March 6, 2025 | Weekly Newsletter

Dear Kin in Christ -

We are commencing the season of Lent.

Lent is a time when followers of Jesus are deeply intentional about moving with Jesus toward Jerusalem. The geography of the Jesus journey embodies the spiritual journey of Jesus.

Prior to his death on a cross, Jesus heals, prays, teaches and pours himself out into those around him. He is near desperate for them to understand the power of love. Jesus did not teach smarmy love. Jesus taught love lived in community - the kind of love that kneels at the feet of the world and offers food for the hungry, housing for the shivering and welcome to the outcast.

Are we who are alive during this time moving toward Jerusalem with Jesus? One might wonder.

Are we living in a time and in a nation seemingly bent upon denigrating mercy? Is kneeling at the feet of our friends through the outreach of medical and food supports, humane treatment of refugees and commitment to bending the arc of injustice toward full inclusion of all; is that vision of a biblically-based love ethic Gethsemane bound?

This Lent, we feel the grit of the Jerusalem road in a visceral way. This Jesus story is no long-ago tale. The Jesus story is now.

I pray you will join us on the journey. There is a Lenten devotional for daily reflection. We are offering many new small groups reading The Message of Jesus by Adam Hamilton. Worship will feature the words of Jesus and the solidarity we share in remembering that the road we are now walking was trod by the Word of God made flesh in Jesus the Christ.

We are walking the road together. We are in the company of Jesus.

The brutality of the cross is real.  

So too is the irrepressible power of resurrection. 

This power we live; together.

Pastor Elizabeth

Standing For Justice

Hennepin Avenue UMC at the Rally for Trans Youth

On Monday, March 3, members of Hennepin Avenue UMC joined faith leaders, advocates, and community members at the Minnesota State Capitol to stand in solidarity with transgender youth and affirm their dignity and right to belong. The gathering was held in response to HF 12, a bill that sought to prohibit transgender youth from participating in sports teams that align with their gender identity... Read More.

Click the image above to watch Pastor Elizabeth's prayer at the Capitol.

Read, Reflect, and Grow in a LYFE Group

The Message of Jesus by Rev. Adam Hamilton

Are you ready to dive deeper into the teachings of Jesus? This Lent, we invite you to join a LYFE group as we read and discuss Adam Hamilton’s latest book, The Message of Jesus: Words That Changed the World. This six-week study will explore some of Jesus’s most powerful teachings—his vision for the Kingdom of God, the Sermon on the Mount, the parables, and more. Together, we’ll reflect on what these words meant in Jesus’s time and what... Read More and Join a Group!

Walk the Labyrinth During Lent As a Spiritual Practice

Saturdays | March 8, 22, 29; April 5, 12 | 11am–3pm | Koinonia Hall

This Lent, embrace a sacred opportunity for prayer and contemplation. Walking the labyrinth is an ancient practice that invites us to slow down, release distractions, and attune our hearts to God’s presence. When we explore our lives as labyrinths of meaning, we deepen our experience.

"The labyrinth is an analogy for life. It is not a maze or a puzzle to be solved but... Read More.

Circle of Support: Finding Strength in Uncertain Times

Second and Fourth Sundays of the Month | 9am | Room 106

Beginning Sunday, March 9, Sandee Koch, a licensed psychologist, will facilitate a Circle of Support for anyone asking the question: “How do I support myself and others during this time of political upheaval?”

This ongoing group will meet in Room 106 from 9–10am on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month. Join Sandee for reflection and renewal.

Lent Visits from the Care Team

The HAUMC Care Team will be visiting homebound members during Lent.

Do you know of someone who should be added to the list? If so, please contact Reverend Cindy McCalmont at: cindy@haumc.org.

Grinnell Singers in Concert

Sunday, March 9th at 4pm in the Sanctuary

The Grinnell Singers from Grinell College perform music from a wide variety of traditions and locales, building music through community and building community through music.

The Grinnell Singers present “The Light is the Same,” a concert centered around selections from This Love Between Us by Indian American composer Reena Esmail... Read More and View Event.

Rise and Repair Rally with the Creation Collective

Sunday, March 12 at the State Capitol

Looking to take action for climate justice?  The Creation Collective invites you to sign up for Rise and Repair Rally Day at the State Capitol March 12.  Our state legislators need to hear our voices.  Rise & Repair Lobby + Rally Day Wednesday March 12, 2025!  #RiseAndRepair  #MNLeg   #ProtectWildRice  #Defend100Percent

Register at RiseAndRepair.org/rally.

Beyond Words: A Commitment to Truth & Repair

Join in Crafting a Land Acknowledgment Statement

Hennepin’s Racial Justice Team and Creation Collective are collaborating to develop a congregational land acknowledgment and invite you into this meaningful, long-term journey. More than just words, this project is a commitment to relationship-building, truth-telling, and reparative action with Indigenous communities in Minnesota. As we acknowledge that our congregation exists on land taken from the Dakota people, we must also recognize the ways we have benefited from that history. Read More.

This Week in Hennepin History

Written by Phil Wala

1995 (March 5): Rev. Martha Postlethwaite was an associate minister at Hennepin Church from 1987 to 1992. She later became chaplain at United Theological Seminary, and pastor at Recovery Church in St. Paul. She returned to preach at Hennepin on March 5, 1995, which was the first Sunday of Lent, the first Sunday of Women’s History Month, and also “Women in the Pulpit Day.” Her topic was “Nameless Women.” Listen to her message and see the rest of the history.

Old School's March Picks

Check Out These Thrift-able Treasures!

Our favorite old-school thrift store is back with fresh March looks, and we’re loving their vintage vibes! As a beloved community partner, they’ve been keeping us stylish for years, and we highly respect their fashion wisdom. From classics to bold statement pieces, their latest finds are a must-see. Check out their curated picks and get inspired—who knows, your next favorite outfit might be waiting! View the thrift-able treasures here.

World Changing Words

Hennepin Avenue UMC Lenten Devotional Now Available

The Hennepin Avenue UMC Lenten Devotional is now available! As we enter into the season of Lent, we also enter into a time of reflection. We seek to explore the World Changing Words of Jesus. Follow along in the devotional for art, poetry, reflections, and more.

Pick one up at the church or follow along using the online version here.

Thank you to the Hennepin Avenue UMC Worship & Arts team for their help curating the devotionals. Cover Artwork: “Jesus of the People” Copyright 1999 Janet McKenzie, artist.

What We Learned Last Sunday

Service Sunday and Communion!

Gosh we had fun last week! So many friends were able to come that we haven’t seen in a while! We all worked together to create 50 hygiene kits for the Dignity Center. When I took them over to the Dignity Center on Monday, several people were thrilled to have one the minute I walked in the door! We also worked together to complete several tie blankets that will also go to the Dignity Center to help keep our neighbors warm. Older kits cut the strips on the ends, and younger kids did the tying! And somehow we even fit in a special time of communion with the rest of our Hennepin family!

We opened up a NEW CLASS for our preschool/preK friends on Sunday, too! They will now be meeting together in room 103 after Children’s Time. Their class will consist of a group circle time where they will learn one another’s names and use a feelings chart to share how they are feeling that morning. This will be followed by a story and then plenty of free play and optional activity time. We are thrilled to have Judy Tucker as one of our anchor teachers for this class. If you are interested in sharing some of your time with this group of amazing kiddos, please reach out to me (lynne@haumc.org)! It’s a great way to become a special, trusted adult in the lives of our Hennepin Kids!

Coming Up This Sunday

Learning, Fun & PJ’S! It’s Daylight Savings - Spring Forward!

To lessen the struggle to get out the door, let’s all wear our PJ’s for Sunday School. Miss Lynne will definitely be wearing pj pants, slippers, and her favorite Hennepin Kids t-shirt! Our lesson will be about the Prodigal Son, and we will tell the story as a group using an Instant Bible Drama. Can’t wait to see you!

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Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church www.haumc.org