This was a terrific experience. I was excited to worship with this mission start that was a joint…read moreventure with the Episcopal church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA). The end result is, what I believe, an example of how people can serve a need contextually without losing substance. I suppose coming from a lay person, that should be taken with a grain of salt. But, I've been to mission starts that are awkward, full of random drum solos followed by the blood and body (communion) being randomly passed out and then literally thrown back down on the table. No lie. Moving on... COTA has a coffee hour before the service where people mingle and have some great coffee (each cup is brewed by hand) or chai (a secret recipe of a member) along with treats -- they have a suggested donation if you're able. ....Oh, the coffee and tea alone was worth the trip.... If you want some great drinks at 4:30 pm on Sundays, head down that way- totally worth it even if you don't stay for worship. COTA is housed in an arts facility so there aren't pews involved. Instead, they have folding chairs that aren't uncomfortable as I anticipated. If you have a sensitive bum, there are some couches in the back. The whole service had various members participating, it was a well curated event. Although they didn't have bulletins, I didn't feel lost or overwhelmed since people around me were watching and participating. I could follow their lead. During a time called 'open space' we ventured around the room and outside to participate in various activities that were focused Pentecost. Since there were so many options, some activities/prayers/readings hit home. I enjoyed this time to explore the space (I added pictures to the review) and to once again prepare myself for worship. Since I like to talk about customer service, I'll say that we were greeted and directed as soon as we walked in for coffee hour and by several people in various church capacities once we went upstairs for worship. Great service, great people, working together. It was not only a relaxed experience, but one I hope to repeat very soon.

This place has been a spiritual home for me for a long time. Truly a place where people can come as…read morethey are and receive what they need: grace, welcome, community, inspiration, God.

Visited this church several times over the last few years. Every time they welcome me and remember…read moremeeting me even if it has been a year or so. This always strikes me as authentic as it seems they really are glad to see me. The pastors and staff are thoughtful and kind and they make me feel like part of the community even though I'm not a regular attender. Highly recommend checking this community out if you are searching.

This church is the perfect size, small enough to notice you, big enough to have programs and a…read morestrong pastor. Highly recommended.

You know, it's funny, hearing about various "poltergeists", odd occurrences, and such around…read moreSeattle. I could relay some crazy events about the YMCA in Seattle's University District. But first this one about my church. I don't believe in poltergeists or "ghosts". We (the living) cannot communicate with, or see the deceased, nor can the deceased see or communicate with the living. However, I am an observant Protestant, and I do believe that Satan does exist (called "Lucifer" in the Hebrew Bible...he was the fallen angel of light). I don't know what others believe or practice, but I stay away from Satan. Although most of what you read about in books or see in movies regarding Satan are strictly Hollywood, he does exist. Although I haven't been to services in four years, I am still a member of Seattle First Baptist Church. The SFBC sanctuary is over 100 years old, and there are various entrances and exits, some of which I didn't know about until I had been there a number of years. And also various apartments, including one for a live-in sexton. The entire facility houses not just a sanctuary, but also offices, a full-size gymnasium, a bowling alley (really!), four kitchens, a daycare, a baptismal, and innumerable restrooms. There is even a former minister buried in a wall (I kid you not!). The lower level of the sanctuary has the fellowship hall and a chapel. And if you go into the hallway behind the fellowship hall (where the chairs and tables are stored), there is a hidden door with hand-painted woodgrain so that it matches the surrounding wall. There is no doorknob, but it can be opened with an Allen wrench. It is supposed to open to a different staircase (no, not the one to the sexton's apartment). This staircase is rickety but straight and crudely fit into the stairwell. At the top is an unknown round tower, which allegedly was an early cistern, although why a cistern was built to catch rainwater in Seattle is beyond me. The following is from an old police report. In 1937, A 16-year-old Lincoln High School sophomore was instantly killed and her 17-year-old male companion, a junior at the school, seriously burned, apparently victims of a bolt of lightning during a severe electrical storm that night. Police identified the dead girl as Peggy Ann Le Mat, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Le Mat of Wallingford. The injured boy is Ronald Auberge, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Auberge, also of Wallingford. Ronald Auberge was listed in fair condition this morning at Sisters of Providence Hospital where he is receiving treatment for burns. Police found the Auberge boy lying at the foot of the stairs. He had been burned on his chest and face. The Le Mat girl was found nine steps up the tower dead. She had been burned extensively on the face and chest area, police said. "The best we can tell is sometime around 7:30 there was a bad lightning storm here and apparently a bolt of lightning hit the tower. A ball of fire may have hit at the door and rolled up the stairs. They were no doubt on their way down and she was in front and got the full force," police said. Police said the tower is made of stone. There is a metal gate on the front. Apparently the couple was out driving, decided to visit the observation tower and were caught in the storm. Police said they were not sure of all the details because the boy had not been able to remember exactly what happened. "The boy was pretty incoherent. He didn't know anything. He thought he had gone home," police said. The County coroner's office said this morning that it had not yet ruled on the cause of death. However, Police said it no doubt would be ruled accidental death by lightning. The door to the tower was hidden shortly after, and no one has been up there since because the outline of Peggy and Ronald were etched into the tower's brick by the lightning.

Who rates churches on yelp? Practically no one, I guess. I wanted to include a positive review…read moresince I felt SFBC deserved one. This is a progressive, accepting, and welcoming Baptist community in Seattle. There are currently two female and LBGTQ Pastors here, which I think is pretty cool. The Church focuses largely on social justice rights and advocating for humans who have fallen on their luck. In my eyes, I have found that Seattle First works to dismantle traditional hierarchal views, has a lovely choral/music program, and sincerely emphasizes the importance of ethics. I honestly had my hesitations with religion when I first stopped in a few years back, but any reservations I had were quickly dismantled. I've been an active member ever since. Despite the beautiful and potentially intimidating gothic exterior, this place has always been so warm and loving. The people here are genuinely good. Please drop by and say hello sometime if you're at all curious! :)

I joined this church in 2019 and really love this community of people. They are welcoming and…read morecaring. The Sunday services have wonderful music and thoughtful sermons. I also recommend taking a look at the beautiful and lovingly tended gardens on the property! I highly recommend Shoreline UU Church!

Love this place! Welcomes and supports my atheism & hubby's pagan beliefs without judgement, while…read moremaintaining all the benefits of fellowship and community!

Happy, holy, wholesome things occurred in this church. They have the most delectable, refreshing,…read morethirst-quenching water to have ever graced my mouth in my 52 years of life. I highly recommend coming here with your family

My wife and I started attending St Dunstan's in 2017. Absolutely lovely church and lovely people…read more The rector is engaging and provides great spiritual leadership that both comforts and challenges the parishioners. The worship service features a spectacular new pipe organ, as well as occasional guest musicians. It describes itself as the church that feeds people, and it truly does, both spiritually and physically. Prior to the pandemic, it hosted a free dinner for anyone in need every Tuesday. Now in pandemic times, it still prepares hundreds of meals every Tuesday that are taken to area homeless shelters. In addition, they host a rotating tent city encampment for four months each year. An exceptional place with exceptional people.

This is a church that welcomes everyone. It's not a big church where you might get lost in the…read moreshuffle, but a smaller, intimate one. Very inviting.

I was raised in SDA churches in the south, and left the church for the better part of 19 years…read more This church was recommended to me by my mother because of its more progressive attitudes. When I chose to re-enter the church. I was looking for community and fellowship, without the institutional hullabaloo that seems to be crystallizing in many churches. I was deeply moved by the pastors sermon about corruption within the church, as he bookended how we as a church can make a difference. He has also espoused queer affirmation theology, which is a radical departure from the institutional church. The church itself is modest but has a lot of soul, and a large contingent of dedicated members who bring so much life into it. Within its congregation is a member who is 103 years old and just as lively as if she were 20! The pipe organ plays every Saturday and this church is starting up its choir pretty soon. I love the music. Brings me peace of mind in troubling times such as these. There is no expectation of belief. Only acceptance and fellowship. If you are uncertain about everything this is your church!

Mom's Church SITREP…read more So when I am committed to a full weekend with the mom, it sometimes means a Sabbath morning excursion to the church where her official SDA membership is registered. I make no pretense to being a fan of organized religion anymore. However, having said that, there is a lot of positive interaction that can be achieved through community with different churches, including this one. THE SETUP Ironically, my exposure to this particular church predates my mother's in fact. I first came to this church back in 1988 when it hosted the Association of Adventist Forums (AAF) meetings. AAF is a philosophically more progressive element of the SDA Church, though it doesn't really engender any official status with the SDA Church. Shortly around this time, I moved to California with my then-wife, but humorously enough, my mother then maintained her SDA membership in this church. CHURCHY FUNCTIONS The church structure itself is really quite elegant. It has a lot of beautiful rooms and space, including the large sanctuary where the worship services take place as well as the subterranean level where a lot of Sabbath School classes (before the main service at 11am) transpire. They have some pretty kick-ass potlucks, I must say, and when it was my mom's time (since she is a deaconess) to help with the organization, she really puts on a great spread of food for all the members. VISITORS Since I grew up in the SDA Church and went to SDA Academy and College, I have a lot of visitors from both these phases in my life whom will pay a visit to our family in Seattle. This is the church we will are most inclined to bring our guests with our mom to. THE LOWDOWN A pleasant church experience if your interests run this direction.

I came to the Richmond Beach Congregational United Church of Christ (UCC) with one of my friends…read moreand her geologist dad when I was growing up, this was decades ago. I enjoyed the service I attended, it was different than the ones we had at Calvin Presbyterian Church (my childhood church). The parking lot is a little small, though there is additional parking around back. Can get a bit cramped when departing after a morning service. Recently I decided to stop by and take a look at the saying on the sign outside the entrance to the church. The saying on the sign was 'WHEN YOU PRAY MOVE YOUR FEET' in all caps. I interpreted this sign based on my physical proximity to the sign. The sign is not so easily visible from the road when I am driving these days and as I was already out of my car to read this sign tucked in and away from the road, perhaps the message is a reminder that one can pray anywhere including when out on a walk and/or exploring and see the sign and its message. So I prayed while I was walking around that day. I also moved my feet when I prayed when I went pee, one of the perks of being a female that kind of thing is easier for me. Still incorporating the message in my life. Not all churches have pews these days. It'd be interesting to come to a service in-person once COVID-19 passes to see if they still have pews.

A bit hidden by the trees, but worth checking out if you're seeking a progressive faith family…read more This church's mission statement: "Peace, Respect, and Love in Action" is about the only dogma you'll find here. They offer both in-person (with social distancing, masked) worship and a really well done live stream.