In 2012, lightning struck the Walker UMC building, causing it to burn to the ground. United Methodist individuals and congregations, in addition to the Minnesota United Methodist Builders, stepped forward to support this critical ministry serving a very diverse, transitional community in south Minneapolis.
For two years, the Walker congregation worshipped in community spaces, purchasing a portable sound system to use until their new building was completed. At that time Walker’s dream called for a state-of-the art sound system to be installed in the sanctuary. Recognizing that such a system was just too expensive for the construction budget, the congregation voted to only install the conduit runs – and kept using their small, portable sound system.
However, the portal system is extremely inadequate for the current sanctuary and community needs. Funding a new sound system for Sunday Celebration, led by over a dozen musicians and singers; community meetings; and neighborhood dances, concerts, and recitals will greatly benefit both the congregation and the rental options by the community. Additionally, the portable sound system will still get used in the dining area/coffee house space where a free meal is offered to people in the community every Wednesday night (in fact, students benefiting from the Fall Call at the Wesley Foundation Center serve meals at Walker one Wednesday every month).
The monies raised through this Call will bring the gift of full sound back to Walker UMC:
- Speakers that will work with both voice amplification and a variety of musical styles will be installed;
- A digital control board for ease of use by many different community groups will be added;
- Wireless microphones will be connected so the modular space can be set up in a variety of ways;
- Assisted listening devices will be fully functional;
- Speakers will be installed in the foyer and in the street-level conference room (child-care space).
Members of the Walker congregation will provide the labor to install this new sound system. But we need your help also!! Music and performance are a vital part of the Walker worship experience and integral to the cultural groups residing around the church.
Support Walker Church’s mission to “nurture spirituality, build caring community, and work courageously for peace with justice and mercy” by contributing to the 2015 Spring Call.
To make a donation toward a quality sound system for use by both the Walker UMC congregation and groups they reach out to support within their community, simply click below, or send your check to Minnesota United Methodist Builders (MnUMB), 122 Franklin Avenue, # 400, Minneapolis, MN 55404. Please note on your check “Spring Call 2015”. Thank you.