Associate Pastor's Report

November 12th, 2026
2026 Ministry Report
(Advent 2025 through November 2026)
Mark Teagle
Associate Pastor, Wesley United Methodist Church
Serving San Jose’s Japantown
Spiritual Formation:
  • Our 2025 Advent Study was “Soon and Very Soon” which was provided both digitally and physically for people to use.
  • Our Neighbor Groups continue to meet in homes across the Santa Clara Valley. Here are the topics for this year:
    • January: Year of Jubilee
    • February: Jesus calls us to love our neighbors
    • March: Palm Sunday
    •  April: Easter
    •  May: Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit
    • June: The Abram/Abraham Story
    • July: off
    • August: The wisdom of Psalm 1
    • September: Jonah
    • October: The Death of Moses
    • November: Giving Thanks
  • Our 2026 Lent Study was “The Sanctuary” by Amy Sigmon, made available to groups and individuals to help prepare for Easter.
  • Here are many of the movies discussed by the Wesley Movie Group: “The American President”, “The Bucket List”, “Train Dreams”, “Ray”, “Sunday Best”, “Remarkably Bright Creatures”, “Lawrence of Arabia”, “Project Hail Mary”, “The Sheep Detectives”, “American Graffiti”, “Rental Family”, “Steel Magnolias”, “Chef”
  • We incorporated a new Subsplash procedure to enhance our follow-up for new visitors, working with Hikaru, Terri, and Alan.
  • Attended All Church Camp at Camp Oski and Pinecrest Lake. Went hiking and kayaking and led the music at Campfire and Worship (with a lot of help).
  • Held Small Group Leader Training Sessions on October 25 and 27.
Community Engagement:
  • Wesley’s Neighborhood Food Distribution continues every Tuesday thanks to our amazing volunteers. Among those helping this year were a group of students from James Lick High School.
  • Food Distribution added 8 new folding tables thanks to a UMC Grant.
  • Thanks to Second Harvest, we have been able to share several $50 Safeway Gift Cards with our clients throughout the year.
  • We also added a third Refrigerator added (thanks to a SHFB Grant) which increases our storage capacity.
  • This year we facilitated the merger of the Missions and Compassion Committees. Thanks to the leadership of Clarissa Johnston-Abril, this newly combined committee continues to service across many areas.
  • I attended San Jose’s Unhoused Memorial Dec. 22 at Westminster Presbyterian Church.
  • PACT held a Posada des inmigrantes Dec. 18 with stops at the County Jail, County Administration Building, the office of Congress member Zoe Lofgren and Holy Cross Catholic Church.
  • Wesley hosted the Fred T. Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution working with Asian Law Alliance.
  • Wesley is now providing space for the Yu-Ai Kai Senior Brown Bag food program on the first and third Thursdays while the Buddhist Church construction is happening.
  • PACT held an action to protest ICE excesses with both Joanne Miyahara and me among the many speakers.
  • At the 2027 Day of Remembrance in February, I hosted an information table for both Wesley and PACT.
  • Wesley staff attended the ground breaking for the new Dharma Center at the Buddhist Church.
  • I took part in a clergy action March 20 calling attention to a local corporation that is leasing property to ICE in Colorado.
  • I went to Sacramento with more than 50 people from PACT for PICO California’s convention on March 24. Attorney General Rob Bonta was among the speakers.
  • At least 20 Wesley members participated in the March 28 “No Kings” protest in St. James Park.
  • Compassion Sunday was April 12. Projects included Hygiene Kits, towels and blankets for HSSV, Food Distribution projects, Taylor Street Farm, and a litter pickup in Japantown.
  • Represented PACT May 5 at Congregation Shir Hadash of Los Gatos as that Jewish group rejoined PACT this year.
  • Wesley hosted an information booth at Nikkei Matsuri April 26.
  • PACT held an action on immigration on May 26 where I served on a clergy panel that asked questions of Supervisors Betty Duong and Sylvia Arenas at First Unitarian Church.
  • I am representing Wesley for Sustainable Japantown, a new group focused on practical ways that Japan can endure.
  • Rev. John and I represented Wesley at the opening ceremony of the Obon Festival on both July 11 and 12. Dignitaries included Mayor Matt Mahan.
  • July 27 PACT held an action at Gilroy City Hall protesting the construction of an immigrant detention facility near that town. I led singing and also spoke about the UMC’s support of immigrant communities.
  • San Jose Nikkei Resisters and the Neighbors Not Enemies Coalition held a Press Conference on the steps of the Issei Memorial Building on July 29. Wesley provided the sound system and podium for the event. Rev. John was among the speakers who boldly spoke out against the persecution of our immigrant brothers and sisters. The event was covered by tv stations and other media.
  • Met with the Nikkei Community Interns on July 31 at Yu-Ai Kai representing Wesley.
  • Helped plan the Greenfaith Interfaith Climate Justice Summit August 23 at First Unitarian Church. More than 100 attendees shared their values and learned about influencing our elected leaders.
  • October 8 was the PACT Luncheon with Wesley filling a table there. As PACT’s Co-Chair, I had the privilege of introducing Award Winners Asian Law Alliance and their Executive Director Richard Konda.
Music & Worship:
  • Wesley Ukulele Band led music for Hanging of the Greens December 6
  • New 98” monitors installed in the Sanctuary. Ran wiring through conduits. Many thanks to Byran Longmire, Mimune Tsukamoto, Carl Miya, and Dave Brown for their work on AV improvements throughout the year.
  • Wesley members joined in the City Circuit La Posada, walking to Primera Iglesia Metodista December 18 where we enjoyed Pastor Gerardo’s wonderful posole.
  • Once again Wesley offered a Hawaiian-themed Christmas Eve service. Many thanks to Tina Urata and the Wesley Ukulele Band along with the hula dancers.
  • Open Mic Nite happened on the second Saturday of the month featuring many acts from within and outside of Wesley. Acts have included singers, ukulele solos, and duets poetry reading, gameshows, and more.
  • Wesley Ukulele Band Performances
    • Dec.6 Hanging of the Greens
    • Dec. 24 Christmas Eve Service
    • Jan 13 Yu-Ai Kai
    • February 21 Festival of Joy lunch
    • Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival in SF April 18
    • Cupertino Cherry Blossom Festival April 25
    • Nikkei Matsuri April 26
    • Picnic July 12
    • Yu-Ai Kai August 18
    • The Forum Assisted Living September 16
    • Villa Serena Assisted Living September 30
  • 2026 Messages:
    • November 30 “Beating our Swords into Plowshares”
    • December 28 “Jesus’ family flees to Egypt”
    • January 25 “God is Light”
    • February 22 “Let’s Talk About Sin”
    • March 22 (Reconciling Service) “Being an Ally”
    • April 26 “Doing Church”
    • May 24 “Pentecost Values”
    • August 30 “Moses and the Burning Bush”
    • September 20 “Whale of a Tale” (Jonah)
    • October 25 “Passing the Torch” (The death of Moses)
  • “Casting Stones”, my new original musical about the power of shame, had a successful table read on March 29.
  • The Chancel Choir sang for Gary Utsumi’s memorial February 7 and for Ron Ogi’s service August 30.
  • Ash Wednesday service included guests from La Trinidad UMC including Rev. Dale Tremper. The Choir also added an anthem.
  • The Asian Caucus Festival of Joy was hosted by Wesley with music from our Praise Band and music from the Wesley Ukulele Band at lunch.
  • Our Praise Band has added new members including guitarist Abbii Camacho. Many thanks to all the singers and musicians especially Marilyn Hasegawa who shares leadership.
  • I sang with the Wesley Jazz Ensemble at
    • Nikkei Matsuri April 26
    • Good CARma September 19 (Palo Alto Buddhist Church)
  • Thanks to a Grant from the Beulah Foundation, we upgraded the assisted listening system in the Sanctuary. We also upgraded several microphones and added two wireless channels.
  • Wesley hosted a CATS (Contemporary Asian Theater Scene) staged reading of the play “Aftermath Liturgy” by Min Kahng. I served as technical director.
  • Working with Byran Longmire, we installed a stage extension that fills in the space at the rear of the Chancel Stage producing more usable space for Kids Camp, drama, and communion services.
  • I worked with Hailey Oshita and Hatty Lin on the Asian Camp Reflections Service July 26.
  • In August I shared two songs from my new musical “Casting Stones”, “Faith Grew” as a solo and “At the Feet of Jesus” featuring Jahzara Jones.
Staff
  • District Committee on Ordained Ministry recommended me to the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry for Commissioning as a Provisional Deacon. 
  • Involved in planning and carrying out the Strategic Planning process working with Rev. John and Rev. Sam Yun. 
  • Made a presentation on Wesley’s Small Group, Compassion, and Music Ministries to the New Member Class on March 22. 
  • Rev. John and I served as Storytellers for Kids Camp in June. I played Ollie the Arctic Seal working with the Youth Assistants on the daily skit. 
  • I was Commissioned as a Provisional Deacon at this year’s Annual Conference in Sacramento in June. Bishop Sandy Olewine laid her hands on me and prayed over me in a very moving moment. I am now “appointed” to Wesley as an Associate Pastor.
  • August 10-13 I attend the Residents Practicing Ministry Academy at Zephyr Point where we studied Practical Theology.
  • Attended a two day orientation at the Northern California-Nevada Annual Conference Offices in West Sacramento on August 24-25.
  • Met with the Silicon Valley Circuit pastors on September 15.
Personal:
  • Phyllis and I made a trip to Saint Paul, MN December 10-13 to visit daughter Rachel, daughter-in-law Emilia, granddaughters Lilly and Rayna. We also got to see Rachel’s musical “Rollicking” at History Theater.
  • Visited my new granddaughter Charlotte and her family for Thanksgiving.
  • Honored to receive the Santa Clara Valley Amateur Umpire of the Year Award at the Hot Stove Banquet on January 13.
  • Continued my role as Umpire in Chief for District 44 Little League covering the 10 leagues from Campbell and Santa Clara to Cupertino, Los Altos, and Sunnyvale.
  • On July 18 we held a Teagle family gathering that included my siblings, their spouses, my kids and their children. It was good to be together.
  • Phyllis and I enjoyed a weekend in Ashland, Oregon and then a two week vacation to Europe in October.
  • Our family welcomed a new puppy named Kai, adopted from Humane Society Silicon Valley in September.
Posted in Charge Conference 2026