Mission

• Community Garden: The Walnut Hills Garden of Faith, Food, and Learning is a joint venture between our congregation and the Chin Christian Church, a congregation of Burmese refugees who live in the Clive area. Established in 2016, members can choose a plot to garden. For questions, reach out to whumcgarden@gmail.com
• DMARC (Des Moines Area Religious Council): The mission of DMARC is to work together to meet basic human needs for the greater Des Moines community – and that includes everyone. They strive to provide healthy, culturally appropriate food through our Food Pantry Network and welcome all those who need assistance, no matter their circumstances. Walnut Hills collects food and personal items throughout the year and goes to their facilities to help sort food. 
• Habitat for Humanity: Members often participate in Habitat for Humanity builds in our community and Walnut Hills joins in for the annual faith build. 
• CFUM (Children & Family Urban Movement): Members of Walnut Hills UMC provide pizza to CFUM twice a month. To learn more, contact the church office. 
• Social Justice and Reconciling Team: We provide opportunities for committee members, and the congregation, to seek justice and “do” justice in the metro area and beyond. As the first Methodist Federation for Social Action Justice Seeking Congregation west of the Mississippi River, we find ways to educate and engage our members in climate justice, racial justice, gender justice, economic justice, disability justice, immigrant justice, peace, and inclusion in the United Methodist Church. We have been a Reconciling Congregation for more than 15 years, actively seeking the inclusion of all sexual orientations and gender identities in both the policy and practices of the UMC. (We are one of 11 Reconciling Congregations in Iowa.)  We are often the only faith community represented at LGBTQ+ conferences, galas, parades, and other events. The SJ & R team meets monthly. 
• AMOS (A Mid-Iowa Organizing Strategy): A community organizing network composed of 40 diverse member organizations – churches (including Walnut Hills), synagogues, neighborhood and non-profit organizations – that represent thousands of residents in the Des Moines and Ames communities. AMOS is tackling big issues in our communities, such as children’s mental health, low income housing, juvenile justice and workforce and leadership development. If you are interested in more information about AMOS, visit their website at amosiowa.org

Service

• Needles of Love: If you can sew or would like to learn to sew (by hand or machine), we need you. If you can cut or iron fabric or tie a knot, your help is needed. If you want to learn these skills, you are welcome. We love to teach anyone who wants to learn so the art of sewing and quilting will flourish. Contact  If you’d like to learn more, email the church office.
• Stephen Ministry: Lay members who have been trained as “listeners.” Stephen’s Ministers are called upon to provide support for members experiencing life changing events, working in concert with our pastor. Contact Mel Hollingsworth or the pastor.
• Ushers/ Greeters
• Connection Team
• Coffee and snack providers
• Acolytes
• Worship Tech
• Office Volunteers 

Please contact the office for more information