Is this a seeker church or a believer church?
Neither and both; this is a Christ centered community where everyone is welcomed and where it is expected that everyone has questions no matter where we are in our journey. Our intent is to be a community where people know they can belong before they believe and in so doing come to and grow in faith in Jesus in a growing community. Our hope is that in two to three years a large number of new followers of Christ in the community would be able to say “I never thought I would be a part of a church,” and long time followers would say, “this is a place of acceptance, challenge and growth that I have longed for.”
|
Why South Lake Union?
The Presbytery Executive gave us four locations to consider for a new congregation. In prayer and discussion we considered potential growth, number of existing churches, match of community with UPC’s DNA and our ability to bring something unique to the area and we landed on the South Lake Union area.
|
Is this a new congregation of UPC or a new church?
Yes. We will start out as an extended campus of University Presbyterian Church (4540 15th Ave. NE; Seattle, WA 98105) but will be structured in such a way that if we are led to be a separately chartered church in a few years the change will be hardly perceptible.
|
Does this have the support of UPC leadership?
Absolutely! This vision came out of UPC’s Session Vision Day 2001. Session and Earl have unanimously approved the proposal for this adventure in South Lake Union as well start up funds.
|
What is the Vision?
To be a community of seekers, followers and doubters that is externally focused, internally alive and eternally connected.
|
What is our Mission?
to participate with the Holy Spirit in bringing spiritual, social and cultural /transformation to the city and beyond taking advantage of Seattle’s world crossroads position for the Kingdom.
|
Why has UPC started a new congregation?
Four reasons stand out: A new church is one of the very best ways to help people who have never considered Jesus to discover a life changing relationship with God—far better than established churches where people often feel there is an unwritten code they need to know to belong. Second, a new church allows a greater sense of community partly because its initial size and also by a greater sense of shared mission. Third, new churches lead to growth by providing more opportunities to step out in faith with our gifts. Fourth, God has blessed UPC and this is a strategic way for us to take what God has given us and use it to benefit others. In short, starting anew church is consistent to the mission statement of UPC: God is glorified as we, the members and friends of UPC, are
- Centering our lives on Jesus Christ,
- Encouraging those exploring a relationship with Jesus Christ,
- Growing together through Christ-centered community, and
- Engaging our gifts where we are called in ministry and mission. Thus participating in the transforming work of God’s Spirit in the world.
|
What are the Core Characteristics of the community?
- Trinitarian
- Transformative, Multicultural Grace
- Truth
- Joy
- Generosity
- Excellence
- Humility
- Scriptural
- Engaging Worship
- Reproduction of reproducers
…And relevantly communicating the gospel of Jesus through creative local service, community
|
Who is going from UPC?
Right now we have some 200 people from UPC interested in committing a year or more to launch this endeavor. Our ages cover the spectrum fairly evenly with just about equal numbers on either side of 35. In terms of staff, pastors Renee and James B. Notkin will be a part of the leadership team and Erin Griggs, Dave Rohrer, Jeff Towne and Ken Kierstead and others will periodically take a hand in preaching and teaching.
|
Do we have childcare and youth programs?
Worship on Sunday is a central way in which we provide opportunity for the Union community to grow in the knowledge and experience of God’s grace and truth. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, corporate worship equips us to respond to Jesus as we live out our daily lives. Therefore, in regard to Sunday worship, our belief and observation is that the inclusion of children and youth as full participants in the regular worship life of the congregation is essential to our health as a community and brings with it a deepened spiritual life for all. We live this out at Union by:
We welcome children and youth to our church community and worship. Our philosophy and goals include:
Providing quiet activities for young children to participate in during the worship service. Parents and/or caregivers are with children to provide direction. Parents who wish to remain with their children are welcome to do so. Parents who wish to have their children cared for by others are welcome to do so.
Having children and youth present in worship during music, prayer, baptism and communion so that they absorb the “rhythm” of worship as well as the content of those prayers, songs and sacraments.
Providing age-appropriate encounters with Scripture at the same time that adults are encountering Scripture during the sermon. A combination of parents, staff and volunteers provide this time. Infants through preschool come together for a time of singing, stories and activities. Elementary students have a time in the Bible as well as activities during the sermon. We encourage parents to take advantage of the age-appropriate encounters with Scripture, although parents are welcome to have children stay with them being mindful of the needs of other worshippers.
Having a community group specifically geared for high school students providing an opportunity for them to connect with one another and with their young adult leaders.
|
Can I designate my giving or contribute financially to the new church now?
Yes! If you go to our home page and click on "giving" on the left side of that page or go to the UPC web site and click On Line Giving at the lower right hand corner of the web page. Follow the directions to register for on line giving and on the pull down menu for Funds highlight South Lake Union Church
|
When did we launch?
The launch date was October 8, 2006.
|
Who was on the Launch Design studio?
Kevin Delahunty, David Owens, Heidi Mahi, Whitney Thomas, Cathy and Ted Thwing, Dave Vanderpol, Kari Hamilton, Steven Screen, Dan and Amy Eernissee, Lelia Olson, Janice and John Yanefski, Jennie Spohr, Cari and Erich Armbruster and Renee and James B. Notkin
|
What were the Wineskins gatherings?
In January and February of 2005 a group of about 85 people interested in the church gathered to talk about the need for churches hoping to minister effectively to our changing culture to exchange four old wineskins or ways of doing things for four new ones:
1. Exchange Churchiantiy to Christianity
2. Exchange Church growth (how do we get people to show up) for Kingdom growth (how do we transform the community?)
3. Exchange “Monotarian” for Trinitarian
4. Exchange Church members for Followers of Jesus
Click the links below to download the presentation notes from each of the four weeks.
|