Edmonds Unitarian Universalist Church
The Edmonds Unitarian Universalist Congregation (EUUC) in Edmonds, Washington is a Unitarian Universalist congregation.
History
The Edmonds Unitarian Fellowship was formed in 1957 as the Sno-King Unitarian Fellowship (Sno-King is a reference to Snohomish and King Counties). Until 1959, the group met alternate Sunday evenings, but in 1959 they rented Edmonds Masonic Temple to allow space for Sunday school. 1962–1966 the Sno-King Unitarian Fellowship started renting Edmonds High School.
In 1966, Deciding it was time for a real minister and church building, the Fellowship purchased the land and building that is still in use today (in a much-expanded version) and was renamed the Edmonds Unitarian Church. The Reverend Robert Fulghum agreed to stay for a year to "help the church get its feet on the ground" and served for 18 years. During the ministry of Rev. Jaco ten Hove the congregation changed the name of the church to the Edmonds Unitarian Universalist Church.
In 2009 the congregation purchased the first of two contiguous properties it now owns.
The congregation adopted the mission: "Gathering Together, Nurturing the Spirit, and Living Our Vision of a Just and Sustainable World" in 2009.
Very active in the move to pass Washington Referendum 74, the congregation developed its first Social Justice Stand, LGBTQI Justice and Equity in 2012. Its social justice work continued in the development of Snohomish County's first car camp for houseless women and families in need of a safe place to park in 2016.
Ministerial History
The congregation was lay led until Rev. Robert Fulghum began part-time ministry in 1967. Stuart and Maybelle Chapman, the founding "father and mother" of the church, were ordained as lay ministers in 1969. All three ministers worked together until Stuart died in 1978, and then as a twosome until Fulghum's departure in 1985. Robert Fulghum left after 18 years of part-time ministry. Rev. Aron Gilmartin acted as Interim Minister for one year, from 1985 to 1986. The first full-time minister was Reverend Davis Joyce (1986–1987) who departed suddenly after a very short tenure. In the spring of 1988, the congregation called Rev. Jaco B. ten Hove who remained in ministry until 1999 when he left the congregation to join in co-ministry with his spouse, Rev. Barbara Wells. Reverend Elizabeth Kerman was interim minister for one year. The congregation called Rev. Edward Brock as full-time minister in 1999 and he served the congregation until 2007. Rev. Cecilia Kingman acted as interim minister for 2 years following his departure, from Oct 2007 to June 2009. Rev. Charlotte Cowtan followed as another interim minister for one year. In Spring 2010 the congregation called Rev. Eric Kaminetzky to be full-time Minister. In May 2017 the congregation called a second minister, Rev. Cecilia Kingman, to be Minister for Faith and Justice with Rev. Eric Kaminetzky becoming Senior Minister.
Significance
The Edmonds Unitarian Universalist Church is a part of the history of writer Robert Fulghum, who was the first minister at the EUUC. The Reverend Robert Fulghum remains the minister emeritus.