Roots Moravian Church

Forging Beloved Community

This past April, a rag-tag group of misfits met in the Kwame McDonald Studio of Saint Paul Neighborhood Network (SPNN), to make a brave decision. Our multi-ethnic, inter-generational, and socio-economically diverse community decided to become a Moravian congregation so that we could more authentically live into our shared values of inclusivity, hospitality, and charity. We became Roots Moravian Church.

In all our experience of worshiping, praying, and fellowshipping with each other we have realized that a community like Roots is needed. Through our engagement with the disabled community, high-risk youth experiencing homelessness, and families in need of laundry support, we've learned that many in our greater St. Paul community today are hurting and need a healing place.

At Roots, we connect our discipleship to our passion for justice because we believe the healing of society and individuals are not mutually exclusive, but intimately interconnected. Because we know what it’s like to be Misfits, “too much or not enough” for many Christian spaces, we seek to do the important healing work of constructing a life-giving faith beyond nationalism, Christian celebrity, patriarchy, dualistic worldviews, and harmful theologies. We have become a community who models vulnerability, generosity, humility, and diversity.

Our mission is “To be a new people rooted in Christ, who passionately love God and purposefully seek the renewal of our city.” We invite everyone on a journey of healing, serving, and forging family.

In 2024, Roots will continue creating these kinds of healing spaces that form us into a community on the Jesus Way. Your donation will ensure that in 2024, we can provide Intentional Hospitality in these four crucial ways: 

• A Hospitable Gathering Space

  Roots gathers around tables for worship and fellowship in the Kwame McDonald Studio of Saint Paul Neighborhood Network (SPNN), an innovative community-based nonprofit that empowers youth to tell their stories through media. Your giving will help Roots provide a hospitable gathering space in 2024.

• Meeting Our Neighbors' Needs

  In the Twin Cities, Roots is the sole partner of a national organization called Laundry Love that helps neighbors wash their clothes. In the present economy, meeting this basic need is vital for so many individuals and families. Your giving will help Roots wash over 300 loads of laundry for our neighbors in 2024. 
  
  

• An Accessible Online Experience

  During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Roots learned that streaming our services online made space for many people with vulnerable immune systems, families navigating prolonged illness, as well as people with disabilities. Your giving will help Roots build community online and live-stream our services in 2024.  

• Monthly Community Misfit Meals

  Each month, Roots gathers together one Sunday for fellowship, dialogue, and a shared meal. In the past we've called these "Misfit Meals."  We want to make these gatherings more accessible for members of the broader St. Paul community. Your giving will help Roots provide 12 "Misfit Meals" in 2024.