CONTINUING A TRADITION OF WELCOME

Hope United Church of Christ first welcomed members and friends of the Hiawatha community and beyond over 50 years ago! It is time now to begin Building Hope for Tomorrow! Our church community needs a fellowship hall building addition, that will provide the right tools for serving our community and beyond.

I am so excited! I am excited to be a part of this capital campaign because it will help re-birth the vision of Hope United Church of Christ that was imagined more than 50 years ago. When those first few members gathered to form Hope UCC, they had a dream of a building where worship, fellowship, programs, and ministries happened that would reach into the Hiawatha community and beyond. Now is our opportunity to expand on that dream. Together we will establish a lasting legacy for Hope UCC that will make a difference now and into the future.

Mary Beth Hartenstein, Pastor

WHO WE ARE – OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK

Hope United Church of Christ is home to a great diversity of people, young and old, from various surrounding communities. Each call this church theirs for different reasons and enjoys its resources in different ways.

Integrated into the fabric of our neighborhood and surrounding area, the church is home to a variety of events aimed at cultivating community, fellowship and love, and it’s not only open on Sunday.

Beyond worship, our church hosts association and conference events, Vacation Bible School, vital support programs like Alcoholics Anonymous and blood drives, enrichment opportunities like piano lessons, fundraising events like Once Again Christmas, Spring Boutique, the Spring Garage Sale, the Fall Beef Dinner, and holiday festivities like Trunk or Treat and an Easter egg hunt. As a UCC church we are a model for thoughtful discussion in a faith-based community about topics that are difficult and sometimes divisive. Whether questioning or confident, we open our doors and welcome all who enter here!

OUR GOAL – THE PROJECT

The Building Hope for Tomorrow Capital Campaign hopes to raise $785,000 in pledges to support the expansion of our current facility.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE THIS WILL MAKE!

By Building Hope for Tomorrow, we will increase Hope UCC’s hospitable presence and reinforce our commitment to our Hiawatha and greater Cedar Rapids community. With a welcoming fellowship hall, Hope UCC will become a space for inspiration, learning and growth. Hope UCC  values diversity and new ideas, and Building Hope for Tomorrow Capital Campaign will encourage growth in ourselves and in others.

WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY, THERE IS NO SENSE IN STOPPING NOW.

A small group of determined individuals started Hope UCC by first worshiping in the gym at Hiawatha Elementary. Through many ups and downs and hard work, they were able to build what currently serves as Hope’s fellowship hall in the late 1960s. This space served the Sunday School program and sanctuary. In the early 1990s, Hope’s dedicated members took a risk and built a new Sanctuary. The kitchen was updated 15 years ago. All other aspects of the fellowship hall remain the same as they were in the late 1960s.

Through congregation involvement over the last several years, priorities for building improvements have emerged. For two years, Hope UCC’s Building and Renovation Team (BART)  has met regularly to consider the most important needs of the church. BART has concluded that a new fellowship hall and kitchen will meet the needs of Hope UCC’s desire for growth of programs and membership.

PLEASE GIVE. WORKING TOGETHER WE CAN DO THIS!

The success of the Building Hope for Tomorrow Capital Campaign depends upon the financial and spiritual support of the members and friends of Hope United Church of Christ. There are many ways to help with this campaign and many ways to give. Please consider a gift to the Capital Campaign. Click below to donate now or contact any member of the Capital Campaign Committee for more information.





HOPE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST CAPITAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE

  • Regan Bloomquist
  • Mitch Bloomquist
  • Faye Cieslek
  • Cathy Evers (Campaign Administrator)
  • Barb Henderson
  • Marlene Hunt
  • Gwen Kilma
  • Mary Nus
  • Deb Strunk
  • Allison Walker