About Us
Our Mission & Vision
When Jesus was asked what is the greatest commandment, he replied:
“You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being, and with all your mind. And the second is like it: You must love your neighbor as you love yourself.” Matthew 22:33-39
The mission statement of Girdwood Chapel originates from these words: “Love God. Love Others. Change the World.” This mission motivates and guides us. It remains at the forefront of our small groups and worship gatherings, our planning and decision making, and most importantly, in how we reach out to love and serve our community.
As a congregation, we have work together in service to our community, often partnering with other local organizations and more individuals than we can count. Our Food Pantry in 2020 great from serving about 40 people per month (and open once a month), to serving on average about 400 people per month over six service days, plus weekly work days for our dedicated team of volunteers. This ministry both feeds and connects folks to other programs and services, and relies on the incredibly generous support of local businesses and individuals.
Additionally, we are the home of Girdwood’s Community Garden, where families and individuals can seasonally rent a 4’x8′ plot to grow food or flowers and learn from other local gardeners. If you are interested, please contact us. Plots are rented out usually in March.
If you do not yet have a church home, we hope that you will find it here with us here at Girdwood Chapel!
Our Pastor
Hyunghee Kim was appointed to serve as the Licensed Local Pastor at Girdwood Chapel United Methodist Church. Hyunghee holds M.Div. and M.A. in Hebrew Bible from Claremont School of Theology in California. With years of experience in youth ministry settings in South Korea and on staff at Montavilla UMC in Oregon, he brings a deep passion for helping people engage with biblical texts and connect them to everyday life and for exploring how we can live as God’s children and serve our community faithfully. He is excited to serve in Girdwood, a vibrant community filled with people who are deeply connected to one another.
In his free time, Hyunghee enjoys exploring the great outdoors through walking, running, and hiking—even on rainy days. A passionate cook, he finds joy in preparing flavorful Korean dishes and embraces moments of relaxation with movies, podcasts, and Korean dramas. Whether engaging with nature or indulging in creative pursuits, he values balancing activity and downtime to recharge and reflect.
The mission of Turnagain Community Services is to improve the well-being of our community by assisting with basic human needs, providing access to food, and resourcing neighbors to help neighbors in need.
Food Pantry
The Girdwood Food Pantry is dedicated to nourishing our neighbors, one meal at a time.
Community Garden
Our community garden is more than just a place to grow plants; it is a gathering spot for neighbors to come together, share knowledge, and build lasting friendships.
Neighbor-to-Neighbor Network
Neighbor-to-Neighbor Network is simple: build community by helping others.