A Bloomington church is among Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota's 2026 Servant of Christ Award winners. Transfiguration Lutheran Church received the award. It is one of 6 congregations honored this year, 1 from each of the state's 6 ELCA synods. Other winners include Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Hibbing, St. Anthony Park Lutheran Church in St. Paul and Zion Lutheran Church of Amor in Battle Lake.
Lutheran Social Service said the award recognizes a congregation's "leadership in social ministry outreach and contributions to addressing special needs in the community." In Transfiguration's case, the nomination came from a Lutheran Social Service staff member who works closely with foster and kinship families and had seen the congregation's generosity up close.
Here's what that staff member saw. Over the holidays, Transfiguration donates winter gear, toys and craft supplies to more than 150 children. The church also hosts the Martin Luther Manor adult day program, which gives families dealing with dementia connection, care and a much-needed break. And through a partnership with a local buy nothing group, the congregation helps get free essential items to hundreds of Bloomington families.
The church calls itself "a welcoming and diverse intergenerational community of faith." Sunday worship is at 9:30 a.m., in person and on livestream. Besides its outreach work, the church runs an Early Learning Center, an addiction awareness ministry and a Stephen Ministry peer-support program. More details are on the church's website.
