Appalachia Service Project
Each summer our high school students and adult chaperones spend a week in Appalachia to help make homes safer, warmer and drier while getting to know the locals and their culture. You do not have to be a member of CUMC or have previous construction experience to participate.
For more information about the ASP Organization visit:
https://asphome.org/
Contact PastorKirkland@cumethodist.com
Hopeful EarthKeepers
Hopeful EarthKeepers are the environmental activists of the United Methodist Church. They are called by their faith to care for all of God’s creation. They work with the larger UMC Creation Care Movement to welcome a more just and sustainable world.
Members of CUMC EarthKeepers
joined with others around the state of Minnesota this past spring and summer to contact Legislators advocating for passage of a bonding bill for water infrastructure. Excerpts following are from a letter from Isaiah Friesen, Environmental Justice Organizer - Minnesota Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church we received the beginning of November.
We have a huge win to celebrate! On October 15 the Minnesota Legislature passed a bonding bill that included more than $302 million for water infrastructure! This is such good news. This means cleaner water across our state. It means limited resources in local communities doesn’t result in poor water quality. It means good jobs in a pandemic economy. And it is a testament to how to take faith-filled action together to move the needle. . . .
. . . Our advocacy as a part of the wide coalition and multiplicity of voices shining a light on this issue over this year meant our legislators knew we were watching and knew this was critical. The fact that the water infrastructure piece of bonding came through with near to full funding is testament to that. Together we give thanks for the sacred gift of water that unites, cleanses, and empowers us!
Racial Justice Committee
Christ United Methodist Church is committed to racial justice
Our Racial Justice Committee offers classes, events, and groups which seek to provide education and create an anti-racist environment.
Saturday Noon Meals
The Saturday Noon Meals (SNMs) program began in 1994 and has been providing a warm meal to individuals each Saturday for the past 26 years. This ministry program is sponsored by Christ United Methodist Church and has been supported by numerous volunteers from CUMC, community churches, organizations and families.
The SNMs program has continued to serve meals throughout the 2020 pandemic. In March we began serving hot individual boxed meals to the Mayo Civic Center and in August transitioned to delivering meals to the Salvation Army for the Saturday noon meal. As of November 7, 2020, we began delivering meals to The Landing at the refurbished Silver Lake Fire Station. The Landing is hosting a day program at their current site in NW Rochester for the homeless and those in need. We have delivered over 2,000 meals since March 21, 2020!
CUMC and the SNMs program was a recipient of a grant from the TOGETHER Greater Rochester Area COVID-19 Community Support Fund in May 2020. This community fund was created to support Rochester area nonprofits who have experienced unforeseen challenges due to the ongoing pandemic and who serve our region’s most vulnerable communities.
We sincerely appreciate our community partners who have provide food support during the pandemic:
· Channel One
· People’s Food Co-op
· Thrive Childcare and Family Resource Center
· Squash Blossom Farm Bakery
· Haven Valley Farm
We have been required to reduce the number of SNMs volunteers throughout the pandemic and look forward to seeing all of our volunteers and serving our meal from Wesley Hall at Christ United Methodist Church in the future.
Please contact Kathy and Phil Lombardo at 507-398-2686 or Kathryn.lombardo@gmail.com if you have questions of how you can support the SNMs program at this time.
Thank you for your tremendous support of the Saturday Noon Meals program!
Thrift on Fifth: re-purpose with purpose.
What?
Quality clean seasonal clothing items. Adult items cost $1 and children’s items cost $0.50.
When?
Wednesday 4-7pm, Saturdays from 9am-12pm, & Sundays 10-11am. Visit the Facebook page for all updated dates and information: https://www.facebook.com/thrifton5th
Where?
Thrift on Fifth is located on the lower-level of Christ United Methodist Church (400 5th Avenue SW, Rochester, MN). Enter through the main doors on 5th Avenue, go down the main stairs near the elevator, and turn to the right once you are down the stairs to check it out!
Why?
Our mission is to serve the community. All profits go toward THRIVE! (a daycare and family support center located on the lower floor of Christ United Methodist Church) scholarships. Like this place as a whole, we are working to build community one family at a time. We are an all-inclusive place, welcoming and supporting all. We hope you'll stop in soon and see what we have for you!
Our Vision:
A fun and friendly place to shop and interact with one another. Drop in and look for some nice items, knowing that you’re supporting sustainable community and the THRIVE! families. Re-purpose with purpose!
To Get Involved or Donate:
To get involved, please call the church office (507 289 4019) and leave your name and contact info. Someone will be in touch with you soon! There is a donation box where you can leave your clean, gently-used clothing items, which you can access any time during open building hours. For more information go to https://www.facebook.com/thrifton5th
Thrive Childcare and Family Resource Center
Thrive Child Care and Family Resource Center was established by Christ United Methodist Church as part of a mission to end the cycle of poverty through providing excellent, affordable childcare. CUMC and its members have invested over a million dollars in Thrive including building renovations and scholarships to families in financial need and continue to support the Thrive ministry and mission. Thrive Child Care and Family Resource Center, located in the lower level of the church, began caring for children in the fall of 2018 meeting the needs of families in Rochester, Minnesota. We believe that everyone should live in a community where all children are prepared for school and success in life. Thrive also believes that supporting families is a key to the success of our community. Thrive Child Care and Family Resource Center builds community, one family at a time.
Christ United Methodist Church offers a budget friendly accommodation for visitors to Rochester. The house is located just to the east and south of the church.
https://www.vrbo.com/1455998
The property is:
Walking distance to the Mayo Clinic downtown locations.
Offers easy access to nearby restaurants and grocers.
Provides 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, living room, dining room and kitchen.
Offers coin-operated washer and dryer in the basement.
Provides 1 parking space on the church property.
Fully furnished for your cooking needs.
Tub/shower combination.
Secure access.
WiFi
TV with Roku installed.
Please note, we do not rent the unit through the church. If you require additional information on this property please visit our VRBO/HomeAway listing and book through that source.
https://www.vrbo.com/1455998
To our congregation members:
Due to high turnover in the unit, we are continually replacing linens and blankets and desire to have excess supply on hand. Should you desire to support the mission of the hospitality house, the following items in new condition are always welcome and appreciated:
Queen or twin size sheet sets. White. (flat, fitted and 2 pillow cases)
Regular size pillow protectors.
Queen or twin size blankets (not comforters). White or tan. Cotton or Cotton blend.
Queen or twin size waterproof mattress pads.
Bath and hand towels & wash clothes - white.
More Missions
Mission Social Justice is a Coalition of Many areas of ministry, covering outreach both in our community and beyond.
Adult Missions Team
The International Missions Team brings together adults of all ages and backgrounds to offer assistance and relief to our brothers and sisters in other countries.
They went to Guatemala on a medical mission for many years, but they are transitioning to their next ministry destination.
Coordinator: Darlene Lucas
Garden Ministry
The Garden Ministry group works to keep the greenspace of Christ UMC beautiful. There are roles for all levels of ability and gardening knowledge.
In 2020, they planted a pollinator garden and a rain garden.
Coordinator: Mary Schmidt
Inquiring Spirits
Inquiring Spirits is a close-knit group of people with questions and curiosities who meet on Sundays after church. They have moved online for the time being and gather on Zoom as they discuss their faith journeys through exploration and doubt. All are welcome.
Coordinator: Larry and Gwen Scilley and Hank Kliewer
Immigration Rights
Rochester Interfaith Immigrant Rights Coalition and
Southeast Minnesota Interfaith Immigrant Legal Defense
A coalition of faith groups across southeast Minnesota working together to provide legal defense for locals facing risk of imprisonment deportation. They work to ensure the availability of immigration legal services for those who live or work in Southeastern Minnesota.
CUMC Representative: Marita Heller
Three Rivers Restorative Justice
Three Rivers Restorative Justice brings together those who have been harmed, those who have caused harm, and community and family members to establish spaces for dialogue and transformative resolutions.
LGBTQIA+ Advocacy
All are welcome.
With open hearts, open minds and open doors, we welcome people of all races, nationalities, theologies and abilities. We welcome people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. We offer a safe and compassionate place to reconcile faith, identity, hope, understanding and mutual respect.
Family Promise
Since its inception in 1999, homeless families in the greater Rochester area have been the focus for Interfaith Hospitality Network, now named Family Promise. Our congregation has been part of this ministry since its beginning in Rochester. For many years we hosted families a week at a time in our classrooms and a dedicated group of CUMC volunteers have given great service over many years.
Food Pantry
In CUMC’s East Lot hosts a small food pantry near the entrance to the church. It is kept stocked by volunteers, and has helped numerous individuals who have needed to utilize it.
Coordinated by Kathy Davis
United Women in faith - CUMC
United Women in Faith is the largest denominational faith-based organization for women in the world with over 800,000 members. We are a community of women who nurture and encourage one another in our spiritual growth and leadership. Previously known as United Methodist Women, we were renamed in March 2022 to encompass the future of the organization.
Our Vision: We are a powerful, fearless force driven by God’s love and united in sisterhood. With a focus on women, children and youth, we act for justice and work to transform communities.
In keeping with the VISION, the United Women in Faith at CUMC, have provide, and supporedt mission projects locally, nationally and globally through:
Emma Norton Services, Dorothy Day House, Handcrafted quilts donated to groups throughout Rochester, sale of baked good and nuts, annual tea, soup luncheon, Muffin Mania to support Rochester Project Legacy, two annual rummage sales, participation in the Reading Program, attending District, Conference and National events, filling leadership roles in the Unit, River Valley District and MN Conference UWF. We eagerly await the future and what it will provide for us.
We currently have four circles which meet on the 3rd Thursday of the month. Each circle meets at a different time in the Fireside Room. Elsewhere you will find the times, descriptions and contact information. The Unit as a whole meets four times a year for special meetings. If you are interested in joining Christ UWF groups, contact us at email@cumethodist.com or 507-289-4019.
Christmas Anonymous
Christmas Anonymous is an organization local to Rochester Minnesota that has been in existence for over 50 years. It is a 100% volunteer organization, whose sole mission is to help families and people in need in Olmsted county have a wonderful Christmas.
To enable that, Christmas Anonymous accepts donations of food, toys, outerwear, and bicycles; and then distributes these articles back to needy families.
Christmas Anonymous is 100% supported by donations from the community. There are no paid positions and we minimize our expenses by getting discounts and donations of goods and services whenever possible, and we shop for the best possible deals.
Social Justice
Christ UMC is dedicated to making a difference in our community. We strive for social justice through all our works. That being said, we acknowledge social justice is a complex issue, and sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. We hope you can utilize some of the resources below to help understand the best ways in which we are able to share the radical love of Jesus in all aspects of life. Click on the photos to explore each topic, and if you think of a resource that is helpful, don’t hesitate to let us know!
Rochester Racial Justice Toolkit
The Toolkit is a compilation of articles, guides, news, videos, social media, and other tools from several online sources on racial justice and Black Lives Matter activism. The site is a work in progress with ongoing updates and contributions to each section. The Toolkit is an online social justice resource rooted in a commitment to radical love and service to the Rochester, MN community.
“First Do No Harm” A Toolkit for Conversations
Minnesota Methodists is an organization committed to creating the inclusive church God intends us to be. They seek to undo the harm caused by exclusion and discrimination through systemic forms of oppression against all marginalized people both inside the church and in our greater society. They recommit to working for the full inclusion of all people.
Click HERE for an easy to follow discussion guide when facing challenging LGBTQIA+ discussions.