On a hillside lot at 15050 Scenic Heights Road in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Eden Prairie United Methodist Church has built a reputation as one of the most overtly welcoming congregations in the Twin Cities suburbs. Known locally by the shorthand "EPUMC," the church is rooted in "the love, grace and radical inclusivity of Jesus," and the words LOVE, JUSTICE, GRACE, and INCLUSION are displayed across the top like a four-part confession of faith. Visitors arriving on a Sunday morning will find a building that lives those values out loud: an open sanctuary, an active nursery, dedicated sensory spaces, and a steady stream of produce leaving the church garden for a local food shelf.
Sunday Mornings at Ten
Worship at EPUMC gathers every Sunday at 10:00 AM, both in person and livestreamed on Facebook Live and YouTube. The service runs about 45 minutes and is vibrant, thought-provoking, and inclusive. Music leads the way, with a mix of styles woven together through a Chancel Choir, a Praise Band, and a Handbell Choir that adds layered melodic color during seasonal services. A banner invites newcomers with the words, "Come as you are to experience radical inclusion and the boundless embrace of God's love." Dress runs the full range from jeans and t-shirts to business casual, and offering plates sit at the sanctuary entrances rather than being passed during the service.
A Reconciling and Radically Inclusive Community
EPUMC identifies itself as a Reconciling Congregation within the United Methodist Church, formally committing to welcome people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, to seek awareness of discrimination in the world, and to move beyond awareness into action. The church's commitments include peace and justice work, inclusive welcome, prayerful dialogue about social issues, and active service. Members and staff march, volunteer, and sponsor booths annually at Twin Cities Pride, Eden Prairie Pride, and Pride in Carver County. The congregation also intentionally welcomes neurodivergent individuals and families, people with physical limitations, and anyone carrying "big questions or heavy baggage," promising "a seat for you at the table."
Kids, Youth, and Family Ministries
The church partners with parents "to nurture children and youth in a progressive, inclusive, and loving faith." Three age tiers run concurrently with the 10:00 AM worship service:
- Nursery (infants through pre-K): A safe, compassionate space staffed by Sara Bunker and Kate Steele.
- Children's Ministry (K through 5th grade): Directed by Rachel Casper, with bright, storytelling-focused classrooms that explore unconditional love, kindness, and equity.
- Youth Ministry (grades 6 through 12): Coordinated by Haley Mathison, with regular mid-week and Sunday events where teens can ask real questions about identity, justice, and faith.
For kids who would rather stay in the sanctuary, dedicated Activity Tables sit at the front of the worship space, stocked with coloring supplies and quiet toys. The church explicitly invites the sounds that come with children being present, calling "their giggles, whispers, and rustling" a "welcome song." Older students can also plug into the JAM Band (Joy and Music), the church's youth music ministry where guitarists, drummers, pianists, bassists, and singers lead and rehearse together.
Adaptive Faith Ministry and Wrigley the Therapy Dog
A signature ministry at EPUMC is its Adaptive Faith Ministry, dedicated to children with sensory needs and their families. The program offers noise-canceling headphones and a range of fidget tools during worship, a dedicated Sensory Space with a sensory wall featuring specialized textures, and an Adaptive Summer Bible Camp tailored for kids who thrive in modified, sensory-friendly environments. Families can reach out to the team in advance to plan a first visit. Walking the hallways is Wrigley, a professionally certified therapy dog whose gentle presence helps children feel grounded during high-stimulus moments and offers non-judgmental companionship to anyone who needs it.
Music Ministries
Music is central to life at EPUMC. The Chancel Choir and Praise Band lead worship with a blend of traditional and contemporary elements. The Handbell Choir adds layered melodic patterns during special seasonal services. The JAM Band gives students in grades 6 through 12 a place to plug in, lead, and grow as musicians. Music Director Megan Peterson oversees the program.
Growing Through Study and Fellowship
Beyond Sunday worship, the church offers an array of inward ministries for spiritual growth and connection:
- Tuesday Book Group: Weekly discussions centered on progressive books that challenge and support the faith journey.
- Food For Thought Study: An intensive, collaborative seasonal study that meets once a year for six weeks.
- Challenge Group: Meets Sunday mornings at 11:00 AM for deep-dive, provocative conversations, with free childcare provided on-site.
- Chair Yoga: Gentle physical stretches and mental centering that meet Sundays after the service.
- GEMS (God's Exceptional Methodist Seniors): Fellowship, outings, and service projects for older adults.
- Connections: Monthly gatherings that pair a shared family dinner with a collaborative activity.
- Care Team: Prayer, check-ins, and support for seniors and neighbors in need.
A Social Justice Library sits inside the building and is open to all, with curated books and resources on racial equity, LGBTQIA+ histories, disability justice, environmental protection, and peace-building.
Feeding Neighbors and Doing Justice
EPUMC's outward ministries channel the congregation's faith into direct service against food insecurity and injustice in the Twin Cities and beyond:
- The PROP Garden: A church-grounds garden that grows fresh, organic produce donated to PROP, the local Eden Prairie food shelf.
- Every Meal: A partnership that supports the school backpack program so local students have nutritious food on weekends.
- Feed My Starving Children (FMSC): Intergenerational packing sessions that hand-pack scientifically formulated meals for children facing malnutrition globally.
- Simpson Shelter: Regular volunteering to serve meals and support shelter operations for neighbors experiencing homelessness in Minneapolis.
- Drinks and Discussion (DnD): A monthly gathering at a local brewery for honest, casual conversation about faith, current events, and tough questions. All viewpoints are welcome.
- Southwest Grief Coalition: A partnership with a coalition of local churches offering a compassionate space and resources for those walking through loss.
Meet the Team
Lead Pastor Linda McCollough leads the congregation. Megan Peterson serves as Director of Music. Patrick McCutchan runs livestream production, and Brianna Collett oversees digital discipleship. Rachel Casper directs the Children and Families Ministry, with Haley Mathison coordinating youth ministry and Sara Bunker and Kate Steele staffing the nursery. Frances Stevenson serves as Office Administrator and Rick LaMothe as Facilities Manager. Wrigley, the therapy dog, is part of the team too. Lay leadership includes Lay Leader Linda Schesso, Lay Delegate for Annual Conference Beth Holland, Inward Church Group Leader Kali Braun, and Outward Church Group Leaders Drew Davis and Dave Rieke, alongside a Finance Committee, Property Management Committee, and Staff-Parish Relations Committee chaired by Jackie Engel.
Giving and Getting Connected
Generosity fuels the church's outward mission. Giving is available online through a secure giving platform, and checks may be mailed directly to the church office at 15050 Scenic Heights Rd. The church also offers a prayer request form, and visitors are invited to reach out through the office email or phone line ahead of a first visit to coordinate any specific support needs.