Two Sundays in Marysville
On the corner of 64th Street NE, just down the road from Jennings Park, the YMCA, and Allen Creek Elementary School, Marysville United Methodist Church holds two very different Sunday services under one roof. The 9:30 am gathering is a modern service with a praise band. The 11:00 am gathering is contemplative, marked by the Chancel Choir and a quieter pace. Between them, around the green room and the education wing, a steady stream of people swap coffee, sign kids in for Sunday school, and catch up before slipping into the sanctuary a second time.
During the summer, those two services collapse into a single 10:00 am combined worship, livestreamed from the same sanctuary, and the rest of the year the two services sit side by side like two living rooms in the same house. The variety is deliberate. People who grew up in church, people who are walking into one for the first time, families with squirming toddlers, teens who would rather be anywhere else, elders who have worshipped in this building for decades - the church wants a place for each of them.
A Reconciling Congregation
Marysville United Methodist Church is a reconciling congregation in the United Methodist Church, a designation the congregation has carried for more than a decade. The Reconciling Team, an advocacy group for LGBTQ+ inclusion, meets on the third Tuesday of every month at 2:00 pm in the library and helps keep that promise visible both inside the building and out. In 2026 the congregation marked its eleventh anniversary as a reconciling church with a dinner and a screening of the documentary 1946: The Mistranslation that Shifted a Culture, which traces the roots of the anti-gay movement in the church to a 1946 mistranslation of the Bible.
The church describes itself with unusual candor. On a Sunday morning and in its online community, members say, you will find some sweet folks in prim and proper dress alongside lots of creative people with multi-color hair and tattoos. There are loud kids and shy teens, jovial talkers and quiet introverts, people who are sad and grieving and people who are eternal optimists, families and single people, those who have lived in the area for generations and those who just moved here from the East Coast or beyond. The congregation is working on using everyone's preferred pronouns. With such a diverse group, the church writes, it can be hard to see what everyone has in common. Love is a pretty good answer.
What Sunday Morning Sounds Like
Each Sunday, both services incorporate music, prayer, scripture reading, a message, and the opportunity to give an offering. The pastor preaches a message based on a scripture passage and a theme relevant to daily life, prepared through study and prayer. Children stay for a Children's Sermon and then are welcome to head to Kids Club Sunday School with Mrs. Becky and Mrs. Kelsey; parents pick their children up from the classroom afterward.
Infants and toddlers are cared for in rooms 113 and 114 by nursery staff who are fully trained and background-checked under the church's Safe Church policy. There is infant and toddler care available at all services and at daytime and evening meetings, Bible studies, and other church events. For families who would rather keep their children with them in the pew, the church is clear: baby noises don't bother anyone here.
What to Wear, Where to Park, and Other First-Visit Questions
The church takes some of the anxiety out of a first visit by answering the small questions out loud. It's the Pacific Northwest, so people pretty much wear whatever they feel comfortable in: at all services you will see people dressed up, in jeans, in workout clothes, even wearing their rain coat. There are two parking lots with easy access to the building, and visitors are encouraged to arrive a few minutes early to park and make their way inside.
Greeters will be at the door with a smile and a handshake. No one will ask a visitor to stand up and introduce themselves. Anyone who wants more information about the community can stop by the Welcome Center outside the sanctuary or fill out the insert in the bulletin. Child care is available for those who need it, but children are also welcome to stay throughout the service. Differently-abled persons worship regularly at Marysville UMC, and the congregation says it does its best to accommodate all persons, even when that means some minor disruptions may occur in worship. We are a family, and families accept one another and our differences.
The Sacraments and the Calendar
The church celebrates the two sacraments of the United Methodist tradition: communion and baptism. The liturgical year shapes the rhythm of worship through Advent, Christmas, Lent, Holy Week, Easter, and Pentecost. Maundy Thursday worship gathers the community at 7:00 pm around the story of Jesus' Last Supper. Good Friday is observed with a soup supper in the Green Room and a walk-through reflection on the Seven Last Words of Christ, with worshippers moving around the sanctuary between 6:00 and 8:00 pm. Easter morning is the celebration that the congregation says is the good news everyone has been hoping for: that nothing, not even death, is more powerful than God.
Holy Week and Easter overflow into service to the wider community. Each year on the Sunday before Easter, the church partners with the Marysville Parks and Recreation staff to stuff plastic eggs and prepare prize baskets for the citywide Easter event, gathering in the Green Room between services. Pentecost is celebrated on a single Sunday with a focus on the gift and power of the Holy Spirit that empowered the first disciples to be the presence of Christ in the world.
Two Pastors, One Pulpit
The pastoral team at Marysville UMC is led by Rev. Meredith Gudger-Raines and Rev. Tanya Spaur Pile. Pastor Meredith became a pastor because she wants to help people find a place where they belong. Her most formative scripture is the story of the Last Supper, where Jesus feeds and serves his disciples, breaking bread and washing feet. He shows his friends what love and community look like, she says, and then asks them to do the same: to welcome people, not just because it feels good or is a good thing to do, but because that is what God does.
Pastor Meredith grew up in Southern California in the 1980s and 1990s, the daughter of a church-going family in which she served as president of the youth group and sang in the youth choir. After high school she went to Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, and then to seminary at Drew Theological School in Madison, New Jersey, where she met her husband, Christopher. They were both ordained elders in the United Methodist Church and served in West Virginia for eight years before moving to Washington in 2014. Pastor Meredith has served six United Methodist Churches in eighteen years, ranging from a small family church of ten to a downtown university city church, from a struggling church in a depressed area to a suburban congregation in a rapidly growing town. Her favorite times, she says, are visiting with people, listening to their stories, and being delighted by the power of the Spirit that leads everyone forward.
Pastor Tanya grew up in Washington as a preacher's kid, splitting her childhood between Western and Eastern Washington. She is a graduate of Vanderbilt Divinity School and has served churches in Nashville, Tennessee, and Dallas, Texas. She was commissioned and licensed as a Local Pastor at the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference in June of 2018. She is married with two children, loves road trips and travel in different countries, and is a self-described fan of sci-fi and fantasy, Mexican food, and her mother's pie.
The Staff Beyond the Pulpit
Becky Dickinson serves as Director of Facilities and Programming, the hands-on person who keeps the building humming and helps new and longtime members find their way into the life of the church. Amy Riffle-Kouyeas is the Director of Music, overseeing the Chancel Choir and the broader music ministry. Judy Gordon directs the Chancel Choir, and Jane Campbell serves as pianist and organist. Nathan and Abbie Braaten lead the youth ministry for grades 6 through 12. Susan Blackburn serves as Financial Secretary, and Matthew Smith is the church's janitor. A small Vision Team - Bret Rodeheaver, Becky Hall, and Nathan Braaten - provides leadership for the church by setting goals and aligning church actions and activities with the established mission and values of MUMC, overseeing finances, personnel, physical property, special projects, and long-term initiatives.
Beliefs Held Lightly, Grace Held Firmly
The congregation is candid about what it is and what it is not. We don't do strict and we don't do dogma. We try not to be judgmental. We don't do a lot of complicated rules. Everything we do is to try to love the way God loves us. That said, the church is not for everyone, and it says so. People come to Marysville UMC, they write, because they think there is more to life than what they see; because they are often overwhelmed and want to find some peace; because they want to make a difference in their community and world; because they want to learn to love and forgive, both others and themselves; and because they love and trust Jesus, who told his followers to love one another as he loved them.
Five values guide the church's decisions: inclusion, because all are welcome and valued; community, because we are better together; action, because we grow our faith through action; grace, because everyone is loved exactly as they are; and curiosity, because we explore our questions. The church is intentionally curious and open to doubt and difficulty, including a willingness to confront the harm that the church has done over the centuries.
Children from Birth through Fifth Grade
Children are regarded as little disciples with equal value in the community. The children's ministry is structured around three priorities: keep children safe, keep them smiling, and encourage them to investigate their Savior for themselves. A skilled team of believers is passionate about making faith come alive through interactive, age-appropriate play, even sneaking in some education along the way.
On Sunday mornings, everyone begins in worship. After a children's time in the service, kids may go to Kids Club Sunday School, which uses the Spark All Kids curriculum and follows a four-part rhythm: gather, open the Bible, activate faith through movement and engagement with the day's story, and finish with a closing activity and prayer. The classroom uses a one-room model that engages kids of all ages together, with built-in opportunities for older kids to mentor younger kids.
During the fall Mid-Week program, Mrs. Becky leads a Kids Club class that runs alongside the adult and youth discussion groups on Wednesday evenings. Vacation Bible School and other seasonal family events round out the year.
Youth in Grades 6 through 12
Youth Group meets every other Sunday from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm under the leadership of Nathan and Abbie Braaten. It is a place for youth to connect with others their age in a safe environment to explore their faith and have some fun. Each summer, youth camp activities are offered with a church scholarship to help make them accessible.
Confirmation is offered for youth in seventh grade through high school. Led by Pastor Tanya with support from adult mentors, previous confirmands, and occasional guest leaders, confirmation meets on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 7:45 pm in two ten-week blocks, one in the fall and one in the spring, with the busy holiday season off. Confirmands become full voting members of the church and publicly profess their faith to the community. The church describes confirmation as the church's equivalent of getting a driver's license, a rite of passage.
The curriculum is built around real questions. What do we do with discrepancies in the biblical text? Why do bad things happen? How is Jesus relevant today? What exactly is the Holy Spirit? Did the resurrection really happen? The church has done harm over the past two thousand years; what do we think about that, and do confirmands need to agree with everything the United Methodist Church does today? Friends are welcome even if their family does not attend MUMC, and the program includes site visits to other places of worship and guest speakers from different faith traditions.
Adult Confirmation: Claiming Grace
For adults who have been wishing for the same kind of foundational class, the church offers Claiming Grace, a Sunday-morning confirmation class for adults that covers the same subject matter as the youth confirmation but pitched to grown-ups. The class meets Sunday mornings at 11:00 am in Room 142, led by Pastor Tanya, and joins the youth on the site visits to other places of worship. Claiming Grace is offered for adults new to United Methodism who want a better understanding of its approach to faith, for those who have left a high-control religion that didn't encourage questions, and for longtime members who have deeper questions they would like to discuss with other committed folks.
Wednesday Nights Around the Table
Wednesday nights in the fall are built around dinner. At 6:00 pm the Green Room fills with people for a shared meal, and at 6:30 pm the room splits into discussion groups. There are two adult classes to choose from, while Pastor Tanya teaches youth confirmation and Mrs. Becky leads Kids Club for the younger children. Come for the food, the church says, and stay for new friends, discipleship practice, hope, and nourishment in body and spirit.
Other Wednesday offerings include HOPE (Helping Other People Everywhere), a grief support group for those who are taking the next step in surviving the death of a loved one, meeting on the third Wednesday of each month at noon in the Green Room. Earlier in the winter, Pastor Meredith has led Praying the Scriptures and Loving Our Neighbors, a class built around the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, or Sacred Reading, developed by Saint Benedict around fifteen hundred years ago, in which a select portion of scripture is read slowly and reflectively, less for information than for transformation.
Tuesdays, Thursdays, and the Rest of the Week
The week builds outward from Sunday. On Tuesday mornings the Mary and Martha Sisters Group, a women's group for spiritual growth and fellowship, meets from 9:00 to 10:30 am in Room 142, working through rotating book studies. Newcomers are always welcome; recent studies have included Jesus is Lord by Tom Berlin and an Advent study of Heaven and Earth by Will Willimon.
Chancel Choir rehearsals resume each September on Tuesday mornings at 10:30 am in the sanctuary, working on anthems and music for the fall season. Anyone who would like to join the choir is welcome; the group guides others through the 11:00 am Sunday gatherings and offers a musical experience of warm fellowship. The Song Team, the church's praise band, rehearses on Tuesday evenings at 6:00 pm in the sanctuary and plays for the 9:30 am Modern service.
On Thursdays, Friendship Circle meets the first and third Thursday of the month from 12:30 to 2:00 pm in Room 120, spending a few minutes catching up, sharing prayer concerns, and working through a chosen book - most recently Stanley Hauerwas's The Character of Virtue. LAFFS (Laughter and Fun for Seniors) gathers on the second Thursday at noon in the Green Room for meals, activities, and connection.
On Fridays, the local chapter of TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), known affectionately as the Petal Pals, meets in the Green Room at 10:00 am, with optional weigh-in between 9:20 and 9:50. The chapter has been operating since 2014 and welcomes new members. On the first Saturday of each month, the Men's Group gathers for breakfast at The Village Taphouse and Grill on Third Street, then coordinates a work project. On the third Saturday, United Methodist Women in Faith meets at 9:00 am in the Narthex for discussion, prayer, and supportive fellowship.
Service and Outreach
Service is woven into the life of the church. A Prayer Chain offers private prayer for those in need. Caring Cooks provides meals for people in a time of crisis, such as surgery, the death of a loved one, or the birth of a child. The Visitation team brings comfort to those in the hospital or at home by providing connection. A Pregnancy Aid group sews, knits, and crochets blankets and hats for babies, donating them to Pregnancy Aid in Marysville once a month as well as to newborns in the congregation.
The church supports the Marysville Food Bank with green Simple Gesture bags that members fill with food and return to the church, and members can also sign up to help distribute donations. Kloz 4 Kids, a clothing ministry for school-aged Snohomish County children regardless of income, is housed at the church; the program was founded by educators who wanted every child to feel good about their wardrobe and provides a traditional school-clothes shopping experience. The Joy Birds Ministry Team puts crafty skills to work to raise money for disaster relief through the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), and the church also supports Miracle House, providing housing items for families as they transition from Miracle House into independent living.
The Earthkeepers group gathers on the second Monday of each month at 5:00 pm in the church lobby to prepare a plant-based meal together in the church kitchen, then dreams and plans while they eat. Families with children are welcome; kids love to cook. The church also regularly hosts a Bloodworks Northwest Bloodmobile Drive in its parking lot, partnering with the regional blood bank to support patients, including children fighting cancer.
Music and Worship Arts
Music is a through-line of the church's identity. The Chancel Choir sings at the 11:00 am service and rehearses on Tuesday mornings. The Song Team plays in the 9:30 am Modern service and rehearses on Tuesday evenings. A worship arts team invites members to make a personal investment in the Sunday worship experience by using their own gifts of creativity. Scripture readers, ushers, greeters, communion servers, and A/V media team members all play a part in shaping the hour. Recent sermon series have included There is Another Way, a walk through the Sermon on the Mount; Wisdom and Wonder, a summer series through Old and New Testament stories of being called at every age; Easter People: Peter; and Heaven Knows I've Tried: Lessons from Ted Lasso, a three-week series in which Pastor Meredith compared the Apple TV show's themes of kindness, personal growth, and belief in something bigger than yourself to the stories of Jesus.
Reconciliation Beyond the Doors
The reconciling designation is not a wall decoration; it shapes how the church shows up in Marysville. On the second Sunday of June, for example, Pride is celebrated in worship, with the message that the church is a place for diverse people who welcome all and love all who walk through the doors. Banned Books for Faithful People, a small-group conversation series led by Pastor Tanya in the church library, looks at how authors, characters, and settings can offer insights for Christians today, even - or especially - when the books have been banned. The church's Christian Nationalism Book Study, led by Pastor Meredith, worked through Kristin Kobes du Mez's Jesus and John Wayne as a starting place for hard questions about faith and public life.
Giving that Changes Lives
The church teaches that financial giving changes lives, both the lives of those who receive the gift and the life of the giver. As part of the United Methodist Church, Marysville UMC joins the gifts of 16.5 million people in 136 countries around the world, supporting mission personnel, programs, and disaster response through UMCOR. Locally, the financial gifts fund the church's ministry budget and its outreach.
Members and friends can give in several ways: cash or check in the offering plate during worship, made out to Marysville UMC; secure online giving, either one-time or recurring, through the church's online portal; text-to-give by texting an amount to (425) 409-2040; or by setting up bill pay through a personal bank. Annual commitments, or pledges, help the church build a responsible budget for ministry. Members are encouraged to give a deliberately chosen percentage of gross income, working toward a tithe of 10 percent over time. First-time givers are welcome, and the financial secretary is happy to walk anyone through the process.
Coming Through the Doors
For those who want to know more before visiting, the church offers Explore MUMC, an introduction to membership held twice a year in the afternoon and the evening, with time to get to know each other, share the story of the church from both pastors and laity, and hear from newcomers. Childcare is available upon request. Coffee with the Pastors gathers after worship on occasional Sundays for a casual hour of conversation with Pastor Meredith. The church office is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, and the phone rings at 360-659-8521.
Marysville United Methodist Church calls itself, with a mix of honesty and affection, a motley crew. On a Sunday morning, the building is warm and full. In the pews, people sing. In the classrooms, kids ask hard questions. In the Green Room, someone new is welcomed to the table. The doors are open, the coffee is on, and there is room for one more.