2019 was a landmark year at Highland Park United Methodist Church, from opening a new building and new spaces to impactful serving and relief efforts in and around our community.
As we look forward to a new year beginning, 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 six things you don’t want to miss from 2019!
Tolleson Family Activity Center Opening
With the opening of the Tolleson Center in March, a new era of ministry at HPUMC began. This building features 65,000 square feet of space for HPUMC’s Belong disABILITY Ministry and Family Ministry as well as an underground parking garage.
The building was part of our Beyond Campaign, in which Rev. Paul Rasmussen challenged the congregation to move beyond ourselves, beyond our limits, and beyond our walls.
2019 Serving Day
Over 650 people from HPUMC spent a Saturday morning in April of this past year serving our local partners around Dallas.
Because of these selfless volunteers, 550 meals were served to our neighbors at Austin Street Center and The Stewpot, 20,000 meals were packed with Rise Against Hunger, medical records were scanned and sorted with Agape Clinic, more than 100 residents from Dickinson Place enjoyed breakfast and community with volunteers, and so much more.
HPUMC launches new Recovery Ministry
This past fall, HPUMC began our Recovery Ministry, with a mission to help people suffering from substance addiction become deeply devoted followers of Jesus Christ through the life-saving and life-transforming power of recovery.
This ministry endeavors to equip, love, and encourage individuals and families struggling with the disease of substance addiction by offering community, staff support, groups, and other resources.
HPUMC debuts new Confirmation Center
In August, The President George W. and Laura Bush Family Confirmation Center opened. It will welcome hundreds of sixth-graders for years to come, giving them more room to call their own. Here, they’ll have the opportunity to confirm their faith, making firm all that God has already done in their life including their baptism.
The vision for this new Confirmation Center was part of the Beyond Campaign, in which Rev. Paul Rasmussen challenged the congregation to go beyond our limits to invest in the next generation, creating a space for future confirmation students to feel welcomed and comfortable in their faith.
HPUMC opens new pie and coffee shop
To the delight of anyone with a sweet tooth, Chance’s Pie & Coffee Shop opened in mid-September on the first floor of the Tolleson Family Activity Center. It is managed and staffed by participants of HPUMC’s Belong disABILITY Ministry.
The shop is named in memory of Chance Urschel. Chance was involved in HPUMC’s Belong disABILITY Ministry and, despite his physical limitations, he loved bringing a smile to others’ faces by baking and giving away pies.
HPUMC community comes together to offer relief after Dallas Tornado
When a tornado hit parts of Dallas in October, 191 volunteers from HPUMC and other local churches showed up to help with cleanup. They also served over 1,000 meals for lunch and dinner.
Because of your generosity, we were able to send donations to Christ’s Foundry, too. These donations went toward helping families relocate to safe housing and to repair damaged vehicles so that folks could return to work. Funds were also used to help with home repairs, offset deductibles, replace household items, and more.
