Welcome

Welcome and thank you for considering United University Church for your wedding or commitment ceremony. Completed in 1931, our church is recognized as a stunning example of Romanesque architecture. Our historic sanctuary - with beautiful acoustics - seats 200 persons comfortably. Our congregation continues a cherished, 125+ year history of inclusiveness and peace-making. We are United Methodist and Presbyterian and more. We welcome persons of all faiths, from all racial, ethnic, social, and national backgrounds, as well as persons of all sexual orientations. We seek to be faithful in a new age.

Setting the Tone

United University Church is a community of followers of Jesus Christ that is committed to serving God by serving the needs of the wider community. Hospitality is one of the church core values. So, we open the doors of our sanctuary to all in the hope that those who enter may find the grace they need to live their lives with peace, joy and love.

In weddings and covenant ceremonies, people profess their love for each other and take vows of commitment to each other. They do so before God and the community of their family and friends in the context of sacred worship. These services of worship are joyful events, but they are more. They are life-changing moments. That is why United University Church requires all who marry or enter covenant unions in our sanctuary to participate in substantial counseling either with our pastor or a pastor, religious leader or counselor of their own choosing.

United University Church’s practice of radical hospitality, which we believe is deeply rooted in Jesus’ gospel, leads us to open our doors to all. We welcome the privilege of assisting you in creating a sacred and joyful event that will be meaningful to you. We nevertheless ask that you honor our commitment to hospitality and diversity by saying and doing noting in your time with us that demeans the value and integrity of any other person or community.

We pray that your vows of covenant may lead to a lifetime of growing together in love.

Our Philoshophy

United University Church is a United Methodist and Presbyterian congregation whose church building is located adjacent to the University of Southern California where Hoover Street meets Jefferson Boulevard.

We are a Reconciling and More Light inclusive congregation welcoming persons of faith from all racial, ethnic, religious, social, and national backgrounds and sexual orientations. We are a Peace and a Sanctuary Church that understands covenants services and weddings as a part of its ministry to the community.

The governing Council of United University Church affirms its commitment to be an inclusive church. In that regard, the Council supports its pastor in the performance of Christian covenant services between two persons, and offers the church facilities for this purpose, as appropriate. In services of Christian covenant, people make life-commitments that are publicly witnessed and acknowledged by the community of faith.

We encourage you to use the services of our pastor. Please be aware that although you may, at your own discretion, request the services of another pastor, religious leader or authorized person, that person must agree in writing to respect the Philosophy, Commitments and Guidelines outlined elsewhere in this packet and must receive the approval of the United University Church pastor.

All marriages and covenant services are recorded in the official church registry.

United University Church is an exciting, welcoming church home for all! We’re multicultural, progressive and Christian; we’re center-city-urban and University of Southern California-based; we’re Methodist and Presbyterian and more. We’re a committed community seeking to be faithful in a new age. Seeing hope when we “gather the folks, tell the stories, break the bread.”*

We invite all to join our journey. We are multicultural . . . One people: of varied ethnicities, nationalities and languages; of differing economic backgrounds, talents, physical abilities, orientations and ages; and diverse faith traditions, spiritualities and world-views. One multicultural people who make a community.

Words from Our Pastor

Welcome to United University Church. I am glad that you have chosen to hold your wedding or covenant ceremony in this, our historic sanctuary on the campus of USC. United University Church is the result of a merger of two congregations that have been an important part of Los Angeles for more than 125 years. Old First Presbyterian and University Methodist Church decided nearly 25 years ago that they could provide more vital Christian witness together that they could apart.

The current congregation, which worships in the sanctuary Sunday Morning , is the beneficiary of that wise decision. We remain an important part of the community’s life in North University Park - A religious home for nearly 100 persons (including both students and long-time community members).When you choose to hold your wedding or covenant ceremony in our 75 year old Romanesque Sanctuary, you get more than just an historic building. You get a community of faithful followers of Jesus Christ who are Committed to vital and relevant worship, the creation of a just compassionate and peaceful world, and the building of Gods’s abundant Kin-dom for all.

I do hope that you will have a lovely and blessed wedding or covenant ceremony. I pray that God will give you many years of growing more deeply in love with each other. And, I also want to invite you to visit our congregational worship service some Sunday morning and find out what this vibrant community of faith is all about. You are always welcome to this congregational of open hearts, open minds and open doors.

Church Rules and Policies

The couple is responsible for any and all damage to the facility or furnishings caused by wedding party, guests or vendors. The pews may not be moved. The communion table, pulpit, pianos, and pastoral chairs may be moved. There is a kneeling bench available, if the couple desires one All decorations must be installed immediately prior to the service and removed immediately after the service. There is one dressing room available for the couple and attendants. Smoking is not permitted anywhere in the building. No rice, birdseed, confetti or anything else may be thrown at the couple on our premises.

“Drip-less” candles must be used (and not the Church’s candles). Flowers may not be strewn before the wedding party unless a runner is laid down beforehand. Crushed flower petals stain the sanctuary’s carpet. Decorations to include flowers, ribbons, etc. must be approved by the coordinator and are your responsibility. They should be put up just prior to the service and removed immediately afterwards. Children must be accompanied by their parents or other responsible adults at all times. For insurance, health, and grounds-keeping concerns, smoking is not permitted inside the church buildings, nor is anything (rice, birdseed, confetti, etc.) to be thrown at the couple on the church property.

Services and Fees

$750.00 - Total Rental Fees are for The Sanctuary, Bridal Dressing Room and Prep Area (Fellowship Hall), Groom’s Room (Peace Center) - Moulton Hall Gallery - Parking Lot (without attendant) - 4 hours in total for entire ceremony including Set-up/ prep, clean-up, and Parking Lot. Your event must be completed within the 4 hour rental time. * extended hours will be at a cost of $75.00 per hour.

Required Fees Sanctuary (to include $350.00 initial deposit) (Parking Lot included in Sanctuary rental fee) $750.00 UUC Wedding/Covenant Coordinator $175.00 Parking Lot Attendant $100.00 Custodian $100.00 Total Fees: $1,125.00 ($450 Sanctuary fee for current or graduating USC students only)

Optional Services/Fees UUC Pastor, Frank Wulf, Officiant (included pre-ceremony counseling) $ 375.00 Pre-ceremony counseling only $ 225.00 Organist $ 275.00 Pipe organ use (rental only) $ 100.00 Audio Recording $ 125.00 Soloist(s): $100.00 – $175.00(estimated) Reception Rental Fee: (3 Hours) Fellowship Hall, Garden, Kitchen $500.00

Explanation of Fees :Optional: (encouraged and provided by UUC)

Pastor:
$375 fee. If our pastor is officiating, he will require at least three private meetings with the couple over several weeks for counseling and planning prior to the rehearsal. UUC requires pastoral counseling in preparation for marriage/covenant life. In the event that a UUC pastor will not be the officiate at your wedding, you must still receive counseling either from a pastor/religious leader/counselor of your own choosing. Those who do not receive pre-ceremony counseling from the UUC pastor must provide certification of counseling to the wedding/covenant ceremony coordinator at least two weeks prior to the weeding using the attached form.

Organist:
$275 fee. Paid to the Coordinator at the time of rehearsal. Same price with or without rehearsal.

Organ (only):
$100 fee. If the couple desires to use their own organist, he/she must be approved by the church's organist and pay the $100 fee for use of the organ.

Fellowship Hall for a Reception:
$150/hr. Use of the fellowship hall does not include food, dishes, or food services. UUC does not provide any food services or catering nor do the duties of the Coordinator include arrangements for catering or food service.

Kitchen Facilities:
$100.00/hr. The kitchen adjacent to the fellowship hall is available at an extra cost of $100.00 hour to prepare and store food, for water access, to store cold drinks or food, etc. You will be expected to provide your own food arrangements if you choose to hold your reception in the fellowship hall. The Coordinator must approve all arrangements for receptions.

Mounton Hall Gallery:
$75.00/hr. The Coordinator must approve all arrangements for receptions.

Audio Recording:
$125 fee. The church has a recording system for use. If requested, the Church can make a simple tape recording of your ceremony and produce three copies (a total of four cassette tapes).

Florist/Photographer/Video/Sound Recording:
n/a. Our Church does not provide these services. However, it is your responsibility to make appropriate arrangements and discuss them with the Coordinator.

Soloist(s):
$150 - $175 (estimates). UUC can provide soloists and other musicians at fees ranging from $150 to $175. You may make arrangements for your own soloists and other musicians.