Council on Ministries

ABOUT THE COUNCIL on MINISTRIES (CoM)
The Council on Ministries encompasses approximately 30 Ministries & Committees, including Clergy & Staff Members at Wesley UMC.  Each of these Ministries and Committees are led by one or more Chairpersons.  CoM Meetings are held on the 2nd Thursday of each month.  Meetings encompass the ministry’s progress reporting, process improvement discussions, and any activity requiring approval from the Council.

The 2025 Council on Ministries accomplishments are covered in their respective ministry reports.  It has been an honor serving as CoM Chair in 2025.  I want to express my appreciation to each chairperson for sharing their gift of service and dedication to Wesley UMC.

I would like to recognize two significant transitions in leadership that occurred in 2025.

• Doris Tabuchi.  Doris served as co-leader of the Memorial Reception Team for over 25 years.  The Memorial Reception Team coordinates with bereaving families and organizes a post-service reception for guests.  Her leadership, best defined by her sincere and graceful hospitality, has brought comfort to grieving families during an exceedingly difficult period in their lives.  Doris has led by example, an influential organizer, even involving family members.  Those who have served with her have been touched by her compassion and speak of her with heartfelt endearment.
• Lauren Takaichi.  Lauren served on Wesley Staff as Youth Director for the CAF- Junior High School and MYF-High School groups.  She was well organized, and her leadership was well respected by her peers and by all the youth.  She led weekly spiritual lessons and prepared our youth to become leaders of tomorrow.

I want to express my sincere appreciation to Doris and Lauren for generously sharing their time and talents with Wesley UMC.  The legacy of their dedication will always be a shining example to others and appreciated by all.

I am happy to welcome Luz Gonzales as incoming co-leader of the Memorial Reception Team and Vanessa Perry-Mar as incoming Youth Director.   I am grateful to them for accepting the challenges which lie ahead and their commitment to Wesley UMC. 
I wish them success in all of their endeavors.

Respectfully submitted,
Jim Mar

CLERGY & STAFF
Rev John Oda - Senior Pastor
Mark Teagle - Director of Spiritual Formation, Community Engagement, & Music
Kelli Martines - Director of Administration

CORE TEAMS
Ad Board - Marcella Rensi
Communications Team - Chair Position OPEN
Lay Leadership - Rev. John Oda
Hospitality Team - Jim Mar
Reconciling MinistryChair Position - OPEN
Worship Team - Marcia Yasukawa & Derek Miyahara

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION & YOUTH MINISTRIES
God’s Garden Children's Ministry Director - Hatty Lin
Youth Director Christian Adventure Fellowship (CAF) - Vanessa Perry-Mar
Youth Director Methodist Youth Fellowship (MYF) - Vanessa Perry-Mar
Small Group and Bible Studies - Mark Teagle

COMPASSION & CARE
Compassion Ministry - Clarissa Johnston-Abril
Missions & Social Concerns - John Tanaka & Ed Gibo
Umbrella Ministry - Shelley Nakashima & Kiyomi Yanai
Memorial Service Team - Its Yokota & Luz Gonzalez

FELLOWSHIP GROUPS
Agape Young Adult Ministry - Clarissa Johnston-Abril
Alpha Omega Ministry (College Age) - Mark Teagle
Nichigo-bu (Japanese-Speaking Ministry) - Mimune Tsukamoto
PrimeTimers - Warren Hayashi
Wesley Men - Wayne Kuwada
United Women in Faith - Mary Horio

SCOUTS USA
Scouts USA Troop Pack 201 - DeeDee Azuma
Scoutmaster: Tom Oda
Cub Master: Tina Urata

OTHER MINISTRIES
Circuit Lay Liaison - Aton Abril & Clarissa Johnston-Abril
Green Team - Mary Chafey
Music Ministries -
Chancel Choir/Mark Teagle
Praise Band/Marilyn Hasegawa
Jazz Ensemble/Wayne Adachi
Ukulele Band/Tina Urata

ANNUAL EVENT GROUPS
Ozoni Sunday - Mimune Tsukamoto
Nikkei Matsuri - Carl Miya & Richard Poczulp
Rummage Sale - UWF/Terri Koike
Kids Camp - Christine Ozawa, Jayne Williams, Sarah Holt, & Kellie Nunokawa
Golf Tournament - Wayne Kuwada
All Church Camp - John Ng
Bless the Pets - Rev. John Oda
Stewardship/Capital Campaign - Kellie Nunokawa
Trunk ‘n Treat - Barbara Hiura & Kelli Martines
Hanging of the Greens - Kiyomi Yanai
Mochitsuki Core Team - Dale Sasaki, Ron Ogi, & Keith Nakashima
Camp Mochi- Mikiko Kaniike Ball, Michiko Collins, & Kelli Martines