University Lutheran Church of Hope

08/11/2026

Today is Primary Election Day and the polls are open. We're grateful for the opportunity to provide space for voting for our two neighborhood precincts.

07/17/2026

One of our pastors, Rev. Amanda Simons, joined clergy from across our country at this year's ELCA Rostered Ministers Gathering in Indianapolis, focusing on the theme "Woven Together."

The 2026 ELCA Rostered Ministers Gathering just concluded in Indianapolis. Some of our Minneapolis leaders were here for continuing education, rest, renewal, and leading in various roles.

In photo (right to left): Ann Svennungsen, Jen Collins, Norma Malfati, Yolanda Denson-byers, Amanda Simons, Faora Collins, Eric Luedtke, Jacob Burkman and Tim Schroeder.

Attended but not in photo: Deanna Kim Bassett, Jenny Sung, Christine Belfrey and Aaron Fuller

07/01/2026

Last week, Minneapolis welcomed athletes and families participating in the Special Olympics, and University Lutheran Church of Hope was honored to be part of the celebration.

When the Indiana delegation was looking for a place to gather for a family picnic on June 23, we were delighted to open our campus and share the gift of hospitality.

More than 300 athletes, coaches, family members, volunteers, and staff came together to celebrate the dedication, accomplishments, and unique gifts of Special Olympics athletes while enjoying time in community with one another.

As pastor, I was deeply moved by the stories shared by family members about what Special Olympics has meant in the lives of their athletes. The day was a powerful reminder of the importance of belonging, encouragement, perseverance, and joy.

At Hope, we were grateful for the opportunity to open our doors. In return, we received a tremendous gift from our guests—their warmth, inspiration, and sense of community.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this gathering possible. What a blessing it was to welcome our neighbors and celebrate together.

I share with you the lovely message one of our Indiana neighbors left on the whiteboard for Hope.

Rev. Amanda Simons

07/01/2026

Your generosity is making a difference.

As University Lutheran Church of Hope enters the final year of the Opening Doors 2 Capital Campaign, we remain committed to giving beyond ourselves. Through our benevolence commitment, $19,000 will be shared among five nonprofit organizations chosen by congregation members:

• Healing to Hope https://www.healingtohope.org/
• Advocates for Human Rights https://www.theadvocatesforhumanrights.org/Home
• Lutheran Campus Ministry Twin Cities – Mercy Rising Pilot Program https://lcmtc.org/
• Huellas Latinas https://huellaslatinas.com/
• Nutritious U Food Pantry https://boynton.umn.edu/food-pantry

Together, we're opening doors to hope and strengthening our community. Thank you for being part of this ministry.

06/16/2026

Tens of thousands of refugees are stranded overseas due to the indefinite pause of the U.S. refugee resettlement program in 2025. With around the corner, learn more and ask Congress to reaffirm America’s commitment to protect those fleeing persecution. Visit the ELCA Action Center or go to the Action Alert linked in the comment below.

05/24/2026

Monday marks exactly six years since George Floyd was murdered. George Floyd should still be alive today.

This weekend, there are several events to hold space in the community to reflect, express, and heal. View the list of events compiled by Sahan Journal: https://sahanjournal.com/arts-culture/george-floyd-sixth-anniversary-2026-memorial-events-minneapolis/

This photo was taken in 2020 by Uche Iroegbu. This plywood mural was by Reggie LeFlore.

05/07/2026

Grateful to be in partnership with Lutheran Campus Ministry - Twin Cities and happy to serve and delight in eating yummy pizza together!

05/07/2026

Free concert. Fresh air. Good vibes.

Join us in the courtyard at Hope for a spring music event that celebrates community and the arts. Everyone’s welcome!

Join our Lilla Lag for a Courtyard concert!

Wed, May 27 at 7pm with ASI fiddlers

University Lutheran Church of Hope, 601 13th Ave SE
(ulch.org)

The ASI Lilla Spelmanslag is a youth fiddle/cello folk music group made up of young musicians ages 8 through 18, based at the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis. We learn traditional Swedish folk music, for example walzes, schottis, and polskas. We welcome new members. In 2022 we traveled to Sweden to connect with three youth folk music groups in three different parts of Sweden and attended a folk music festival and a fiddle camp. We learn by ear with the help of rehearsals and on-line recordings. The ASI Lilla Spelmanslag is planning on traveling to Sweden in 2027 to meet other youth folk musicians and make music together.

Their teacher Ingela Eilert Haaland (she/her) is from Lund, Sweden, and works as a Swedish instructor at the University of Minnesota.