An Affirming Community on Pioneer Avenue
Puyallup United Methodist Church sits on West Pioneer Avenue in downtown Puyallup, Washington, a single-level building that has long served as a Reconciling congregation in the South Sound. The church's identity is built on an unusually explicit welcome: "Puyallup UMC is an inclusive community and affirms that every person is a beloved child of God endowed with dignity, value, and beauty." That welcome shapes everything from the children's ministry to the choirs, from the prayer labyrinth in the garden to the LGBTQ+ youth prom held each spring.
Lead Pastor Rev. Margaret Gillikin describes the congregation as "a welcoming (Reconciling) church" where people of every age, race, ability, gender identity, sexual orientation, political allegiance, life history, legal status, or religious background are truly welcome. Many in the congregation, including the pastor herself, are members of the LGBTQIA community. The congregation is committed, in her words, "to the process of learning how to be supportive and true allies," holding many values in common even when opinions differ. The church is a Safe Sanctuary: every staff member and volunteer has passed a background check and completed specialized abuse-prevention training.
The congregation is part of the global United Methodist Church, joining "the gifts of millions of people in hundreds of countries around the world." Drawing on founder John Wesley's call to "earn all we can, save all we can, in order to give all we can," PUMC runs an unusually broad network of feeding ministries, mission partnerships, and community programs that stretch from downtown Puyallup to Nepal.
Two Sunday Services, Side by Side
Sunday worship at PUMC comes in two distinct settings, each about an hour long, held at 1919 West Pioneer Avenue.
The 9:00 AM Traditional Worship draws on liturgy and classical hymns, accompanied by the Faith Singers choir and organ. The 11:00 AM Contemporary Worship is more casual, led by a band called The Found that plays contemporary Christian music alongside modernized arrangements of older songs. Both services include a scripture-based sermon, prayer, and a time of giving. The offering is an act of worship for members and friends, but guests are invited to participate at whatever level feels right, with no pressure to give.
A livestream of each service is available online, where viewers can also chat and share prayer requests during worship. Recordings remain online for later viewing through the Previous Services page, and the playlist of recent sermons is posted for those who want to follow along.
Communion is open to all who wish to take part. It is offered every Sunday at the Contemporary service and on the first Sunday of each month at the Traditional service. Worshippers come forward by pew to receive bread and grape juice.
What a First Visit Looks Like
Ushers greet people one-on-one without putting anyone on the spot. A connect card tucked into the bulletin lets newcomers share as much or as little as they would like. The dress code is "come as you are" - casual or more formal, the choice belongs to the visitor.
The entire church is on one level, with restrooms accessible to all. Drawing pads and fidget toys are available for children who stay in the sanctuary. Nursery care is offered at both services for infants and preschoolers through age 5, staffed by trained caregivers who use a pager system to reach parents if needed.
The Plan a Visit page adds a few practical notes: worshippers are not asked to say or sign anything public; communion is fully open; and guests are never expected to give money.
A Building Made for Music
Music is a centerpiece of worship at Puyallup UMC. The Faith Singers choir leads the Traditional service with classical hymns and special arrangements, rehearsing weekly from September through June and welcoming new singers at any time. The Found, the contemporary worship team, leads music at the later service; experienced musicians interested in joining can contact the band coordinator.
Two handbell choirs round out the program. The Rejoice! Ringers play during Traditional Worship and at special events. The Daffodil Valley Ringers is a community ensemble, a ministry of the church that draws advanced ringers from across the Puget Sound and performs beyond the church walls.
The sanctuary also regularly welcomes guest ensembles. The Puyallup Valley Community Band, the Tapestry Singers, the South Sound Classical Choir, and the Rainier Ringers have all performed at PUMC, with concerts typically free and open to all.
Children, Youth, and the Hangout
Children's ministry is led by Children's Ministry Director Erlinda Peters. Children ages 5 and under spend Sunday mornings in the Nursery, where trained staff and volunteers provide age-appropriate play and engagement.
F3: Faith, Fun, Focus is the Sunday morning program for children and youth ages 5 and up. Meeting in the Fireside Room next to the sanctuary during either service, the class uses hands-on activities to engage the weekly scripture message. Children are always welcome to remain in the sanctuary instead, with drawing pads and fidget toys available through the ushers.
Each summer, VBX (Vacation Bible Experience) fills the church with children for a free week-long day camp of Bible learning, games, and crafts. Children and families are also invited to Parents' Day Out events throughout the year, where trained volunteers supervise arts, crafts, food, and games. Registration and permission forms are available online, and every volunteer has passed a background check and Safe Sanctuaries training.
For older youth, the Youth Group meets on the first and third Sundays of each month from 12:00 to 1:00 PM, with programs for grades 7 through 12. The Hangout is a monthly drop-in program for LGBTQ+ youth and allies in grades 7 through 12.
A new cross-denominational effort launches in the fall of 2026: the Puyallup Valley Youth Collective, a monthly gathering held on the second Wednesday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 PM in the fellowship hall. Partnering churches include Peace Lutheran Puyallup, First Christian Church of Puyallup, and Sumner United Methodist. The Collective is open to all middle and high school students in grades 6 through 12, including LGBTQ+ youth, and each gathering begins with dinner, games, and activities followed by conversation time.
An optional Confirmation program helps youth in eighth grade and above explore their faith in depth through activities and field trips, offered at certain times during the year.
Small Groups for Every Kind of Week
A wide range of small groups meet weekly, monthly, or seasonally, in person, on Zoom, or both. Most are open to anyone in the community.
- Pastor's Bible Study meets Tuesday mornings at 9:30 AM, with a summer break from June through August. The group reads and discusses the Scripture text for the following Sunday in a hybrid format.
- Pastor's Contemplative Prayer is a midday reset on Mondays at 12:15 PM via Zoom.
- Book Club gathers on the last Thursday of the month at 7:00 PM on Zoom.
- Art Words and Yoga, led by Karrie Zylstra Myton, combines writing prompts with accessible yoga on Saturdays at 10:00 AM, with a suggested donation of $15. Chair yoga is available for differing mobility levels, and the group also plans occasional field trips to local nature sites.
- Men's Breakfast meets at Charlie's Restaurant in downtown Puyallup on the second Saturday of each month at 9:00 AM for sharing and fellowship.
- Puyallup United Women in Faith (PUWF), a fellowship aligned with the national United Women in Faith organization, meets monthly at 10:30 AM. The group supports the Puyallup Food Bank, OASIS Youth Center, Family Renewal Shelter, Associated Ministries, St. Francis House, and the Good Samaritan Hospital S.T.A.R.T. program, among others.
- Quilters Group gathers Tuesdays at 10:00 AM to sew quilts that are blessed each year and distributed to nonprofits across the state.
- Christian Experiences meets the second and fourth Sundays at 10:19 AM, hybrid on Zoom and in the church library.
- Poetry Class explores prayer and spirituality through poetry on the first and third Sundays at 10:15 AM.
- Prayer Shawl Ministry meets the second Thursday of each month at 11:00 AM in the Fireside Room. Members crochet and knit shawls for those experiencing difficult times, both within the church and the wider community.
- Tabletop Sundays, a biweekly gathering that launched in fall 2026, hosts games like Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons on Sunday afternoons.
- Peace and Justice Study Group, currently on hiatus, focuses on human rights, peacebuilding, immigration, and indigenous peoples, drawing on the UMC's Social Principles and taking action through communication with elected representatives and support for community initiatives.
Feeding and Outreach Across the Valley
The congregation takes seriously the United Methodist call to put faith into action. A Care Team visits, calls, and sends cards to homebound members and those recovering from surgery. Prayer shawls are given to anyone going through a hard time.
Feeding ministries form the largest piece of the church's outreach. The Weekend Lunch Program partners with Communities in Schools Puyallup to provide free weekend lunches for elementary students throughout the school year. The Summer Food Program, run with the South Sound Hunger Task Force, the City of Puyallup Recreation Department, Communities in Schools of Puyallup, and Feeding Feasible Feasts, ensures children are fed when school is out; donations support a $25,000 goal each year. On the third Monday of each month, members serve lunch at the New Hope Resource Center for unhoused persons. Once a month, snacks are provided for volunteers at a Habitat for Humanity build site. A church-grown fruit and vegetable garden donates produce to local food banks. A Blessing Box in the parking lot holds meal resources for anyone who needs them. And every Sunday, the congregation distributes free sack lunches to unhoused neighbors in downtown Puyallup.
The church partners with Waller Road Elementary and Aylen Junior High, supporting the schools with financial gifts, donations, and volunteers. PUMC also partners with the Oasis Youth Center in Tacoma to support LGBTQ youth across the South Puget Sound. The annual Strawberry Feed, a 70-year tradition sponsored by the men's small group, raises money for local nonprofits, and PUWF's West Pioneer Crafts & Collections Fair in the parking lot funds organizations including Associated Ministries, Family Renewal Shelter, My Sister's Pantry, Nourish Pierce County, OASIS Youth Center, Puyallup Food Bank, Tacoma Community House, St. Francis House, the YWCA Women's Shelter, and the Good Samaritan Hospital S.T.A.R.T. program.
Internationally, the congregation partners annually with Katherine Parker, a missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church. Parker serves as a Health and Community Transformation Advisor with the United Mission to Nepal.
Through its mission and outreach, PUMC also helped establish the Puyallup Playcare Center in 1968, a separate childcare center that continues to share the church's facilities during the week.
The Church Year in Practice
The liturgical year shapes the church's calendar. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday services at noon and 6:00 PM in the fellowship hall, with a simple soup-and-bread meal, prayer, and imposition of ashes. Holy Week includes a Maundy Thursday Tenebrae service at 6:00 PM featuring the gradual extinguishing of candles, presented jointly with the choirs of Puyallup First Presbyterian Church. Good Friday opens the sanctuary for self-guided prayer and welcomes visitors to walk the community Prayer Labyrinth during daylight hours; an ecumenical Cross Walk moves between First Presbyterian, Peace Lutheran, and All Saints Church. Easter Sunday brings three services: a 6:30 AM outdoor Sunrise service around the firepit in the church garden, a 9:00 AM Traditional service, and an 11:00 AM Contemporary service.
Throughout the year, the building hosts free AARP Foundation Tax-Aide preparation sessions, seasonal blood drives with Bloodworks Northwest, vaccination clinics, and a free book sale that supports the church library.
Lay Leadership, Staff, and Space
Lay leadership is a defining part of PUMC's identity. Co-Lay Leader and Certified Lay Speaker Leona Weltzer, Co-Lay Leader Gloria Fletcher, and Lay Speaker Roger Tanquist work alongside the pastors and staff, supporting teaching, pastoral care, and proclamation. The staff team also includes Director of Partnerships Julie Callen, Communications Coordinator Shannon Brown Holland, Accompanist Barbara Howard, Choir and Handbell Director Suna Chung, Nursery Coordinator Tina Sanchez, Tech Team and Band Coordinator Brandon Henrie, and Tech Director Brianna Daniel. Deacon Laura Speiran serves as Minister of Congregational Care alongside Lead Pastor Margaret Gillikin.
The church building is fully accessible on one level. Beyond the sanctuary and fellowship hall, the campus includes a Fireside Room, a church library, and a Prayer Labyrinth in the garden. Church office hours run Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Friday from 9:00 AM to noon.
Giving is supported through the online Realm platform, which also serves as the church's group messaging and mobile app hub. Weekly updates are shared through an email newsletter and text messaging sign-up, with prayer requests, a community prayer labyrinth, and a Care Team available to anyone in need.