Ministry Updates
Our church has several ways, inside and out of committees, of doing the important work. Whether it’s fighting for a South Side trauma center at The University of Chicago Hospitals (done!); pushing to end the death penalty (accomplished…in Illinois); providing affordable housing in the community (we own and manage two buildings in Woodlawn that do just that); protecting individuals in danger of deportation or offering temporary housing and support to asylum seekers (we’re doing that now!); or coordinating the next Resale Shop, planning the next game night, hosting a social hour on Sundays after worship, or helping with the garden outside…there are ways to make that happen! University Church is all about connections and building relationships — within our church community, in our neighborhoods, and in the world.
Click on the arrow to learn more about each ministry, get important updates, and get info on how you can get involved (because that’s what church is: people getting involved!).
We want you to meet new people and be part of God’s loving work in the world. If you don’t see below what you’re looking for, reach out to us and we’ll point you in the right direction!
Youth Ministry
Our youth are at the center of our church community. We love, respect, and regularly invite them to participate in every aspect of church life, including board leadership!
Each Sunday children and youth are invited to:
Collect the Benevolence offering: one of our weekly offerings, collected by children in the congregation, goes directly to those in our community who are in immediate need of financial support.
Youth Church: children in grades K-6 have curriculum-guided worship in the library across the hall from the sanctuary. It’s a time when they can share with each other and worship in their own style.
Confirmation Class: Middle school-aged youth (ages 11-13) are invited to this special time of exploring their faith with peers, asking questions, and learning more about University Church. At the end of the multi-week session, youth will be prepared for confirmation, baptism, or supported in their decision to opt out of either. For information about the next session, contact Minister Allen.
For more information about youth programs and gatherings, contact youth director Jeremy Young.
Justice Initiatives
We don’t sit by and WATCH things happen. We MAKE things happen! Here are some of the ways University Church is making a difference in our community and in the world:
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
University Church has a long history of providing affordable housing in Woodlawn, a few blocks south of University Church. Check our History page for more details about Covenantal Community Housing Cooperative and Woodlawn Development Associates. Contact Housing Director Vince Cole for more information.
IMMIGRATION & ASYLUM SUPPORT
Our immigration and asylum ministry began in the midst of Central American civil wars in the 1980s. As our own government was supporting the dictatorships that were creating exiles, University Church opened its doors to civilians whose lives were threatened. Out of this grew our Guatemala Partnership, which continues to this day, and since 2016 we’ve made a room available as temporary emergency housing for a number of immigrants seeking asylum and support. Learn more about our guests here.
We partner with agencies, other congregations, and generous individuals to provide safe temporary housing, food stipends, clothing and phone/internet; legal assistance; accompanying them to doctor appointments and help enrolling children in school; and opportunities for community and fellowship. We do everything we can to provide the stability, comfort, and confidence they need to navigate their new home. Once they are ready to go out on their own, we continue to offer support through rent assistance, ESL, or…whatever is needed! Contact Alison for more information, or if you would like to help or donate food or financial support to a family.
BLACK LIVES MATTER-UCHURCH
This group has kept the congregation informed about reparations, housing inequities, police reform, and events and conversations about racial equity. Contact Martha White for more information and for upcoming meetings.
ILLINOIS YOUTH CENTER
The Illinois Youth Center-Chicago is a medium security facility on the West Side that provides individualized programming to meet the needs of each youth, such as GED and high school diploma academic services, mental health and medical services, leisure time activities, and more. University Church’s relationship with the Center includes facilitating a book group, tutoring, buying games and snacks for holiday treats, and helping fund outings. Contact Martha White for more information.
GUATEMALA PARTNERSHIP
Our ministry of accompaniment with the Mayan community of Saq Ja’ in the Guatemalan highlands began when we gave sanctuary to a family who had escaped the wars in their country. This led to a vision of solidarity that includes helping to rebuild the village of Saq Ja’, with University Church members traveling to the village nearly every year since 1998. We’ve provided resources and labor for building a community center, a well, a school, and we continue to send scholarship funds for students to attend school. Contact Sharon Hunter-Smith for more information.
The Arts
We love music, liturgical dance, visual arts, theater. Maybe you do too, and would like to share your gifts. Contact Charles Hayes for more information.
ReSale Shop
We hold a re-sale shop the first Friday and Saturday of nearly every month. Proceeds go towards supporting our community outreach efforts, and to provide newly housed individuals and recent immigrants with clothing, kitchen and household items they need. Contact Danielle Horton for more information or to volunteer with the shop.
Hospitality
Social hour, memorial services, repasts, special events like Advent Festival and Soul Food Potluck. If you like to plan events (mainly around food!), or help coordinate social hours, contact Thora Nurse.
Care and Nurture
Do you have an interest in keeping in touch with members who are sick, or listening to someone who is struggling with life-changing news? Contact Minister Allen for more information.
Worship Planning
Is planning worship your thing? Maybe you have ideas for creative worship services. Contact Pastor Julian for more information.