Dear Dignity Center Friends, Supporters, and Community Partners,
To quote one of our wonderful volunteers, “He’s baaack.” And I must say, it is good to be back as the Interim Director of The Dignity Center. It is good to be back among our team of very capable, committed, and gracious volunteers, who give their time and care by preparing and distributing sack lunches, fresh-hot coffee, and much-needed toiletries to anyone who comes to our door. Other volunteers listen deeply and compassionately to the needs, concerns, fears, and uncertainty, as well as the joys and hopes, of some of our communities most vulnerable. The Dignity Center offers hospitality, hope, guidance, and support. I consider it a privilege to be invited to serve these next months in such a vital ministry.
I want to thank Rev. Margaret Kelly for her excellent leadership over the past year-and-a-half. Margaret is a deeply caring, highly experienced leader who has helped to strengthen and focus the work of The Dignity Center. Margaret has left to take a new position, and our thanks and prayers go with her. Through Margaret’s work and the work of our volunteers and supporters, The Dignity Center is in an excellent position to look forward to new opportunities.
“I came to the Dignity Center uncertain how programming had been impacted during the pandemic. It was clearly a beloved ministry and needed by the community. It was a privilege to lead the Dignity Center as programming was reimagined and stabilized. The Dignity Center is ready for a leader who can take the stabilized program and grow it into this new era of serving. I have been privileged to connect with congregational members who are deeply committed to serving. I have heard stories of ways the Dignity Center has shown up for God’s beloved in this world. What a gift you have given me and this community! I will deeply miss the HAUMC community. You are a faithful community walking in God’s love for this world. What a gift you are. Thanks be to God!”
-Rev. Margaret Kelly
Over these next several months, I will be listening to our Dignity Center guests, volunteers, supporters, and community partners, as we look toward the future of The Dignity Center.
The Dignity Center is an important ministry of Hennepin Avenue UMC. It is a significant part of how HAUMC reaches to touch and heal God’s world, one person, one family at a time. Since we are all in this ministry together, I want to invite you to come and get to know this vital part of your church. Talk with our volunteer advocates and those who provide hospitality. Learn how you can support and maybe find where you too can be a part of this joyful, sometimes heart-breaking, yet truly beautiful ministry of Christ’s Church. We are open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, from 9-11:30am. Please stop by or call 612-435-1337 or email me at [email protected].
Blessings,
Rev. Kevin Schill