Mission & Vision

It is our mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.


Our vision is to embody Jesus Christ’s inclusive love for the seeker, the cynic, the flawed and the faithful.

Christ's Love in Action

Come and see how Christ's Love is truly in action at Kirkwood United Methodist Church, through some of the following ministries below. 

  • Fed To Feed Others

    At KUMC, we are "Fed to Feed Others!" All are invited to Kirkwood United Methodist Church and all are invited to the Communion Table on the first Sunday of the month. And as you are fed by Christ, you are also invited to share that love with others through the donation of non-perishable food items.  KUMC's food collection efforts help stock five other local food pantries in our community every month. 


    To donate, bring items to the Connections Window on Sunday mornings when you come to church or during office hours M - Th, 9 am - 3 pm.


    You can find other Mission opportunities on the Adult/Serve Page. 

    Go to KUMC Mission Page circlerightarrow

  • InClusive Ministries

    KUMC is ready to welcome you! We have a new inclusive Ministries initiative, and offer volunteer activities to help in our community and learning opportunities about inclusvie ministries to all. Watch for Events on Facebook.

     

    Questions? 

    Lorri Coates

    314.966.8167 x105

    circleemail 


  • KUMC Racial Justice Ministries

    KUMC's Racial Justice Ministries aims to educate and eliminate Racism in our immediate community and beyond. This group meets often to discuss current issues, plan events, and promote those programs in our area that speak to unity and equality for all. 


    Questions? 

    Tom Ptacek circleemail

KUMC Racial Justice Ministries

Fall  2023 Discussion, October 15th

Anyone is welcome to come to Kirkwood United Methodist Church to attend KUMC Racial Justice programs. These programs are free and open to the public. 


The next program is Sunday, October 15 at 6:30 pm in the Sanctuary to hear Dr. Terrell Carter's talk enititled, “I Have to Live with Them? How White Christians Can Support Their Black and Brown Fellow Believers”. 


Find all the details below. 

"I Have To Live With Them?" 

Presented by Dr. Terrell Carter

Sunday, October 15, 6:30 pm at KUMC

In the session “I Have to Live with Them? How White Christians Can Support Their Black and Brown Fellow Believers,” Dr. Terrell Carter will lead a conversation that seeks to bridge the gap in understanding between what Black and Brown Christians traditionally believe about faith and society in comparison to White believers. Questions that will be explored are: Is the church functioning as a positive force in society? Shouldn't we be talking more about the gospel and less about race? What can we do when we find that, rather than a solution, we ourselves are part of the problem? Is there accountability for the damage done historically? 


The goal of the conversation will be to facilitate understanding between groups that may not always speak openly and honestly with each other.  All are welcome to attend this talk at Kirkwood United Methodist Church. 

Putting Reconciliation to Work in Our Community. 

You Can Make a Difference

Presented on Sunday, October 2, 2022

KUMC Racial Justice Ministries hosted an in-person discussion centering on the work of reconciliation lived out in the community.  At the event, a panel of three local speakers provided brief perspectives on reconciliation work in the community. Participants were encouraged to reflect on ways they could live out the work of reconciliation in their communities in round table discussions following the panel discussion. 


Watch the recorded panel discussion on Vimeo now circlerightarrow

A Conversation About Gun Violence

Presented on Sunday, November 6th at KUMC

Kirkwood United Methodist Church's Racial Justice Ministries presented a panel discussion featuring local St. Louis speakers on Gun Violence at the church on Sunday, November 6th. The panelist explored topics such as the history of gun violence, relevant legislation, how to discuss school gun violence with your children, and what you can do to help battle this nationwide epidemic. 


The panelists for this discussion were:

Richard Rosenfeld, Curators' Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Missouri St. Louis

Wesley Bell, St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney

Kim Westerman, Mom’s Demand Action

Dr. Kenneth Haller, MD at SLU Physician Group & Professor of Pediatrics at SLU

Professor of Pediatrics at Saint Louis University

And panelist moderator: Barb Phifer, Missouri State Representative

 

Watch the recorded session on Vimeo now circlerightarrow

Racial Justice Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow Education Series


October 10  through November 7, 2021

Kirkwood United Methodist Racial Justice Group presented a variety of opportunities for members of KUMC's congregation and people of the community to explore and understand the complex landscape of racial justice, particularly through the lens of Kirkwood and surrounding St. Louis areas. With racial justice as our mission, we recognize that a variety of perspectives and topics are needed to ground us in this critical work. This series comprises four unique, but deeply connected opportunities to learn about race, racial justice, and our community. Each opportunity can be attended as a standalone event, but taken as a whole they will paint a more complete picture of our past,  present, and future. Each event has a link to the recorded video of the presentations so that you can conveniently view this series from this page. 

  • Ongoing Opportunity oNE: 

    Racial Justice Sunday Sermon Series

    With Pastor Katie Trinter

    & Reverend Sharon L. Williams


    Sundays, October  10, 17, and 24 At KUMC or Online

    We live in a world of troubled waters where racial justice and equality are still a distant dream. In this sermon series, we explore issues of contemporary racism and injustice, through the lens of scripture, and God’s vision of a just and loving world. We will be unpacking some hard truths, while also dreaming of how, with God’s help, we can build a more just world. 

    You can watch the sermons in this series by clicking on the titles below that will take you to KUMC's Vimeo page: 

    Sunday, October 10: Pastor Katie Trinter - "Cries from Babylon"


    Sunday, October 17: Pastor Katie Trinter - "Set the Captive Free"


    Sunday, October 24: Reverend Sharon L. Williams - "In the Meantime"

  • Opportunity TWO: 

    Race and Education Session
    Sunday, October 10 at 7 pm in KUMC's Sanctuary

    This session will unpack the complicated landscape our current schools and educators face as it relates to race and racial justice. If you are curious about what is currently taught in schools, how this differs from education in the past, what the vision is for these topics in public schools moving forward, and what the “critical race theory” debate is truly about, this session is for you. 

    The session will be moderated by Barbara Phifer, Missouri House Representative. Speakers will include Heather Fleming, founder of Missouri Equity Education Project, Romona Miller, Grade Level Principal at Kirkwood High School and Deborah Holmes, former assistant superintendent of Kirkwood School District, and Michelle Hamilton, mother of a recent Kirkwood graduate, as well as a representative from the Kirkwood School District. Information will be presented, and time allotted for a question-and-answer element. 


    Watch this recorded session now on Vimeo circlerightarrow

  • Opportunity Three: Racial Justice Panel – Growing up Black in St. Louis

    Sunday, October 24, 7 pm In KUMC's Sanctuary

    This panel discussion will be comprised of members of the St. Louis and Kirkwood community who bring perspectives on key topics from the past, present, and their hopes for the future of our community. The moderator for this discussion is Sinclair Bowman, and panelists include Darnell Frost, Paul Ward, Olivia Flagg-Bourke, and Bryson Reid. Join us to listen as they share their personal stories and experiences regarding race relations, education, community, and change from growing up in the St. Louis area. Often, these topics can feel distant and removed from our own circles, so we hope this panel discussion provides an opportunity to gain insight on the experiences of our neighbors right here in our neighborhoods.


    Watch this recorded session now on Vimeo circlerightarrow

  • Opportunity Four: 

    Taxation and Legislation Panel Discussion

    Sunday, November 7, 7 pm In KUMC's Sanctuary

    Speaking through the frame of “yesterday, today, and tomorrow,” this panel will discuss taxation, legislation and policy related to race and racial justice. What is the difference between progressive and regressive taxes?  How does taxation impact our everyday life?  How can taxation be made more equitable?


    Watch this recorded session now on Vimeo circlerightarrow