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.

Wesley at the University of Minnesota is a restarted United Methodist campus ministry in its 4th year.  As one of the approximately 200 full-time Wesley Foundations, they minister to the third largest students body in the U. S.  Students are at an age of major personal development, and their focus on them now builds church leadership for the future.  The foundation is pastor led, student run, with the oversight of a Board of Directors.  The Foundation maintains physical space across the street from the campus.  The gathering space and pastor’s office allow them to welcome students from all faith background and provide an open environment for inclusive community.  In addition to Sunday night worship, students have an opportunity to engage with questions of faith be active in service and social justice work.  They practice radical hospitality through community dinners, book and Bible studies, and mission trips.

The ministry moved into a larger space in their building to welcome more students – and discovered that the new space while much more welcoming was far too cold to be hospitable.  The current radiator is at the end of the line in their rented space.  But you can help!  They plan to increase the warmth – and the warmth of their hospitality be installing a gas insert to keep the space comfortably warm during the long and cold winter months.  It will offer an inviting, homey gathering space for campus ministry year-round, and bonding by the fire will become a cherished part of life at Wesley.  You can help!  Wesley Foundation has been designated as the 2014 fall call.  To make a donation, simply click below, or send your check to Metro West Builders, 122 Franklin Ave  #400 55404.  Note on your check ‘Fall Call 2014’.  Don’t miss this opportunity to provide warm welcoming space for future United Methodist leaders!

This year’s annual celebration and dinner was held in junction with the annual meeting on October 19th at Prairie Church in Eden Prairie.  The Jumpin’ Jehosafats got us off to a rousing start.  The theme of the evening was ‘Let’s Connect’.  Cindy Gregorson, Conference Council Director led a panel of pastors in a discussion of ‘Innovative Community Ministries’.  Rev Rachel Morey told the story of Mosaic’s beginning and their partnership with Brooklyn Park to build a homeless shelter for youth.  She also updated us on the work of the Center for Servant Ministries at Simpson UMC.  Rev. Gloria Roach Thomas of Camphor Church spoke of their church’s focus on health and wellness ministries, particularly in the area of diabetes prevention and Alzheimer’s care.  Rev. Sarah Lawton of Northeast United Methodist Church described their community garden and how it is impacting their community and transforming their church.

For 126 years, the Metro West Builders and its predecessor organizations have been in a ministry of resourcing new and existing churches. A part of that legacy was the new church development fund. It was a designated fund that gave dollars to new church starts for land and buildings. Because the Builders works closely with the Annual Conference in all decisions about the new church start grants, a decision was made to entrust that legacy of funds to the Minnesota Annual Conference in their work in starting new churches. At the annual conference session in June of 2014, the Metro West Builders made a gift of $200,000 to the ‘Reach, Renew, Rejoice’ campaign, which will launch a congregational development initiative to start new churches and grow existing churches. Bishop Bruce Ought observed, “It is first and for most a spiritual renewal movement.” It is a privilege to be a part of what God is doing in and through the Minnesota Annual Conference.

Spirit River UMC is first church in the Minnesota Annual Conference to be officially chartered, and you had a pivotal role in making that happen.  Spirit River was the recipient of a $250,000 grant from our new church development fund to purchase a former events center in Isanti.  Through their vision and hard work, it has come to house a congregation that is growing!  They will hold their Chartering Service on May 18 at 10am.  When a congregation reaches enough worship attendance, it moves from being a new church start to a chartered congregation.  Spirit River UMC address is:  1320 County Road 5 NE, Isanti, MN 55040.  Come and celebrate with them!

Walker Community Church has ‘risen from the ashes’ of the fire that burned their building.  The MW Builders and our partner donors contributed the largest amount ever for a call, over $27,000, which was matched by a donor 10-1, for a total of over $270,000.  They will hold their grand opening service on April 13 at 10am.  On April 15 at 5:30 a free community meal will be served, followed by a town hall meeting with Bishop Bruce Ough at 7:00pm.  On April 17, the first Passover Seder will be held in the new building, and on April 20, Easter Sunday Sunrise services will be held at 6:15am at Powerhorn Park, followed by breakfast at the church from 8-10am.  Easter worship will be held at 10am.  On April 25, the first Walker musical will be held in the new sanctuary at 7:00pm.  Walker Community UMC address is:  3104 16th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55407.  Come and celebrate with them!

Discovery United Methodist Church is bursting at the seams.  As the Chanhassen congregation reaches out to the families and children of their community, they have run out of space in their gathering area and nursery.

Discovery was selected to be a part of the Heatlhy Church Initiative process of the Minnesota Annual Conference.  As a result of their process of self and community study, and visits by ‘mystery’ worship visitors, two recommendations were made.

The first recommendation would take down walls to create a large gathering space where the library and narthex were located in order to provide a warm, welcoming and friendly space to welcome visitors and build community.

The second recommendation is to upgrade the nursery to provide age-appropriate, separate spaces for infants and toddlers and designate a private space for mothers to nurser their children.

Making these changes will enable Discovery to more fully offer Christ to all who set foot inside their doors. You can be a part of these exciting changes which will enable Discovery to more effectively reach their community.  They have been designated as the 2014 ‘Spring Call’.  To make a donation, send your check to Metro West Builders, 122 W. Franklin Ave.  #400  55404.  Note on your check ‘Spring Call 2014’.  Be a part of what God is doing through DIscovery United Methodist Church!

The Metro West Builders held their annual Celebration and Dinner at the newly opened Walker United Methodist Church in Minneapolis.  The new church building, which replaced the former building burned by fire, was funded, in part, by donations from the Metro West Builders.  Over $27.000 was raised, which was matched by an anonymous donor, for a total of $270,000.  The program was opened by the ‘Joyful Noize’ singers of Park Avenue United Methodist Church Rev. Judy Zabel, Twin Cities Superintendent, spoke on ‘Building For a New Day’, challenging us to move into the future by following the dreams that God places on our hearts.  And a taco fiesta was served by La Puerta Abierta. A check was presented to Simpson United Methodist Church, recipient of the Fall 2013 Call, for $9075.  Discovery United Methodist Church, recipient of the Spring 2014, shared how the renovation of their building would help them provide open space to better serve the children and families in their community of Chanhassen.

“Meet” our new Board of Directors elected at our 2013 Annual Meeting
You can learn more about our Board Members HERE.

First Row: Becky Jo Messenbrink, Phil Griffin, Julia Philips, Karen Andrew
Second Row: Judy Zabel, TC District Superintendent, Phil Worrell, Marilyn Christiansen, Steve Adams, Ginger Sisco, Margaret Osborne, Carol Nemitz, Eric Hyde