Love holds us together.

To look at us, we’re kind of an odd group, a motley crew. 

On a Sunday morning and in our online community, you’ll find some sweet folks in prim and proper dress, and you’ll find lots of creative people with multi-color hair and tattoos.  We’ve got loud kids and shy teens, jovial talkers and quiet introverts, people who are sad and grieving, and people who are eternal optimists.  We have families and single people, people who’ve lived in the area for generations and people who just moved here from the East Coast or beyond.  We’re working on using everyone’s preferred pronouns.  

With such a diverse group, it can be hard to see what we all have in common.  Love is a pretty good answer. 

For all of us, church is a place where no matter what, we belong. 

We are a part of this church because:

  • we think there is more to life than what we see

  • we are often overwhelmed, and we want to find some peace

  • we want to make a difference in our community and world

  • we want to learn to love and forgive, both others and ourselves

  • we love and trust Jesus.  He told us to love one another as he loved us, and that’s what we’re trying to do.

But we might be the church for you. 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.  It is hard and requires humility, gentleness, and a lot of time.  It is also a lot of fun.  We’re an odd group, but we’re delightful.  We hope you find your spot among us.

We might not be the church for everyone.

Connect with US
MUMC (504).jpg
MUMC (365).jpg
MUMC sign.jpg
MUMC (403).jpg
MUMC (920).jpg
MUMC (390).jpg
MUMC (282).jpg
MUMC (683).jpg
MUMC (830).jpg
MUMC (45).jpg
MUMC (821).jpg
MUMC (59).jpg

Our Values

These are the things that are most important to us, the ideas that help us make decisions, the concepts that define our community.  These are values that Jesus lived out in his life, ministry, and teachings, and we strive to do the same.

  • All are welcome and valued. 

  • We’re better together. 

  • We grow our faith through action.

  • You are loved, exactly as you are.

  • We explore our questions.

Meet the Pastors

Meredith Gudger-Raines

Meredith Gudger-Raines became a pastor because she wants to help people find a place where they belong.  Her most informative story from 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, 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.  God welcomes us, makes a place just for us.  In this holy community, where we are known, we can be truly ourselves and be at peace.  

Pastor Meredith grew up in Southern California in the 1980s and 1990s, and felt most at home at church.  She was president of the youth group, sang in the youth choir, helped plan youth conventions, and generally just liked hanging out at church.  After high school, she went to Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA, and then seminary at Drew Theological School in Madison, NJ.  Meredith and Christopher met at seminary, and on graduating, they moved to Christopher’s home state of West Virigina.  They lived there for eight years, where they were both ordained elders in the UMC.  They moved to Washington state in 2014. 

Pastor Meredith has served six United Methodist Churches in 18 years, from a small family church of 10 to a downtown university city church, a struggling church in a depressed area to a suburban congregation in a rapidly growing town.  Her favorite times are visiting with people, listening to their stories, and being delighted by the power of the Spirit that leads us all forward. 

Meredith and Christopher have two beautiful kids and a fluffy orange cat.  Meredith likes to knit and sew her own clothes, and sometimes sew some quilts, too.  She likes to read, to walk, and to hike in the beautiful PNW.  Her car is always a mess, and she loves coffee.

Tanya Spaur Pile

Rev. Tanya Spaur Pile grew up in Washington.  She is a PK (Preacher's Kid), which means she has lived in both Western Washington and Eastern Washington.  She is a graduate of Vanderbilt Divinity School and has spent time serving churches in Nashville, Tennessee, and Dallas, Texas.  She was commissioned and licensed as a Local Pastor at the Pacific Northwest Conference in June of 2018.

Tanya is married with two children and loves to road trip, travel in different countries, and, when she has time, cross-stitch.  She is a big fan of SciFi/Fantasy movies and books, and can often be found reading.  She loves pastry--especially any pie her Mom makes--and believes deep down that Mexican food is always a wonderful idea.

Meet the Team

Vision Team

The Vision Team provides leadership for the church by setting goals and aligning church actions and activities to the established mission and values of MUMC.  This group of leaders comprises diverse and experienced church members to provide oversight and decision-making for the church's finances, personnel, physical property, special projects, and long-term initiatives.  Please reach out to any Vision Team member at church or by emailing at the following link.

Let Us Know