The Usual Questions
Following are questions that are usually asked, please take a look. Some of them hold links to get more information from the website.
Q. How did Walnut Hills get started?
A. In the spring of 1989, Iowa United Methodists decided to begin a new church in the western suburbs of Des Moines because of the rapid growth in the area. That summer Gene Koth was appointed to start the church, and by October the first service was held.
Q. How did it get its name?
A. It’s just a happy accident that Walnut Hills now sits high on a hill surrounded by trees. The group that met to form the new church wanted to avoid religious names in order to appeal to people who did not have a church background. They also wanted to avoid having the name identified with a single neighborhood or development.
Q. How did the church get the land?
A. Efforts to find land began with local realtors without much success. Then someone suggested talking to Don Hohnbaum who lived just north of our land. Although he was not actively trying to sell the land he was excited about the idea of its becoming the home for a new church. The purchase was completed in the summer of 1991.
Q. Why is the worship more informal than a lot of churches?
A. Walnut Hills was begun to reach people not reached by existing churches. Designing a worship experience that was simple, informal, with lots of music was the first step. We wanted an experience that was celebrative, spoke to the heart, and left people feeling upbeat and energized for the week ahead.
Q. What is the STUB?
A. To make it easy for people to get involved we use a insert on the Sunday bulletin called the STUB. Anyone (first-attender or long-time member) can check whatever interests them and then put the STUB in the offering plate. You don’t have to jump through lots of hoops to get involved.
If you would like to see something started at Walnut Hills, you have a need that isn’t being met, the stub is a quick way to let us know. We also ask people to complete the stub every Sunday to keep us up-to-date with who is attending.
Q. What about the Sunday music?
A. Sunday morning music is provided mostly by people from Walnut Hills who have volunteered to assist our music director. We welcome children, youth, and adults interested in sharing their talents. In addition, there are numerous vocal choirs and a bell choir.
Q. Why is the Lord’s Prayer worded the way it is?
A. The traditional words for the Lord’s Prayer were divisive with one translation saying “forgive us our trespasses” and another “forgive us our debts.” Church translators decided to bring out a fresh wording that eliminated this difficulty and up-dated the language at the same time. The translation we use is becoming widely received.
Q. How do we celebrate Holy Communion?
A. Holy Communion is celebrated the first Sunday of each month in both services. People are invited to come to the front to receive bread, dip it into a cup of grape juice and eat it before returning to their seats. Gluten free wafers are available for those with this dietary restriction. All are welcomed to participate in Communion at Walnut Hills.
Q. How does one arrange for baptisms?
A. Baptism is a wonderful moment in celebrative worship when a person is assured of belonging to the family of God. Adults and older youth are baptized when they join Walnut Hills. Older children are baptized when they are confirmed in the 7th grade, and young children are baptized throughout the year at times worked out between the family and the church. For more details and contact information follow the above link.
Q. How can I/we become more involved at Walnut Hills?
A. The key is to become part of a small group so you can make friends, and/or volunteer to do something that either you are good at or is of interest to you. No small group is closed; they always welcome new people. Volunteers for different Sunday morning tasks listed on the back of the Sunday STUB are recruited for six-month periods each March and September. Other volunteer needs are listed in the bulletin or newsletter. All one has to do is check the STUB to get involved.
Q. Is there child care for my children during church services & Wednesday night activities?
A. The nursery provides professional staff on Sunday from 8:15 a.m. until noon after 2nd service for infants and toddlers through age three. Three year olds are also invited to children’s church. Child care is also provided on Wednesday nights for our evening activities.