Lay Leader Report
Lay Leader Report 2025
We Celebrate Our Mission Statement in Action:
We Celebrate and Value Our Pastors and Church Staff:
We Celebrate “Sacred Wholeness: Nurturing Your Mind, Body & Sprit:
- “Wesley United Methodist Church is a caring, intergenerational, inclusive faith community committed to helping people develop and deepen a relationship with God through Jesus Christ for loving service in the world.”
We Celebrate and Value Our Pastors and Church Staff:
- Celebrating and valuing Rev. John Oda’s pastoral leadership
- Celebrating and valuing our dedicated church staff and laity
We Celebrate “Sacred Wholeness: Nurturing Your Mind, Body & Sprit:
- The retreat was devoted on self care - By taking care of ourselves, we can serve God better.
- Everyone started the morning by walking a chalked labyrinth: inhaling the clean air, enjoying the beautiful surroundings, clearing out your minds and being present for the day’s activities.
- We participated in Feldenkrais & Meridian exercises, journaled our thoughts or a poem in provided journal.
- Ended the day by making essential oils for ourselves.
We Celebrate Our Ministries:
- Compassion Ministry
- Wesley Neighborhood Food Distribution: A team of dedicated volunteers at the Compassion Workshop distribute much needed food and supplies to individuals and families in our community with warm hospitality and kindness.
- St. James Park Ministry: A team of passionate volunteers provide a sense of belonging and purpose to our unhoused friends, who look forward to conversations and appreciate a bag of food and warm snacks each week.
- Casa de Clara: A compassion cooking team prepares a meal for the volunteers and guests twice a month for Casa de Clara, a place in the neighborhood that provides transitional housing.
- Reconciling Ministry
- Wesley has been a fully Reconciling church for many years and the Reconciling Committee has led the way in Wesley’s ongoing commitment to make our church a safe and welcoming place for LGBTQIA+ Christians of all ages. Our Reconciling Committee sponsors an annual Reconciling Service along with a Bake Sale to raise money for the Reconciling Ministries Network.
- Umbrella Ministry
- The Umbrella Ministry continues to address the physical, social, emotional and spiritual well-being of all ages. Continued classes of wellness and exercise and computer learning as well as visitations and intergenerational activities and workshops are held throughout the year. Tai Chi and Ikebana classes were new classes that was help in person at church. A Bento lunch was made and provided to over 100 Seniors of Wesley church to thank them for their continued support to our church. This was our second senior lunch and every year we get more participants.
- United Women in Faith, Mission Committee, Fellowship Ministries
- Fostering engagement and support to care for our church family, community, and world.
- Camping Ministries and Retreats
- The various camps and retreats allowed people to make new friends, share experiences, and learn from each other while focusing and connecting with God. There were camping opportunities for people of all ages- Kids Camp, Jr. High Camp, Asian Camp, Lake Tahoe Zephyr Point Retreat, All-Church Camp, and our All-Church Retreat.
As disciples of Christ, we love God, we love one another and serve others
Respectfully submitted,
Shelley Nakashima and Kellie Nunokawa, Co-Lay Leaders
Respectfully submitted,
Shelley Nakashima and Kellie Nunokawa, Co-Lay Leaders
Posted in Charge Conference 2025