For over 145 years, Methodist Services has been quietly and faithfully doing the work, walking alongside children, families, and individuals with dignity and compassion and with our sleeves rolled up. Our history is one of action and of meeting people where they are, seeing what is needed, and getting it done. Today, I am proud to share the next chapter in that story.
We are becoming MSHN (Methodist Services Hope Network).
Pronounced “Mission,” our new name reflects both where we come from and where we are going. It honors the strength, trust, and legacy behind the Methodist name, a name that has stood for stability and care in our community for generations. And it introduces something equally important: a network of hope.
Because that is who we are.
We are a network of programs, partners, and people working together to unlock the potential within every family we serve. Through education, case management, housing support, counseling, and innovative farming solutions to food insecurity, we help build stronger futures and more resilient communities. Guided by the belief that dignity is fundamental and opportunity should be accessible to all, we know that meaningful, lasting change happens when compassion is matched with purposeful action.
Over the past year, we listened carefully to our constituents, board members, staff, and partners to better understand how we are seen and how we can grow. What we heard was powerful. Methodist Services is known as an organization that works. We are trusted to use resources wisely and to treat every client with care and belief in their potential.
At the same time, we heard that our name did not always tell our full story. It required explanation. It tied us closely to our campus rather than to the broader community impact we have built. It did not fully capture the evolution of our work or the breadth of who we serve.
MSHN allows us to live at the intersection of tradition and transformation.
It keeps “Methodist” as our foundation, honoring our roots and the generations who built this organization with courage and conviction. It also brings forward a more expansive, forward-looking identity that reflects connection, collaboration, and hope in action.
This is not a departure from who we have been. It is a declaration of who we already are and who we are becoming.
As MSHN, we will continue building the programs and spaces that help people thrive. We will continue meeting families where they are and helping them take the next step forward. We will continue being open to new ideas, new partnerships, and new ways to serve. And we will be bolder in telling our story, because the work happening here deserves to be known.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Whether you have walked with us for decades or are just learning about our work, we invite you to join us as we move forward, connected in purpose, grounded in history, and driven by hope.
MSHN is who we are.
With gratitude and excitement,
Kathrine Joy Martin
