Pride this year is a historic moment in the United Methodist Church because it is the first Pride we can celebrate as a fully inclusive denomination! There are three opportunities to help show our community how much we love them: community chalking at the corner of Hennepin and Groveland, volunteering at the Reconciling Ministries Pride booth, and providing parking and hospitality during the weekend.
Last year, it was tangible how much it meant to the groups of people that parked, chalked, and walked by to have a church join in the celebration of Pride.
Pride Community Chalking
June 28 | 9am – Until we are done! | Groveland and Hennepin
Our location grants us a unique opportunity to share messages of love, welcome, and support with those traveling towards Pride festivities in Loring Park. Last year, a small group of us led a mission to chalk a message of love in action on our front steps. It was a large undertaking for a small group, and we’ve learned from the experience – we need more hands!
All artistic abilities are welcome, as there will be a color-by-number setup! And if you prefer to freestyle some welcoming messages, we will have space for that as well.
We will provide the materials, music, sunscreen, and some snacks! It might be helpful to bring a pillow, towel, or garden kneeler to help keep you comfortable as you chalk. You can drop in at any point in the process. Check the facebook event to see how far along we are. We’ll update regularly.
Come help us add a little rainbow color to our corner of the world!
Pride Parking Lot Fundraiser
June 28-30 | Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church
Join us for the Pride Parking Lot Fundraiser on June 28 and 29th, supporting LGBTQIA+ inclusion in the United Methodist Church. We need volunteers to direct cars, greet attendees, and provide information. Your help fosters community and radical hospitality. Sign up today (link below). For more information, contact Pastor Laura ([email protected])
MN Reconciling Congregations Pride Booth in Loring Park
June 28-30 | 10am-6pm | Loring Park
Once again we will have a booth in Loring Park on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Each year we staff our booth with smiling volunteers from across the state and this year is no different! By signing up, you help let PRIDE attendees know that there is a place for them in United Methodist congregations and help build positive interactions by giving them a rainbow peace medallion. Jobs are available for both introverts and extroverts.
- Help set-up on Friday from 9 – 11 a.m. Gary Walpole will lead this crew.
- Work a two-hour shift on Saturday or Sunday. During the shift, you greet visitors and hand out rainbow peace medallions. If you’re not so sure about interacting with visitors, you can help remove peace medallions from their wrappers.
- Be a shift lead – The lead arrives 15 minutes before the other volunteers, checks in with the previous lead, welcomes and reviews instructions with volunteers as they arrive and helps problem solve (if needed) during the shift.
- Clergy volunteers – We reserve a space for a clergy volunteer for each shift as questions may come up that are best answered by a clergy person though we always welcome multiple clergy in one shift.
- Take-down/clean-up on Sunday beginning at 6 p.m. We need six volunteers. If possible, we ask the volunteers who work the 4-6 shift to also sign-up for take down.