Beyond Hospitality

OUR STORY

Annual Stewardship & Capital Campaign

For nearly 150 years, Matthews United Methodist (MUMC) has been a community of people committed to Jesus Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, united in the love of God, and called to make that love real to others.

In the Gathering Space of our Sanctuary, carved in granite, are these words of vision: "to become an all-inclusive Christian community which lifts high the Cross and shares the love of Jesus."

To realize this vision and welcome ALL in the name of Jesus Christ, we have gone beyond hospitality to make our worship space accessible to ALL. Our Sanctuary is where our congregation worships with abandon, experiences the word of God, celebrates weddings, mourns our faithful departed and is moved by sacred music. It is "a most holy place," as referenced in Ezekiel 41:1-4, and certainly one of the most important centers of ministry in all of Matthews. The Beyond Hospitality Campaign (thru Dec 2027) helps our space to be at its best for another thirty-plus years.

The Building Committee, created by our Administrative Council in 2022, talked to our architect about our reverence and passion for this space and the diverse roles it plays in the life of MUMC. We also discussed its limitations - the aging infrastructure, an inflexible and inaccessible floor plan, the challenge of hearing the spoken word with clarity, and an organ at the end of its useful life.

And then prayerfully, with an eye toward preserving and honoring our Sanctuary's architectural roots, we looked to create a more usable and energy-efficient space. We developed a comprehensive plan for renovation that modernized the Sanctuary while keeping it a place of reverence, beauty and wonder.

Based on positive results from our Feasibility Study, we recognized that YOU, our dedicated congregation, was ready to address critical repairs and improvements to allow us ALL to experience God together.

In December 2024, MUMC had received in either advance gifts and pledges totaling $3,205,938 which enabled us to realize our vision. Renovation took place from August 17-November 25, 2025. We worshiped in our newly renovated Sanctuary in December 2025.

OUR GOALS

ACCESSIBILITY

We want MUMC to be welcoming and accessible for everyone. As stated in Isaiah 40:4 "...making the rough places smooth," or in other words, removing barriers, makes it easier for our friends with disabilities to experience worship and fellowship in our church. This is part of our vision to be an "all-inclusive Christian community." Adding automatic door openers to the Sanctuary entrances and our handicap accessible bathrooms provides easier access. Replacing the Chancel Area floor with a smooth surface and providing a better way for people with disabilities to navigate that space allows more participants to lead services and make it safer for everyone.

HVAC SYSTEM

In the Sanctuary, our 31-year-old HVAC system was well past its life expectancy. Our new system provides savings on energy bills and better controls the humidity, thereby reducing the frequency of piano tunings required and preventing potential damage to other moisture-sensitive areas.

SOUND & LIGHTING

Several updates to our Sanctuary's sound and lighting systems have greatly enhanced the worship experience for both in-person and online attendees. New LED screens positioned lower than the current projection walls provide easier sight lines, better clarity and more dynamic content for everyone. An upgraded high-fidelity sound system that is also hearing-aid compatible provides more consistent coverage throughout the space. Brighter, more efficient lighting improves visibility and significantly reduce utility costs.

MUSIC & WORSHIP

Music ministry has always been an integral part of our worship experience and community outreach at MUMC. Our incredibly talented choir members and other musicians bring God's word to life in such inspiring ways. Some very important modifications to our Chancel space have further enhanced our musical worship elements and provide access for greater participation in them. Increasing the Chancel Area and size of the choir loft allows people and instruments to be repositioned for better acoustics, as well as enable handbell choirs and larger orchestras to perform directly in front of the congregation. Reducing the number of stairs, widening them, and adding handrails have provided safer access to all. In addition, the organ that served us well for 25 years and required costly upkeep, has been replaced. A newer model with updated technology and vastly improved sound provides the reliability we need to conduct services and will save a great deal on repairs.

CAPTIONING

We at MUMC embrace God's gift of diversity and rejoice in a loving, diverse community united in Christ. Providing closed captioning on personal devices, as well as live-streaming services, and translated captions for bi-lingual services as needed, has improved our congregation's worship experience and increase our opportunities for outreach.

OUR CAMPAIGN

Each year in the fall, congregants of our community make faithful pledges in support of the forthcoming year's annual budget. Pledges and gifts in support of our annual operating fund are transformed into a multitude of ministries carried out by you, our pastors, and our faithful staff. This annual, faithful generosity focus is not to be neglected during this season; it is to be maximized as we go forth into God's future together, beyond hospitality. This is first priority for our giving.

Addressing all these important facility issues requires a successful capital campaign. Thank you for continuing to give to cover these projects that elevate our worship experience, create a more accessible, pleasant environment for all, and expand our hospitality within the walls of our church and beyond to the community we serve.

Thank you for your Annual Pledge to the General Operating Fund (each year) and for your Beyond Hospitality Pledge to the Capital Campaign (through December 2027). Your faithful commitments allow Matthews UMC to live into our mission and vision. Let's go "Beyond Hospitality... Experiencing God Together."

Resources

Completed Sanctuary Renovations