Five things you may have missed in 2020

December 21, 2020

It may have been a challenging year, but 2020 also produced plenty of positive, memorable moments in the life of HPUMC — a one-of-a-kind Easter celebration, conversations about racial justice, and thousands impacted through meals, Bible studies, and more. Our building may have been closed, but HPUMC was still open and thriving!

As we look forward to the possibilities of 2021, we want to pause and reflect on a few of the amazing things that took place in the life of our church this past year. Here are five things you don’t want to miss from 2020!

Over 20K people worshiped online with us on Easter

This Easter, we weren’t in the same physical place, but Highland Park United Methodist Church still celebrated Christ’s resurrection together. Rev. Matt Tuggle began Easter Sunday with a special sunrise service from Parkland Hospital, while hundreds watched on Facebook Live.

Then, we brought all of our worship venues together for one service, available at three different times online. In total, more than 23,800 people worshiped with HPUMC on Easter Sunday!

We hosted ‘A Conversation in Black & White’

In June, senior pastors, Richie Butler and Paul Rasmussen talked honestly about racism, current events, and how their churches can be the light of Christ for the community and world. This wide-ranging discussion was meant to inspire more thoughts, conversations, and actions to lead us toward solving the issue of racism.

More than 300K meals were delivered to those in need during the pandemic

Because of your generosity, HPUMC was able to deliver over 300,000 meals to COVID-impacted families, senior citizens, and those on the frontlines. Over 700 of our congregants helped distribute these meals, providing much-needed support to our Dallas neighbors in need and those most affected by COVID-19.

Genesis booklets were handed out to over 1.5K people

We launched a churchwide journey through the Book of Genesis this fall and over 3,000 people subscribed via email to discover how we were created for community from the beginning! We chose to read Genesis at that time, when our culture was discombobulated by a pandemic and much of life seemed chaotic because in the beginning, God brings order out of chaos. It's what He does.

HPUMC launched a new initiative to help kids at KB Polk Elementary

This summer, in an effort to unite the classroom and community, HPUMC partnered with United to Learn, a non-profit committed to accelerating student achievement. Together, through Classroom Connect, our goal is to give students and faculty at KB Polk Elementary, an economically disadvantaged school in Dallas, what they need to succeed — from school supplies to dedicated tutors to financial support.