WEEKLY NEWS & UPDATES FROM WBLUMC | Thursday, May 7, 2026 | | Sunday worship | May 10, 2026 | |
Pentecost Sunday & Summer Worship
Our summer worship schedule begins on Pentecost Sunday, May 24, with one blended service at 10am! As a symbol of the flame of the Holy Spirit, we invite you to wear something red during worship—you can at home for Church Online, too!
| |
Summer Sermon Series
We never really walk alone: Soul Friends accompany us on our spiritual journey. Explore the path with us May 31 - July12!
| |
Last weekend of Sunday School & Children’s Choir for program year
Children’s Choir sings this Sunday.
Kids: God in Storybooks & paint with watercolor tissue.
Youth: Games with Karen
Summer Sunday School theme: Snowball Mountain
Meets Sundays at 10am in June and July. Mixed ages in theater for music, bible stories, science, and activity stations. Let me know if your middle school or high school student wants to be an assistant.
| |
Graduation Sunday
It's time to celebrate our high school and college graduates! If members of your family are graduating high school or college, we want to celebrate you! Please fill out this form by Mon., May 25. For more information, email Joan Hartman.
| |
Good Earth Village Camp Families
We have our biggest WBLUMC group yet going to Spring Valley in June! Watch your emails for packing lists, health forms, and payment reminders.
|
I am GRATEFUL
Thanks to an amazing group of volunteers, we have a fun and friendly ministry. Our volunteers make kids feel not only welcomed, but treasured. Their "consistent commitment” is the best way I know to show LOVE. Every week, I appreciate the level of creativity and patience I observe.
Thank you!
Joan Hartman, Next Generation Minister
| |
Spring Clean-Up THANK YOU:
Thank you to everyone who helped with our Spring Clean-Up! Thanks to such an efficient and dedicated team, we no longer need to hold the May 16 clean-up day.
Much appreciation ~
The Trustees
| |
Rainbow Families
CANCELLED TONIGHT
Our group meeting is cancelled this evening. We look forward to seeing you on Thur., June 4 for conversation and fellowship tonight at 6 pm in the church library. Questions? Contact LuAnn Roberts or (218) 590-6424.
| |
National Day of Prayer
You are invited to attend a National Day of Prayer Gathering TONIGHT 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.
| |
Hearts and Hands for May:
Reminder—due to Memorial Day, Hearts and Hands will be meeting the 2nd Monday in May rather than the 3rd. Please join us on Mon., May 11 at 7:00pm in the library!
| |
Dorcas Circle
Dorcas Circle will be meeting on Wed., May 13 at 10:00am in room 200 for our year end salad luncheon. We will be hearing an update from Emma Norton services which provides housing and related services to women and children experiencing homelessness or living with mental illness in St. Paul. All who are interested in learning more about Emma Norton are welcome to attend.
Emma Norton Donation:
Reminder, we are still 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.
For questions regarding Emma Norton, contact Eva Shipley at (651) 238-4107.
| |
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. The White Bear Lake Area High School Mariners Choir will also be joining this meaningful event. Join us Mon., May 11 at 6:30pm in the sanctuary as we gather with others who carrying loss to reflect, remember, and be held in a shared experience of light and hope. For more information visit Jennifer's website.
| | |
WBLUMC has been invited to march in the Manitou Days parade as part of a coalition of LGBTQ+ affirming churches in the area. The parade is June 19th at 6:30pm. If you would like to be part of the team, please email Pastor Christine.
| |
Women’s Golf Group 2026
We will be golfing as a group again this summer. Women of all ages who are interested in playing a social round of golf are invited to join this group. We play 9 holes of golf on Wednesdays either late morning or early afternoon at a different course each week. You play as your schedule permits. Tentatively our first golf outing will be Wed., May 13th at Gem Lake Hills Golf Course.
If you are interested in playing or would like more information, please contact Marcia Lantto – malantto@hotmail.com, alternate contact is Carol Effertz 651-429-6023. We hope to see you soon.
To view the 2026 Golf Schedule, please click here or on the photo.
| |
BeFrienders Ministry
BeFrienders Ministry is sponsoring a nature walk at Tamarack Nature Center on Mon., May 18th at 2:00pm. We will have a guided walk with a retired Methodist pastor. All are welcome. For questions, contact Barb Hinz at 651-777-0465.
| |
Monday Book Club
The title for May, our last for this reading year, is "The Women of Arlington Hall" by Jane Healey. We’ll meet on Monday, May 18, 7-8:15pm, with your choice of in-person in room 200 or via Zoom; email Rick Flynn. Thank you for joining the Book Club this year! We will reconvene in the fall!
| |
World Views Workshops • Sundays
4:00 PM-5:15 PM • Room 200
May 10: The Theological World View—In reaction to materialism, theologians postulated a supernatural realm. The Workshop format is - The Presentation of Information followed by Small Group Discussion. 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!
Our final workshop date is May 17!
| |
Green Team Hosts BreadX
The Green Team is 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.
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.
|
Green Team Tip of the Month
One in three bee species is facing risk of extinction, largely because of neonicotinoid pesticides used by many growers. “Neonics” are absorbed by plants and carried into the pollen and nectar that bees feed on, causing disorientation, impaired foraging, reduced reproduction, and high mortality rates. They remain in the soil and plants for long periods.
Before you buy plants this year, ask the nursery or big box store where you shop if they or their suppliers use neonics. If they don’t know, move on to a retailer who has committed to selling neonic-free plants. You can be a bee saver!
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.
| |
Happy Birthday to Mike & Evelyn Ferris
Mike turned 90 years old in January and Evelyn turned 90 on May 2nd. They celebrated these milestone with family and say hello to all their church friends. The BeFrienders ministry presented them with a box of chocolates.
| |
Pastor David Doppenberg
to Retire
Pastor David Doppenberg will retire this summer from Elk River UMC. His final worship service is Sun., June 7, with a celebratory reception to follow.
If you’d like to send a note of congratulations for his memory book, mail it to Pastor David Doppenberg c/o Elk River UMC, 1304 Main St. NW, Elk River, MN 55330.
To attend the service, please contact the church at 763-441-2750 with your name and number attending.
| |
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.
May I purchase a piece of art? YES! Proceeds from sales will cover production costs, with remaining funds donated to the Tanzania Life Project.
1. Choose Art: Browse art displayed in the halls and mark your selection on the sheet.
2. Payment: Make checks to WBLUMC with Tanzania Life Project in the memo line or drop cash off in the office.
3. 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 | |
May Elected Committee Meetings
Below are the May meeting dates for the church committees with elected members, in addition to the volunteer Worship Committee.
Tues. May 12: Trustees Comm., 6:30pm, rm. 200
Thurs. May 14: Finance Comm., 7:00pm, rm. 200
Thurs., May 21: Church Council Mtg., 6:30pm, rm. 200
|
Church Calendar
Click the church calendar button to find out more about meetings, events and worship on the frequently updated online church calendar.
| |
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!
| | | | |
