WEEKLY NEWS & UPDATES FROM WBLUMC | Thursday, July 9, 2026 | | Sunday Worship | July 12, 2026 | |
Snowball Mountain: Find your strength in God in June and July!
Stories: Joseph’s abilities, Esther’s courage, widow’s generosity, power of prayer, and Peter and John’s faith.
Highlighted activities: model magic snowmen, sparkle mosaics, beaded snowflakes, diamond art crosses, winter sky luminaries, ice castle construction.
Also: cold-weather animals, cooperative toys, games, and MUSIC!
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Mixed-age classroom
Current preschool/kindergarten students through 5th grade are welcome. Older students may offer to help. Current nursery students stay in nursery unless adult wishes to join us too for the hour.
Music
Download the music or stream from YouTube
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Annual Conference Update
Minnesota's Annual Conference wrapped up June 18 in St. Cloud. This year's theme was "Created to Serve Joyfully." Use the link below to view the conference recap video.
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Video: Bishop's Episcopal Address
Bishop Lanette Plambeck gave a compelling Episcopal Address on June 16 as she looked back to our past Conference theme of “Loving Boldly,” and how this has truly been a year of bold love. She also examined the word “Ek-kaleo”, which means a people called by God, summoned in community, into witness, and into transformation. This summons calls us into reorienting our hearts to God’s service. This forming and action by God calls us into the 2026 Annual Conference theme of “Serving Joyfully,” as Bishop Lanette noted that when God calls people together, God does it so that big things can happen in our world. Watch or download Episcopal Address / Watch or download abridged version / Read summary
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Women’s Golf Group
On Wed. July 15, we will play at Maitou Ridge Golf Course. If you are interested in playing or would like more information, please email Marcia Lantto, alternate contact is Carol Effertz 651-429-6023. To view the 2026 Golf Schedule, please click here or on the photo. We hope to see you soon.
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Coffee Gathering for Widows & Widowers
We invite you to join us for a warm and friendly coffee gathering on Thurs., July 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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Hearts and Hands, a small group for those interested in knitting, crocheting, and other hand crafts, next meets on Mon., July 20th at 7:00-8:30pm in the church library.
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The Misquoted Bible Class Series
Have you ever wondered if that parable or quote is actually in the Bible? If it is, do we even use it correctly? If it's not, why do people think it is? In this series we will explore quotes and witticisms often attributed to the Bible and find out if they really mean what we think they do. Tuesdays thru July 28 from 2-3:30pm, join Pastor Christine for this 6-week class on Tuesdays in room 200.
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Hallway Art: "Members in Focus"
Help us celebrate the people who make up our church family! We are creating a new hallway photo exhibit, “Members in Focus,” featuring the people who make WBLUMC such a welcoming and vibrant community. Send us a favorite photo of yourself, your family, or a moment that reflects who you are. Together, we'll create a gallery that celebrates the heart of our church: its people. Email photos to Mary Ellen Calderwood at medecalderwood@aol.com.
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South Hill Watershed Grant: Final Payment Approved
Our local watershed, the Vadnais Lake Area Water Management Organization (VLAWMO) approved our plantings on the south hill and will reimburse the church 75% of the total spent on the wildflowers. VLAWMO Watershed Program Coordinator Lauren Sampedro recently visited the south hill to confirm our efforts to restore the hill to its original condition as first envisioned by Mort Olson. “I’m very impressed by how the variety of plants are establishing themselves in just this first year,” Lauren told Trustees chair Curt Merkle during her visit. “To think that it is just the first year, I’m very optimistic that by year three this project will be mostly self-sustaining,” Lauren added.
VLAWMO’s mission covers a variety of ground and surface water initiatives designed to help keep water clean now and for future generations. VLAWMO’s area consists of White Bear Lake, White Bear Township, Vadnais Heights, Gem Lake, North Oaks, and portions of Lino Lakes, an area that very similarly represents church membership here at WBLUMC. The Trustees applied for their grant as part of VLAWMO’s outreach cost-share program and Lauren’s visit was to verify the project’s completion and authorize final payment.
You can learn more about VLAWMO at www.vlawmo.org.
| | Green Team Tip of the Month | |
Do What You Can: Wisdom shared by the United Methodist Creation Justice Movement:
Imperfect action is
better than
perfect inaction.
Remember that when you feel overwhelmed or down
because of the enormity of our climate crises.
Do what you can,
wherever you can,
whenever you can.
That’s very Wesleyan.
Learn more about the Green Team by attending a meeting! Join us on the first
Monday of each month at 7pm in room 200. See the church calendar for updates.
| | Calendar & Meeting Minutes | |
Committee Calendar
Below are July meeting dates for the church committees with elected members, in addition to the volunteer Worship Committee.
Tues., July 14: Trustees Comm., 6:30pm, rm. 200
Thurs., July 16: Staff-Parish Relations Comm., 2:30pm, rm. 206; Church Council Comm., 6:30pm, rm. 200
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Church Calendar
Click the church calendar button to find out more about volunteer committee meetings, events and classes 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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