WEEKLY NEWS & UPDATES FROM WBLUMC | Thursday, April 9, 2026 | | Sunday Worship | April 12, 2026 | |
Sunday School
Apr. 12: Tanzania Life Project—Join us this Sunday to learn more about this organization that our church supports. We’ll explore how wells in East Africa change lives with access to clean water.
How deep is 100 feet? How many cool animals live in the Serengeti? Join us and find out.
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. 15: Large group and final work on testimony statements. This is the last night for those students not being confirmed on May 3.
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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Coffee for Widows/ers
Attention widows and widowers: we invite you to join us for a warm and friendly coffee gathering on Thurs., Apr. 16 at 9:30am in the library. All are welcome, regardless of how long you have been widowed. If you have any questions or need more information, please feel free to reach out to Karen Fairchild at 651-426-4725. We look forward to connecting with you!
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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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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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Heads Up! Giving Statements Have Been Sent:
If you pledged to WBLUMC for 2026, your three-month statement of giving has been sent to you. If your email address is registered on your Realm account, you should have received an email via Realm on April 3 from Financial Secretary Carolyn Keith containing a link to your statement (Realm is the church’s database software). Among other things, we use Realm to record all financial gifts to the church and to track pledge payments. If Realm does not have your email address, your statement was snail mailed to you on April 4.
If you didn’t pledge for 2026 but would like to receive a three-month statement of your gifts, please email Carolyn at or call her at (847) 431-0272.
You may check your current year giving anytime by signing on to your Realm account and clicking the Giving tab.
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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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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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Solar Garden Update
As our daylight hours increase, so does energy production from our solar garden. As of the end of March, we’ve generated 10 megawatts of electricity in 2026. This is the equivalent of supplying over 7000 homes with average power needs for one month. In March alone, we generated just under 6 megawatts, which included a couple of days when snow covered the panels. As the Beatles once sang, “Good Day Sunshine.”
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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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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. Jim will present an overview at 6:30pm, Apr. 23, in Fellowship Hall, followed by a series of workshops in May that dive into each of the world views (stay tuned). Light refreshments will be provided by Adult Faith Formation Committee. 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, so please sign up in the Narthex or in Realm by May 3rd. Appropriate dress is closed-toe shoes and long pants and sleeves. Safety equipment will be provided. For more information, see 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, on Thurs., May 14 at 6:00pm. Dinner will be catered from Red Luna Seasons. We will be asking volunteers to sign up to bring desserts!
For additional information on any of these events, visit the church calendar and click into each event. You may also contact Margie Grilley.
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Green Team Spring Cleaning Tip
Use non-toxic cleaning products. Vinegar, water and baking soda can handle most daily cleaning needs. Use natural fiber sponges/washable cloths and cleaning agents that are biodegradable, phosphate-free, chlorine-free, and unscented.
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 | |
April's Elected Committee Meetings
Below are the April meeting dates for the church committees with elected members, in addition to the volunteer Worship Committee. Please click the button to see other volunteer meetings and events on the updated church calendar!
Mon., Apr. 13: Church Council Meeting, 6:30pm, room 200
Thur., Apr. 14: Trustees Committee, 6:30pm, room 200
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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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