Prospect Park United Methodist Church
Spiritual & Social Groups

Something for Everyone!

The spiritual and social life of the PPUMC community is vibrant and diverse, providing a source of nurture for our “internal” community, as well as ways to reach out to the larger “external” community. We guarantee you’ll find something on the list below that will spark your curiosity about what happens here!

See the Calendar of Events for current meeting times. Many of the groups will not be meeting during the summer months, but will begin meeting again in September.

Choir & Participation in Worship Music

The choir is open to any youth or adults who want to raise their voices in song! Music is an important part of our worship experience and so we invite you to join us, whenever you can, for a good time making music together! New members are welcome to join at any time.

Maybe singing isn't your thing, but music is ... One of our core traditions is celebrating the musical participation in worship by PPUMC members & friends. If you would like to play something as a part of a worship service, please contact the church office.

Campus Ministry Team

PPUMC’s proximity to the University of Minnesota brings in college students and other members of the University community who are looking for a worship home. The PPUMC Campus Ministry Team has received a grant from United Methodist Campus Ministries, Inc. to explore new ways to reach out to college students and cultivate vital spirituality. Watch for exciting things to grow out of this venture!

Centering Prayer Group

This group gathers frequently at a member’s home at 8:00 am on Thursday mornings for gentle yoga, meditation & reflection, and a short reading to start off the day. Check the Calendar for the meeting time.

Spiritual Exploration Group

The Spiritual Exploration Group meets during the school year at PPUMC -- generally the 3rd Monday of each month -- to explore areas of spiritual growth and transformation. New members are welcome to join at any time. Check the Calendar for the meeting time.

The group discussion often centers on a book dealing with a spiritual growth theme such as prayer, Sabbath, or mindfulness.  At times we are quite untraditional - for instance, one year, Joy led us in an exploration of spirituality and the paranormal. Our sharing is free-ranging and punctuated with laughter and "aha" moments.  All questions, experiences, doubts, and affirmations are welcome.  It's a safe place to speak your heart.  We seek to deepen relationship with the Holy, in and through each other, trusting that fruit will be borne to deepen the larger community as well.

Poetry Group

Come join us and bring a favorite poem with you, if you'd like. The group will meet monthly on a Monday evening. Check the Calendar for the meeting time.

Children & Youth

Children and youth are important members of the PPUMC community, and their inclusion in worship & other church activities is actively encouraged. Sunday School is offered throughout the school year for all ages, along with a variety of other special activities that are frequently intergenerational in nature. Organized events also include people from the local community, the Shalom Community of Churches, and other UMC congregations.

Women’s & Men’s Groups

The PPUMC women's group meets occasionally during the year to discuss items of interest. PPUMC men also meet, generally on the second Saturday of each month. Check the Calendar for the meeting times.

Bird-by-Bird - Green/Sustainable Living

Members of the PPUMC community gather frequently to discuss the issues related to maintaining and promoting a green/sustainable lifestyle. Adult Education sessions have been devoted to this topic. The group has gathered to make eco-friendly household cleaners, and we collect Green & Sustainable Living resource links to help educate and support those who are choosing this lifestyle.

Cooperative Buying through Whole Farm Co-op

For those who wish to order organic & fair trade items there is Whole Farm Co-op (WFC). Anyone is welcome to purchase items through the WFC and have them delivered to a local drop-off location once a month. See our web page about ordering from Whole Farm Co-op for more details about this opportunity.

Ongoing Outreach Opportunities

PPUMC is involved in several on-going activities to help the disadvantaged and homeless, as well as active participation in projects that address social justice issues. Ongoing projects include:

• Habitat for Humanity - participate each summer for two weeks in partnership with St. Cecelia and St Frances Cabrini
• Simpson Shelter - making sandwiches for residents and collecting toiletries
• Gandhi Ashram - provide financial support through purchase of their items; contribute to education and health care; annual opportunities to go on a mission trip to the collective
• Emma Norton Residence - support their effort to provide transitional housing to women
• Teen Wish List - support local programs to provide Christmas gifts to teens
• MICAH - support this faith-based organization through the work of the Shalom Churches
• Families Moving Forward - help with night care and morning breakfast for this family-based shelter that moves from congregation to congregation around the city.
• Joseph's Coat -- the only free store serving the homeless population. We collect items for the store.
  Luxton Food Shelf -- collecting food donations for the local food shelf

Sunday School Mission Projects

The offering and birthday money that is taken during Sunday School gathering time is designated to go to the Heifer Project which sends animals to families in poorer areas. The children voted to have one sheep, a flock of chicks, a flock of ducks, and a flock of geese sent to deserving families with the funds they've gathered so far. These animals will make a world of difference to the communities they are sent to, since the families that receive the animals will share and pass on offspring. Good Work Sunday School!

Fair Trade

After the church service, on the first or second Sunday of each month, we have a Fair Trade Sale. We sell coffee from Honduras, chocolate, hand-loomed cotton goods from India, and other fair-trade items. The money from the sale goes back to support the people who made the product and ensures that they receive a fair price for their labor. Find out about additional involvement in Social Justice concerns on our Social Justice web page.

Shalom Community of Churches

PPUMC is a member of the Shalom Community, a group of UMC churches that share activities and resources, in order to provide a richer and more diverse experience for individual congregations.

Contacting PPUMC: