Hennepin Happenings

Hennepin

Happenings

May 1, 2025 | Weekly Newsletter

Grounding in Faith with Pastor Elizabeth Macaulay

Each of us has a sacred place where we are opened by wonder.

All of creation is alive. We are blessed to be guests in the glory of God's artistry.

We celebrated Earth Sunday this past Sunday. The naming of our utter dependence upon the verdancy of Earth is a call to repentance and repair. As those who have despoiled creation, we need to confess our complicity in the unfolding of climate change and its devastating effects. As those who long to be a part of the regeneration of the ecosystem, we look for places to join hearts and actions to claim the power of healing.

At Hennepin, we seek to live into being a Cathedral for All Creation. We are praying, organizing, and joining together to name our conviction that the Earth is God's Body (Sallie McFague). We long to live upon the Earth with the sort of humility God requires of us.

Picture your favorite place.

Hold that place and offer your gratitude for that place to God.

Name your intention to protect that place and all places with the power of your love.

We are creatures alive in the midst of glory.

Thanks be.

Pastor Elizabeth

This Sunday's Message:

When God Changes the Story

by Pastor Laura Hannah

Scripture:

Acts 9:1-20

Giving and Service Spotlight:

Doors Open Volunteers Needed!

Hennepin Avenue UMC is proud to participate in Doors Open Minneapolis 2025 on May 17 & 18, and we’re looking for friendly faces to serve as greeter volunteers.

Want to learn more or sign up? Visit the Doors Open Volunteer Page and list Hennepin Avenue UMC as your preferred location.

Church News of the Week:

The stories that keep us connected

A Conversation with Katherine Stewart on Faith and Politics

This Saturday! May 3 | 3pm

As Christian Nationalism continues to shape our political landscape, we are committed to fostering conversations and actions that challenge its influence. This spring, we are excited to host an exclusive book discussion with Katherine Stewart.

Join us for an exclusive discussion with award-winning author Katherine Stewart as she presents her new book, Money, Lies, and God: Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy (Bloomsbury, 2025). Read More and Register

This Week in Hennepin History

Written by Phil Wala

The Scottish Rite Temple at Dupont and Franklin was originally built by Fowler Methodist Church and was, from June 1911 to June 1915, the home of the merged Fowler and Hennepin Avenue Churches.

On Sunday afternoon, May 18, the Scottish Rite Masons will be conducting three special tours of that building specially designed to honor our church's 150th anniversary! Spaces are limited, sign up here.

Honoring Our Grads on Graduation Sunday!

May 18 | 10am Worship Service

On Sunday, May 18th, we will honor our graduating high school seniors in our 10am worship service. If your graduating senior would like to be included in our celebration, please send a photo and a brief description of their post-graduation plans to Lynne Carroll at lynne@haumc.org no later than Friday, 5/9.

Discover Your Place in Service!

The Service & Justice Fair | May 18 @ 11am

On Sunday, May 18 following the worship service, Hennepin Avenue UMC invites you to Carlson Hall for our Service & Justice Fair.

This event offers a unique opportunity to engage with all of Hennepin's Service & Justice teams and missions, learn about their impactful work, and explore ways you can contribute. Each team will share insights into their missions and highlight current volunteer opportunities.

To add an element of fun, participate in our interactive BINGO game—collect key information from each team to complete your card and win exciting prizes! We will also be premiering the Party Cart–where you can play games, sing karaoke, or do quick puzzles or crafts for fun prizes!

Help Us Welcome the City!

Doors Open Minneapolis | May 17 & 18

Hennepin Avenue UMC is proud to participate in Doors Open Minneapolis 2025 on May 17 & 18, and we’re looking for friendly faces to serve as greeter volunteers. This beloved city-wide event invites the public to explore Minneapolis through free, behind-the-scenes access to architecturally and culturally significant venues, including our historic church home.

As a greeter, you’ll help guests feel welcome, check folks in, count visitors, and answer a few basic questions about Doors Open Minneapolis. You don’t need to be a church expert, just someone who loves this place and enjoys making others feel at ease.

Volunteers receive a free Doors Open T-shirt and can skip the line at all participating venues while wearing it!

Want to learn more or sign up? Visit the Doors Open Volunteer Page and list Hennepin Avenue UMC as your preferred location.

On the Seventh Day, God said “Let there be brunch.”

Gratitude for Brunch (and Volunteers) by Marla Tipping

Last year, a group of devoted Hennepin members envisioned the return of brunch after worship. Led by Kristy Barnes, Bryan Carter, Lynne Carroll, and Marla Tipping, that idea became a reality!

In the beginning, there was a small charge for brunch–then God worked in amazing ways and a generous anonymous donor came forward to fully fund the coffee and brunch ministries for the entire year! Read More

Emma Norton Gala: Awards for Impactful Giving

Mn Annual Conference & MN United Women in Faith Recognized

At the 2025 Emma Norton Opening Doors Gala on April 24, the 2025 Champion Award was presented to the MN Annual Conference and the MN United Women in Faith for outstanding support (over $1,000,000) of the Campaign for Restoring Waters.

Bishop Lynette Plambeck and UWF Conference President Marion Hansen accepted the award from Executive Director Tonya Brownlow.

Come See Me!

A Message from Lynne Carroll, Director of Intergenerational Ministry

Part of building community is getting to know one another in the important spaces that we inhabit outside of church. We are encouraging our youth to invite members of their church family to attend their special events.

If you would like to receive information about upcoming concerts, plays, sporting events, etc. that feature our Hennepin youth, email us and we'll include you on our invite list: familyministry@haumc.org

The events that we have already attended have been spectacular fun!

Updates on the Dignity Center

A Message from Pastor Elizabeth & Muria Kruger

The Dignity Center continues to offer support and advocacy for neighbors desiring stability. We have been blessed to have the Rev. Kevin Schill serve as interim director.

As part of our Strategic Ministry Plan, Hennepin Ave UMC is engaging a consultant (Liz Wiggen Consulting) to help us determine our next steps for the ministry. For the next few months, community and church members, volunteers, and Dignity Center guests will be interviewed. A small group has been formed to take the information gathered, in order that the Dignity Center continues to reach into our community in the most meaningful and impactful way.

Those serving on the Dignity Center Working Group are: Muria Kruger, Tom Arneson, Joan Jemison, Cindy McCalmont, Dan Netter, Kevin Schill, Sandee Koch, Laura Hannah

Our new interim will facilitate ongoing ministry at the Dignity Center while the strategic planning work is done. Following the recommendation of the team, the approval of the Governance Board, and the affirmation of the church, a long-term director will be hired.

Please keep the team and the neighbors we serve through the Dignity Center in your prayers.

And there is this! Our Easter offering raised over $6,000 for the ministry of the Dignity Center. Every morning is Easter morning.

We'll keep you posted on what we learn.

Welcoming Marcy Frost as the Dignity Center's New Interim Director

The Dignity Center welcomes Marcy Frost as its new Interim Director. Marcy has been volunteering with the Dignity Center for almost a year in numerous different roles, including as an advocate, in hospitality, and as the point attorney for the Dignity Center's partnership with the Volunteer Lawyers Network. Marcy is a member of Temple Israel, and practiced in the area of employment law until her retirement.

Marcy Frost will fill this leadership role while the Dignity Center Working Group engages with a community consultant about the future of the Dignity Center. Never fear–the Dignity Center has been part of Hennepin's Outreach Ministries for over 20 years, and it's not going away. This time in between directors is an excellent time to step back and make sure the work of the Dignity Center is fully aligned with community needs and Hennepin's mission and resources. Stay tuned!

Life Transitions | Births, Baptisms, and Deaths

In Celebration | Birth of Daisy Madison Murray

Trenton, Ginny, and Kira Devries are happy to announce the birth of their cousin Daisy Madison Murray. Parents: Dani Murry and Kevin Gale. Grandparents: Jerry Gale and Suzanne Perry. Welcome baby Daisy!