Umbrella Ministry
Umbrella Ministry: 2025 Report
Team Members: Lisa Kinoshita, Hatty Lin, Carl Miya, Shelley Nakashima, Ron Ogi, Mary Sasaki, Lynn Tabuchi, Kiyomi Yanai
The Umbrella Ministry began in October 2020 to connect and care for one another in inclement times. Created during the stay-at-home times of the pandemic, the Umbrella Ministry continues to provide opportunities to learn about self-care, discover new recipes/hobbies/activities, engage in service projects, catch up with friends and make new connections, and find joy in the simple things in life.
Purpose of Umbrella Ministry:
Recognizing that human connection and relationships are important to one's physical and mental health and spiritual well-being, how can we create connection and meaning- ful activities that provide fellowship, meaning, purpose and joy.
The "Umbrella Ministry" is created to reach out to one another through opportunities for connection, sharing of gifts and passions through one-time activities, providing self-care tools to care for our souls, service projects to do at home and more!
In 2025, the Umbrella Ministry hosted 51 activities with about 568 participants. Volunteers share their passion for service and outreach; teaching and learning; creative activities and demos; fun and fellowship.
Recognizing that human connection and relationships are important to one's physical and mental health and spiritual well-being, how can we create connection and meaning- ful activities that provide fellowship, meaning, purpose and joy.
The "Umbrella Ministry" is created to reach out to one another through opportunities for connection, sharing of gifts and passions through one-time activities, providing self-care tools to care for our souls, service projects to do at home and more!
In 2025, the Umbrella Ministry hosted 51 activities with about 568 participants. Volunteers share their passion for service and outreach; teaching and learning; creative activities and demos; fun and fellowship.
In-Person Workshops:
• Computers & Me : Customized tech workshops (computers,tablets phones) led by Jim Mar
• Tai-Chi: Led by Dr. Chen, a Tai Chi and Yoga trainer, whose mission is to empower her client’s well-being. Dr. Chen has 40 years of experience as a holistic acupuncturist and is an MD neurologist from China
• Ikebana: Misao Kusuda leads the class on "Beginning Ikebana Taught by a Beginner." Ikebana, Japanese flower arranging, is a simple way to display branches and flowers.
• Cricut Workshop and Lunch: an intergenerational gathering for fellowship & lunch with around 30 attendees: Carl Miya and Kiyomi Yanai created fun name and sports team designs with “Cricut” cutting machines. Everyone enjoyed personalizing water bottles, totes, zippered cases, and even canes.
• Computers & Me : Customized tech workshops (computers,tablets phones) led by Jim Mar
• Tai-Chi: Led by Dr. Chen, a Tai Chi and Yoga trainer, whose mission is to empower her client’s well-being. Dr. Chen has 40 years of experience as a holistic acupuncturist and is an MD neurologist from China
• Ikebana: Misao Kusuda leads the class on "Beginning Ikebana Taught by a Beginner." Ikebana, Japanese flower arranging, is a simple way to display branches and flowers.
• Cricut Workshop and Lunch: an intergenerational gathering for fellowship & lunch with around 30 attendees: Carl Miya and Kiyomi Yanai created fun name and sports team designs with “Cricut” cutting machines. Everyone enjoyed personalizing water bottles, totes, zippered cases, and even canes.
Year-Round Workshops on Zoom Include:
• Meridian Exercises & Chair Exercises : Exercise, stretching, and movements to improve energy flow led by Diana Marks.
• Feldenkrais Classes : Slow, gentle, non-invasive movements for body balance, center alignment, and well-being led by Bobbie Ueunten.
• Meridian Exercises & Chair Exercises : Exercise, stretching, and movements to improve energy flow led by Diana Marks.
• Feldenkrais Classes : Slow, gentle, non-invasive movements for body balance, center alignment, and well-being led by Bobbie Ueunten.
Outreach and fellowship build connections and relationships:
• A Care-A-Van visitation team of 8 visited with and brought small gifts to seniors.
• Senior Fellowship Lunch: Volunteers prepared over 100 bento lunches for seniors. Menu included Wesley volunteers’ specialties of somen salad, tasty gyoza, sushi, and strawberry shortcake for dessert. Eleven bentos were delivered for those who were unable to attend.
• A Care-A-Van visitation team of 8 visited with and brought small gifts to seniors.
• Senior Fellowship Lunch: Volunteers prepared over 100 bento lunches for seniors. Menu included Wesley volunteers’ specialties of somen salad, tasty gyoza, sushi, and strawberry shortcake for dessert. Eleven bentos were delivered for those who were unable to attend.
Respectfully submitted by Shelley Nakashima and Kiyomi Yanai
Posted in Charge Conference 2025