Archive for news
April 2020
Dear Minnesota United Methodist Builders and Friends,
“Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
For every one who asks, receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”
– Matthew 7:7-8
Every spring and fall, the Board of Directors of the Minnesota United Methodist Builders reviews applications and selects one project in the Minnesota Conference to be the recipient of our Call grant. We are very pleased to announce that the 2020 Spring Call is in support of Richfield United Methodist Church addressing their need to provide security for two external doors and one internal door in their building.
Richfield UMC operates an early learning center, serving children from infancy through pre-school age.
Their goal is to have the ELC remain open throughout this Covid-19 situation to provide quality childcare for families with essential workers. In addition to many community activities usually hosted either in their building or outside on their parking lot, the congregation operates the God’s Hands Thrift Store that provides clothing, housewares, and other resources for people in their community. That means secure building access is especially crucial now, as well as later, when they are able to return to their 7-day per week schedule of families, members, and user groups in and out of the building.
At Richfield UMC, this situation is complicated by exterior doors not being visible from the church’s offices. So, the congregation has decided to install keypad entry on their doors to provide both security for children in the early learning center, but also to more efficiently respond to those knocking “in need.”
This MnUMB Call will provide building safety, as people in both the Richfield church and their surrounding community ask, seek, and knock for assistance, guidance, counsel, and celebration in Jesus’ name. The enclosed brochure describes in more detail both the mission and ministry of Richfield UMC and how this security system will provide the assurance of safety as the congregation continues to be in ministry in their community.
To support Richfield UMC for the 2020 Spring Call, you may send your check in the enclosed envelope, making the check payable to the Minnesota United Methodist Builders (MnUMB), with “2020 Spring Call” noted on your check. On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Minnesota United Methodist Builders, I invite you to be part of this important request.
Blessings,
Rev. Larry W. Mens
Field Director
October 2019
Dear Minnesota United Methodist Builders and Friends,
“I am the vine, you are the branches.
He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit.
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will,
and it shall be done for you.
By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit,
and so prove to be my disciples.”
– John 15:5, 7-8
Every spring and fall, the Board of Directors of the Minnesota United Methodist Builders reviews applications and selects one project in the Minnesota Conference to be the recipient of our Call grant. We are very pleased to announce that the 2019 Fall Call is in support of the Hutchinson Vineyard United Methodist Church to address their need to enhance the sound and video system in their sanctuary as part of the exciting “relaunch” of their congregation.
After consultation with their District Superintendent and the Conference Director of New Church Development, Vineyard UMC began a process in May to “risk boldly to reach new people” in their community through personal and programmatic outreach into their community and by re-creating their building and worship experience to be more welcoming so those new visitors will return (they have already doubled their average worship attendance though this process). This MnUMB Call will provide one more “root” of support for the Vineyard UMC members who are the Christ-centered branches that have already begun to bear even more fruit.
The enclosed brochure describes in more detail both the mission and ministry of Hutchinson Vineyard UMC and how this sound and video system will help visitors to their church become repeat visitors.
You may send your check in the enclosed envelope to support Hutchinson Vineyard UMC, making it payable to the Minnesota United Methodist Builders (MnUMB) and noting on it “2019 Fall Call”.
On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Minnesota United Methodist Builders, I invite you to be part of this important 2019 Fall Call request.
Blessings,
Rev. Larry W. Mens,
Field Director
Columbia Heights, MN
November 2018
Dear Minnesota United Methodist Builders and Friends,
“You are the light of the world.
A city set on a hill cannot be hid.
Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
Let your light so shine before all people, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
– Matthew 5:14-16
Every spring and fall, the Board of Directors of the Minnesota United Methodist Builders reviews applications and selects one project in the Minnesota Conference to be the recipient of our Call grant. We are very pleased to announce that the 2018 Fall Call grant is in support of the Glenwood United Parish and their need to remove the black mold from the entire lower level of their building, including their Sunday School classrooms so that they are usable again.
This Glenwood United Parish building has stood on a hill overlooking the town of Glenwood and Lake Minnewaska since 1977. Their Healthy Church Initiative process called for a major rehabilitation of the building and parking lot to make it more welcoming for potential new members and usable for outreach ministries in their community. The 2018 Fall Call will be step one in helping Glenwood United Parish truly shine God’s light from their hill throughout their community, calling everyone to both share in God’s love and be served by God’s people.
The enclosed brochure for the 2018 Fall Call describes in more detail both the mission and ministry of Glenwood United Parish and their plans to both remove the black mold in their lower level and their commitment to an entire church facility rehabilitation project.
You may send your check in the enclosed envelope to support Glenwood United Parish. Please make your check payable to the Minnesota United Methodist Builders, noting on it 2018 Fall Call. You may also donate online by visiting our website at https://MnUMB.org.
On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Minnesota United Methodist Builders, I invite you to be part of this 2018 Fall Call request.
Blessings,
Rev. Larry W. Mens, Field Director
Minnesota United Methodist Builders • 122 West Franklin Avenue, Room 400 • Minneapolis, Minnesota 55404 • (860) 306-2625 • www.mnumb.org
May 2018
Dear Minnesota United Methodist Builders and Friends,
“Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.”
– Psalm 90:1
Every spring and fall, the Board of Directors of the Minnesota United Methodist Builders reviews applications and selects one project in the Minnesota Conference to be the recipient of our Call grant. We are very pleased to announce that the 2018 Spring Call grant is in support of Cannon Falls Christ United Methodist Church and their need to upgrade their entrance foyer to be more welcoming to new families entering the church for the first time, as well as for the after worship fellowship, Bible study, and meetings that take place there.
Christ UMC has stood on the road between Randoph, where the congregation had been worshiping, and Cannon Falls, since the new building was constructed in 2002. After that time they have been able to create new classroom space and upgrade their childcare and nursery areas. Now Christ Church is asking for our support as they continue to enhance the foyer of their facility, before they begin a new capital campaign to build an educational wing onto their sanctuary.
The enclosed brochure for the 2018 Spring Call describes in more detail both the mission and ministry of Cannon Falls Christ UMC and their plans for the rehab of their foyer area.
You may send your check in the enclosed envelope to help Cannon Falls Christ UMC be the “dwelling place” for all the generations in their part of Minnesota. Please make checks payable to the Minnesota United Methodist Builders, noting “2018 Spring Call.” You may also donate online by visiting our website at https://MnUMB.org.
On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Minnesota United Methodist Builders, I invite you to be part of this 2018 Spring Call request.
Blessings,
Rev. Larry W. Mens, Field Director
Dear Minnesota United Methodist Builders and Friends,
“Lord, when did we see thee hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison,
and did not minister to thee?”
Then he will answer them,
“Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.”
– Matthew 25:44-45
Every spring and fall, the Board of Directors of the Minnesota United Methodist Builders reviews applications and selects one project to be the recipient of our Call grant.
We are very pleased to announce that the 2017 Fall Call grant is in support of Mankato Centenary United Methodist Church and their immediate need for
a new freezer before they begin a complete kitchen remodeling next spring to both bring their kitchen up to code, but also to feed the many who are hungry and cometo their building every morning, six days a week for a meal, a shower, usage of a phone, and fellowship with the many volunteers who serve breakfast through their Holy Grounds outreach program.
The Centenary UMC building has stood on the same corner in Mankato since 1853, calling their city to worship and reaching out to those in need throughout their community.
The enclosed brochure for the 2017 Fall Call describes in more detail both the mission and ministry of Centenary Church and their Holy Grounds outreach program that serves between 50 and 110 people daily, six mornings each week, in coordination with many other social service agencies and programs in their city.
You may send your check in the enclosed envelope to help Mankato Centenary UMC be the “home” for so many who are strangers or are ill, who hunger or thirst. Please make checks payable to the Minnesota United Methodist Builders, noting “2017 Fall Call”. You may also donate online by visiting our website at https://MnUMB.org.
On behalf of the Board of Directors of the MnUMB, I invite you to be part of this Fall Call request.
Blessings,
Rev. Larry W. Mens
Dear Minnesota United Methodist Builders and Friends,
For every house is built by some one, but the builder of all things is God.
And we are his house if we hold fast to our confidence and pride in our hope.
– Hebrews 5:4, 6b
Every spring and fall, the Board of Directors of the Minnesota United Methodist Builders reviews applications and selects one project to be the recipient of our Call grant. We are very pleased to announce that the 2017 Spring Call grant is in support of Peace United Methodist Church of Richfield and their plans for the installation of a new rooftop heating unit that will bring all-season comfort directly to their building’s lower level and radiate upward to support 
seasonal comfort to their sanctuary, nursery, and common areas.
The Church of Peace was built on the Richfield and Edina borders and was dedicated in 1958. Additions were made to the building in 1961 and 1989 to accommodate the needs of the growing congregation. This Call will help support the comfort of the congregation as they worship and carry out their ministries in the community. Even more importantly, it will also greatly assist the Christian values-focused daycare center housed within their building that also provides after-school supervision for grade-schoolers whose parents are working when those children get out of school.
The enclosed brochure for the 2017 Spring Call describes in more detail both the mission and ministry of the Church of Peace, but also the hope of their members to be even more effective builders with God in their missional outreach to the changing needs of the community surrounding their church facility.
You may send your check in the enclosed envelope to help the Church of Peace in Richfield be the house of God in word and deed in their community. Please make checks payable to the Minnesota United Methodist Builders, noting “2016 Spring Call”. You may also donate online by visiting our website at https://MnUMB.org.
On behalf of the Board of Directors of the MnUMB, I invite you to be part of this Spring Call request.
Blessings,
Rev. Larry W. Mens
Field Director
Olivet United Methodist Church
Robbinsdale, MN
A Church Serving Old & Young
Olivet UMC is totally handicap accessible and serves the numerous senior citizens living in the surrounding neighborhood apartment buildings. Organized meals for seniors provide a social gathering in addition to nutrition.
For over 30 years Olivet has also housed a non-pro t daycare center for 3-6 year olds, who play across the street in Sanborn Park. The congregation gives leadership to this ministry by serving on their Board of Directors.
A History of Mission Together
Olivet United Methodist Church has a history of mission together dating back to their beginning when they formed in 1946 from a mission of the Evangelical United Brethren denomination. In 1951 they moved into the new church on their present site, merged with Hope EUB in the late ‘50’s and added a new sanctuary, nursery, of ces and other facilities to the building in 1962. Today Olivet UMC often utilizes their building 24/7 by also providing worship space for two other congregations, including a UMC Hmong ministry outreach. Olivet UMC is also an of cial Methodist Historical Site.
Unfortunately, the original boiler pumps installed in the 1962 addition are giving out. As replacement parts no longer exist, major plumbing changes are also required.
To make matters worse, the small water heater servicing the day care center and Sunday coffee hour is leaking and needs replacing.
As if these repairs weren’t enough, someone nally ventured onto the roof to check out the four wooden pillars for the church spire. Having found rotting wood, Olivet would like to repair these pillars so the vision of the spire seen around the neighborhood and from
the nearby North Memorial Hospital continues to offer hope to those who gaze upon it.
WHAT IS NEEDED
Boiler pumps for warm air
Replacement of two boiler circulating pumps and required major plumbing changes: $7,600
Small water heater for warm water
Replace water heater utilizing current plumbing and space: $800
Repair pillars for spire vision
Replace wooden pillars, repair & paint spire base: $4,000
Creating a Community at Church that Kids Can Call Their Own!
Community United Methodist Church is a rapidly growing church in the I-94 corridor between Minneapolis and St. Cloud that strives to provide uplifting spiritual opportunities for people of all ages. At least 452 households live within a half-mile of the church, and 292 additional apartment units are set to open nearby this summer. For families in that area, CUMC’s small playground is the only one in the neighborhood.
Currently, more than 30 children regularly attend Sunday School at CUMC, and the church welcomes more than 100 each summer for Vacation Bible School. Its playground is well-used, but to fully serve the need, the church wants to upgrade and add to its playground equipment.
CUMC believes that a safe place to play is fundamental for the development of healthy children. By providing a proper playground, congregants are showing children that church can be a safe and fun place to be. They hope this will open doors to all the other wonderful things the church has to offer.
Vacation Bible School at CUMC
supports the community by offering fellowship
to more than 100 children each summer.
Where We Have Been
Community United Methodist Church was founded in Monticello in 1855. Our church has a long history of service, including helping to shelter freed slaves as part of the underground railroad and feeding lunches to U.S. Army Aircorp glider pilots being trained during World War II. In June 2000, our congregation moved to a new location, southeast of downtown on a hill that is the highest point in Wright County.
We have always been proud of our church and its continued tradition of helping and serving those in need. Many people in Monticello have said that if you want some help or you want something done, “Call the Methodists.”
CUMC wants to expand and
enhance its small playground.
Where We Are Now
CUMC houses a Christian preschool serving almost 100 children weekly. Our church provides a Wednesday night community supper (free-will offering), which draws people from throughout the community.
We also organize volunteers for the Help Center, Food Shelf, Meals on Wheels, Feed My Starving Children, and nursing home birthday parties. As part of a unique program, members of the congregation act as greeters and hall monitors at the local middle school. Annual CUMC sends groups of adults and youth on mission trips throughout the country to help others and to build better relationships with Christ.
The Spring Call proceeds will help CUMC
build inviting spaces where
children can have fun as they grow.
Where We Want To Go
As our congregation grows and we serve more people from the community, our playground needs to provide additional safe and inviting areas where children and teens can play and make positive memories.
CUMC is committed to creating special spaces that will ignite the interests of children from toddler to high school and encourage them and their parents to join us.
This summer we plan to purchase and install new outdoor playground equipment for children who currently come to your church and those living in the surrounding community.
Our congregation has pledged to match the funds raised through this Spring Call, but we need your help to make this vision become reality!
Please help us provide new playground equipment
for our church and community.
Thanks much!!
Larry