Bread of Life Retreat
with Bryce & Jody Johnson
May 16, 2026 from 9 AM to 3 PM
at Hamline United Methodist Church
There is a God given rhythm of work and rest inherent in all Creation. Bread making is like this too: the dough is worked and stretched, then left to rise on its own. This will be a hands-on bread making class interspersed with time for the spirit to rise within through Centering Prayer, Scripture readings, poetry, and reflection on the spiritual journey. Participants will make, bake and take home several loaves of bread. The bread will be baked in the Hamline United Methodist Church wood-fired oven. A simple lunch will be served.
Limited to 10 people
Class Fee: $25
Registration is through Hamline United Methodist Church. Click here. Select “Bread & Prayer Retreat” in the “Fund” dropdown menu. Type in $25 and pay for the retreat.
Bryce Johnson is a retired United Methodist pastor. He served in pastoral ministry for 35 years. In retirement Bryce bakes bread in his home wood- fired oven and sells his breads at the Mahtomedi Farmers Market. He regularly teaches bread baking classes.
Jody Reis Johnson is a retired mental health professional who now works as a Spiritual Director. She has an advanced degree in theology and is a certified teacher/presenter of Centering Prayer through National Contemplative Outreach.
Sourdough from Start to Finish
with Bryce Johnson & Ross Safford
Fall of 2026
with Marine Mills Folk School
Join Master Bakers Bryce Johnson and Ross Safford and learn the secrets of sourdough bread.
Description:
This is an eight-hour class, starting Friday evening and picking up again on Saturday. Students are encouraged to come on Friday to get a sneak preview and help us start the fermentation. On Saturday Bryce and Ross will take you through the steps of making bread without commercial yeast along with instructions for the caring and feeding of your own starter. Along the way they’ll show you how to make sourdough crackers, pancakes and more. When you have finished this class, you will have the confidence to not only bake using your own sourdough starter, you will be ready for more advanced sourdough baking techniques which will enable you to bake all sorts of sourdough artisan breads.
Of course, everyone will also leave with bread!
Registration is through Marine Mills Folk School. To register or learn more click here.
Limited to 12 people
Class Fee: $110 (+ $20 for materials)
Bryce Johnson is a retired pastor. In 2010, he guided the White Bear Lake United Methodist Church to build a community bread oven. In retirement he has been making and selling bread at Farmers Markets and through his Community Supported Bakery.
Ross Safford is a trained chef and a former baker. He worked with world renowned baker Jeffrey Hamelman for 6 years in Vermont. He is recently retired after his work with at-risk youth and addressing food insecurity. He is a huge Boston Red Sox fan, and loves to sing.