The Neighborhood college ministry

Come as You Are. You Belong Here. When we say inclusive, we mean inclusive! All are welcome to fully lead and participate - every identity, race, gender, sexual orientation, and ability! Everyone is welcome in the Neighborhood!

Our mission is “Question Everything, Love God, and Love Neighbor.” College is a time of big questions and big changes, and we’re here to support, encourage, and walk with you. No matter where you are in your faith journey, you are welcomed, loved, and valued at The Neighborhood.

Tuesday Study Day: We open up our cozy college space often for students, especially on Tuesday, from 10:00am-4:00pm. Enjoy free wifi, coffee, tea, snacks, board games, tv, and cozy seating if you need a break from studying. We’ve got lots of places to plug in and unplug. Come hang out! Our location right across from Mizzou’s campus and Shakespeare’s makes it easy to stop by if you need a safe space to crash for a minute.

Wednesday College Night: Free dinner is 5:30pm-6:30pm. Sometimes it’s pizza, sometimes it’s Hawaiian Bros. or Chipotle, sometimes it’s blackened chicken alfredo. It’s always yummy thanks to members of the Missouri UMC congregation. After that, we have our time of spiritual formation from 7pm-8:15pm. That might be contemplative or informative. Sometimes we pause for fun and have a movie night for the sake of simply being together.

Our New Series, Manna and Mercy (mannaandmercy.org), starts at 6:30 - come join a conversation about why the Bible should not be used as a weapon and see the Bible through the lens of Jesus. This series ends with an ecumenical workshop, February 5-7, with South African Pastor and Activist, Alan Storey. We will read Daniel Erlander’s graphic novel and 100-page paraphrase of the Bible accompanied with video lessons by Alan Storey, which we will discuss together, using the ancient church practice, lectio divina, recognizing that we all approach Scripture with different perspectives.

Serve Locally: There are endless opportunities to serve with our church locally in Columbia: Loaves & Fishes, Boone County Jail Ministry, COMAC, Sustainability at True/False Film Festival, and more. Missouri UMC has a long history of active involvement with the unhoused and vulnerable in Columbia. This church was pivotal at the onset of Room at the Inn and has more than championed the start of the Opportunity Campus for people who struggle with housing insecurity in Columbia. Come join a group of people serious about being helpers and supporting other helpers.

Pickleball & Pods: On Saturdays, we play pickleball. Come play with us, from 10am-12pm, every Saturday. Check the calendar before you show up to make sure there hasn’t been a cancellation for special events. This pod is led by one of our Young Adult leaders who welcomes our college students to join in the games on any of our three pickleball courts where we usually play tunes upon request over the speakers. Students and Young Adults often start “pods” based on special interests, like cooking, reading, or fabric arts, and schedule these pods when and where the group sees fit.

Follow us on Instagram @thenbrhdcomo and find out more at moumc.org/college. Email becca@moumc.org or rebes@moumc.org for more info about college ministry at Missouri United Methodist Church in Columbia, Missouri.