Photos: White Bear Lake United Methodist Church
At White Bear Lake United Methodist Church, a community bread oven is a cornerstone of a mission to care. The traditional brick oven was built by members of the church in 2010 after former pastor Bryce Johnson attended a bread school during a sabbatical in Tuscany. In the 15 years since, Baking with a Purpose has produced more than 10,000 loaves of bread and raised an estimated $75,000 in donations.
Baking with a Purpose holds monthly bakes about seven months each year, with volunteers spending a Saturday preparing sourdough loaves in a traditional method. On designated Sundays, more than 100 fresh loaves are sold in the Fellowship Hall in exchange for donations. “When people try it, they say it’s the best sourdough they’ve ever had,” says lead baker John Schmidt.
The initiative has brought new people into the church and even connected White Bear Lake United Methodist Church to other congregations looking to build a similar program. Past proceeds have supported causes like Bridging, Century College scholarships, White Bear Center for the Arts, White Bear Area Food Shelf and the Willow Lane Elementary Book Fair.
To learn more, visit wblumc.org.
