Children’s Memorial Lutheran Church has operated as Gathering Table since 2016. | Photo by Dorri Partain

Dorri Partain 
Managing Editor 

Through the years, this picturesque church with a white spire has served generations of Historic Northeast residents — celebrating Easter, Christmas, weddings and baptisms. Most recently, Children’s Memorial Lutheran Church (5001 Independence Ave) has operated as a ministry outreach, serving meals and offering comfort to those with no place to call home.

As the congregation dwindled, this historic church — founded in 1884 — found a new purpose in 2016 as “Gathering Table.” Church members, volunteers and Rev. Ann Rundquist, offered fellowship and nutritious meals every Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday.

A Facebook announcement on Sept. 2 shared the news that Gathering Table — for now — has closed its doors.

“Gathering Table ministry is experiencing a temporary ‘timeout.’ The Children’s Memorial Lutheran Church building is no longer available,” the statement read. “A dedicated group of folks are determining the future and location of the ministry of Gathering Table.” 

Bishop Susan Candea of the Central States Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA), stated the grounds for closing involved the church’s insurance policy.

“It was not responsible for us to do ministry in an uninsured building without any liability insurance,” Candea said.  “Our hope is to develop a new ministry plan that meets the needs of the individuals in the neighborhood in a way that also ensures the sustainability of the ministry into the future.”

Continued maintenance of an older church structure was also a factor. Youth group members painted the church’s kitchen walls a cheery shade of blue in June, and the church was awarded a grant from ReBuild KC last November, but the loss of insurance was a fatal blow.

“These are challenges facing many churches at this time,” stated Donna Simon, ECLA director for Evangelical Mission. “While the building is no longer usable, the Gathering Table is not closing.  We have created a Discernment Team that will meet through December to create a new plan for ministry in the Northeast.  We will meet with neighbors, other local congregations, and other stakeholders to understand the unique needs of the community and discern how we as ELCA Lutherans can serve our neighbors best. Look for a renewed Gathering Table early in 2025.”

Rundquist — known as “Pastor Ann” in the Northeast community — came to Children’s Memorial in 2013 and helped transition the church building to the Gathering Table mission. Over the years, this mission has operated a food pantry and clothing closet, in addition to offering services such as eye exams and outings to events like an occasional Royals game.

“We have Christmas together, Thanksgiving, Easter together just like a family does,” Rundquist said in a March 2022 interview. “We’re a ragtag bunch of people who make it happen…really good people who want to participate.” 

In 2022, Rundquist stated that Gathering Table provided over 10,000 meals, many of which she cooked herself. Despite spending so much time in the kitchen, she said then, “I’m the luckiest Lutheran pastor, maybe the luckiest pastor in the whole United States. I can’t imagine being anywhere else or doing anything else.”