Our Missions
You don't have to join our church to be part of our mission work. Some of our very best volunteers have been atheists. Everyone who wants to help out is welcome!
All of us want to do something about racism, homophobia, climate change and other evils. But what can one person do…? Well, they can join up with others, that’s what!
And our Shepherd of the Hill mission teams do just that: they connect people so that — working together — we can have a real impact on our community and our world. And, by the way, you don't have to join our church to volunteer with a mission team. We are interfaith in how we work in the community. Some of our best volunteers have been atheists.
Here’s a list of our current missions. In some cases, we’ve linked up with existing organizations; in others, we’ve started a mission all our own. But each is an example of people joining together to encourage each other and multiply their effectiveness.
Find a mission that fits you, and then put those good intentions to work!
The Sower Gallery
Shepherd of the Hill is home to a remarkable art space called The Sower Gallery, whose mission is to build community through art.
The gallery, on the main floor of our church building, hosts art shows for local artists, one-person shows and themed shows on subjects like the environment or women’s voices.
Now showing: "Plants: Power to Transform," celebrating the beauty, diversity, and transformative power of the plant world., on view through Saturday, December 12.
Community Meeting Space
We open our building to a variety of community groups for their own activities and gatherings.
A Seventh-day Adventist congregation uses our sanctuary and classroom space for worship and fellowship, and Narcotics Anonymous groups meet regularly in our building. We're glad to provide a welcoming space for organizations that serve and connect our community.
Education and Dialogue
Our adult education opportunities have moved online during the health crisis. Each Sunday morning, from 9:15 to 10:15, we offer Table Talk, with topical studies, book discussions and guest speakers. Online Bible Studies are held on two weekday mornings; these are college-level classes on how to read the Bible. To learn how to join any of these groups online, contact Kaitlin at the church office or click here.
Citizen’s Climate Lobby
The Arctic is burning. Global warming is not taking a break during the pandemic.
CCL is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization working to generate political will for the changes necessary to save our planet from the destructive effects of climate change and global warming.
CCL is currently focused on the passage of Carbon Fee and Dividend legislation, a climate change solution supported by economists and climate scientists alike. Through education and advocacy, CCL is bringing people together from across the political spectrum to take bold action — now.
The Chaska chapter of CCL is led by one of our members and meets online during the COVID-19 crisis.
The Garden Team and the Food Shelf
The Garden Team, also known as the “Lay Weeders,” is a group of dedicated gardeners who like to get their hands dirty, but whose real mission is helping to feed the hungry in our community. All the produce raised in our gardens is shared with various agencies, including our own Food Shelf (a food pantry at church used by our neighbors and congregants), Families Moving Forward and seniors in our community.
In addition, we tend the Peace Garden, a place for meditation and quiet reflection. And we offer a green space with a fireplace that’s open to the community for bonfires and interfaith gatherings, as well as a playground area for Families Moving Forward.
Gardening with us is a wonderful way to make friends, connect with God’s creation, and help serve our community.
Our food shelf is open each weekTuesday-Thursday, from 11am-1pm.
More Light Presbyterians
We are a More Light Church, part of a coalition known as More Light Presbyterians, committed to the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and in society. As More Light Presbyterians, we believe that God is still speaking and has more light to shed on current issues.
For most of Christian history, for example, churches refused to value LGBTQIA+ members or to accept them into leadership. But, through the courageous efforts of many individuals, God has shone the way to much-needed reforms, such as the approval of same-sex marriages and the ordination of LGBTQIA+ clergy. We continue to advocate for LGBTQIA+ justice in church and society and we welcome LGBTQIA+ persons into the full life of our congregation.
The Deacons
Our Deacons serve the people of our church in many ways. During normal times, they visit home-bound members, bringing them communion and arranging for help when needed. Deacons also lead the prayers for healing at Sunday worship.
The Deacons sponsor an annual fall fundraiser for local causes such as Launch Ministry (for homeless teens), Meals on Wheels, Beacon and Families Moving Forward. A recent fundraiser was called Empty Bowls. Guests purchased a simple soup meal and took home a pottery bowl donated by a local artist as a reminder that someone in our community has an Empty Bowl.
Individual Action
Many of our members are also busy volunteering with other groups in our community, and would love to have you join them.
Several deliver food to the homebound through Meals on Wheels. Others serve as MNSure navigators, helping people through the enrollment process for health care coverage.
Through Conversations With Friends, other members provide emotional support for people being held by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in our local jails. They visit them twice a month, write to them and support them from the gallery when they have to appear in Federal court.
Whatever cause you feel called to, there’s a good chance you’ll find someone at Shepherd of the Hill ready to join you in taking action.