SEATTLE—July 8, 2008— Sunday will mark a new chapter in the life of Seattle’s oldest religious institution, as Rev. Dr. Sanford Brown takes to the pulpit for his first sermon as Senior Pastor at First United Methodist Church. Brown comes to the position with over 20 years of pastoral experience in a career focused on social justice.

Rev. Brown said, “This appointment has been years in the making, and marks a return to my first love, the parish. I am honored to serve this congregation as it supports each person’s individual journey in faith, fostering their personal walk.”

Brown began his appointment at First Church on July 1, following completion of a five year tenure as the Executive Director of the Church Council of Greater Seattle. Brown, known for his work on ending homelessness, was a Tent City 4 advocate, helping the homeless encampment with legal challenges in several suburban Seattle communities. He was also a key figure in the 2007 Lora Lakes Apartments controversy, in which he and others successfully advocated for the preservation of 162 units of affordable housing in Burien.

“First Church has had a passionate ministry to Seattle’s urban homeless for decades,” said Barbara Moreland, chair of the church’s Administrative Council. “Reverend Brown’s know-how and experience in this area is a great fit with what we do.”

The church’s current work with the homeless includes advocacy in Olympia, a bi-monthly free breakfast for the city’s hungry, and shelter for men and women provided through service agencies traditionally housed in the building. After 30 years of trying to sell and/or demolish its downtown property and rebuild a smaller, more suitable building, the church successfully brokered a deal last March. Brown will lead the congregation in the design and completion of a new building at 2nd and Denny, the plans of which include a homeless shelter and shared breakfast site. Groundbreaking is slated for the fall. The congregation currently worships at the Seattle Children’s Theatre at 10 a.m. each Sunday.

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Update, 2/10/2010: First Church no longer holds worship at the Seattle Children's Theatre, and worship times have changed. See the worship page for updated information on Sunday morning services.