Hello friends, 

My name is Molly Collier and I have the pleasure of serving as a student pastor at U Gathering for the summer. I come to you from Methodist Theological School of Ohio and I am grateful for the warm welcome I received last Sunday during worship! I am looking forward to the rest of my time here getting to know you as we grow and serve together.

Pastor Paul has been preaching from the sermon series Choosing Change and we will continue with that theme this Sunday. For some folks, change can be exciting and adventurous while it can also bring about feelings of fear and anxiety. Pema Chodron, in her book When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times, writes the following, “The spiritual journey goes beyond hope and fear, stepping into unknown territory, continually moving forward. The most important aspect of being on a spiritual path may be to just keep moving.” As we move through this spiritual journey of change as a church community and as you may be going through changes in your own personal lives, I encourage you to keep moving. I encourage you to trust in the process of change and lean into the feelings of excitement and even the feelings of doubt and fear that may be coming up for you. Chodron also says, “Fear is a natural reaction to moving closer to the truth.” We, as a church and a people, are moving closer to the truth of who God called us to be as a relevant, thriving faith community. 

Join us this Sunday, in-person or online, as Pastor Paul and I will be preaching together and talking about what awaits you on the other side of change. 

In Christ, 

Molly Collier 

OPEN HOUSE THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 12th
University Gathering + 5:30-7:30 pm
1415 NE 43rd Street, north building entrance

New church
We’re building a new church on our current site at NE 43rd and 15th Ave NE, on the street level of a project that will include student housing. We want to hear from neighbors now!
(planning for 2023)

New doors
Our current building, long used and loved by many people, is hard to access and shut off from the life of the street. We’re designing for windows on the sidewalk, full accessibility, day and evening events, and rooms for flexible use.
(way more open)

New spaces
Plans include a corner café with adjoining forum space, a big hall with a kitchen, a beautiful new Sanctuary for worship and public gatherings, room for human services, classes, music, meditation,
celebrations, conversations . . . What do you want to see inside?
(for church & community)

Help us imagine a new life inside the new doors!

This is a new chapter in a long story that started in 1901 with Methodists holding church in a tent. Buildings have changed over the years, but our commitment
to the University District is still strong. Love still calls us here, in worship and in service.