Walnut Hills UMC
12321 Hickman Rd
Urbandale, IA 50323
Phone: (515) 270-9226
Website: https://whumc.org
Email: admin@whumc.org
Walnut Hills United Methodist Church, Urbandale, Iowa, lives into its mission statement, “A place to call home, where all are welcome, nourished spiritually, and sent forth to serve.” Walnut Hills was one of the first Reconciling United Methodist Churches in the state of Iowa, voting to become a part of the Reconciling Ministries Network in 2009. Walnut Hills is not only welcoming to all, it is “home” to LGBTQ members, friends, and allies.
We provide a worship home for members of the Burmese Chin Community, who use our facilities for their own worship services/Sunday School. Walnut Hills becomes home to Family Promise (homeless) families each quarter, hosts weekly AA meetings, provides meeting space for justice groups, etc. Our spiritual nourishment comes from our weekly worship services, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Wednesday Night on the Hill, Youth Groups, and adult small groups, preparing us to be sent forth to serve. Walnut Hills is visible in the community marching in the PRIDE parade, having an exhibit table (and members) at the Governor’s Conference on LGBTQ Youth, hosting exhibit tables (with members) at the LGBT Senior Summit, and the Des Moines University LGBTQ Health & Wellness Conference.
Our congregation serves as a supporting member of the Iowa Sanctuary movement, providing monetary and human resources when called upon to assist undocumented immigrants and their families. Members of Walnut Hills volunteer regularly at Iowa Justice for Our Neighbors clinics, assisting those seeking legal assistance with asylum and citizenship cases, and accompany immigrants when they come to their ICE check-ins. In 2016, Walnut Hills opened a 64-plot allotment garden for Burmese refugees living in the Clive area.
The congregation has a lobbying ministry following the Iowa Legislature throughout their sessions, focusing on bills related to the UM Social Principles. Walnut Hills is actively involved in AMOS, (a Mid-Iowa Organizing Strategy), Interfaith Alliance of Iowa, and Habitat for Humanity, all organizations that honor diversity and inclusion. In addition to our justice work, our charity work includes providing and serving monthly meals for CFUM (Children & Family Urban Movement) at Trinity Las Americas, packaging meals for Meals from the Heartland, collecting monetary and food donations for DMARC,(Des Moines Area Religious Council) etc.
