United Methodist Connections

Hamline University has a long history with the United Methodist Church.  From our founding in 1854 through a gift by Bishop Leonidas Hamline, we have always sought to live up to John Wesley's vision to "Do all the Good you can."  However, while embracing the values of the Methodist tradition, we do not want to exclude members of our community in the process.  In fact, our United Methodist tradition is to be a connectional community!  As such, we are a United Methodist related university and also Multi-faith in our programs. 

To learn more about how Hamline University expresses our diverse spiritual vision, read "Faith: Creating a Foundation" from the 2007 issue of Hamline Magazine.

Love Boldly Campaign

Love Boldly is a Minnesota United Methodist Church campaign for LGBTQ+ inclusivity in response to the decisions made by the global United Methodist Church. In February 2019, the church reaffirmed their stance that “homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teachings.” The church voted against LGBTQ+ individuals becoming clergy and getting married within the church. As a Methodist affiliated institution, Hamline and the Wesley Center is working to institutionalize the Love Boldly campaign into our campus framework to put into action the “do no harm” legacy championed by John Wesley, founder of the Methodist movement. Love Boldly seeks to demonstrate to the wider body of the UMC that we will not be complacent in the harm of these policies. We invite you to show your support for the inclusivity movement by attending Love Boldly events and engaging in promotional materials when you come across them. As of Fall 2019, we have been fortunate to welcome a Love Boldly student staff member, first-year Emily Hilderbrand, to the Wesley Center team. 

For more information: Contact Chaplain Kelly Figueroa-Ray at kfigueroaray01@hamline.edu and Love Boldly student staff, Emily Hilderbrand, at loveboldly@hamline.edu.

Apply to be an Intern at Hamline Church United Methodist

Neither the hair shirt nor the soft berth will do. 
The place God calls you to
is the place where your deep gladness
and world’s deep hunger meet.
 -Frederick Buechner

Do you ever wonder?  How can I make a difference in the world today as a Christian?  What does it mean to live as Christians in community?  What are the issues, challenges, and new opportunities for people of faith in serving the common good from a spiritual perspective?  How can I explore my gifts and grow as a whole, spiritual person?   In what ways can I help congregations “re-think church” for diverse neighborhoods and new forms of partnership in ministry?

Perhaps God might be stirring in your life.  Are you sensing a call to service?  As a professional working in a non-profit organization, school, medical clinic, law firm or corporation?  As a creative leader in a vibrant, relevant congregation?  As someone curious about going to seminary or graduate school and exploring ordination?  As a church staff member working in a specific area of ministry such as social justice, community health, environmental sustainability or music, drama and the arts?  Where do your “deep hungers” meet the “deep needs” of the world today?

Download this application and apply to become an intern at Hamline Church, United Methodist.