Partnerships

Wild Plum Head Start Program and Chef Hearty

Photo of Wild Plum Staff Appreciation supper 2021.Our relationship began over 50 years ago in 1965 with the church providing space for the  preschool program originally called Headstart. That program is now Wild Plum and not only has early education for preschoolers but also infants.

While our primary focus is on the children and their families, we also offer support and connection to the staff with special recognition events to thank them for all they are doing.

One such focus is Chef Hearty. Once a month tote bags are filled with fresh ingredients for a Photo of Wild Plum Staff Appreciation supper 2021.healthy meal for a family of four. Chef Hearty provides an opportunity for the kids to cook and enjoy a meal with their families. If you are interested in helping out with Chef Hearty, please contact Tricia Grafelman.

Another program started in 2023 with the renovation of our church library into an Indoor Learning Center is our reading program. On different days of the week, volunteers come to the church to read to different Wild Plum classes. Classes are allowed to check out books from the library to take home. We hope with this program to encourage a love of reading in students and help promote literacy. If you’re interested in participating in this reading program, please contact the church office.

Each Christmas the members of the church sponsor a gift basket program for a family enrolled in the program to ensure the children and their families experience the joy of the season.

We value our partnership with the Wild Plum staff and are constantly looking for more opportunities to support the children in the program.

 

Outreach United Resource Center 

2022 OUR Center contribution from the Lenten Food Drive.

The Heart of Longmont has been committed to a long standing relationship with the Outreach United Resource Center (OUR Center).

The organization had its founding in 1986 when the Longmont Ministerial Association church leaders were overwhelmed by requests for help in the community. Reverend Keith Watson, who was the pastor of First United Methodist Church as Heart of Longmont was then named, was part of the association. Keith states that Alan Landes, associate minister of Central Presbyterian Church, took the lead on the project.

As Keith remembers the Longmont Ministerial Association took several months to hammer out some of the many details such as where a central office could be housed, how much each of the churches could provide for the endeavor, how it would be administered and how commitments from other churches and community organizations could be solicited. According to Keith it was time and energy consuming work, although the end result has been invaluable to the community of Longmont.

From the efforts of 25 churches the origin of the OUR Center emerged. The name came from Marge Tiller, a nun at the Spirit of Peace Catholic Community. Tiller derived the name from a dream she had. Eric Doering suggested that “OUR” stand for Outreach United Resources. By March of 1987 the Center became a reality and in 4 months 7,000 individuals and 2,000 households had been helped.

Those in need of affordable housing and suffering from food insecurity continue to be clients of the OUR Center today. The community of Longmont strives to find solutions and Heart of Longmont is part of that effort.

If you’d like to be involved, please contact the church office.

 

HOPE

HOPE of Longmont logoHeart of Longmont has had a long relationship with HOPE (Homeless Outreach Providing Encouragement).

In 2015 United Methodist Women, now United Women in Faith, spearheaded by Catherine Murphy partnered with HOPE to present a symposium on homeless awareness to the public. One hundred were in attendance. The symposium was a community dialogue featuring a panel of specialists who worked with Longmont’s homeless population.

Panelists included representatives from the Longmont Police Department, St, Vrain School District and several nonprofits.

Christmas of 2015 Heart of Longmont offered “Room at the Inn”. Shelter, meals and activities were offered for two nights. We hosted this event again in 2016.

A summer event of hair and foot washing along with lunch was provided for those experiencing homelessness.

Every 5th Sunday a church wide activity to prepare peanut butter and jelly sandwiches took place. The sandwiches were handed out when HOPE outreach provided Angel Meals in our parking lot.

We opened up our building as a shelter at night for two years.

Currently church volunteers provide hot dishes to be served at the HOPE shelter at The Journey Church once a month. Several members volunteer to serve meals at The Journey Church and Messiah Lutheran Church on a regular basis.

If you’d like to be involved, please contact the church office.

 

Habitat for Humanity

volunteers at the Habitat for Humanity Apostles Build in October 2022

Volunteers at the Habitat for Humanity Apostles Build, October 2022.

The Heart of Longmont has partnered with St. Vrain Habitat for Humanity for several years. Recently members from HOL participated in an Apostles Blitz Build on October 22, 2022.

Habitat’s mission “Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope” aligns closely with the Heart of Longmont’s mission “To put more of God’s love into the world”.

If you’d like to be involved, please contact the church office.

 

 

 

A Precious Child

photo of the HOL A Precious Child boutique center

A Precious Child boutique center location at Heart of Longmont.

A Precious Child offers a variety of opportunities and resources to struggling families to empower children to succeed.

A Precious Child collects new and gently used clothing, coats, shoes, home goods and other essential items and distributes them to children and families. The items are placed in A Precious Child Boutique.

The Heart of Longmont serves as a “boutique center” for families to shop for essential items. Currently Wild Plum families are shopping the center in the church. There are opportunities for mass distribution events where A Precious Child Boutique at The Heart of Longmont will be open to the community.

If you’d like to be involved, please contact the church office.

 

 

Agape Safe Haven

In September 2022 The Heart of Longmont partnered with Agape Safe Haven to provide outreach meals every 3rd Friday of the month.

Agape Safe Haven is a faith based nonprofit providing services to those experiencing homelessness. Agape’s mission is to “change lives one step at a time”. Their center, located in North Longmont, provides day shelter. Clients have the opportunity to shower, wash clothing and bedding and eat a nourishing meal.

The organization also provides overnight shelter for 6 men. The beds are reserved for the men for one year on the condition that they remain sober, try to obtain employment, complete program requirements and have a desire to give back to the community.

Additionally Agape delivers outreach meals to those living on the streets every Friday morning. Heart of Longmont is an active participant in providing those meals once a month. Agape serves Longmont people with shelter, food, jobs and encouragement in the name of Jesus.

If you’d like to be involved, please contact the church office.

 

Days for Girls International

Days for Girls is an organization that works to eliminate the stigma and limitations associated with menstruation so that women and girls have improved health, education and livelihoods across the world. Heart of Longmont has been in partnership with Days for Girls for many years with regular “build day” meets to put together menstrual health kits. The Days for Girls team collects donations for materials that go into putting these kits together on a regular basis.

If you’d like to be involved, please contact the church office.

 

The Inn Between

The Inn Between of Longmont nonprofit logo

The Heart of Longmont has supported The Inn Between for several years with compassion offerings.

The Inn Between nonprofit provides affordable housing and supportive services for families and individuals facing homelessness. The philosophy is that with stable housing, residents can focus on building the skills needed to find long-term stability.

All persons receive personalized support services to break the cycle of homelessness.

In 2022 Heart of Longmont offered more support to The Inn Between with a congregational vote to deed up to one acre of land for 2- and 3-bedroom housing units to the nonprofit. The project is called the Wesley Homes. More information can be found on our Wesley Homes page.

 

Longmont Food Rescue / Longmont Community Fridges

Heart of Longmont is now home to a Longmont Community Fridge in partnership with Longmont Food Rescue!

Longmont Food Rescue’s mission is to create a more just and equitable food system by redistributing nutritious food that retailers have deemed food “waste” directly to individuals in Longmont who are experiencing food insecurity. Through the creation of partnerships with local retailers, restaurants, food producers, and nonprofits, they have created a community-led initiative that promotes food justice and supports sustainability goals. Visit Longmont Food Rescue’s website to learn more about this amazing non-profit we are partnering with.

The fridge is located near the Blessing Box on the northwest corner of our building. Longmont Food Rescue will be providing some food to stock the fridge, but, like our Blessing Box, this is a collaborative community effort. Feel free to contribute as you are able or take food as needed. Please read these community guidelines for instructions for donating or taking food.

 

Congregational Member of NAACP Boulder County

Continuing to move toward being a church that is a open and affirming to all, Heart of Longmont Church Council made the decision to join the Boulder County NAACP as a congregational member.

By doing so we have joined with other congregations from different religious faiths in Boulder county to increase diversity and cultural competency as well as strengthen the interfaith community through education and united action.

As part of that community we will abide by the following covenant:

We, as congregational affiliates of the Religious Action Committee of the NAACP Boulder County, agree that faith traditions have a responsibility to speak and take action against racism, social injustice, and the misuse of religion to justify the oppression of others. We also believe that all human beings have a place at the table, regardless of race, ethnicity, religious affiliation, socio-economic status, gender expression, sexual orientation or marital status.

If you have any questions regarding our membership, please reach out to Reverend Claire or Rod Edmonds.

“Jesus knew that the old eye-for-eye philosophy would have everyone blind. He did not seek to overcome evil with evil. He overcame evil with good. Although crucified by hate, he responded with aggressive love.” ~Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

 Boulder County Crop Hunger Walk

Crop Hunger Walk Trophy

The traveling trophy awarded to HOL in 2021.

Heart of Longmont has a long history of participating in the Boulder County Crop Hunger Walk. Reverend Carol Lillie introduced the church to Crop Walk in 2008. That year there were five participants. Starting in 2010 Linda Johnston, a church member, became the head organizer for volunteers from HOL.

The walks are community based walks held around the country to support sustainable responses to hunger and poverty. Twenty-five percent of the money raised is returned for local needs. In Boulder County Community Food Share is a major recipient. Seventy-five percent goes to Crop Walk founder, Church World Service.

In October of 2022 walkers from the Heart of Longmont participated in the walk and raised
$2573.

In October 2021 Heart of Longmont had the most walkers of any group in Boulder County. The
traveling trophy was awarded to HOL for the most participation. The sandal on the trophy represents walking step by step with those who are suffering from hunger or poverty. The sandal has been to Africa, Nicaragua and the Holy Land.

 

 

Gun Safety Partnership

A photo from the November 2023 gun safe giveaway. Volunteers stand at tables while a long line of people wait to speak to them.Since 2022 The Heart of Longmont has partnered with the United Church of Christ to give away free hand gun safes. In 2022 over 300 gun safes and gun locks were handed out.

In 2023 two events to distribute hand gun safes and locks were held. The first was in June and the second was on Veteran’s Day. At those two events over 600 hand gun safes were given away.

Safe storage of firearms saves lives. The Heart of Longmont is passionate about promoting firearm safety in our community with this missional outreach.

If you’d like to be involved, please contact the church office.

 

 

 

Nahucalli Mexican Folkloric Dance Troupe

In the fall of 2021, the Nahucalli (“house of dance” in Aztec dialect) Mexican Folkloric Dance Troupe made The Heart of Longmont their home for dance practices. Comprised of ages ranging from 5 and up to adults the dance troupe performs traditional Mexican dancing for a variety of events in Longmont.

Get in Touch

350 11th Avenue

Longmont, CO 80501

(303) 776 - 3523

office@heartoflongmont.org

Worship

Join us for worship

every Sunday at 10 am.

All are welcome!