A United Methodist Congregation on Lexington Avenue
Advent United Methodist Church sits on Lexington Avenue South in Eagan, Minnesota. The congregation gathers each Sunday morning for worship and describes its life in three words: Connect, Grow, Serve. Members come from a wide variety of backgrounds, drawn together by a shared calling to make a difference beyond the walls of the sanctuary. The church is part of the Minnesota Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church and embraces the wider United Methodist mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Sundays at Ten
Worship is held every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. in the main sanctuary. Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of each month. Childcare is provided during worship so families with young children can fully take part. Each service is shaped by music, prayer, scripture, and preaching led by Lead Pastor Rev. Eric Elkin.
Music is directed by Daniel Pederson, who also oversees communications for the church. A team of volunteers fills the roles that make each service run, including readers, communion assistants, greeters, candle lighters, and a tech team handling cameras, sound, and projection. For those who cannot be in the pews, services are livestreamed on the Advent YouTube Channel. A weekly podcast and a full archive of sermons are available through SoundCloud and YouTube.
Children and Youth
Advent's ministry to children is led by Lindsey Nuehring, Minister of Children's Faith Formation. On Sunday mornings at 10:00 a.m., two age groups meet. Junior Advent Kids welcomes infants through pre-kindergartners with age-appropriate stories, music, and play under qualified childcare staff. Advent Kids serves kindergarten through fifth grade with music, activities, and small-group discussion. A monthly Kids and Youth newsletter and "Grow At Home" questions extend learning beyond Sunday morning.
Youth in grades 6 through 12 are cared for by Rev. Grant Spencer, Minister of Youth Faith Formation. Three programs anchor this ministry. YEW, Youth Engage in Worship, invites youth to take on roles in the service, including assisting with communion, helping in the tech booth, or welcoming worshipers, and then share lunch with the youth pastor afterwards. YC², Youth Connect and Confirmation, meets on Sunday evenings: junior high confirmation runs from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m., and senior high Connexion runs from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. YES, Youth Engage in Service, gives older youth opportunities to take part in service projects.
Adult Ministry and Small Groups
Adult ministry at Advent offers a steady rhythm of ways to deepen spiritual life and build friendships. Tuesdays at 10 is a Zoom Bible study led by Pastor Eric that explores scripture passage by passage. The Advent Walkers meet Fridays at 4:30 p.m. at the Lebanon Hills Park Visitor Center on Cliff Road for an outdoor walk, weather permitting. Sacred Earth gathers on Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to noon at the church to tend the flower beds; no experience is required, and rain dates move to Tuesdays at the same time. A group of men meets Tuesday mornings at 7:00 a.m. at Panera Bread on Promenade Place in Eagan for coffee and conversation, a gathering that grew out of a book group. Helping Hands, another Thursday morning gathering from around 10:00 a.m., helps staff with simple tasks around the building. The Women of Advent host a monthly gathering that rotates between fellowship, service, and learning.
Connect4 is a small-group program that runs from October through April. Each group consists of four "families," defined however the participants wish, who gather four times over the course of about four months for a walk, a coffee, a backyard barbecue, a game night, or whatever they choose. The Women's Retreat, held each fall at Mount Olivet Conference and Retreat Center in Farmington, brings women together for a day of worship, learning, and conversation, with continental breakfast, lunch, and retreat materials included.
A Faith of Welcome and Inclusion
Advent's inclusion statement is a cornerstone of who the congregation is. The church “celebrates human diversity and recognizes the sacred worth and dignity of all persons” and affirms the full inclusion of persons of every race, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, physical or mental capacity, education, economic, or marital status. The statement goes on to declare that prejudice, hatred, or discrimination toward any individual or group is contrary to the life and spirit of Jesus Christ.
The church's name carries meaning. Advent means arrival or the start of something new, and the season of Advent prepares the church for the arrival of Jesus. The new logo, a tree with multicolored leaves, reflects this in several layers. The tree connects to Eagan's own tree logo and to the tree of life imagery that opens and closes the biblical story in Genesis and Revelation. The differently colored leaves reflect different people with different gifts and signal the congregation's commitment to inclusion. The central figure in the design is left open to interpretation, a question of whether it is Christ or Christ living in the people who gather here.
Caring for One Another
The Caring Ministry at Advent is built around trained volunteers who assist the pastors in providing spiritual and emotional support to members and visitors. They make visits to homes, hospital rooms, extended care facilities, or local coffee shops. Reasons for a caring visit can include the birth or adoption of a child, illness or hospitalization, the death of a loved one, or simply a desire for conversation.
Each visitor has completed an extensive screening process and signed a confidentiality agreement. Visitors can pray, read the Bible, or simply sit and talk. Anyone who would like a visit can fill out a green Prayer and Care card during worship or contact the pastoral team directly. A prayer request form allows visitors to send prayer concerns to the pastoral staff or, anonymously, to the congregation's weekly prayer chain. A support group interest form is also available for those exploring grief, divorce, or other care topics.
Serving Beyond the Building
Advent's partnerships extend its ministry into the wider community. The congregation supports Emma Norton, Simpson Housing, Living Well, CATCH Housing, The Link MN, Treehouse, Young Life, The Open Door Pantry, The Salvation Army, Dakota Woodlands, Midwest Mission, and Feed My Starving Children. Kaitlyn's Kloset, a clothing resource center at Sts. Martha and Mary Episcopal Church, also welcomes Advent volunteers to help sort donations after a wave of public attention brought in extra goods.
Inside the church, volunteers pour coffee on Sunday mornings, sponsor altar flowers in memory or honor of a loved one, and pitch in for events like the annual Trunk or Treat, a free Halloween celebration in the parking lot with decorated trunks, candy, and carnival games.
The Tree of Life and a Building Refresh
A capital campaign called Breaking New Ground is moving through three areas of the facility. Phase 1, refurbishing the worship space with refinished pews, new carpet, restored polished concrete, and updated lighting and AV equipment, is finished. Phase 2, covering classrooms, meeting spaces, church offices, the main entry, and the narthex, is also finished. Phase 3 focuses on Wesley Hall and is currently in the planning stage, with future work including new flooring, paint, improved audio-visual speakers, and the possibility of opening the north wall to create an exterior patio.
Weddings, Baptisms, and Funerals
Advent hosts weddings, both in the church and at off-site locations led by one of the pastors. Couples complete an online form to begin the conversation, and the staff walks with them as they plan both the day and the marriage.
The Sacrament of Baptism is offered to people of any age. The church recognizes baptisms from other traditions, though baptized members are encouraged to consider reaffirming their baptismal vows. Anyone interested can complete an online form to start the conversation with the pastoral team.
Funerals at Advent are called Celebrations of Life. The pastoral staff helps families plan a service that honors the person who has died while proclaiming the hope of resurrection. A planning booklet is available online to walk families through the process.
Getting Involved
Office hours run Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The phone number is (651) 454-3944, and the general email is info@advent-umc.com. Those interested in membership can complete a form. Giving is available online through Pushpay, with quarterly electronic statements and an annual printed statement mailed to each giver. Volunteer sign-ups for Sunday worship, altar flowers, coffee hosting, and other opportunities are available online, and the church welcomes new members into a community that takes both faith and friendship seriously.