Park Ave United Methodist Church - Minneapolis

06/06/2026

So grateful to be under your leadership soon, Reverend Shandon!

05/29/2026

Take a look at the final installment of our interview with Rev. Shandon Klein who will join us as our Senior Pastor in July!

In Part 3, Pastor Shandon shares more about her passion for building a truly multi-ethnic and fully inclusive church, why Park Avenue feels like an answer to prayer, and her hopes for partnering with the congregation in ministry, justice, community, and spiritual growth. She also talks about her leadership style, her heart for helping people discover their gifts, and why she believes the church is built together by the whole community.

Pastor Shandon’s first Sunday at Park Avenue will be July 5th, and her first Sunday preaching will be July 12th. Make plans to join us as we officially welcome her into this new chapter at Park!

Welcome to the final episode of our interview series with Reverend ...

05/21/2026

In less than two months, Reverend Shandon Klein will be our new Senior Pastor at Park Avenue! We shared the first part of a 3-part interview with Pastor Shandon at the end of April, and today we have released Part 2! Not only will you get the inside scoop on which football teams she loves, but you will also hear about her amazing journey to becoming a Pastor, something she never dreamed of when she was young.

Head on over to YouTube to hear from her- and leave her a comment to say hello!

In this second part of a three-part conversation, get to know Rev. ...

05/07/2026

If you ordered plants from our youth, pickup is this week in the church parking lot! See times posted below.

Make sure to pick up your flowers during these times, as any unclaimed flowers will be sold. If you need to make other arrangements, contact Robin at 651-335-8296.

Thursday, May 7th 9:30 - 11:00 am
Saturday, May 9th 9:00 - 11:00am*
Sunday, May 10th, after service

*If you can join us on Saturday, our building partner CANDO will be selling low or no-cost vegetable start-ups to help start your garden!

04/30/2026

Get to know Pastor Shandon, who will be Park Avenue's Senior Pastor starting July 1st! In this first part of a three-part conversation, she shares about a meaningful spiritual practice in her life, a story about talking with kids about “pop quizzes,” and a few fun glimpses into her life—including how she met her husband!

We’re grateful for the opportunity to begin getting to know her together as a community and invite you to follow along as the full interview unfolds over the coming weeks.

Head on over to YouTube and say hello to her in the comments!

2 likes. "Getting to Know Rev. Shandon Klein | Pastor Interview (Part 1)"

04/15/2026

After a year under the guidance and leadership of Interim Senior Pastor Dan Johnson, Park Avenue UMC is joyful in sharing that Reverend Shandon Klein has been appointed as our new Senior Pastor. This Sunday, the Leadership Board shared the following message from our Bishop:

"It is the intention of Bishop Lanette Plambeck to appoint the Reverend Shandon Klein as pastor of the Park Avenue United Methodist Church, and acting on behalf of the congregation, the Staff/Pastor/Parish Relations Committee has affirmed the Bishop's intention. The new appointment will begin July 1, 2026, with Pastor Klein’s first Sunday in worship on July 5. Each church member's supportive prayers and acts of kindness during the transition period will be greatly appreciated by all."

Reverend Shandon Klein describes herself as a Spirit-led disciple who loves Jesus and is passionately dedicated to leading a multi-ethnic, radically inclusive ministry of Christ:

* Prioritizing both personal and social holiness in the Wesleyan tradition
* Passion for the unchurched, spiritual but not religious, and those who have suffered church harm
* Helping others discover their gifts and equipping them to do ministry
* Bridging multiple cultures and ideologies; helping facilitate understanding, welcoming, and belonging in creative ways

Married to Shane, the love of her life, with whom she has shared over 25 years; they live with their two wonderful fur babies, Harley the Great Dane, and Doug the cat.

Tomorrow, we will share more about Reverend Shandon, along with comments from our Leadership Board, through our newsletter (https://www.parkavechurch.org/newsletter). Thank you for your continued prayers during this season of transition at Park Avenue!

03/14/2026

Sabbath Snow

The Sabbath is a biblical discipline for weekly spiritual reflection and worship. It originates from the Hebrew word shavat (to cease or rest). The term implies more than stopping work but also seeking wholeness. Sometimes we become so driven by our schedules, that when creation itself cries out for shavat, it behooves us to take notice! 

Park Avenue United Methodist Church is canceling our in-person worship for Sunday morning March 15 in anticipation of a forecasted winter storm. We do so for safety of our congregants and plow access for our neighbors. However, our weekly Sabbath is not cancelled but invites different models for spiritual reflection and worship. 

In 2024, our Church Leadership Board drafted a position paper about Park Avenue’s approach to Sunday worship. An excerpt reads, “We recognize that God is already with us. Our task is to lower our resistance and raise our awareness to the Spirit of God, who is already present and always ready to awaken us to God’s grace in Christ.” 

So, trusting that God is already with you wherever you are hunkered down this weekend, embrace this surprise pause and share Sabbath in ways and places beyond our gathering at 34th and Park Avenue. 

* View one of our “Mourning to Morning” worship series services that you may have missed – you can find them all archived on our YouTube Channel. 

* Have conversation over a leisurely breakfast as a household about some of the themes from our series. When did you first learn about Black history and who helped teach you? How did that change how you see people and the world? Have you ever seen something unfair and stayed quiet? How can we use our voices to stand up for others when something isn’t right? How can we help everyone feel welcome, safe, and important? 

(continued in comments)

03/14/2026

“Sabbath Snow”

The Sabbath is a biblical discipline for weekly spiritual reflection and worship. It originates from the Hebrew word shavat (to cease or rest). The term implies more than stopping work but also seeking wholeness. Sometimes we become so driven by our schedules, that when creation itself cries out for shavat, it behooves us to take notice!

Park Avenue United Methodist Church is canceling our in-person worship for Sunday morning March 15 in anticipation of a forecasted winter storm. We do so for safety of our congregants and plow access for our neighbors. However, our weekly Sabbath is not cancelled but invites different models for spiritual reflection and worship.

In 2024, our Church Leadership Board drafted a position paper about Park Avenue’s approach to Sunday worship. An excerpt reads, “We recognize that God is already with us. Our task is to lower our resistance and raise our awareness to the Spirit of God, who is already present and always ready to awaken us to God’s grace in Christ.”

So, trusting that God is already with you wherever you are hunkered down this weekend, embrace this surprise pause and share Sabbath in ways and places beyond our gathering at 34th and Park Avenue.

View one of our “Mourning to Morning” worship series services that you may have missed – you can find them all archived on our YouTube Channel.

Have conversation over a leisurely breakfast as a household about some of the themes from our series. When did you first learn about Black history and who helped teach you? How did that change how you see people and the world? Have you ever seen something unfair and stayed quiet? How can we use our voices to stand up for others when something isn’t right? How can we help everyone feel welcome, safe, and important?

Offer intercessory prayers for those in your sphere of care and concern. Add these petitions as well: During this season of discernment for our new senior pastor we pray for all those involved: our bishop and superintendents, our Church Leadership Board, our congregation, staff, and potential clergy candidates. May your Holy Spirit move through this appointment process to surface a leader aligned with your will for our future. We are grateful for our congregation’s consistent support of our church operating fund enabling Park Avenue to sustain our core ministries. We’re also grateful for a network of generosity that extends far beyond our congregation. Contributions to our Community Crisis Response Fund from across the country and even around the world, extend the compassionate care of Christ throughout our neighborhood every week!

View the announcements in the updated bulletin linked here for ministry opportunities in and through Park Avenue UMC through the weeks ahead.

Receive the gift of time for rest and renewal.

May Sabbath Snow Blessings Blow,

Pastor Dan

*Important Reminder*
Sunday was the last day for our Youth Service Learning Trip Fundraiser plant sale. All orders must be placed now to meet our deadline. If you wanted to purchase tomorrow, you can still order at youth-plant-sale.square.site Pick up plants at church on Saturday, May 9, or Sunday, May 10. They make a wonderful Mother’s Day gift! Your support helps them travel to Florida, where they will focus on environmental justice and creation care.

03/12/2026

We welcome you to join the Central Community to receive care at Park Avenue for the second community care event this evening. Though the news states Operation Metro Surge is coming to and end, those on the ground feel a very different reality in their bodies. The vigilance, stress, and trauma of the last 11 weeks and the ongoing terrorization of our neighbors has left many feeling tired, isolated, and burdened. The Central Nervous System team is committed to providing space for community processing, healing, and resilience on an ongoing basis, in partnership with skilled practitioners across several disciplines. Come receive care, build skills, and foster connection in a space specifically designed for those in Central/Powderhorn engaged in caring for our neighbors. Everyone welcome.

02/25/2026

Though the news states Operation Metro Surge is coming to and end, those on the ground feel a very different reality in their bodies. The vigilance, stress, and trauma of the last 11 weeks and the ongoing terrorization of our neighbors has left many feeling tired, isolated, and burdened. The Central Nervous System team is committed to providing space for community processing, healing, and resilience on an ongoing basis, in partnership with skilled practitioners across several disciplines. Come receive care, build skills, and foster connection in a space specifically designed for those in Central/Powderhorn engaged in caring for our neighbors. Everyone welcome.