Action - Judson Memorial Baptist Church

There are many ways to be involved at Judson. We are a community church and our work is for the community. Read about the many different programs you can be involved in either with your time and/or your financial gifts.

Racial Justice

Judson has historically considered social justice an intrinsic value. In the spring of 2018, a racial justice team was formed to provide a place for members to come to grips with their own histories with racism, to expand their knowledge of how systemic racism persists, and to offer some opportunities for the larger community to learn together. After the murder of George Floyd in May of 2020, the racial justice team grew in numbers and pledged to meet regularly to continue our personal journey towards anti-racist thinking, to expand our historical knowledge of racism and the role that the Church, our country, and community have had in sustaining it. Our goal is to take actions that ensure Judson Church is a place of inclusiveness in everything it does. All people (members and non-members) are invited to join the Judson Racial Justice Team. The team meets monthly on Zoom and sometimes in person. Some recent projects/focus areas of the team have included: Anti-racism Training, Creation of Judson’s Land Acknowledgement Statement, Creation of a Racial Justice resource table at the back of the sanctuary, Educational events open to the congregation and outside community, Book launch for Robert Jones’ The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy, Service with We Win Institute

Climate Justice

The Judson Environmental/Climate Justice Team’s purposes are to provide educational activitees/events to the greater Judson community plus to promote environmental stewardship and communicate awareness of climate change programs and policies at the local, state, and national level. The group encourages individual and collective choices that preserve our natural resources and conserve energy and carbon.

The group meets the fourth Thursday of each month. All are welcome.

Queer Alliance

Judson Church is a vibrant and inclusive community that celebrates diversity and promotes equality for all members of the LGBTQ+ community. Judson Queer Alliance (JQA) seeks to continually energize the Judson Church Community to embody Welcoming and Affirming values by being Conscientious Affirmers and a conduit to hold and embrace live enhancing conversations.

Recent Judson activities include sponsoring booths at the Twin Cities and Golden Valley Pride Festivals, supported Judson youth in hosting a second hour information sessions about gender and sexuality, hosting Our Whole Lives classes for youth and promoting use of gender pronouns by Judson family.

Trust Inc.

TRUST Incorporated is a non-profit organization based in South Minneapolis that unites and mobilizes congregations and the community to serve and empower our neighbors. It was formed in 1970 by eight congregations seeking to make a positive impact on the changing community. Today, TRUST has 19 congregational partners who work in tandem with TRUST leadership and staff to bring change through community based programs and initiatives. TRUST also operates with a host of committed friends and volunteers.

TRUST Mission Statement: TRUST unites and mobilizes congregations and the community to serve and empower our neighbors. TRUST Vision: Provide services that enhance well-being and dignity; Foster collaboration among south Minneapolis congregations; and connect generations to build a caring and inclusive community. TRUST Goals: To respond to the needs of people in our congregations and community; To provide opportunities for involvement in community action and service; To strengthen collaborative outreach programs of member congregations; and To provide avenues of communication, sharing and celebration among our congregations and people living in the community.

Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light

Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light works in partnership with faith and spiritual communities to co-create a just and sustainable world, to build transformative power and bring the lights of people’s unique gifts to addressing the climate crisis. MNiPL empowers individuals and communities to take action that is authentic, effective, and energizing in their context. They do this in two ways:

Leadership development programs for communities, adults, and youth
Action opportunities that provide tangible ways to make an impact.

Join us in building a powerful social movement for climate and environmental justice. We believe that true stewardship of the earth requires active engagement and proactive initiatives. Judson is proud to be a certified Climate Justice Congregation through the Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light’s certification program.

Meal on Wheels

TRUST Meals on Wheels is a service program that is part of the TRUST Incorporated, a non-profit in South Minneapolis dedicated to building community for over 53 years by providing programs that help aging adults and those with disabilities to continue to live well in their own homes.

Meals on Wheels provides nutritious meals five days a week to seniors age 60 and older who cannot prepare their own adequate meals. Judson church is home to the Meals on Wheels office and provides an industrial kitchen for its use. Members from Judson have also joined the many volunteer drivers who deliver meals to Meals on Wheels clients. Developing relationships with our neighbors through Meals on Wheels is one of the many ways we act on our core value of Hospitality.

Starfish Ministries

Bringing HOPE to the community, one person at a time.

In January 2011, Bethlehem and Judson Memorial Baptist, began a new ministry called Starfish. The purpose of this ministry is to help families who are facing short-term emergency financial needs. Often requests involves shelter, such as help paying rent for a current month; transportation issues, such as an unexpected car repair; help with utility bills; and/or food assistance.

Each month Starfish receives requests and makes decisions about how much assistance it can provide. Typically the ministry’s monthly budget is exhausted within the first several days of the month. With your support, Starfish can stay open longer and support more neighbors in their time of need. Click the play button below to view our video.

Joyce Uptown Foodshelf

Joyce Uptown Foodshelf’s mission is to distribute food to those in need, with respect and dignity.

Joyce Uptown Foodshelf is a standalone independent 501C(3) organization. We receive significant support from Lake Harriet UMC and other community congregations including Judson church, as well as hundreds of community members across the state. Food comes from 5 major sources: 1) Donations of food from individuals, churches, organizations, and food drives. 2) Food Recovery of non-expired food from partner grocery retailers. 3) The Food Group (formerly EFN – Emergency Foodshelf Network) is a coalition of 26 Hennepin County food shelves that purchases from food suppliers at a discounted rate, and passes on savings to us. 4) Second Harvest Heartland Food Bank which receives food from major corporations and delivers groceries to Joyce Uptown Foodshelf at a greatly reduced cost. 5) Commodities from a U.S. government surplus commodities program.

in 2021 we served…23,440 individuals, 6,790 households, 9,668 children, 3,048 first-time clients, and distributed 476,139 lbs of food.

Shapan Orphanage

The Myanmar-Burma Shapan Orphanage is located directly adjacent to the Chinese border and is home to 44 children. Judson members Joel Hoefle and Tris Magal connected with the orphanage years ago when they moved to the area to help with peacekeeping activities.

The orphanage receives no support from any government entities. The only funding comes from private donations like the ones Judson friends and members have been sending for over ten years. The money raised is sent directly to the orphanage and is used to provide meals, medical care, immunizations and medications, and education for the children in Shapan’s care.

We believe actions speak louder than words and that is why we support the Shapan Orphanage.

One Great Hour of Sharing

One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) supports disaster relief, ministries to displaced persons, and development projects of the American Baptists Churches and its partners. The fund is administered by the World Relief Committee of the Board of Gerneral Ministries and American Baptist Churches USA. This offering is promoted in May and June.

Throughout the year, there may be special appeals for particular disasters. To designate your OGHS gift, make sure to indicate to which appeal you are responding, for example “OGHS – Ukraine Relief”. The World Relief Committee will disburse the undesignated gifts to domestic and global projects.