Martin Luther King of Georgia by R. Lentz

Kindred in Christ,

Soon our country will remember Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a pastor and prophet who refused a faith that stayed comfortable while injustice thrived.

In his Letter from Birmingham Jail, King challenged white moderate religious leaders who chose order over justice and patience over change. He warned against what he called “negative peace,” which he defined as “the absence of tension,” rather than “a positive peace which is the presence of justice.” His challenge still confronts us today: don’t stand at a distance—come and see.

Come and see God rising where hope was buried.
Come and see love practiced through nonviolence.
Come and see justice that disrupts fear and power.

That same invitation is at the heart of the Gospel. In John 1:29–46, Jesus does not demand certainty or offer easy answers. Again and again, he simply says, “Come and see.” It is an invitation to follow, to risk change, and to live toward what Dr. King would later call the Beloved Community.

This Sunday, we remember Dr. King and listen again for Jesus’ call in our own time. Come and see.

Alongside you,

Pastor Paul Ortiz

Join us for a special Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Sunday, Dec 24th, at 7 PM, in-person or on Facebook Live. We will still host a regular morning service that Sunday for the fourth Sunday of Advent. Invite your friends and family. We hope to see you at both events!

Needs for Interim Space 2.O

Essentials 

1. Ability to hang public signage outside building
   1. Inclusive banners with church info, etc.
2. Outside space (patio, deck, etc.)
3. Weekly building usage (beyond Sundays)
4. One main gathering space, two “classrooms” for children’s ministry and adult education, and kitchen
   1. Moveable furniture (chairs, altar, etc.)
   2. Ability to decorate, hang art on walls
   3. Large windows with natural light and visible from sidewalk preferred
   4. Area for instruments
   5. Situated so guests enter through back of main gathering space
   6. 1 ½ times larger main gathering space
5. Children’s ministry space / room
   1. Large
   2. Bright
   3. Colorful
6. Parking availability and near public transportation
7. Accessible to those with disabilities
   1. Ramp or no steps at entrance
   2. Elevator if needed
   3. ADA restrooms
8. Ability to leave tech set up during the week
9. Storage closets
10. Location in the U District
    1. Ideally near or on University Ave (the ave)
    2. Ideally no further north than 55th
    3. Ideally no further south than NE Campus pkwy
    4. Attention to safety in surrounding location

Negotiables 

1. Office space
2. Large storage space

Join us in celebrating the resurrection and the use of our new name (University Gathering UMC) for the first time! We plan to host two in-person and identical services on Easter Sunday, 4/17, 9am and 10:30am, at the University Mason Lodge (4338 University Way NE). By facilitating two in-person gatherings, we hope to be able to host everyone that would like to attend, while providing socially distant seating. You are welcome to sign up below to attend one of the gatherings in person or plan to join us online at 10:30am.

RSVP for Easter Sunday 9:00am Service

RSVP for Easter Sunday 10:30am Service

Also, we ask that you read our safety protocols before attending. thanks!

Easter Egg Hunt
Join us at 12:30pm on Easter Sunday, 4/17, on the Lawn of U Heights (5031 University Way NE) as we host an Easter Egg Hunt! There will be a group of us that will walk over after the end of our second worship service.