Ministry Beyond Our Doors

One of Zumbro's Core Values is:

"Serving downtown Rochester and beyond with God's healing love."

We firmly believe that God has created the church to serve the world.  We are called to serve through our daily work. God calls us to serve those around the corner and those around the world with compassion, mercy, and justice.

being the church in The Community:

Samaritan Bethany Escorts

Volunteers provide escorts from residential areas of Samaritan Bethany Nursing Home to worship in their chapel. Zumbro currently provides volunteers Sundays in the months of January and June. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Nancy Berg.

Red Cross Shelter

Zumbro Lutheran partners with the Southeast Minnesota Chapter of the American Red Cross as an emergency shelter. In the event of an emergency, Zumbro has trained volunteers to assist those displaced and in need of emergency shelter.

Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN)

IHN is a program that supports homeless families and families in transition. Zumbro Lutheran is one of 16 host sites. We provide housing to homeless families in May and October. To volunteer contact, Betty Schmalz or Vicki Erickson.

A training session for new volunteers is required.

Dorothy Day House Meal

This is a great opportunity to share a meal with our neighbors. Your help is needed to prepare food, set tables, and wash dishes for Dorothy Day House residents. Upcoming dates are: June 14, August 9, October 11, and December 13. Residents have repeatedly expressed how tasty the meals are and what great cooks Zumbro has. It certainly is God’s Work. Our Hands. and caring for our neighbors. If you have questions, contact Jan Vetter at vetter.jan@co.olmsted.mn.us.

To get involved in this ministry, sign up on the Life at Zumbro form.

Being the church in the world:

Iambi Lutheran Hospital - Tanzania

Zumbro has a developing relationship with Iambi. We are currently developing relationships with staff and assessing together what needs they have that we can help meet. One of the ways they are seeking our partnership is in their development of a nursing school at the hospital. Several mission trips are in the works over the next several years. If you are interested in being part of this emerging mission, contact Pastor Vern.

Multi-generational Midwest Hunger Tour

People of all ages are invited on a journey to different places that are making a real difference for hungry people around our region. Along the tour, we'll learn about the causes of hunger, the ways people are addressing it and ways that we can make a difference too. We'll serve side by side as God's people, young and old, sent into the world as Christ's body.