A Welcoming Sanctuary on Arapaho Road
Arapaho United Methodist Church sits on West Arapaho Road in Richardson, Texas, just east of the Coit Road intersection, a few minutes north of the heart of one of the most diverse cities in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Across more than six decades of ministry, this congregation has built a reputation as an affirming, forward-leaning community where LGBTQ+ people, young families, longtime Methodists, and #exvangelicals exploring faith after deconstruction all worship side by side. The church's altar is open to all weddings, and all are truly welcome, just as they are.
As a United Methodist congregation in the North Texas Conference, Arapaho UMC is rooted in the Wesleyan tradition while remaining open to questions, doubt, and the lived experience of people who have been hurt by church in the past. The church's message is, "We know many people have been hurt by churches and we hope we will be a healing place and a comfortable place for everyone." Membership matters as part of discipleship, but newcomers are welcome to come and simply sit for a while.
Sunday Worship and What to Expect
Worship happens in the Sanctuary each Sunday at 11:00 am, both in person and online. Services follow a liturgical pattern with prayer, hymns, a children's message from one of the pastors, and a sermon. A designated masked seating area is available, and childcare is provided for children ages 2 through 11 during the service. Activity pads are available in the lobby for children who would rather stay with their parents. People dress how they are comfortable, and most range from casual to business casual, with some of the older members in suits. Visitors are invited to fill out a connection card if they would like a follow-up.
Online worship is livestreamed at 11:00 am and on the church's YouTube channel, where viewers can interact with one another during the service and revisit past sermons. Recent sermon series include Leaning Forward and Back to School. A full library of audio sermons is available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts under "Arapaho UMC."
Sunday School for adults and children meets at 9:45 am. Children's classes run in two parts: a large-group gathering at 9:45 am and small-group Sunday School at 11:00 am that begins when children are called down after the children's message. Youth in grades 6 through 12 meet for "Thread" at 9:45 am in Room 40, with donuts and conversation, and then return for Sunday Night Youth from 5:00 to 7:00 pm in the same room for food, games, and small-group studies.
A 5C Church
Arapaho UMC describes itself as a "5C Church," and the five C's shape everything the congregation does.
- Creative means paying attention to the movement of the Holy Spirit and making space for new ideas, new ministries, and new expressions of faith.
- Constructive means asking questions, questioning assumptions, and building a faith that aligns with lived experience, always open to learning and becoming deeper disciples.
- Christian means putting whole trust in the grace of Jesus Christ and actively seeking to become more like him: more loving, more compassionate, more generous.
- Community means opening the door wide, keeping an open communion table, and embracing one another as siblings in Christ.
- Committed means holding themselves accountable to daily practices of faith and to becoming more like Christ.
Four core areas of focus grow out of those values: cultivating deeper relationships, engaging in ministry with the poor, developing an intentional faith, and advocating for justice. The vision is for a Christian community of transformed people who embody God's love and work together in the Spirit to transform the world.
Children, Youth, and Family Ministry
Family Ministry is one of the strongest programs at Arapaho, anchored by the conviction that "you are a beloved child of God" and that every family is welcome "no matter where you and your family are in your faith journey." The early childhood ministry cares for infants through Pre-K 3, with the nursery open during both the Sunday School hour at 9:45 am and worship at 11:00 am. The elementary ministry, Pre-K 4 through 5th grade, gathers in Rooms 32, 33, and 35 and walks children through Bible stories, service opportunities, and the experience of God's love and grace.
Youth ministry runs from 6th through 12th grade, with programs designed to help students explore their personal faith and learn to lead others both inside and outside the church. In addition to Thread on Sunday mornings and Sunday Night Youth, the year includes special events like Confirmation Sunday, a Student Ministry Mission Trip in June, Confirmation Camp in October, Bridgeport Camp for children and students in July, and Promotion Sunday in August. A Blessing of the Backpacks each August invites students from preschool through college to bring their backpacks to worship for a special blessing before the school year begins.
Family Ministry runs an annual rhythm of events: a Family Mission Project in February and November, an Easter Egg Hunt in the spring, Vacation Bible School in early June, Breakfast with Santa and a Family Christmas Eve Service in December, and a Trinity Pool Party each summer at the Cove Aquatic Center at Fretz Park. Ongoing small groups include All Moms at AUMC and monthly men's gatherings, women's Bible studies, millennial small groups, and four-week Enneagram groups throughout the year.
Childcare and Day School
Childcare is offered for ages 0 to 6 during worship, small groups, events, and meetings, allowing parents to serve and connect with the life and ministries of the church. The childcare staff undergo Ministry Safe training and background checks. Parents register in advance through the church's online form, and the Children's Program Coordinator, Rebecca Wilkins, oversees the program. For families looking for weekday programming, Arapaho UMC also operates the Arapaho Day School, which includes a Parent's Day Out program for younger children. The Day School is a separately listed ministry that serves families in the Richardson area throughout the week.
Justice at the Center
Justice work is woven through nearly everything Arapaho UMC does, anchored by the conviction that "every person is created in the image of God and therefore is inherently worthy of dignity, care, and respect." The church's Justice Ministry Table consists of leaders committed to advocacy on priority policy issues identified by church-wide surveys, and the congregation is invited to participate in any of five justice teams: Immigration Justice, LGBTQ+ Justice, Public Education Justice, Maternal Health and Reproductive Policies, and Election Integrity.
The Journey Toward Racial Justice (J2RJ) initiative meets monthly for lunch and programming, gathering on the third Sunday of the month at 12:15 pm in Room 40. The group focuses on understanding the congregation's call to end racism in all forms and partners closely with sister congregation Hamilton Park UMC. Beyond the monthly meetings, J2RJ attends museum exhibits, cultural events, and shared meals together. A recommended reading list from the team includes titles such as I'm Still Here, How to Be an Anti-Racist, White Fragility, The New Jim Crow, and Caste.
Anti-racism work extends into worship through sermon series and book discussions, and into action through civic engagement. The church has hosted voter education forums, partnered with the nonpartisan Reclaim Our Vote campaign, and invited groups like Texas Impact to lead civic action training events on site. Climate Change is named as another justice priority, with the need for a global, equitable response that protects both God's creation and vulnerable communities who bear the worst consequences.
Mission Partners and Outreach
Arapaho UMC's mission and outreach ministry partners with several local, regional, and international organizations. Quarterly, the congregation prepares and serves breakfast and lunch at Austin Street Center in downtown Dallas, with food donations dropped off at the church's east doors on the Saturday before and a serving team caravaning to the shelter early on Sunday morning. The church also supports the Plano Overnight Warming Station, which provides shelter on cold winter nights, and volunteers assist with transportation, meals, registration, set up, and the clothing closet.
Through the Network of Community Ministries, the church partners with Carolyn Bukhair Elementary School, an RISD campus a short drive from the church. Volunteers serve each Thursday from 7:00 to 9:00 am helping provide groceries for 40 to 60 families through Network's food program, and a Reading Buddies program matches volunteers with kindergarten through second grade students to build literacy skills one-on-one. Other local partners include the Family Literacy Center and CarePortal, which connects CPS caseworkers to church volunteers who can meet specific needs like beds, car seats, and clothing for families at risk of separation.
On the immigration front, Arapaho UMC serves as a satellite location for Justice For Our Neighbors (JFON), a faith-based immigration legal services organization supported by the United Methodist Church. JFON clinics meet on the third Thursday of each month from 5:00 to 9:00 pm at the church, where attorneys interview clients and the church provides registration, hospitality, and snacks. The church also partners with Church World Services on the Refugee Welcome Team, providing furniture and household items to newly arrived refugee families and helping them enroll in community services. Internationally, the church supports the Rose Dunbar School in Liberia and contributes to UMCOR, the United Methodist Committee on Relief, for disaster response and humanitarian aid.
Live Like Luke
One of the congregation's most personal ministries is Live Like Luke, founded by Beth and Derek Childs in memory of their son Luke, who was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in November 2020 and died on October 2, 2021, at age six. The Live Like Luke Fund and the Live Like Luke Ministry at Arapaho UMC work together to lessen the financial burden on families facing a childhood cancer diagnosis, whether that means supplementing a reduced paycheck, covering transportation costs, or simply keeping food on the table. A Birthday Splash celebration is held each year in Luke's memory at the Greenwood Hills Community Club, and donations can be made through the church's giving page with Live Like Luke designated as the fund.
Music and Worship Arts
Music is central to worship at Arapaho UMC. The Chancel Choir, open to adults and youth, leads worship at the 11:00 am service and performs special seasonal works. Rehearsals are held on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 pm in the choir room, and all skill levels are welcome. The music ministry is led by Terri Knagg, Director of Music, with Dr. Kyungrae Cho serving as Accompanist. Children have their own musical opportunities during Sunday School and through occasional solos in worship. Soloists and instrumentalists who cannot commit to weekly rehearsals are also invited to share their gifts on a one-off basis by reaching out to the church office.
College and Young Adults
College and young adults connect through the Synergy Wesley Foundation, a United Methodist campus ministry established by the North Texas Conference that serves students from UTD, Collin College, Richland College, and other surrounding community colleges. Synergy is a space to grow in faith, develop meaningful relationships, serve those in need, and work for justice, and welcomes all students regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, age, ability, marital status, economic condition, gender identity, sexual orientation, or religious affiliation. Brittany Melrose serves as Arapaho UMC's Campus Ministry Director, supporting this work.
Mobile Ministry and the Columbarium
Mobile Ministry is a small but meaningful program that uses the church van to help members get to worship who would otherwise not be able to attend. Volunteer drivers make one roundtrip every four to five weeks, driving from 9:00 to 9:30 am and 12:15 to 12:45 pm so they can still attend Sunday School. No commercial driver's license is required, and driver pairs are encouraged.
The Columbarium in the Webb Memorial Peace Garden offers a sacred place to remember loved ones who gave dedicated service as disciples of Christ at Arapaho UMC. Niches are available and include space for two urns and brass inscription plates, with payment plans available for those who need them.
Getting Connected, Giving, and the App
For newcomers, the church's "I'm New" page and online Connection Center make it easy to register for events, sign up for childcare, complete a new member form, or reach out to a pastor. Email updates are available through a newsletter sign-up, and the church publishes reflections, book studies, devotionals, and Lenten and Advent guides such as Finding Our Way in the Dark and The Songs of Christmas.
Generosity is taught as part of discipleship, and giving is framed as a spiritual practice rather than a transaction. Recurring gifts can be scheduled online through the church's Pushpay giving page or through the church app, "My Church App by Pushpay," using the keyword "arapahoapp." The app also allows members to check in to worship services, classes, and groups.
Sermons are livestreamed on the church's YouTube channel and made available as audio on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. A webstore offers made-to-order hoodies, t-shirts, and travel mugs with designs reflecting the church's identity as inclusive, compassionate, and justice-minded people of faith, with proceeds supporting the ministries of Arapaho UMC.