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Hennepin

Happenings

September 17, 2026

This fall we are embarking on a Capital Campaign. Together, we are committed to being in ministry in such a way that we Grow our Future.

We grow our future by joining in worship, outreach, learning, and loving our neighbors in ways that are tangible.  We are engaged in ministry across the globe and in the Loring Park neighborhood of Minneapolis.

Our building is our staging ground. Because we are planted at the cross-roads of the city, we are in the city for good. Our building, steeple, and the full inclusion flag are proclamations.

This building has stood for over 100 years. It is large and old and beautiful, and it needs care. Over the past three years, our Buildings and Grounds group has been weighing the upkeep needs of our building. Together they created a list of priorities. Because the projects are outside of the scope of our annual budget, the time has come for a capital campaign.

We have an excellent team of leaders and staff. We have a future to grow. We believe God is calling us to care for our building as a crucial instrument in the ways we seek to cultivate reverence, resistance, and repair; now and in the decades to come.

We are going to launch this campaign at the end of October. We will run the campaign at the same time we are doing our annual giving campaign.

We believe that you can feel the power of what is and the promise of what will be.

Please pray for this ministry and for the world we serve.

We are Growing our Future.  

Pastor Elizabeth

—

We give thanks for the following people who are serving in leadership roles for the capital campaign.

Rev. Elizabeth Macaulay, Rev. Christy Key, Rev. Kathi Austin Mahle (chair), Steve Mahle (chair), Anna Horning Nygren (chair), Jon Nygren (chair), Barbara Carlson Gage (honorary chair), Marilyn Carlson Nelson (honorary chair), Jack Fistler, Fiona McNeil, Carly Swenson, Lynne Carroll, Ginger Sisco, Chrissy Dahlheimer, Margie Oleson, Tom Arneson, Sally Messner, Cindy McCalmont, Thor Mickelson, Céleste Douville, and John Laster

—

2026 Capital Campaign FAQ's

Music for Youth and Children at HAUMC

New this year—the Hennepin Youth Music Ensemble! Open to youth in middle school and high school, we will meet weekly to learn music for engaging and leading worship at various times throughout the year. We are excited to learn compelling and challenging music, beginning with singing and branching out to other instruments as there is interest.

The Youth Music Ensemble will rehearse nearly every Sunday beginning October 4th between worship and confirmation (about 11-11:25) in the Church of Youth. At 11:25, we'll join the brunch line, and confirmation students can take their food back to the confirmation room. 

And we welcome back Joyful Noise—our music program for kids in elementary school! Children will learn music for singing, handbells, and Orff instruments (xylophones, percussion, etc) to lead in worship throughout the year. Joyful Noise will rehearse nearly every Sunday beginning October 4th after worship (11-11:30) in the choir room. 

Encourage your kids to participate in these programs. Singing and playing music in an ensemble produces endorphins and fosters community. The more of us there are, the more fun we'll have and the more we can do together! Contact Sally@haumc.org with questions.

If you know Juanita Reed-Boniface, her feature in this book won't come as a surprise.

A dedicated member of American National Cattle Women, Minnesota Cattle Women and MLBA Hall of Fame inductee, Juanita grew up as a fourth-generation cattle producer and went on to spend a lifetime advocating for ag education through 4-H, Agriculture in the Classroom, and volunteer leadership. Her story sits alongside several other trailblazing women in the beef and dairy sectors across the country. Read more here.

After three weeks in the hospital, Keith Sjöquist is home! Would you be able to help Keith and Nancy by either: 1) providing a meal or 2) staying with Keith so Nancy can attend AAUW meetings on Mondays?

If you can help with a meal, please sign up with this Meal Train link. If you can help by staying with Keith on a Monday, please contact Brenna Healy, our Parish Nurse, at brenna@haumc.org.

We are joined by two amazing authors next month!

Find more details below about each event and how to register!

Living the Questions: Intergenerational Faith Forums | 11:30am-12:30pm | Art Gallery **NEW**

Enjoy lectures and engaging discussions about history and contemporary themes related to progressive Christianity.

Sep 20: Methodism 101 | The Roots and Evolution of Methodism w/ Rev. Christy Key

Centering Prayer | 11:30am-12:30pm | Border Chapel **NEW**

Led by Bob Williams, Rev. Christy Key, and Rev. Cindy McCalmont, Centering Prayer is a method of Christian prayer that emphasizes resting in God's presence. In this six-week class, Bob, Christy, and Cindy will talk about the history of Centering Prayer, share what it has meant in their lives, and then provide ample opportunity for the group to pray and discuss.

Writing Faith in Action w/ Larry Webb | 6:15-8pm | Room 106 **NEW**

Are you a writer and passionate about the power of writing? Then join this small gathering of other writers as we explore how we can express human values and faith through our fiction. To reserve a spot or for more information, please contact Larry Webb at writersat511@gmail.com. Please note that space for this group is limited and reserving a spot is required.

The Art of Building Community | 12-1:30pm | Dignity Center **NEW**

Meet with guests from the Dignity Center and share a home cooked lunch, followed by an art project led by a local artist. Help us build a compassionate community through art and shared experiences! To RSVP, email Brenna Healy.

This series has been made possible with a grant from Minnesota Annual Conference.

New Member Class | Sunday, October 11 | 11:15am-12:15pm | Longfellow Room

Are you new to Hennepin or thinking about becoming a member? Join Pastor Elizabeth and Pastor Christy to learn more about membership at Hennepin Ave UMC! This gathering is an opportunity for anyone interested in learning more about our community, ministries, outreach efforts, or making Hennepin your spiritual home. You will receive details on all the ways you can get involved, as well as have opportunities to get to know our clergy and ask questions. Should you desire to join the church, we will welcome you formally as a member during worship a few weeks later.

Monthly Book Club | Thursday, October 15 | 7-8pm | Zoom

Do you enjoy reading? Join our monthly book club! Books can be read through local libraries or found on inexpensive websites like thriftbooks.com. All are welcome—invite your reading friends! To get on the mailing list, please contact Jane Mylrea.

October Book: The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett

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

• Phillip Duffy
• Judy Sranmark
• Keith Sjoquist
• Mother of James Leavens
• Terra Anderson and her father, Cory 
• Kadie Kinsler
• Donald Turner
• Ross DePriest
• Randy Minyard and daughter
• Sergei Gulika
• Vada Bean
• Ksenia Zubairova 
• Diana Kate Scherbert
• Recovering from surgery: Nancy Holmbeck
• Hospitalization: Dickens Deutsch, Karen Knutson

• Treatment for cancer: Kristin Shardlow, Janet Jacobs, Michael Sampica, Sarah Shapiro, Ephim, Scott Fredrickson, Marla Tipping, Rev. David Wheeler
• Recovery from cancer: Svetlana Gulika
• For the families of those who have died: family and friends of Jenna Papke; Karen Lundholm on the death of her husband, Nicholas; Stephen and Tamara on the death of Stephen’s father, Gene
• Protection from deportation, especially Afghan and Haitian refugees
• For victims of gun violence

What We Learned Last Sunday

It was Kick-Off Sunday!

We talked in Children's Time about how everyone matters to God. Afterwards, we re-started our ritual of large group time in the Chapel where Nurse Brenna led us in some singing, we had a short story and then we headed to our classrooms. Our after worship party was super fun, too! It was great to see everyone enjoy our amazing weather, food, and ice cream!

Coming Up This Sunday

September 20: Learning & Fun

We'll talk about the Creation Story(ies) in Hennepin Kids. Club 67 and Youth will meet with Sally Messner to learn about the flow of worship in the United Methodist Church. (Yes, there is a reason that most things happen in worship!) They'll use their new wisdom to help plan the Blessing of the Animals service on September 27.