Written by Jerry Gale

Most of you will remember that after a thoughtful and prayerful discernment, Hennepin Church voted on February 19, 2023, to donate funds from the sale of Koinonia Retreat Center to Beacon Interfaith Housing, Envision Community, and Bridge for Youth. You may have heard that a check was issued on March 14, 2023, for $895,000 to Beacon. You might remember reading a press release from Beacon stating that the funds would help fund two new supportive housing developments in Minneapolis: Bimosedaa and Emerson Village.

Now you are probably asking how effectively was that money used, is there more Hennepin Church can be doing to support the investment we made, and what else should Hennepin Church members know about the affordable housing crisis in Minneapolis?

If you have these questions, please join us as we welcome Emily Goldthwaite, Director of Congregational Organizing, on Sunday, January 19, at 11:15am in the Longfellow Room. Emily will provide an update on the Bimosedaa and Emerson, discuss how we can continue to provide services to support these two housing units, and outline how Hennepin Church can strengthen the partnership with Beacon to fight for more affordable housing in the metro area.

The donation we made to Beacon was the first step in establishing an affordable housing ministry at Hennepin Church – a GIGANTIC $895K first step. Now our congregation needs volunteers who are willing to take the next steps in creating a ministry that brings to life the commitment we made back in February 2023 ”to use our gifts to work towards a future where all have the safety and warmth of a home, whichever shape it takes.”

Please join us on January 19 to learn more.