Lutherans. Episcopalians. Presbyterians. Methodists. Disciples. Seekers. Doubters. Skeptics. Questioners. Explorers. Sinners. Saints. Scientists. Poets. Speakers. Listeners. Students. Professors. Staff. Neighbors. Alumni. Wanderers. Wonderers. Secure. Insecure. Young. Old. Confident. Confirmed. Curious. Concerned. Hopeful. Hopeless. Open. Opening. Children of God.

We Don't Have All the Answers + We Love to Ask the Questions + You are welcome here.

This Sunday was PENTECOST:

Readings in many languages, Joyful hymns of the Holy Spirit,

and a FLAME in the Baptismal Font!

Who we are...

ELCM @

A Student Group
We are undergraduate and graduate students, staff, and faculty from all around the world. We have a wide variety of backgrounds and majors, but we have one thing in common: a need to take time from our busy lives of studing and working, a need for fellowship and engagement, and a need to keep our perspectives healthy.

Engaging the world
While issues have changed since our founding in the 60s, ELCM is still a community committed to social justice and hospitality to strangers. (Click here to see the results of our Oreo Cookie Federal Budget!) As a community "at work in the world," we are committed to justice, respect for conscience, and equality for all people, especially those who are most at risk in society.

Part of University Church
University Church, or UniChu as it is affectionately called, is our home base, providing a center for our activities and an important link to the community. You've probably seen us on the Southeast side of campus at 1611 Stanford Avenue.

UniChu

A Church Home
University Church, a progressive, ecumenical, congregation across Stanford Ave. from campus in the College Terrace neighborhood, is the church-home for ELCM. Our theology is progressive, our worship is organic, our welcome is radical, and Christ's table is open to all. If you are in search of a congregational community, join us here at 1611 Stanford Ave for worship, fellowship, study, reflection on God's call, and engagement with the world.

Our History
This church had its origin in Lutheranism during the turbulent 1960's, when the nation, the universities, and the churches were polarizing around issues like the Vietnam War, Women's Liberation, Sexual Freedom, and political and individual freedom from inherited values. During the time of the Death Squads in El Salvador, the church social halls became a place of sanctuary for people fleeing Central American wars. It was a new voice in Lutheran Christianity for many students & townspeople. Today, in the midst of war and a global struggle for liberation, Uni Chu finds itself bringing new perspectives to old questions.

Read more about UniChu

A Faith Community
We are a united ministry of the Episcopal and Lutheran churches, but this community is made up of people from many (or no) denominations. We use scripture, tradition, and reason to inspire a living faith. We are barrier-free, welcoming all people from the community - faculty, staff, students, family, friends, neighbors, and alumni. If you want to be here, God welcomes you.

A Group of Friends
We are a welcoming group that often serves as a family away from home. Fellowship, food, laughter, and community play an important role in our gatherings, bringing us closer to each other and to God. This is more than a Sunday gathering.

This is a large, extended family into which you are heartily welcome.

Join Us For...

Worship

  • Sunday morning worship, with Eucharist every week, is at 10 AM at UniChu, 1611 Stanford Ave. Dress is casual, singing is festive, theology is progressive, worship is organic, our welcome is radical, and Christ's table is open to all. Join us!
  • Thursday Eucharist is a quiet, contemplative service celebrated at 12:10 in the side chapel of Memorial Church, right in the center of Campus. If your day provides for a break around noon, stop in for about 15 minutes worth of quiet, conversation, and eucharist.
  • For a holiday worship schedule, check the Banner portion at the top of the page.

Bread and Belonging

College students (and college-aged folk) are welcome to this weekly gathering for dinner and conversation, every Tuesday evening from 5:30-7:00 in the CIRCLE Common Room. Our gathering always consists of dinner (almost always home-cooked), conversation, and prayer. This quarter, we've taken up the topic of Progressive Christianity and what it means to be Progressive & Christian. All are welcome!

 

Choir Practice

Love to sing, but too little time? The University Church Choir may be right for you. The choir rehearses weekly on Tuesdays at 7 pm right after Bread and Belonging in the UniChu sanctuary and sings twice a month at University Church. The choir schedule follows the Stanford calendar and the choir director is very accommodating to student activities, homework loads, etc. So come sing when you can! We would love to have you!

Service Projects, Recreational Events, Forums, and More

There is a lot going on in addition to our regularly scheduled programming. Be sure to check the calendar regularly, and email the Pastors with specific questions or suggestions!

Ministry Partners

Amigos de Palo Alto
Amigos de Palo Alto is a Spanish Immersion preschool housed at, but not directly affiliated with, University Church...

 

 

 

South Bay Sanctuary Covenant
SBSC is an ecumenical group of churches, religious groups and concerned individuals from Redwood City to Los Gatos. SBSC began in 1983 by assisting Central American refugees living among us and later expanded its concern to include some of the crucial problems facing people in El Salvador that were forcing them to flee to the U.S. In general, SBSC has advocated for better local and federal policies in order to improve conditions for refugees here and in Central American countries.

 

Alcoholics Anonymous AA is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for AA membership; it is self-supporting through participant contributions. AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, political organization or institution. The primary purpose is to stay sober and to help others do the same. For a schedule of AA group meetings at UniChu, please contact the church office.

 

Stanford Associated Religions

The Office for Religious Life has as its mission "To guide, nurture and enhance spiritual, religious and ethical life within the Stanford University community." As a member of Stanford Associated Religions, ELCM is committed and devoted to ensuring lively, thoughtful and supportive contexts for Stanford students, faculty and staff who wish to pursue spiritual interests. We recognize that a spiritual/religious journey can be an important, balancing complement to the numerous challlenges one faces in the pursuit of academic and career goals.

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