WEEKLY NEWS & UPDATES FROM WBLUMC | Thursday, April 16, 2026 | | Sunday Worship | April 19, 2026 | |
Sunday School
April 19th through May 10th: Finding God in Storybooks—What does God look like? Dream about? Where does God live? How do we talk and listen to God? Our artist storytellers have fresh and unique perspectives.
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Confirmation & Beyond
Apr. 22: Record testimony for Confirmation Sunday.
Sun., May 3: Confirmation Sunday. Please meet at church at 8:30am; students are organized during 9am worship. Parents and extended support are invited. After church: greet congregation during fellowship time and stay for pictures.
All Wednesday evening classes are 6-8pm, unless noted. The Google calendar reflects current schedule and last minute changes. If you have questions, please email Joan Hartman, Next Generation Minister.
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Soap Drive Thank you!
Thank you to our congregation for your incredible generosity in supporting the recent Lenten soap drive. We were able to collect an impressive number of essential items:
- Laundry Soap: 59
- Bar Soap: 483
- Body Wash: 17
- Shampoo/Conditioner: 22
- Hand Soap: 28
- Dish Soap: 12
- Dishwasher Soap: 9
These donations will make a meaningful difference for the immigrant community supported through the International Institute of Minnesota (IMM). When the items were delivered, they expressed their gratitude many times over. Thank you again to everyone who contributed. Your compassion and willingness to help others truly embody the spirit of our Christian community and nourishing the hungers of life!
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New Member Class
We would love for you to join us as members of White Bear Lake United Methodist Church! Please join us in room 200 on Sun., Apr. 26, from noon-2:30pm. Our pastors will be leading the session and lunch will be served. To sign up, please click on the photo, and feel free to email Pastor Christine with questions. We look forward to welcoming you!
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Spring Clean-Up:
Spring is here! It time once again to clean up the church gardens and grounds, add mulch to the gardens and work on our new pollinator garden.
When: May 2 and May 16
Time: 9am-Noon (come one day or both)
Bring you rakes and gloves and help us get the church ready for spring and summer.
Much appreciation ~ The Trustees
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Adopt a Garden:
Our church gardens are beautiful, thanks to the care and dedication of those who tend them—and both staff and congregants deeply appreciate these efforts. If you’re interested in helping maintain a garden plot in the flower beds around the church, we’d love to have you join us. Please email Linda Anderson, or (651) 592-7452 for more information.
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Dorcas Circle
Emma Norton Donation: Dorcas Circle is collecting personal care items for donation to Emma Norton to support their residents. A blue bin is in the fellowship hall next to the food shelf box for contributions. Please click here for a list of requested items. Donations will be delivered May 13. If you have any questions, please contact Eva Shipley at (651) 238-4107.
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April Book Club
The title for April is Atmosphere : A Love Story by Taylor Jenkins Reid. We’ll meet on Mon., Apr. 27, 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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Baking with a Purpose(BWAP):
Join us in Fellowship Hall between services on Sun., May 3 for our BWAP event featuring craisin walnut, and both a white and whole wheat sourdough. In partnership with Faith in Action, the proceeds from the sale will be put towards Century College Scholarships. All bread is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. We look forward to seeing you!
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Solid Ground 21st Annual Breakfast:
Solid Ground in White Bear Lake, one of our mission partners, is hosting a free breakfast event on Wed., May 6. Because of our church’s ongoing support, including your many generous gifts via the Holiday Express tree at Christmas time, they have personally invited us to attend.
At the breakfast, they will “share stories of impact…and a new project to serve families experiencing homelessness.” It will be a morning focused on community and hope.
If you’d like to attend this breakfast and learn more about Solid Ground’s work in our community, please click on this link.
Where: Jimmy’s Event Center
3565 Labore Ave, Vadnais Heights, MN 55110
Time: 8:00-9:00am
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National Day of Prayer:
You are invited to attend a National Day of Prayer Gathering on Thurs., May 7 from 7:00pm-8:00pm. The event is being held at Community of Grace Lutheran Church, which is our neighboring church to the north. Please join and invite a friend. Light refreshments will be available after the service.
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Good Mourning Concert returns:
In collaboration with WBLUMC, vocalist and producer Jennifer Grimm returns with “Good Mourning,” a powerful and reflective concert offering space for grief, healing, and remembrance through music. Join us Mon., May 11 at 6:30pm in the sanctuary as we gather with others that carrying loss—recent or long-held—to reflect, remember, and be held in a shared experience of light and hope. For more information visit Jennifer's website.
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April Book of the Month - "How To Be Perfect," by Michael Schur
Let's be honest - your church librarian does not recommend books on moral philosophy every day. But, stay with me here.
Michael Schur, creator of NBC's "The Good Place", races us through 2,400 years of deep thinking on ethics and philosophy in a hilarious, thought-provoking guide to living an ethical life. He makes it real! It was so good your librarian used it as the basis for a unit on "Making Life Choices" in youth Sunday School.
The book will be on display in the church library through the month of April. Come in and check it out!
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WBLUMC member and retired pastor James Roe will share his path to discovering the importance of world views, and explain the evolution of world views, based on the work of the late Walter Wink. Wink was a United Methodist minister, theologian and activist who played a major role in overcoming apartheid in South Africa. James will present an overview at 6:30pm, Apr. 23, in Fellowship Hall, followed by a series of workshops listed below that dive into each of the world views. Light refreshments will be provided by Adult Faith Formation Committee.
World Views Workshops • Sundays • 4:00 PM-5:15 PM • Room 200
April 26: The Ancient World View, from the time in which the Bible was written, and The Spiritualist World View that emerged in the 2nd century.
May 3: The Materialist World View that became prominent during the Enlightenment.
May 10: The Theological World View. In reaction to materialism, theologians postulated a supernatural realm.
May 17: The Integral World View that is just now emerging, allowing us to choose one for our current reality.
It is recommended that participants read Walter Wink’s book, “The Powers That Be.”
You can register through Realm or simply come without registration.
All are welcome!
| | Green Team to Celebrate Earth Day | | |
Please join the Green Team in celebrating Earth Day (April 22) by participating in these upcoming events and activities:
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Visit the informational tables set up in the Narthex on Sun., Apr. 19 and Sun., Apr. 26 to learn about recycling and composting, get updates on the church's solar panels, and explore ways that you can make a difference in the church and community.
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Join us for a book study on Tues., Apr. 28 at 6:30pm to discuss "Here Comes the Sun: A Last Chance for the Climate and a Fresh Chance for Civilization," by Bill McKibben. The conversation will be led by Pastor Christine Ford. McKibben, a Vermont-based author and speaker, was one of the first to sound the alarm about the climate crisis. His latest book tells the story of the rise of solar power and shows how it is a hope for “a new civilization.” There will be a copy available in the church library, and it can be ordered at Lake Country Booksellers. Also, check your local library.
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Take a tour of a recycling facility! Curious about where your trash goes after it leaves the curb? Join the Green Team for a 90-minute tour of the Ramsey/Washington Recycling and Energy Center (R&E Center) in Newport on May 7th at 2:00pm. All trash generated in Ramsey and Washington Counties is delivered to the R&E Center where waste is processed to recover recyclables and make fuel for electricity production. We'll meet at the church at 1:15pm to coordinate carpooling to Newport. The size of the group is limited to 25; please sign up in the Narthex or register in Realm by May 3rd. Appropriate dress for the tour is closed-toe shoes and long pants/sleeves. Safety equipment will be provided. For more information, visit the Ramsey/Washington Recycling and Energy Center website or email Bonnie Greenleaf.
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Attend the BreadX: We are teaming up with Adult Faith Formation to host a BreadX featuring our own Frank Watson, meteorologist, on the topic, "Minnesota Climate: Past, Current & Future. Please join us on Thurs., May 14 at 6:00pm; dinner will be catered from Red Luna Seasons. Please let us know you are attending by registering on realm or you may sign up in the narthex.
For additional information on any of these events, please visit the church calendar and click into each event. You may also contact Margie Grilley.
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Green Team Tip
When looking and thinking of presents to give, consider: giving your time, gifting experiences vs ‘things’ or, you may also consider gifting thrift/preloved items.
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 church calendar for updates.
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Art in the Hallway! Co-Creations:
Art in Collaboration with AI
by Randy LaFoy
This collection explores artwork created in partnership with artificial intelligence—not as a replacement for the artist, but as a responsive digital tool shaped by human intent and imagination. Each piece reflects a collaboration between personal vision and expansive digital patterns, highlighting how emerging technology can push the boundaries of creativity while expressing timeless feelings of beauty and wonder.
The exhibition also offers insight into the creative process: every image is paired with its original prompt, representing the result of careful experimentation and refinement.
Viewers are invited to reflect on the evolving role of AI in art, the enduring human element in creative expression, and the ethical questions surrounding authorship, originality, and the future of artistic work.
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Viewers are invited to reflect on the evolving role of AI in art, the enduring human element in creative expression, and the ethical questions surrounding authorship, originality, and the future of artistic work.
May I purchase a piece of art? YES! Proceeds from sales will cover production costs, with remaining funds donated to the Tanzania Life Project.
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Choose Art: Browse art displayed in the halls and mark your selection on the sheet.
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Payment: Make checks to WBLUMC with Tanzania Life Project in the memo line or drop cash off in the office.
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Take art home: You may take your artwork home after worship on May 31.
Thank you for supporting the Tanzania Life Project!
| | Church Calendar & Elected Committee Meeting Minutes | |
Church Calendar
Click the church calendar button to find out more about meetings, events and worship on the frequently updated online church calendar.
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Meeting Minutes:
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!
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