New Church Name Suggestions

• Kindred UMC
  • Communicates warmth and belonging. Suggests chosen family- not just membership. Faith as a connection, not just belief. Echoes ‘Kin-dom of God.”
• Open Heart UMC
• Common Table UMC
  • Communicates radical hospitality, shared life, equity. Everyone gathers at the same table- no hierarchy. Everyday sacredness. Inspired by Jesus’ table practice, Acts 2 early church holding all things in common and breaking bread. Communion.
• Hope UMC of Seattle or Hope and Joy UMC
  • Hope United Methodist Church of Seattle
    If Hope UMC is already in use, then: Hope and Joy United Methodist Church
    “…Put your hope in God…” Psalm 42:5b
    “Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.” Psalm 62:5
    Reasoning: People are looking for hope, not only during these difficult times in our country, but in their personal lives – the dreaded diagnosis, severed relationships, disasters, both natural and human-made – all of this and more gnaws at people’s hope. This is especially true of the unchurched, and it is the unchurched that we want to reach.
    We live in a world that desperately longs for hope. May our church be that place where people come to know the hope that God provides.
    “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31
• Christ Church UMC
• Hope, Love, and Faith UMC
• Gathering UMC (x2)
  • “Communicates action, fellowship, openness, invitation, and action. Just using “Gathering” without specific neighborhood allows us to minister in multiple neighborhoods; Green Lake, U District, and beyond.
• Open Hearts Church
• By the Way Church
• Your/Our Church by the Lake
• Our Church
• “Keep UMC in the name. Avoid name that is neighborhood specific.”
  • “I do not have a name suggestion at this time. But I do want us to keep “United Methodist Church” at the end of our new name. Denominational affiliation is important. I also think we should avoid a name that is neighborhood-specific, as we want to do ministry in both Green Lake and the U District.”
• Lakeside Community UMC
• University Green UMC
• Green Lake Gathering UMC
• New Beginnings UMC
  • “This is a day of new beginnings, time to remember and move on, time to believe what love
    is bringing, laying to rest the pain that’s gone.” Verse 1 of “This Is a Day of New Beginnings”
    UMH #383
    “Christ is alive and goes before us to show and share what love can do. This is a day of new beginnings; our God is making all things new.” Verse 4 of “This Is a Day of New Beginnings” UMH #383
    Yes, this is a time of new beginnings for our two congregations, but more importantly, I hope our church – our fellowship of believers, our community of faith — can be a new beginning for those who are searching, for those who want to leave their past behind, for those who have been hurt or are hurting by society, by a former church, by broken relationships.
    Every day is a “new beginning” for all of us – believer and non-believer alike. Every day is a new opportunity to share Christ’s love, grace, forgiveness, peace, kindness…
    “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
    faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23a
• Beacon of Light UMC
  • “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5
    “[Jesus] said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness,
    but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
    “You are the light of the world.” Matthew 5:14a
    Reasoning: Jesus brings light and life. May those who are searching come to our
    community of faith as we share God’s love, Christ’s grace, and the Holy Spirit’s power.
    Through our welcome, our witness, our sharing of the Word, may others come to see Christ
    as their “Beacon of Light.”
    “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living i n the land of deep
    darkness a light has dawned.” Isaiah 9:2
    “Your word is a lamp for my feet, and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105
• Seattle Evangelical Community

Advent Study Group 2025

When: Thursdays at 7:00pm via Zoom
Dates: November 6 (in-person optional), November 20, December 4, December 11, and December 18
Led by: Nancy Goddard

This Advent, you are invited to join a 5-session study group exploring On the Way to Bethlehem: An Advent Study by United Methodist Pastor Rob Fuquay.

About the Study

Fuquay’s book invites us to walk alongside Mary, Joseph, and others on the journey to Jesus’ birth. Together, we will explore the geographical and political realities of the time—what it meant to live under Roman occupation, how ordinary people encountered God’s promises, and how the journey to Bethlehem was as much about hope and faith as it was about place and power.

As we follow this story, we’ll reflect on how Advent is not only about preparing our hearts for Christ’s birth, but also about preparing the world for Christ’s justice and peace. We’ll ask: What does it mean to live as disciples who carry the light of Bethlehem into today’s struggles and longings?

Click HERE to watch promo video.

Gathering Format

• Zoom Sessions: All sessions will meet via Zoom at 7:00pm.

Sign Up

To sign up email Nancy Goddard at bngoddard@davespc.net