A Message from Rev. Judy Zabel,

Senior Pastor of Hennepin Avenue UMC

At Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church, we believe our unity is centered in  our love of God and our neighbors. We believe we can be united in our mission to serve and heal a broken world. Although the UMC General Conference made a disappointing and painful decision this week, we are the church.

At Hennepin we will continue to be a welcoming, safe, and supportive community for LGBTQIA+ people. We will continue to support the inclusion of all people in our church.

Now more than ever before, LGBTQIA+ persons and their families who have repeatedly been rejected and harmed by the church need a community that stands firmly together with them, with love, courage, and unwavering commitment to be the kind of church God envisions: a church where all people are welcome. Hennepin will continue to be that community.

I thank you for your prayers and I welcome conversation. I believe if we commit to prayerful work together, God will reveal the best steps forward so we may be found faithful in offering God’s unconditional love and grace to all.

I am humbled and honored to be one of Hennepin’s pastoral leaders. May God comfort us in our pain and strengthen us for the work ahead.

In Christ’s service together, Pastor Judy Zabel