WEEKLY NEWS & UPDATES FROM WBLUMC | Thursday, March 5, 2026 | | Sunday Worship | March 8, 2026 | |
New Crossings Special Guest Musician
Join us on Sun., Mar. 15 for an unforgettable New Crossings worship service and music from Grammy Award–winner Pat Donohue (bio here). For over twenty years Pat was the lead guitar player and songwriter for the “Guy’s All Star Shoe Band” on the NPR favorite A Prairie Home Companion.
Pat will be joined by Jack Cassidy (don't miss his version of “Danny Boy”), Jillian Anderson, and our New Crossings Music Director Steven C Anderson. We’ll also enjoy seasonal favorites from Steven’s “On the Hill” concert series, previously heard at the Cathedral of Saint Paul and the Commodore. Mark your calendar — you won’t want to miss this!
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Holy Week!
March 29, Palm Sunday:
In-Person at 9am Traditions and 10:45am New Crossings; church online at 10am.
April 2, Maundy Thursday: 7pm in-person youth led service with New Crossings musicians
April 3, Good Friday: 12pm church online and 7pm in-person service with choir
April 5 Easter Worship: Same service with two chances to worship in-person, 9:00am & 10:45am; church online at 10am
| | CLICK HERE to check out the online calendar for Holy Week 2026. | |
Mary & Martha in Sunday School through February
With only good choices, which way should we go? What does Jesus say about acts of service AND quality time?
Special activities: spending time with God in color and games where time is the prize.
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Confirmation & Beyond
Wed., Feb. 25 & Mar. 4: regular programing nights
Wed., Mar. 11: OFF for Spring Break
Calendar questions? WBLUMC website calendar & youth Google calendar will reflect current schedule and last minute changes. If you have questions, please email Joan Hartman, Next Generation Minister.
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Tanzania Life Project-Thank You WBLUMC!
Tanzania Life Project is deeply moved by the Christmas spirit of the White Bear Lake United Methodist Church family. Your generous gift — half of your Christmas collection — will help us bring improved health, renewed hope, and lasting dignity to our next village of 9,000 people through access to clean water, hygiene and sanitation education, and human rights empowerment. Most importantly, your compassion will remind families there that they are seen, valued, and not forgotten.
We look forward to sharing updates as we break ground later this year. Thank you for partnering with us to deliver the life-saving gift of clean water to those who need it most.
Again, we are so blessed that you and your church have come alongside us in our mission to uplift lives through access to clean water!
Warm regards,
Mary Vanderheyden, Tanzania Life Project
P.S. You can learn more about TLP by attending the BreadX talk on March 26.
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BreadX: March 26
Join us on Thur. Mar. 26 from 6-7:30pm in Fellowship Hall to hear from speakers John & Mary Vanderheyden about the work of the Tanzania Life Project(TLP), a Minnesota-based nonprofit helping villages in Tanzania establish clean water supplies and other health improvements. TLP was a recipient of our Christmas offerings, and the youth in our church are learning about it as well. The evening starts with a soup and salad meal from Adult Faith Formation and volunteers from the congregation. If you'd like to help with the meal, please see the sign-up sheet in the narthex.
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Baking with a Purpose (BWAP)
Join us in Fellowship Hall between services on Sun. Mar. 29 for our BWAP event featuring sourdough and craisin walnut breads. In partnership with Missions, the proceeds from the sale will be used to purchase soap being donated to the International Institute of Minnesota (IIM) for our Lenten Soap Drive. All bread is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. We look forward to seeing you!
| | March Books & Lenten Book Study | |
Church Library - March Book of the Month
Judging God: A Judge's Search for Truth, God, and Faith by John R. McBride
Our own retired pastor, John McBride, has written this memoir based on his career in the U.S. judicial system and as a United Methodist pastor. He examines questions of faith, doubt, reason and belief. If you had the opportunity to know Pastor John, you will recognize his insight, willingness to question, compassion, and gift for storytelling in this book.
The library has purchased two copies, but demand for this book may be high. If no copies are available in the church library when you check, you can sign the Waitlist and you'll be notified of the first available copy. Contact Karen Flynn with question.
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March Book Club
The title for March is The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abe Dare. We’ll meet on Mon., Mar. 23, 7-8:15pm; meet in person in room 200 or via Zoom. Please email Rick Flynn for the Zoom link. Everyone is welcome!
Click HERE to learn more about WBLUMC's Book Club and to view the full year's reading list with synopses.
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Lenten Book Study Reminder:
Tuesdays through Mar. 31
2pm | rm. 200
Join Pastor Christine Ford as we “Pause with a Psalm” this Lenten season. We are using Pause by Elizabeth F. Caldwell to explore the rich theology of these ancient Hebrew songs. Room available to join – all are welcome!
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Today’s Climate Trivia from the Green Team
TEST YOUR CLIMATE SMARTS
Which of these activities is the leading source of microplastics in the average home?
A) Running the dishwasher
B) Doing a load of laundry
C) Storing food in plastic
D) Drinking bottled water
Answer: B) Doing a load of laundry
Studies estimate that textiles contribute about 35% of the microplastic pollution in the world’s oceans, and that a single load of laundry can shed as many as 10 million microplastic particles. Thanks, polyester! That makes your clothes-washing routine the leading source of the itty-bitty bits in the average home. Storing food in plastic, cracking open a single-use water bottle, and running the dishwasher all release microplastics, too, but not to the same degree. Read the two articles below for helpful tips on what YOU can do!
Washing instructions against Microplastic Pollution
Microfiber Filters for Washing Machines: Why They Matter
Learn more about the Green Team by attending a meeting! Join us on the first Monday of each month at 7:00pm in room 200. See the online church calendar for updates.
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Add your photo to Realm
Did you know you can update your own profile photo in Realm!?! Simply log in to your account and upload a current picture to help our church family stay connected.
Prefer some help? You’re welcome to email your photo to the church office, and we’ll be happy to update it for you. Keeping your photo current helps everyone put names and faces together — especially for new members and staff!
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Wicked Wisdom, TCGMC at Orchestra Hall
Based on the children’s book with a similar title, "Song of Wisdom form Old Turtle" tells the story of the beginning of time before humans ruled the earth. Everything was great, until they started debating who and what God was. Finally, the humans came along, and guess what? The same thing happened. Maybe it gets better by 2026?
This story by Minnesota author, Douglas Wood, comes to life at Orchestra Hall on Sat., April 4 (matinee and evening options). Join Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus, See Change Treble Choir, and Heart of the Beast Puppet Theatre for a poignant evening where we learn: the table is big enough for all the people, animals, and beliefs that come. The first half of the concert is the music of Stephen Schwartz (Pippin, Godspell, The Prince of Egypt, and of course, Wicked). For tickets and more info, click on the photo or HERE.
| | Church Calendar & Elected Committee Meetings | |
March Committee Meetings
Below are the March meeting dates for elected church committees, in addition to the volunteer Worship Committee.
Thurs., Mar. 12: Finance Comm., 7pm, rm. 206
Thurs., Mar. 19: Church Council, 6:30pm, rm. 200
*The Board of Trustees with NOT be meeting in March.
All committees are being asked to provide minutes, and we now have a Realm link for the congregation to access this information. Click the video below to learn how to view all minutes that are available!
| | What’s happening at our church? Stay up to date with parish meetings, events, and activities. To see our updated online calendar, click on the Church Calendar button! | | | | |
