After two years, we are thrilled to announce that the renovation of Room 99 is complete! Thanks to the hard work of Langer Construction, the furniture assembly and tile expertise of Scott Keyes, the steady assistance of Clayton Gardner, and the wonderful volunteers who cleaned the space and unpacked, washed,...
Room 99 Project Update – June 2022
A lot is happening with Room 99! Recent highlights include a successful plumbing inspection, completion of electrical wiring, painting in the bathroom and main living space, installation of the flooring and baseboards, preparation for installing the heating and cooling unit, and installation of the door frames to the apartment and...
Gloria Dei Giving Garden 2022
Hello everyone! My name is Kristina Ralston, and I am the volunteer coordinator for the Giving Garden this summer! My family and I (husband, Andrew, two children, Sylvia (12) and Gavin (10), and our cockapoo, Finnley) live near Mendota Heights, and are happy to be attending church again at Gloria...
Room 99 Project Update – April 2022
Relieved. Excited. Ready. All of these describe how the Immigrant Justice Team reacted when we learned that the City of Saint Paul approved the building permit for Room 99 on April 1. Let the renovation begin! The permitting process, while lengthy, gave us time to look carefully at the space....
Room 99 Project Update – February 2022
Long-time Minnesotans have their own brand of faith in resurrection. We cling to the hope that, despite all the snow on the ground and the overnight lows, spring is around the corner. That hope is proving indispensable as we await the start of renovations to Room 99. This past month,...
Racial Justice Committee Work
Gloria Dei's Racial Justice Committee develops a strategic plan and coordinates Gloria Dei’s activities in support of racial justice and equality. View a timeline of the committee's work since it's inception to today.
Volunteer with the Weekend Backpack Program
We need volunteers to help in two ways. We are purchasing our nutritious foods for the Weekend Backpack Program. Purchase healthy snacks at Target or Aldi as they have a better selection of healthy snacks. You can drop them off at the church in the Sharing Place (Room 98), just...
Room 99 Project Update – September 2021
On May 16, 2021, the congregation renewed its commitment to immigrant justice and voted to modify Room 99, an underused classroom, to add shower and clothes washing facilities and upgrade the current kitchenette. This is the latest on the project. Anticipation is growing around the Room 99 ministry! Months of...
Join the Room 99 Preparation Effort
—Message by Lenore Franzen As the Immigrant Justice Team prepares Room 99 to serve as temporary housing for asylum seekers, we’ve been busy with many tasks: - Meeting with the construction company - Building a network of community partners - Ordering kitchen cabinets - Planning and putting processes in place...
Gloria Dei Supported Dakota Wacipi (Pow Wow)
A reflection from Mark Becker, who co-leads the Gloria Dei Racial Justice Committee, about his experience at the Dakota Mendota Mdewakaton Wacipi (Pow Wow) the weekend of Sept. 10-12, 2021. Gloria Dei was invited to join with Cherokee Park United Church to help support the 2021 Dakota Mendota Mdewakaton Wacipi...