University United Methodist Church embraces Jesus’ message that God loves and accepts every person. We celebrate the diversity of God’s creation and cherish persons of every age, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnic background, economic means, physical and mental ability, and nationality to fully participate in the life of our faith community. As an urban church, we also have a long legacy of working with and for our neighbors to help meet needs for food, clothing and other essentials.
We are an open and affirming congregation, inviting all, wherever they may be on their personal faith journey, to join us in discovery, learning, worship, prayer and service. We are a Reconciling Congregation and a Safe Haven church for those looking for a United Methodist church that accepts and affirms all.
In all we do, we strive to embody our mission of Feeding God’s People: Body, Mind and Spirit.
Why We Use Many Metaphors for God
The Bible employs various names and images for God—shepherd, mother, fire, wisdom, rock,
breath, light, and love—because no single word can fully encompass the mystery of God.
Scripture itself teaches us that God is beyond human language, and yet lovingly meets us
through images we can understand. Because God is not limited by human gender, Scripture
faithfully speaks of God using masculine, feminine, and gender-expansive imagery.
Jesus regularly spoke of God using parables and metaphors, drawing from everyday life to
help people encounter God in fresh and faithful ways. The early church continued this
practice, naming God through poetry, prayer, and proclamation, rather than limiting God to a
single description.
Using a variety of metaphors:
• Honors the fullness of Scripture, which offers many ways of speaking about God
• Reflects the diversity of human experience, helping more people recognize
themselves in God’s care
• Prevents any single image from becoming an idol, reminding us that God is always
more than our language
• Deepens worship and discipleship, inviting us to hear familiar stories with new ears
This practice does not replace cherished language for God. Instead, it expands our vocabulary
so that all may encounter the Holy One as loving, just, near, and faithful.
As the church, we continue the ancient Christian practice of speaking about God with
humility, imagination, and hope, trusting that every faithful metaphor points toward the
same enduring truth: God is love.
