Church ministry and members make headlines!
“You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world. …Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to God in heaven.”
– Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew 5:13-16
Every once in a while, the media takes notice of the mission and ministry of Richfield United Methodist Church, and the storied lives of its members and staff.
Whether printed in the newspaper, broadcast on TV or the radio, or streamed on the Internet, God uses all means of communication to spread a message of compassion and justice to the world. Here are recent media stories featuring ministries and members of Richfield UMC:
Bundle up: Alternatives to backyard egg hunts for chilly Easter weekend
The Minnesota Star Tribune, April 3, 2026, photo by Anthony Soufflé
Featuring a neighbor child finding an egg in the Sanctuary at the 2025 Easter Egg Hunt
Outdoor Worship: Nature and Neighbors
Minnesota Annual Conference, March 12, 2026
Featuring Richfield UMC worship at the Lake Harriet Bandshell (July 12, 2026).
Making a Career of Humanity: A Trek Through MLK Weekend
Minnesota Annual Conference, January 29, 2026
Rev. Nate Melcher, pastor, shares about his experience at the 36th Annual MLK Holiday Breakfast
Cultural ministry exchange group experiences South Korean Methodism
Minnesota Annual Conference, January 29, 2026
Rev. Nate Melcher, pastor, recounts his experience in South Korea
More than 100 clergy members stage sit-in at Target headquarters, demanding action in response to ‘ICE surge’
Bring Me the News, January , 2026, story by Dustin Nelson
Rev. Nate Melcher, pastor, is one of 100+ clergy present at this demonstration.
Additional video footage from The Minnesota Star Tribune by Carson Hartzog
Countering federal violence with neighborly love
United Methodist News, January 12, 2026, story by Heather Hahn
Featuring reflections on seeking God’s wisdom by Rev. Nate Melcher, pastor
ICE Shooting Plunges Minneapolis Into Crisis That Feels All Too Familiar
The Wall Street Journal, January 8, 2026, story by Joe Barrett
Featuring a brief reflection on local PTSD echoes by Rev. Nate Melcher, pastor
After collective rupture, a neighborhood grieves and rebuilds
Southwest Voices, September 1, 2025, story by Ellie Zimmerman
Featuring a community gathering co-hosted by Richfield UMC and the Windom Community Council
“How clergy in Minneapolis are preaching to their congregations after the shooting”
National Public Radio: Weekend Edition Sunday, August 31, 2025, story by Jason DeRose
Featuring reflections on the Annunciation shooting by Rev. Nate Melcher, pastor
“Annunciation shooting: Minneapolis churches welcome grieving community on Saturday”
Fox 9 KMSP, August 30, 2025, story by Babs Santos
Featuring a community gathering co-hosted by Richfield UMC and the Windom Community Council
“A mistaken view of government’s response”
The Minnesota Star Tribune, June 10, 2025 Readers Write
Featuring a letter by Rev. Nate Melcher, pastor
“Richfield UMC celebrates 170 years by looking outward”
Minnesota Annual Conference, June 13, 2025
A video featuring donation drive outreach efforts organized by the Church & Society Team
“In search of the elusive Easter egg”
The Minnesota Star Tribune, April 13, 2025, photo by Anthony Soufflé
Featuring church member DeAnna Wichman
“Fewer than 50 self-playing Otto Accodions exist, and one is for sale in Minnesota”
The Minnesota Star Tribune, February 2, 2025 story by Richard Chin, photos by Aaron Lavinsky
Featuring church member Steve Klosinski
“South Minneapolis motel transforms to help homeless community”
WCCO News, January 27, 2024 story by Ubah Ali
Featuring outreach efforts organized by the Church & Society Team
“Richfield United Methodist Church is supporting Agate Housing & Services”
Sahan Journal, December 18, 2023 Video Story
Featuring outreach efforts organized by the Church & Society Team
“Former Metro Inn Motel soon to reopen as ‘deeply affordable housing’
Sahan Journal, December 14, 2023 story by Katelyn Vue, photos by Dymanh Chhoun
Featuring outreach efforts organized by the Church & Society Team
“Community welcomes formerly homeless home to south Minneapolis”
The Minnesota Star Tribune, December 2, 2023 story by Jennifer Brooks
Featuring outreach efforts organized by the Church & Society Team
“From a closed motel to permanent housing for people experiencing homelessness”
WCCO News, November 18, 2023 story by Ubah Ali
Online article (not the video) features outreach efforts organized by the Church & Society Team
“Metro Inn Motel in south Minneapolis will soon reopen as permanent affordable housing”
The Minnesota Star Tribune, November 23, 2023 story by Susan Du, photos by
Featuring outreach efforts organized by the Church & Society Team
“What We Expect and What We Find”
Sojourners Magazine, El Camino: The Way – Sermons on Immigration
Featuring a sermon by Rev. Nate Melcher, pastor, published 2021
“Patricia Marble, 107, lived a life of volunteerism”
The Minnesota Star Tribune, March 21, 2020 story by Joel Rippel
Featuring church saint Pat Marble
“Minnesota’s trailblazing Alzheimer’s choir reminds us: ‘Love Never Forgets'”
The Minnesota Star Tribune, June 11, 2018 story by Pamela Espeland
Featuring Victor Zupanc, Living Waters Band Director
“Pearl Harbor survivor Vern Luettinger reflects on what might have been”
The Minnesota Star Tribune, December 7, 2016 story by Mark Brunswick
BONUS: Video of Vern telling his story; produced by Matt Gillmer, photos by Brian Peterson, reporting by Mark Brunswick
Featuring church saint Vern Luettinger