Walnut Hills is a place to call home
where all are welcomed,
nourished spiritually,
and sent forth to serve.
Any Questions?
Discover a Place to Call Home
at Walnut Hills
Curious about what makes our church special? Watch this short video to hear from our pastor and learn more about our welcoming community. Whether you’re looking for a spiritual home or just exploring, we can’t wait to meet you!
WELCOME,
WE’RE SO GLAD
YOU’RE HERE!
Walnut Hills United Methodist Church is a welcoming and inclusive Christian community located at 12321 Hickman Rd in Urbandale, Iowa, serving the greater Des Moines area. We gather every Sunday at 9:30 a.m. for worship and welcome people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and identities. As a Reconciling Ministries congregation, we fully affirm and celebrate LGBTQ+ members at every level of church life. Whether you’re new to faith, returning to church, or just exploring, you belong here.
Sunday Services
Join us Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m.
About Us
Walnut Hills is a place to call home, where all are welcome, nourished spiritually, and sent forth to serve.
At Walnut Hills, we believe that God is love—and that the Church should reflect that love without condition or exception. We are a progressive, inclusive, and affirming community of faith, committed to bridging the divides of our world with compassion, justice, and grace.
As part of the Reconciling Ministries Network, we joyfully affirm the full participation of LGBTQ+ people in every aspect of church life and leadership. We celebrate the sacred worth of every person and the beautiful diversity of our community and world.
Rooted in the teachings of Jesus and inspired by John Wesley’s vision that “though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike?”, we seek to be a blessing—locally and globally—working for healing, restoration, and reconciliation.
We can’t wait to meet you! By filling out a connection card, we’ll be able to introduce ourselves to you, share information and events about Walnut Hills, and point you toward great ways to get involved.
Visiting
Welcome to Walnut Hills! Learn more about your first visit to Walnut Hills here.
Need a Prayer?
Send your prayer requests to the staff.
Have Kids?
Learn about our programs for children at Walnut Hills.
Get Connected
Find your place at Walnut Hills and get connected with our church community.
Our VALUES
A place to call home
At Walnut Hills United Methodist Church, we strive to welcome all people, and when we say all, we mean it. We hope that you’ll find that we’re a place to call home. To us, that means at Walnut Hills you’ll feel nourished spiritually and you want to go out into the world in service.
We belong to the Reconciling Ministries Network, a network of United Methodists of all sexual orientations and gender identities to transform our church and world into the full expression of Christ’s inclusive love. We resolve to follow Jesus’ admonition to “love one another, as I have loved you,” regardless of age, race, ethnic background, gender, marital status, physical or mental ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic status, or any other human condition. As a reconciling congregation, we believe we are being reconciled to God and one another.
We hope you’ll read these pages to learn more about what we have to offer. And of course, we welcome any questions you have!
Common Questions
When are Sunday services?
We worship together every Sunday at 9:30 a.m. at 12321 Hickman Rd, Urbandale, Iowa 50323. Services typically last about 60–75 minutes.
Is Walnut Hills UMC LGBTQ+ affirming?
Yes, Walnut Hills is fully and joyfully inclusive. As a Reconciling Ministries Network congregation and member of the Rainbow Faith Coalition of Greater Des Moines, we affirm the full participation of LGBTQ+ people in every aspect of church life, including worship, membership, and leadership. Everyone is welcome exactly as they are.
What should I expect on my first visit?
You can expect a warm welcome, engaging worship for kids and adults, and no pressure. Dress is casual, come as you are. Parking is available on-site. A greeter will be at the door to help you get oriented, and there’s no obligation to join or give anything on your first visit.
Is there childcare or programming for kids during the service?
Yes! We have programs for children and youth. Families with kids are always welcome. Visit our Children’s Ministry page for details on what’s available for different age groups.
Can I watch the service online?
Yes. We livestream every Sunday service on our YouTube channel and on Facebook. Past services are also available to watch at any time.
Where is Walnut Hills UMC located?
We’re at 12321 Hickman Rd, Urbandale, Iowa 50323 — in the western Des Moines metro, easily accessible from Urbandale, Clive, Waukee, Johnston, and surrounding communities.
How do I get more involved or connect with the community?
Fill out a connection card on our website or on Sunday mornings at Walnut Hills. We have small groups, choirs (bell and vocal), youth programs, and service/mission opportunities for people at every stage of life.
Do I have to be United Methodist to attend or become a member?