2025-06-26 Good News

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth should change…” — Psalm 46:1-2 This past week, we observed the summer solstice, which is the longest day of the year. For one day, the sun lingered in the sky and daylight was extended to its farthest point. And, I am very aware of what comes next; the days will slowly begin to shorten. I...

夏の旅行シーズン、私も取り残されまいと、18日の水曜日まで8日間の日本訪問を果たしてきました。この旅の唯一の目的は、人と会うこと。仕事での知人や友人、小学校時代からの旧友たち、またウェスレーで知り合った人々等、毎日食事を共にして語り合う機会が与えられ、とても充実した旅となりました。中でも、週末には伊丹で山本先生ご夫妻にお会いすることができました。先生は伊丹教会と付属の幼稚園の他にも日本基督教団神戸教会のお手伝いを引き受けることになり、相変わらず超多忙のご様子です。知恵さんはJR伊丹駅そばのPain Clinicにお勤めされており、充実した毎日ながらも、やはり時間に追われる日々だそうです。東京では、重森泰三さん、石井洋介さんと虎ノ門で会食、また北村梓さんとは翌日品川で昼食をご一緒できました。昨今の社会情勢や技術動向、また子育て世代の実情やこれからのビジネスの課題など、夫々の専門分野のお話しで...

Join us for an unforgettable All-Church Camp over Labor Day weekend at (Aug 29-Sept 1) Camp Oski near beautiful Pinecrest Lake! This cherished annual tradition offers something for everyone—hiking, biking, horseback riding, basketball, volleyball, and creative arts and crafts. Families and friends of all ages will enjoy Wesley’s famous Fishing Derby, refreshing swims, and meaningful fellowship aro...

You can join our Food Distribution Team for a day or for a season. Come to Compassion Workshop by 9:00 am (some people come even earlier to help set up). Help us set out and sort the food for our neighbors. Then help walk our clients through the line and pick up their food. Finally, you can help us put things away and be done by 11:00 am. Compassion Workshop is at the rear of the church off 6th St...

You can sing with the Summer Singers!1. Arrive any Sunday from June 29-July 27 at 9:00 am.2. Pick up the music and practice the easy anthem with your new friends in Summer Singers.3. Then sing the song in worship that day.4. Finally, receive the applause and congratulations from the congregation.It's that simple. Contact (markteagle@wesleysj.net) for more information.......

Please note, both the 6th Street parking lot and Dobashi parking lot (e.g. Garden parking lot) will be unavailable for parking from Monday July 28 to Friday August 1.  The 6th Street lot will be resurfaced and restriped, and Japantown Business Association members will be using the Dobashi lot per a parking agreement between Wesley and the JBA.  Thank you for everyone’s understanding and flexibilit...

We had some very hard-working God’s Garden children, CAF and MYF youth help put together some small tokens of love for our Wesley men. The children and youth formed an assembly line going and packed about 80 cups and bags with pretzels and chocolates. After service, they passed out the yummy treats. Hope all the Wesley men had a great Father’s Day!!......

Thanks to a generous grant from a Beulah Foundation Grant the Wesley Primetimers enjoyed a wonderful outing on Monterey Peninsula on March 26, 2025. The trip was the first of two excursions to be paid for by the Beaulah grant.  The Beulah Foundation funds church ministries aimed at supporting Older Adult Ministries. Everyone boarded the bus at Wesley and two hours later we were dropped off at our ...

Rev. John Oda and Rev. Gerald Sakamoto, Rinban of the San Jose Buddhist Church (soon to be retired) gave messages at the annual Japanese American interfaith n Memorial Day Service at Oak Hill Memorial Park on May 31. Wesley's presence was noted where around 100 people were in attendance. Here are from left: Richard Poczulp, Keana, Leila, and Roger Saito.......

On June 21, the Wesley Ukulele Band participated in the world-wide event entitled “Make Music San José” which coincided with festivities in more than one thousand cities worldwide as part of Make Music Day. The band was thrilled to be asked to be a part of Make Music San José locally and Make Music Day globally. They performed on the corner of 5th and Jackson streets.  As an outreach to the city a...

"Happy Birthday!" Rev. John. SPRC celebrated Rev. John's birthday with a special smaller gluten free cake while the rest of the congregation were delighted with the delicious glutenous one. During Sunday service, we were fortunate to have the very talented violinist Jeffrey Bao accompany the choir on their anthem, "The Life of Praise" Former member, Nathan Stowe, made a surprise visit from San Die...

Jaedyn Kozuma was presented with the Kimie Sanematsu scholarship of $2,000 with words given by Keith Nakashima, Sanematsu Endowment Chair, and presented by Lauren Takaichi below on June 1. Ivan Vielma (above) was recognized as a graduate from San Jose State whom is going on to graduate school pursuing a Masters degree and Emma To, a graduate of The University of California, Berkeley, (below).......

On June 8, Chiaki Ueyama began his message by saying "I am a mixed race, bisexual trans-male, immigrant from Japan, multilingual and at the Intersection of so many demographics." He told stories about his turbulent early life in Japan and his immigrant experience here on the West Coast which was fraught with discrimination.  This is a must view video for all of Wesley and beyond to understand his ...

Beneath the shade trees and gentle breezes, the Wesley Ukulele Band held their annual picnic on June 8, at Frank Bramhill  Park.  We partook of tasty food and wonderful Hawaiian music. Those attending were, back row, from left; Ryan Miyahara, Jake Shimada, Tina Urata, Mark Teagle, Earl Takenaka, Richard Urata, and Smiley Kai: front row from left: Cynthia Lorence, Jane Wong, Barbara Hiura, Becky So...

Friday, June 20 marked a PACT action at Trinity Episcopal Church at 2nd and St. John by St. James Park in San Jose. More than 150 faith and community leaders met with County Supervisors Otto Lee and Betty Duong as well as State Senator Dave Cortese and Public Defender Damon Silver. After a faith reflection led by clergy of many faiths and testimony from immigrants affected by the current condition...

Cub Scouts of Wesley Church's Pack 201 celebrated the end of the school year with an awards picnic in the new garden.  It was the perfect setting for skits, recognitions, food, and FUN!......

Japantown Returnings Premiere Brings Down the HouseBy Barbara Hiura SAN JOSE--Fantastic! Well done! Whoo hoo! Bravo! were just a few accolades expressed during the standing ovation at the end of the premiere showings of Japantown Returnings, held at Wesley United Methodist Church on May 31.This was a staged- reading and music performance highlighting San Jose Japantown’s 135-year history. It was f...

Wesley Ukulele Band and hula dancers pose with the festival mascot, Tofutti.......

Wesley Church’s Rummage Sale Reaches Out by Barbara Hiura For days, boxes and bags of people’s tired, used and abused stuff… clothes, small appliances, ancient sports gear, old tech like keyboards and monitors, dishes, utensils, toys, games, and a lot of whichamicallits and thingamajigs showed up at our Fellowship Hall doors prior to our annual rummage sale taking place on June 7. With all mountai...