2026-03-19 Good News

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19 My mom has always had a green thumb. Growing up, our backyard in Stockton was always alive with various vegetable plants, fruit trees and flowers; all planted and nurtured by my mother. She inherited her green thumb from her mother. I, however, fou...

Groundbreaking at the Buddhist Church Congratulations to the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin on the groundbreaking for their new Dharma Center on Thursday, March 12. Rev. John Oda and several members of the Wesley staff were among the many Japantown community organizations there in support as Rinban Henry Adams dedicated the project. Construction will start soon and last about one year. Applicati...

The beginning of the Lent season was marked by the Ash Wednesday service which was a combined event with the La Trinidad.  Here Rev. Dale Temper, the pastor of La Trinidad had ashes imposed by Rev. John Oda as we all began the walk with Jesus to the cross. Rev. Temper participated in the service by offering the Prayer of Confession and the Assurance of Pardon. Rev. John gave a “Reflection,” and th...

この2月末から3月初めにかけて、三枝子と二人で日本に行ってきました。色々目的があったのですが、その中の一つが山本先生ご家族にお会いする事。そこで3月1日（日）の夜、伊丹教会をお訪ねしました。写真にあるように、皆さんお元気そうでした。先生も知恵さんも教区、教会、幼稚園、クリニック、そして家庭と大忙しです。菫ちゃんは新しい学校で元気に勉強し、来年は大学受験です。皓君は高校受験に合格したばかりで、この4月から高校生です。皆さまに宜しくとのことでした。さて2月のニュースレターでは、新約の時代の食事について調べてみたのですが、そこで「最後の晩餐」は過ぎ越しの祭りの食事であった事を紹介しました。その時、その料理の一つ一つに込められている意味については3月に、と書いてしまったので、ここで簡単に紹介します。種無しパン：酵母などを使わずに焼いたパンは純粋さを表します。最後の晩餐で主イエスはパンを自らの身体に...

Rev. John prayed for Terri and her husband Jeffrey Thornton who are embarking on a month-long trip to Botswana and Zambia to deliver supplies and much needed goods to small villages in need. The Food Distribution program laid hands on her as the goodwill of God flowed through us for the success of their mission of mercy. Lori Longmire spearheaded a fundraising effort among the participants of the ...

All Church Retreat: Embracing the Narrative and Strategic Planby Rev. John Oda On February 28, Wesley Church gathered for its All Church Winter Retreat. This was the third and final Discovery & Discernment session, led by our Strategic Planning Consultant Rev. Samuel Yun, and it marked a great moment in Wesley's history because we presented a bold, Spirit-led 5-Year Strategic Implementation Roadma...

Our Wesley Church Scout troop thanks everyone for supporting their Avocado Char Siu Taco Lunch Fundraiser last Sunday March 8. We were glad to see smiling faces chomping on their delicious tacos! Scouts and scout parents worked hard under Iron Chef Larry Inouye’s tutelage. They chopped and sliced and measured and stir-fried and oven-warmed and afterward cleaned up the kitchen and Fellowship Hall t...

Wesley Hosts the Festival of Joy: Worship, Music, and Community Togetherby Rev. John Oda On February 21, Wesley had the pleasure of hosting the Asian American Caucus’s Festival of Joy, a special Lunar New Year celebration.  The event brought together all of the different Asian American groups and churches from across the California Nevada Annual Conference for a day filled with worship, conversati...