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Sermon Library

The Reverend Emily Tanis-Likkel
Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel sensed the call to ordained ministry when she was eight years old, baptizing her baby dolls and creating worship services for her family. She was ordained in 2005 at Eagle Harbor Congregational Church, United Church of Christ in Bainbridge Island.

Her roles over nearly two decades of ministry across several denominations have included associate pastor, church planter, children and family minister, teacher and workshop/retreat leader. When the congregation unanimously called Emily as Pastor of Alki UCC, she came home to her denomination and home to pastoral ministry. 

Emily believes it is essential for churches to be a beacon of hope in their communities, acknowledging that each person is of infinite worth and value. Humanity bears the image of God. Beautifully unique in our diversity of race, culture, disability and ability, personality, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, we reflect God, who is wonderfully reflective of all. Everything that we are, God is.

Emily lives in West Seattle in a multigenerational household with her creative-techie spouse, Brett, daughter and college student Eva (who works as tech deacon at Alki UCC), son and high school student Day, and her parents, Marti and Keith Tanis. The Tanis-Likkel family is known for their giant popcorn bowl, frequently filled to the brim.

 Emily writes, teaches, preaches and leads from a foundation of embodied spirituality, expansive theology and wonder. She loves walking labyrinths and reading novels. She is trained in Nia, a holistic movement practice, which has informed her own spiritual practice of embodying Scripture. Learn more about Emily at emilytanislikkel.com.

Worship Video

September 17 2023
Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Sermon:
"The Beginning of Letting Go"
Worship Video
Sermon begins at 06:15

September 10 2023
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Sermon:
"Mark the Day"
Worship Video
Sermon begins at 05:10

September 3 2023
Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
with Communion

Sermon:
"Coming Home"
Worship Video
Sermon begins at 05:12

August 27 2023
Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

In lieu of a sermon, the service features
The Spiritual Travelers in "Encounter at the Well"
based on John 4:1-29
Script: Reverend Joan Carter     Music: DJ  Wilson
A special presentation exploring the story of Jesus encountering The Samaritan Woman at the Well.
Worship Video

August 20 2023
Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

Sermon:
“Unraveled by Unknowing”
Worship Video
Sermon begins at 07:33

August 13 2023
Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

Sermon:
“Unraveled by Grief”
Worship Video
Sermon begins at 07:12

August 6 2023
Transfiguration Sunday/Communion

Sermon:
“Unraveling Survival Mode”
Worship Video
Sermon begins at 04:44

July 30 2023
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

Sermon:
“Companions in Unraveling”
Worship Video
Sermon begins at 06:17

July 23 2023
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

In lieu of a sermon this week, the congregation was invited to journal and discuss their thoughts about "Unraveling Systems."
Worship Video

July 16 2023
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

Sermon:
"Response Ability"
Worship Video
Sermon begins at 05:42

July 9 2023
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

Sermon:
“Keep Going"
Worship Video
Sermon begins at 04:34

Note: there was no recording of our July 2 service to give our dedicated tech hosts a much-needed break


June 25 2023
New Member/Annual Meeting Sunday

Sermon:
“Seeing the Well”
Worship Video
Sermon begins at 05:50

June 18 2023
Stewardship Sunday

Welcome back, Pastor Emily!
Sermon:
“Poured Out”
Worship Video
Sermon begins at 05:45