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Hennepin

Happenings

November 5, 2026

"We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes." Ella's Song, Sweet Honey in the Rock

The story of the people of God is one of constant movement toward freedom: Freedom from oppression, freedom from false gods and small notions, and freedom from the isms that bind the freedom of human beings.

Here at Hennepin Ave UMC we believe in freedom, and we cannot rest until it comes. We come together to provide food and clothing, advocacy and support for the challenges of living.

This building houses a freedom school. In and through this school we teach the wisdom and power of Jesus.

We are in the midst of a capital campaign. Capital campaigns are an opportunity for us to care for the needs of this 110 year old school for living. Roofs and organs, crosses, lights, and infrastructure are being tended because we believe in freedom and we will not rest until it comes.  

We are committed to caring for this building because we believe the next generations will be blessed and equipped for life by learning the Jesus way.

We are in the midst of receiving pledges for our annual budget. 61% of our budget comes from our members. We simply cannot pay our staff, heat our building or provide Community Meals without your support.  

We believe that our communal unrest around injustice is stirred by God. We cannot rest until freedom comes for all people. Together, we are Hennepin Ave UMC.

We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes.

Pastor Elizabeth

How the Capital Campaign is Addressing Repairs in Our Education Wing

As the Director of Intergenerational Ministry, I am acutely aware of how our education wing is used. In my role as "event organizer", I am in continuous dialogue with the leadership of the Loring Park neighborhood association, and in my role as a long-time congregation member, I understand that managing our budget income allows the ministries that touch the lives of our neighbors near and far to thrive. Raising money for roofs and air chillers is not, in and of itself, inspirational. However, our environment matters. Therefore, having reliable air chilling equipment that isn't leaking toxic chemicals really, really matters. Our education wing is full of the children that we cherish on Sunday mornings, and it is also full of the grown ups that we cherish throughout the week for meetings. Students from MNIC call our education wing their learning home every single day of the work week, 12 step groups and the Downtown Grief coalition all gather in this space. Our learning spaces allow us to be a needed hub of activity for the Loring Park community. Nearly 13% of our annual income comes from outside sources renting our spaces. Thriving ministry requires safe, dry, comfortable spaces for people to gather. Caring for our environment, a welcoming space for our children, room for our neighbors to gather, a learning space for highly transitional teens, and valuable rental income - inspiring indeed! Thank you for your commitment to the ministries of this church!

Lynne, Director of Intergenerational Ministries

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To support repairs in our education wing and our other major long-term projects, please consider pledging to our Capital Campaign Fund here.

Blessing Tree

Take part in our Blessing Tree! Take a leaf and share how your relationship with Hennepin has been a blessing to you. Add your leaf to our tree.

As a community, let's explore the beautiful ways we nurture each other's lives.

Minister of Worship and the Arts Sally Messner was invited to North Carolina last weekend as soprano soloist for the premiere of a new requiem mass at Duke Chapel for All Saints. From Death, the Rising: A Requiem was composed by Twin Cities musician Robert Buckley Farlee with texts by the late poet Susan Palo Cherwien. Bob Farlee is a dear friend and mentor of Sally's, and David Cherwien (who was married to Susan) has subbed on the organ at HAUMC for worship in recent years. A recording of the Requiem will be available on Duke Chapel's YouTube channel.

Click on each image above to enlarge.

Artist Talk | John Arthur Anderson: Bearing Witness | 6:30–8:30pm | Carlson Hall

Join us on November 6 to meet John Arthur Anderson and hear from him about his exhibit, Bearing Witness. John Arthur Anderson is an award winning photographer, focusing mostly on wildlife and nature. His personal journey has involved working within the Native community both as a photographer and as a Program Consultant to Tribal Nations in Health and Human Services.

State of the Church Meeting: 2026 Church Updates & Reports | 11:30am–12:30pm | Sanctuary

Find out what is happening around Hennepin Ave UMC, as well as:

• Highlights from the Dignity Center
• Ministry Updates
• Report of Annual Clergy Compensation

If you can't join us in person, a recording of the meeting will be available by request. Please email our Communications Team to request the meeting link or with any questions.

Ancia Saxophone Quartet | 2pm | Art Gallery

Musical program that includes Guillermo Lago’s Ciudades, musical sketches of Addis Ababa, Montevideo, Córdoba and Sarajevo, as well as Dani Howard’s Neverland and Maurice Ravel's enchanting Le Tombeau de Couperin. This concert also features Jimmy Rowles' hauntingly beautiful jazz standard The Peacocks. The HAUMC art gallery is an ideal setting for chamber music and is one of Ancia’s favorite performance venues. A free-will offering will be taken to support the musicians.

Spirit of the Heart | 12pm | Dignity Center **NEW**

Beginning Wednesday, November 4, Mitchell Molloy will be creating a Circle of Support around the dining room table at the Dignity Center. With an opening reading and period of meditation, Mitchell will guide the group to deep reflection, honest sharing, and a healing sense of community. This group is for both Church Members and Dignity Center Guests. Come explore the spirit of your heart.

Centering Prayer Virtual | 7–8pm | Zoom **ADDED Format**

Led by Bill Gjetson, Centering Prayer is a method of Christian prayer that emphasizes resting in God's presence. For six weeks (Nov 7–Dec 12), we will meet via zoom on Thursday evenings. We will begin with a check-in, and move into a brief discussion about a new weekly reading, before practicing our Centering Prayer. Our time together will close with a brief reflection and prayer, as we learn and recognize what Centering Prayer means in our lives. 

Our Thursday night Centering Prayer will meet only over Zoom as a way for folks to gather online if they are not able to attend in-person.

Growing Our Future Capital Campaign Town Hall Meeting

Sunday, November 15 | 11:30am–12:30pm | Sanctuary

Learn more and ask questions about our ongoing Capital Campaign.

Can't join us in-person? Event recording link will be provided upon request. For the meeting link or to submit questions in advance, email the Communications Team.

Knotty Quilters Holiday Sale

Sunday, November 22 | Before & After Worship | Carlson Hall

Want to indulge yourself? Or choose a gift for a loved one?

You are invited to peruse and select from the handmade comfy quilts and laprobes, cuddly stuffed bears, colorful soup cozies, and a miscellany of other items that are offered by Knotty Quilters!

Knotty Quilters regularly create and donate items to provide care, comfort, and celebration for the HAUMC church family and neighbors near and far. Your purchases (via check, cash or Venmo) help them pay for needed supplies.

Advent Adult Study: “A Moment of Truth—Faith in a Time of Genocide” w/ Rev. Dr. Nancy Victorin-Vangerud

Tuesdays, Dec 1–22 | 6:30-7:30pm | Harrison Room & Zoom

How can we learn and understand more clearly the context of Palestinian Christians living in Bethlehem, Gaza and the West Bank today? 

This 4 week study, facilitated by Rev. Dr. Nancy Victorin-Vangerud, has been prepared by leaders of United Methodist Kairos Response. We are invited to a sacred dialogue with the Kairos Palestine II document–a living confession born from the hearts and voices of Palestinian Christians hoping while suffering. This Advent, how can we be the whole Body of Christ in our time?

Study guides will be available to prepare ahead, and each meeting will begin and close in prayer. For more information, and sign-up, contact Nancy.

Just Married!

Congratulations to Alison and Nathan who were married at Hennepin on Saturday, October 31! All of us at Hennepin wish you a lifetime filled with love and countless blessings as you begin this new chapter together.

Welcome to one of our new members, Marcy!

Why did you choose to make Hennepin your spiritual home?

I was looking for an affirming and progressive church home after being burnt out experiencing the opposite. 

What brings you life and joy?

Christian music, and music in general. Animals. A really good sermon. Women preaching. MST3K, Star Trek and Buffy.

Prayer Requests

We invite you to pray for our community and our world, for even when we do not know how to pray, the Spirit intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words. Romans 8:26

• Sandy Fletcher
• Bryce Walters
• Randy Minyard
• Noah
• Jim and Bill
• Phillip Duffy
• Judy Sranmark
• Keith Sjoquist
• Mother of James Leavens
• Donald Turner
• Ross DePriest
• Sergei Gulika
• Vada Bean
• Hospitalization: Father of Eric Tissot, Dickens Deutsch, Karen Knutson

• Treatment for cancer: Kristin Shardlow, Janet Jacobs, Michael Sampica, Sarah Shapiro, Ephim, Scott Fredrickson, Rev. David Wheeler
• Recovery from cancer: Svetlana Gulika
• For those who have died: Emil, the father of Tim Eberhart; Thomas, the father of Bob Scott; Karen Andrew
• For refugees at risk of having refugee status revoked
• For Indigenous relatives
• For democracy and community organizing
• For those recently married: Alison and Nathan

What We Learned Last Sunday

November 1: Service Sunday and Communion Kids in grades kindergarten and above worked on planning the November 8 worship service. We used this time to decide on people to offer prayers, read scripture, and for the older kids to learn the songs that the younger kids have been working to learn. Then we went to communion as a group.

Coming Up This Sunday

November 8: Learning and fun! Kids Lead Worship! Please arrive by 9:30am! And please stay for the State of the Church meeting from 11:30am–12:30pm. Childcare is provided.