on Sunday, May 18, 1–3 p.m. in the UUC chapel Exhibit on display through June 27

Sunday, May 18, 1–2:30 p.m. in Knatvold

The title "Minister Emeritus" is an honorary designation. That honor is bestowed on a minister for the minister’s excellent contributions to a congregation. Rev. Jon Luopa served UUC in an exceptional capacity for 25 years. A few of his contributions are as follows: He consistently provided outstanding sermons and leadership in the pulpit. He selected and worked with an excellent staff including Family Ministry and Social Justice. He navigated the church through the COVID pandemic and the building of a new building. For these reasons and more the Board of Trustees recommends granting Jon Luopa the honorary designation of Minister Emeritus. The Board of Trustees conducted three listening sessions in March 2025 to hear from the congregation about this issue. There were about 25 attendees at the sessions. Participants voiced many of Jon’s strengths. All felt that Jon should be declared a Minister Emeritus. In addition to the three in-person meetings, we sent out a survey to which 41 people responded. The vast majority felt that Jon should be declared a Minister Emeritus. The following resolution will be on the agenda of the UUC Annual Congregational Meeting on June 15 : "Shall the members of University Unitarian Church bestow on Jon Luopa the honorary designation of Minister Emeritus?"

The UUC Nominating Committee is pleased to announce nominations for the two positions on the UUC Board of Trustees. 

Sunday, June 15, 10:45 a.m. in the UUC chapel and via Zoom

Sunday, May 18, 1:15–2:30 p.m. in the Dix room or via Zoom

June 18–22, Baltimore, MD or online

Sign up by Thursday, May 29 Child dedication ceremony on Sunday, June 1, 9:30 or 11:15 a.m.

Coming of Age Services All Ages worship services at 9:30 and 11:15 a.m. in the chapel and via livestream

From the Nomination Subcommittee of the UUC Board of Trustees Over the past few weeks, we have been enthusiastically and thoughtfully moving through a truly important process: identifying the slate of nominees for the Ministerial Search Committee that will spend the next year identifying the best candidate for our next Senior Minister. The Nomination Subcommittee of the Board was composed of Gayle Childers (former Board President), Sooraj Kuttykrishnan (current Board Secretary), and Lora Poepping (current Board member). They focused on: Fair access to voting for all members, providing online and paper ballots. Consistent, repeated, and multi-channel messages encouraging nominations and self-nominations. Clear descriptions of the key attributes of a strong candidate. A comprehensive candidate application process. Selecting a slate to be presented to the Board that embodies the spirit of collaboration and is a cross-section representing our whole community. We are pleased to introduce our proposed slate of seven exceptional UUC members who have stepped up to serve as members of the Ministerial Search Committee. Their bios (below, in alphabetical order) will also be shared in a display in Nathan Johnson Hall until our Annual Congregational Meeting on June 15, to be held after first service. The subcommittee spent many hours counting ballots, identifying candidates to move to the application stage in the process, and reviewing each application. The result is a slate that we believe reflects our community, honors the past, envisions the future, and will be truly thoughtful in their discernment. We believe you will appreciate that this slate, reflects UUC. You will see those who have worked with Family Ministry, volunteered with Tent City, participate in music programs, previous Board members and leaders, newer members, tenured members, deep knowledge around immigrant justice, and more. We are lucky to have found an outstanding group to search for our next Senior Minister, and we encourage you to attend the Annual Congregational Meeting and vote to approve this slate, which was selected with the greatest care and with each of you in our hearts and minds.

Thursday, May 22, 7:00–8:45 p.m. in the Knatvold room

UUC Art Committee chooses “artivist” Nikkolas Smith’s work The Bridges room in the UUC Children’s Suite is named after Ruby Bridges, the first Black child to attend a whites-only elementary school in 1960 New Orleans. The new portrait of Bridges was made by Black illustrator and author Nikkolas Smith, who calls himself an “artivist”—artist and activist. It replaces the Norman Rockwell image that was retired during UUC’s building renovation. Smith uses digital tools to create art that sparks conversation and inspires meaningful change. Bridges selected him to collaborate with her on her children’s book I Am Ruby Bridges , published by Scholastic. Smith says that the Norman Rockwell image of Bridges walking to school under armed guard always hung in his house. “I always want my visual art to be like that oil painting,” he has shared. “I want it to have a lot of movement, the feeling of oil on canvas.” When considering an image to honor Bridges, the UUC Art Committee wanted to select a living artist of color to illustrate her childhood role in the civil rights movement. Other images in Smith’s body of work include a depiction of Martin Luther King, Jr., in a hoodie, a protestor kneeling and holding up a mirror before a phalanx of armed police, and a portrait of George Floyd, which was the centerpiece billboard in New York’s Times Square in 2020. You can learn more about the artist at www.nikkolas.art . The members of the UUC Art Committee are pleased to have discovered this artist-activist for the Bridges room! All are invited to stop by and take a look.

Through May 26, online or with a check

Sunday, June 15, Annual Congregational Meeting Thursdays, April 24 and May 15, Board Meetings

Since the Board of Trustees approved UUC’s participation in the Faith Land Initiative (FLI) in October, our FLI cohort team (comprised of Gayle Childers, Patricia Graesser, Dave Mentz and Rev. Beth Chronister and now Rev. Doug Wadkins) has been quite busy. Trainings Our FLI team participated in three all-day trainings in November, December and April. These trainings covered community organizing tools, an anti-racist framework, land access/exclusion history timeline, values-centered reflection, creating a story of us and now, conducting meetings for discernment, the participatory learning process, asset mapping and planning. Researching The team held research meetings with Byron Krystad and Cynthia Setel to understand past and present facility uses and considerations for any future uses. After an initial collaborative meeting with social justice and UUC facility leaders in January, the team expanded to work on three particular areas of interest: Research meetings with external parties Criteria refinement Congregational meetings Research meetings with other faith communities so far have included St. John’s United Lutheran, St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox, Gesthemane Lutheran, Seattle Mennonite, Maple Leaf Lutheran, University Lutheran and University Congregational United Church of Christ. Research meetings with community organizations included Seattle Library, Eckstein Middle School, King County and North Seattle Opportunity Center. Communicating At meetings with UUC members and friends on April 6, 22, 27 and May 4 the team provided an overview of the Faith Land Initiative and asked for congregant thoughts on four questions: Which values do you strongly believe we should prioritize in considering ways to share our physical resources? What do you feel UUC is being called to do in our community now? What hopes do you have about the potential for sharing our physical resources? How do we share our space and remain responsible stewards, leaving a legacy for those who come after us? If you weren't able to attend one of these meetings and would like to share your thoughts, please fill out our online questionnaire . Preparing Our FLI team is now documenting learnings from research meetings and common themes from congregational meetings and preparing for a presentation at UUC's June 15 Annual Congregational Meeting. Questions? If you have any questions or would like to share any input relating to this process, please contact Patricia Graesser , Gayle Childers or Dave Mentz .

Wednesday, May 21, 6:30–8 p.m. in the Knatvold room by registration

Thanks to the almost 60 community members who attentively gathered this past Sunday, May 4, for an information-packed session focused on budget, finances, and staffing as we prepare for the next church year. A collaborative effort of the Board of Trustees, the Finance Committee, the Stewardship Committee, and Staff Leadership, the purpose of the session was to communicate openly to the congregation in a way that paints the whole picture in context and (hopefully) fosters greater understanding. The session covered the following topics, followed by time for questions and comments: Timeline of fundraising and budgeting process Update on FY26 Giving Campaign Proposed FY26 Budget & Staffing Looking Ahead For those not able to attend (or for those who want a second look), you can view the slides here . Whether you attended on May 4, reviewed the slides after the fact, or simply want to weigh in with questions and suggestions, we would appreciate your feedback via this very short survey . Questions? Please contact Kathleen Cromp . Please plan on attending the UUC Annual Congregational Meeting on June 15, 2025. More information to come.

Sunday, May 11, both services (9:30 and 11:15 a.m.)

Saturdays, May 10 and May 17, 3 p.m.

Worship services at 9:30 and 11:15 a.m. in the chapel and via livestream

Tuesday, May 6, 7–9 p.m. in Nathan Johnson Hall

Wednesday, May 7, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. in Knatvold and via Zoom

Thursday, May 8, 1:00 p.m. at UUC Rev. Doug Wadkins will officiate the memorial service for Thomas Clayton, husband of Virginia Day, on Thursday, May 8. You can read his Seattle Times obituary here .

(Part of the UW's 2025 Stroum Lecture Series) “Jewish and Christian women desiring women in the early Roman empire” Thursday, May 8, 4-5:30 p.m. via Zoom

Thursday, May 8, 7:00–8:45 p.m. in the Knatvold room

Sunday, May 4, 12:45–2:15 p.m. in the Knatvold room or via Zoom; please register in advance

Sunday, May 4, 10:30 a.m. in the Knatvold room Tuesday, April 29, 7 p.m. via Zoom Join members of UUC’s Faith Land Initiative team for upcoming listening sessions. Come to learn more and share your thoughts. We have also created this online form if you would like to share your thoughts without attending a meeting. In the meetings, the team will provide an overview of the Faith Land Initiative and status of UUC’s cohort, and gather input on Values to prioritize Hopes for sharing our space Concerns about sharing our space The Faith Land Initiative process at UUC is intended to be synergistic with and supportive of our interim ministry work. Work through June includes conducting learning sessions with our church and external communities, refining criteria to screen future action options and drafting short- mid- and long-term plans. Find the Zoom link for the online session in UUC Connect . If you have any questions or would like to share any input relating to this process, please contact Patricia Graesser , Gayle Childers or Dave Mentz .

Sunday, May 4, 9:30 and 11:15 a.m. in the UUC chapel and via livestream

Saturday, May 3, 9 a.m.–noon at UUC or via Zoom

Dear Members and Friends of University Unitarian Church, As I wrap up my almost nine years at UUC, I have been holding both sadness about leaving and excitement for what is unfolding as I prepare to start at Common Power later this summer. This tension has been possible to bear because the truth is that it is drenched in so much gratitude. Over the past two months, we’ve had the chance to make meaning of our years together, what we’ve learned, how we’ve grown, where we’ve gotten stuck, and where our lives are taking us now. You have been so generous in this transition, sharing your reflections and support, as well as your gratitude and grief. I am proud of the ministry we have shared and excited for whoever arrives next to minister to UUC and the fresh ideas and perspectives they will bring to partnering with the congregation. I want to speak directly to what leaving as a minister means for our relationships going forward. When a minister leaves a congregation, they enter into a period of time of no contact. This boundary can feel harsh, but the intention is so that both congregations and ministers can do the sacred work of grieving and creating space for what is to come. For me, this means time and space to rest, reflect, and reorient to my life. For UUC, this means continuing to engage in the Interim process with Rev. Doug as you prepare to partner with your next ministers. Because of the success of the Spring Pledge Drive, the process has begun to hire an Acting Associate Minister with the hope that they can be in place before the next church year begins. That minister will be focused on Community Engagement both within and beyond the congregation, including leading the justice and care ministries, as well as supporting other adult programming. It’s a big role and they will need your patience and support as they come into the community. The next church year will also be the search year for UUC’s next lead minister. It is a pivotal time for the congregation and an important time for everyone to find their role in supporting the health of the community! After the end of April, I will be fully away from the congregation for at least two years, giving plenty of space for the incoming ministers to arrive and get settled. Being fully away means you won’t see me visiting on a Sunday or continuing in any ministerial role such as leading UUC weddings or memorials. Since I am staying in Seattle, continuing to serve on the board of the Church Council of Greater Seattle, and working at Common Power, it is likely that we will be crossing paths within those two years. However, in order to respect the boundaries of ministerial transition, when we do encounter each other, I ask that we steer clear of talking about UUC. Also, even though I am going into fundraising at Common Power, I am not going to directly solicit donations from members of UUC to respect this period of intentional parting of ways. Of course, UUC and Common Power will remain connected as partner organizations and I hope the relationship will only deepen in order to build collective strength to meet the current political crises. We need to band together right now. There will be at least a couple months between when I leave and the next second minister begins. Please keep in mind that staffing will be more stretched in these months. During that time, Rev. Doug will be supporting the Care Team. The summer preaching schedule will look very much as it has before with a rotation of guest preachers from the area, as well as a Chalice Camp service in early August. Janine Larsen will continue to be the main contact for special events until the new Congregational Engagement Specialist is hired. In terms of social justice, the Social Justice Steering Committee will be available for support as questions and needs arise. I encourage you also to lean into the organizing happening in the wider community. There are so many deeply necessary ways to show up, build community, and resist those forces that rip at the fabric of our shared humanity. Keep opening towards who you are called to be, as persons and as a people, in these perilous times. Thank you all for a wonderful nine years of ministry together. Though it feels like the right time to make this life transition, I will dearly miss the community of University Unitarian Church. It has been a joy and an honor to be among you as one of your ministers. I hope many of you can join on April 27 at either the 9:30 and 11:15 a.m. services for a shared celebration of our time together! With love, Rev. Beth Chronister

All Ages worship services at 9:30 and 11:15 a.m. in the chapel and via livestream

Sunday, May 4, 9:30 and 11:15 a.m. in the UUC chapel and via livestream

Thursday, April 24, 7:00–8:45 p.m. in the King room

May 23–26 at the Seabeck Conference Center There are still spots available 

Donate by April 27; Event on Sunday, May 18, 6–8 p.m.

Sunday, April 27, during both services (9:30 and 11:15 a.m.)

Saturday, April 26, 1–3 p.m. in the Knatvold room

Tuesday, April 22 and 29, 7 p.m. via Zoom Sunday, May 4, 10:30 a.m. in the Knatvold room Join members of UUC’s Faith Land Initiative team for upcoming listening sessions. Come to learn more and share your thoughts. We have also created this online form if you would like to share your thoughts without attending a meeting. In the meetings, the team will provide an overview of the Faith Land Initiative and status of UUC’s cohort, and gather input on Values to prioritize Hopes for sharing our space Concerns about sharing our space Areas of interest Helpful associations Many congregants have expressed a desire for UUC to use our extra capacity for the benefit of the community, most recently in the Interim Conversations held last month. Faith Land Initiative, an established program offered by the Church Council of Greater Seattle, offers cohort teams a process and tools to use to lead a discernment process that aligns with congregational values, interests, and processes. For UUC, the Faith Land Initiative process is intended to be synergistic with and supportive of our interim ministry work. Our efforts through June include conducting learning sessions with our church and external communities, refining criteria to screen future action options and drafting short- mid- and long-term plans. Find the Zoom link for the online sessions in UUC Connect . If you have any questions or would like to share any input relating to this process, please contact Patricia Graesser , Gayle Childers or Dave Mentz .

Sunday, April 20, both services

Worship services at 9:30 and 11:15 a.m. in the chapel and via livestream

Sunday, April 20, during the 9:30 & 11:15 a.m. services, in the Knatvold room

Wednesday, April 16, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. in Knatvold and via Zoom 

Sunday, May 4, 9:30 and 11:15 a.m. in the UUC chapel and via livestream

Wednesday, April 16, 6:30–7:30 p.m. in Knatvold

Wednesday, April 16, 7-8 p.m. in the UUC chapel