News

Worship service at 9:30 a.m. in the chapel and via live stream

Open by appointment only December 25–January 2 Except for the (single) service on Sunday, December 28 at 9:30 a.m. , the church will be closed Thursday, December 25, through Friday, January 2. Best wishes to all for the New Year!

Wednesday, December 24, 7:00 and 9:00 p.m. in the chapel and via live stream

Saturday, January 3, 9 a.m.–noon at UUC and via Zoom

Our friends at Teen Feed expressed deep appreciation for UUC continuing to share warm clothes and financial resources during the holidays, along with time and hot meals year-round ~ "We're so thankful for the long-time commitment of University Unitarian Church for partnering in the work to build relationships with unsheltered youth in our community, and for all you have shared with Teen Feed again this December!" In total, UUC families donated 80 pairs of socks, 20 winter hats, 10 pairs of gloves, 24 hoodies, 26 jackets, 75 pairs of socks, 30 pairs of underwear, 8 sets of long underwear, and 40 handwarmers...plus a tent, sleeping bags, pants and more . Some from our community donated cash so that Teen Feed could buy more of the most needed items. Teen Feed will share these items (nearly $4500 in value) with teens in our community. Over the course of the year, UUC volunteers prepare 18 meals for Teen Feed. The UUC team numbers nearly 40 now, including 11 youth and children. Thirty from our UUC Team will be involved in preparing and serving one of two meals that UUC will host during the first week of January. Additionally, contributions to the Second Sunday Plate this month—of over $3,200—will fund the groceries and supplies for the over 1300 meals we'll prepare during 2026. As one of our UUC families noted: "Teen Feed creates a warm, dignified and welcoming environment for youth who deserve care, stability and respect. Being part of that effort -- even in a small way -- reminds our family that community is something we build together." Your generosity offering warm clothes and financial support is so important with over 1,000 homeless youth and young adults in King County this winter. Our congregation's partnership with Teen Feed is building Beloved Community.

Various dates and topics, via Zoom, starting January 19

Monday, January 19, 2026, at Garfield High School

Sunday, January 11, 1–3 p.m. in Nathan Johnson Hall and the chapel

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

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

Tuesday, December 23, 9 a.m. is the deadline for the last 2025 issue of the Gateway

The UUA has a disaster relief fund supported by generous donations of UUs all over the country. If you are a UUC member and your home has been significantly damaged by the flooding in our area, contact Rev. Victoria to apply for funds to support recovery. If you are not affected by the flooding, and would like to be able to support other UUs in Washington who are, we welcome donations to the UUA Disaster Relief Fund . ~Rev. Victoria Poling

Tuesdays, January 6 and February 24, 6:15–7:30 p.m. in Knatvold; advance sign-up appreciated

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

Thursday, January 22, 6 p.m. at Town Hall

Drop off your donations December 9-21 at the tree in the lower-level atrium

Through December 21, online or with a check to the office

All Ages Family Solstice Services at 9:30 and 11:15 a.m. in the chapel and via live stream

Sunday, December 21, 10:30–11 a.m., meet in the UUC Memorial Garden

Help us make our chapel festive for the holidays!

Register by Saturday, December 20 Retreat runs Sunday, December 28, 2025, 2:30 p.m. to Thursday, January 01, 2026, 11:45 a.m.

Saturday & Sunday, December 20 & 21, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center

Thursday, December 18, 12–2 p.m.

Wednesday, December 17, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. by appointment i n Nathan Johnson Hall

Wednesday, December 17, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. in Knatvold and via Zoom

PLEASE NOTE: The Dec 16 meeting is canceled because of Internet and power outages. We will discuss the entire book Stiff on January 6. Tuesday, December 16 and January 6, 7–8:30 p.m. in the Channing room and via Zoom

Register your child for this winter's ceremony via UUC Connect by Tuesday, December 16 Child Dedication Ceremonies will be held during the services on December 21

Monday, December 15, 6–8 p.m. in Nathan Johnson Hall

Sunday, December 21, Family Solstice Services at 9:30 and 11:15 a.m.

Sunday, December 14, 12:30–3:00 p.m. in the King room

Sunday, December 14, both services (9:30 and 11:15 a.m.)

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

Friday and Saturday, December 12 & 13 at 10:00 a.m., 3:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, December 14, 1:00–2:30 p.m. in Knatvold Join us for our monthly gathering from 1:00 to 2:30 (at the latest) to find out what's happening, and learn about opportunities to help. If you have childcare needs or agenda items you'd like to add, please contact a group leader. The Pink Haven Coalition is a national coalition responding to the baseless and severe discrimination against trans and non-binary individuals in red states who need assistance in moving to blue states. Our UUC group is part of this effort, in partnership with the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, to create a welcome network for trans/non-binary individuals and their families who are fleeing their homes in order to live freer lives and, if needed, to obtain gender affirming care.

From Cynthia Setel:

Planning for next year’s budget has begun. On December 4, your Finance, Stewardship and Transition teams gathered with the Board, ministers and Interim Executive for Finance & Operations to strategize for the 2026–27 budget and fundraising efforts. One important goal is to communicate clearly with YOU—the congregation—about UUC money matters. In the coming year, we anticipate the search and selection of a new minister, exciting new efforts to help members support one another, continued spiritual growth, and ongoing development of bridges with the greater community. All in all, we want our budget to help ensure that UUC holds strong as a much-needed refuge of comfort and connection for everyone. At this joint meeting, we had an opportunity to look at our current state of our finances, operations, and systems. The 17 volunteer-congregants and 3 staff leaders who participated began exploring: UUC financial status, tools and resources—all positive! Expenses planning, both known and unexpected Capital needs planning Budget development and annual pledge campaign Communication with the congregation All in all, this was a great first step in bringing together key UUC teams as we plan how to respond financially to the future, on your behalf. We are all stewards of UUC’s resources. Remember: the pledge drive for the FY27 budget is in March. Questions? Kathleen Cromp can provide more insight. Board of Trustees Hugh Kimball, President Lora Poepping, Vice President Alison McCormick, Secretary Michael Kasprzak, Treasurer Nicholas Eddington Becca Hutcheson Sooraj Kuttykrishnan Finance Committee Rick Johnson, Chair Kevin Clark Doug Graesser Michael Kasprzak Jim Thompson Stewardship Committee Kathleen Cromp, Team Lead Michelle Breaux Sallie Dacey Nathan Goodman Doug Graesser Jan Hood Kathryn Ramos Katie Renschler Joplin Vaughan Leila Zelnick Sooraj Kuttykrishnan, Board Liaison Executive Staff Team Members Rev. Doug Wadkins Rev. Victoria Poling Cynthia Setel Transition Team Eileen Bianamara Rich Brooks Kathleen Cromp Liz Esbenshade Michael Linenberger Alison Mehravari Dave Mentz Maddie Smith

Thursday, December 11, 7:00–8:45 p.m. in the Knatvold room

Do you draw, paint, make prints, or take artistic photos? Do you create collages or fabric art? Do you make other forms of 2-dimensional art? The UUC Art Committee invites you to participate in our upcoming Members’ Art Show. This is your chance to show off your talents and share your work with others in our church community. Here’s how it works: church members and friends may submit one or two pieces to be hung as part of a group exhibit in the Chapel Gallery. The art should be prepared to hang on the wall. The acceptable size range runs from small (8 by 10 inches) to quite large (5 feet wide by 7 feet high). If you are interested, please register now. Artists may get the Artist Information and Agreement Form by contacting Rhona Jack ( jackrmj@comcast.net ) or Jan Hood ( janloreyhood@gmail.com ), or pick one up in the church office. Bring the completed form and your artwork to church on Saturday morning, January 10, 2026, between 9:30 and 10:15 a.m. We’ll check you in, and the Art Committee will take care of the rest. We’ll host a reception for all of our artists on Sunday afternoon, January 11 . The exhibit will hang until February 20. Plan on picking up up your pieces on the morning on Saturday, February 21. For more information, contact the Art Committee Co-Chairs as listed above. We’re excited to see and display the amazing creativity within our congregation!

Registration is still open for the Break Barriers, Build Beliefs workshop on Saturday, December 6, 10 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

Saturday, December 6, 2–4 p.m. in the Knatvold room

Friday, December 5, 6–8 p.m. in Knatvold and via Zoom

Saturday, December 6, 7 p.m. and Saturday, December 13, 3 p.m.

Sunday, December 7, meet the artist at 12:15 p.m.; reception 1–3 p.m.

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

Wednesday, December 3, 7 p.m. in the UUC chapel

Sunday, December 7, 12:30–2:30 p.m. in the King room

~Shared by Rev. Victoria Poling Rev. Michael J. Crumpler, UUA LGBTQ and Multicultural Programs Director On Thursday, November 25th, a post appeared on my Facebook timeline that read, “The U.S. Government will not be commemorating World AIDS Day this year.” As is my practice to never overreact to what I see on social media, I immediately began to scour the internet for published guidance directly from the government and found nothing. I assumed that since the post originated from a well-known AIDS activist, he probably received the information earlier than the general public. While I await the official guidance to become public, I figured it was the perfect time to draft my annual World AIDS Day reflection. On Wednesday, November 24th, it was announced that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, was dissolved. As World AIDS Day approaches, it’s impossible not to consider its impact on the world of AIDS. Of the many irresponsible cuts exacted by DOGE, the halting of PEPFAR has been the most destructive. From February to July, experts report more than 330,000 deaths worldwide due to AIDS-related illness. In essence, the richest man in the world is responsible for the hundreds of thousands of deaths of the poorest and most vulnerable people in the world. For what? The answer to this question is deeply complicated—and also not very complicated at all. [Continue reading Rev. Crumpler's reflection] If you or someone you love is in need of care and monthly support from a UU Trans/Nonbinary Pastoral Care Program, please visit The Woodlands , for more information.

Wednesday, December 3, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. in Knatvold and via Zoom

Drop off your donations December 9–21 at the tree in the lower-level atrium