ABOUT US
“We practice radical hospitality.”
“We believe there is only one creation, one humanity, one Spirit that enlivens us all.”
Everyone at Wash Park
Who We Are
Located in the heart of Denver’s Washington Park neighborhood, the Wash Park United of Christ is a theologically progressive congregation of justice-seekers and spiritual explorers serving the community and the world for nearly 100 years.
We strive to be faithful to God’s call, reflective of Christ’s mission, and open to the surprises of the Holy Spirit. However, we do not subscribe to any one creed but instead respect the individual’s freedom to follow the dictates of their heart and mind.
We practice radical hospitality–committed to covenantal relationships with each other and within our denomination. This loving support for each other provides rich opportunities for participation in deep discussions, laughter-filled gatherings and meaningful outreach in the world—one on one, in small groups and church-wide.
Our church has a strong history of involvement in social justice ministries through individuals, small groups and corporately. We have adopted four stances over the years, supporting:
- Just Peace
- Open and Affirming
- Whole Earth
- Restorative Justice
We have also supported our community with the creation of FISH of East Denver (a food bank program shared with another church) and the Wash Park Center for Music & Arts [url], and the hosting of the Washington Park Early Learning Center.
We are part of a broader body called the United Church of Christ, formed in 1957 from the merger of four other denominations.
Ministry & Staff
Rev. Dr. Lee Berg, Minister
Lee Berg brings a wealth of experience to Wash Park, with a lifetime of ministerial and non-profit leadership roles across the country. Since 2012, Lee has focused on helping Front Range UCC churches as an interim minister, mostly recently at Community UCC in Boulder as well as congregations in Parker and Craig, Colorado.
Lee began his ministry career as a liberal Southern Baptist pastor in 1979, serving congregations in Texas and in Mississippi. He holds a BA in Sociology and Religion from Houston Baptist University, a Master of Divinity in Theology and Ethics from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a PhD in Religion/Ethics with minors in political science and sociology from Baylor University.
He left pastoral ministry in 1995 to work with the National Education Association in Washington, DC. While with NEA, he worked with religious groups, including the Social Action office of the United Church of Christ, to pass Equal Access legislation for public school students. His work with NEA brought him to Colorado and Boulder in 2001. His life-long passion for social justice found its theological home in the United Church of Christ.
Since leaving the National Education Association, Lee has served in nonprofit leadership roles with area nonprofits. He and his wife Cindy met in 2003 and were married in 2006. They and their two dogs live in Louisville, Colorado.
Eric McEuen, Music Director/Worship Coordinator
Eric has been a guitar player, singer and songwriter for more than 20 years. He received his BA in Music from Brandeis University, during which time he discovered a love of choral singing. More recently, Eric studied for three years at Pacific School of Religion (Berkeley, CA), aspiring to ordination in the UCC. He was active as a musician in the PSR chapel, and he now provides music leadership in chapel services at Iliff School of Theology.
Eric joined the Wash Park staff in 2017 as Music Director. He began to coordinate worship celebrations starting in 2018.
Shauntay Larson, Progressive Christian Coordinator
Raised at WPUCC, Shauntay brings the perfect combination of personal spiritual education at Wash Park, experience as a counselor at the UCC’s La Foret retreat center, formal education and private sector work to this important ministry for our children.