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Walnut Hills United Methodist
Urbandale
IA
50323-1810
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Who we are
Walnut Hills is a place to call home where all are welcomed, nourished spiritually, and sent forth to serve.
Our Sunday worship is held at 9:30 a.m.
“Walnut Hills is a welcoming place. We welcome all… to grow in faith together, and to serve the community and world. We have so many enthusiastic children and youth ministry volunteers, I pray that we continue to invite more persons to be a part of a wonderful church, so that we grow in numbers as well as in faith.” – Deacon Diane Wasson
We belong to the Reconciling Ministries Network, which mobilizes United Methodists of all sexual orientations and gender identities to transform our church and world into the full expression of Christ’s inclusive love.”
Our Mission — A place to call home where all are welcomed, nourished spiritually, and sent forth to serve.
Our Sunday worship is held at 9:30 a.m.
“Walnut Hills is a welcoming place. We welcome all… to grow in faith together, and to serve the community and world. We have so many enthusiastic children and youth ministry volunteers, I pray that we continue to invite more persons to be a part of a wonderful church, so that we grow in numbers as well as in faith.” – Deacon Diane Wasson
We belong to the Reconciling Ministries Network, which mobilizes United Methodists of all sexual orientations and gender identities to transform our church and world into the full expression of Christ’s inclusive love.”
Our Mission — A place to call home where all are welcomed, nourished spiritually, and sent forth to serve.
Location of worship / Church Address
12321 Hickman Rd
Urbandale,
IA
50323-1810
United States
Phone: 5152700838
Fax: 5152709226
Download Walnut Hills United Methodist vCard with Service Times
Church Pastor
Rev. Dr. Beverlee Bell
Senior Pastor
12321 Hickman Rd
Urbandale,
IA
50323-1810
United States
Phone: 515-270-9226 Extension: 110
Download Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Beverlee Bell vCard
Quote of the Day
Proverbs 2:6
For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
Denomination
United Methodist Church
United Methodist Churches in Urbandale, Iowa, United States
United Methodist Churches in Iowa, United States
United Methodist Churches in United States
All churches in Urbandale, IA
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Rev. Dr. Beverlee Bell
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Senior Pastor
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Walnut Hills United Methodist Leadership Photos
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5152709226
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Walnut Hills United Methodist Urbandale Service Times
Worship with us
All are welcome at Walnut Hills UMC, a theologically progressive, non-judging Christian church dedicated to serving others
Join us for Sunday worship at 9:30 a.m., and stay after for fellowship and refreshments
Casual to professional dress
Professional child care provided for children 0-3 years, 9:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (summer hours are 9:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.)
After children’s time during Sunday worship, Children’s Church is for children 3 through 2nd grade, and features a scripture story lesson, activity, and a craft. Children return to the worship center before the end of worship
Communion is celebrated the first Sunday of each month. All are welcomed to the table; you do not need to be a Walnut Hills UMC member to participate
Service Times last updated on the 11th of August, 2017
All are welcome at Walnut Hills UMC, a theologically progressive, non-judging Christian church dedicated to serving others
Join us for Sunday worship at 9:30 a.m., and stay after for fellowship and refreshments
Casual to professional dress
Professional child care provided for children 0-3 years, 9:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (summer hours are 9:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.)
After children’s time during Sunday worship, Children’s Church is for children 3 through 2nd grade, and features a scripture story lesson, activity, and a craft. Children return to the worship center before the end of worship
Communion is celebrated the first Sunday of each month. All are welcomed to the table; you do not need to be a Walnut Hills UMC member to participate
Service Times last updated on the 11th of August, 2017
Worship Languages
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Walnut Hills United Methodist Photo Gallery
Walnut Hills United Methodist History
Gene Koth, Founding Minister
“It all began with a house, a telephone book, and a short line of credit.” That is how Gene Koth, organizing minister, begins the story of Walnut Hills UMC. Indeed, those were the church’s total assets in the summer of 1989. However, it did not take long for things to start happening. A massive telephone calling campaign was organized, involving 180 people from throughout the Des Moines area making over 25,000 dial-ups. Over 2,500 households said they were not active in a local church or synagogue. After a series of special mailings and targeted telephone invitations, opening Sunday came that Oct. 15th with over 300 in attendance at the first location, Western Hills Elementary School in West Des Moines, Iowa.
Walnut Hills UMC was not started in 1989 because there was a need for another United Methodist church. There were already four in the western suburbs of Des Moines, Iowa. What was needed was a new church that could reach those not reached by the existing churches. Walnut Hills UMC succeeded by marketing itself as “a community moving beyond the traditional, in touch with the lifestyles, needs and resources of people today.”
That being “in touch” meant a simpler, more informal celebrative worship, more short-term commitments, small groups to get acquainted, and opportunities to make a difference in the world. The name, Walnut Hills UMC, was by design non-religious in order not to scare people before they even made a visit. Traditional words like “sanctuary,” “narthex” and “chancel” were replaced with “celebration center,” “gathering area,” and “platform.” These things have culminated into the unique culture of Walnut Hills UMC.
FAQ
How did Walnut Hills UMC get started?
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 Oct. the first service was held.
How did it get its name?
It’s just a happy accident that Walnut Hills UMC 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.
How did the church get the land?
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 it becoming the home for a new church. The purchase was completed in the summer of 1991.
“It all began with a house, a telephone book, and a short line of credit.” That is how Gene Koth, organizing minister, begins the story of Walnut Hills UMC. Indeed, those were the church’s total assets in the summer of 1989. However, it did not take long for things to start happening. A massive telephone calling campaign was organized, involving 180 people from throughout the Des Moines area making over 25,000 dial-ups. Over 2,500 households said they were not active in a local church or synagogue. After a series of special mailings and targeted telephone invitations, opening Sunday came that Oct. 15th with over 300 in attendance at the first location, Western Hills Elementary School in West Des Moines, Iowa.
Walnut Hills UMC was not started in 1989 because there was a need for another United Methodist church. There were already four in the western suburbs of Des Moines, Iowa. What was needed was a new church that could reach those not reached by the existing churches. Walnut Hills UMC succeeded by marketing itself as “a community moving beyond the traditional, in touch with the lifestyles, needs and resources of people today.”
That being “in touch” meant a simpler, more informal celebrative worship, more short-term commitments, small groups to get acquainted, and opportunities to make a difference in the world. The name, Walnut Hills UMC, was by design non-religious in order not to scare people before they even made a visit. Traditional words like “sanctuary,” “narthex” and “chancel” were replaced with “celebration center,” “gathering area,” and “platform.” These things have culminated into the unique culture of Walnut Hills UMC.
FAQ
How did Walnut Hills UMC get started?
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 Oct. the first service was held.
How did it get its name?
It’s just a happy accident that Walnut Hills UMC 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.
How did the church get the land?
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 it becoming the home for a new church. The purchase was completed in the summer of 1991.
Walnut Hills United Methodist Historical Photos
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