Council on Ministries
WESLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
COUNCIL on MINISTRIES, 2026
CHARGE CONFERENCE REPORT
COUNCIL on MINISTRIES, 2026
CHARGE CONFERENCE REPORT
ABOUT THE COUNCIL on MINISTRIES (CoM)
- The Wesley UMC Council on Ministries consists of roughly 35 Ministries & Committees, including Clergy & Staff Members.
- Each of these Ministries or Committees are led by one or more Chairpersons.
- The Council meets on the 2nd Thursday of every month. Agenda includes, but is not limited to, Staff and Ministry Reports and planning for the current year.
I want to express my appreciation to each chairperson for sharing their gift of service and dedication to Wesley UMC.
SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS:
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to John Tanaka & Ed Gibo for their leadership and devotion as co-Chairs of the Missions & Social Concerns Ministry for the past 25+ years.
In 2026, “Missions & Social Concerns” & “Compassion Ministry” merged to form “Missions & Compassion Ministry” led by Clarissa Johnston-Abril. For many years, John & Ed, along with long-standing members, Doris Tabuchi, Judy Yasutake, & Judie Kanemoto, have directed fundraisers to raise monies to support international Christian organizations and individuals around the world. Their dedication to this ministry is greatly appreciated and I want to take this opportunity to thank them for all that they have done and godspeed to Clarissa as she takes on this new endeavor.
I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to Warren & Jane Hayashi; Nora & Ray Yamashiro; Warren Shimonishi (& Rosie Shimonishi, posthumously), for their dedication and leadership of the Wesley PrimeTimers fellowship. The PrimeTimers is a group of energetic, mature Christians, retired or soon to be retired, who gather socially for senior group activities such as exploring historic venues, enjoying dining experiences at various eateries, and/or volunteering their time and talents together serving at Wesley UMC. In 2026, after many years of devoted leadership, each of them retired from their leadership roles. I want to take this opportunity to thank them all for their many years of service, their vision, their support, and commitment to the PrimeTimers Fellowship Group.
Your leadership is truly valued and appreciated.
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Mar, Council on Ministries Chair
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to John Tanaka & Ed Gibo for their leadership and devotion as co-Chairs of the Missions & Social Concerns Ministry for the past 25+ years.
In 2026, “Missions & Social Concerns” & “Compassion Ministry” merged to form “Missions & Compassion Ministry” led by Clarissa Johnston-Abril. For many years, John & Ed, along with long-standing members, Doris Tabuchi, Judy Yasutake, & Judie Kanemoto, have directed fundraisers to raise monies to support international Christian organizations and individuals around the world. Their dedication to this ministry is greatly appreciated and I want to take this opportunity to thank them for all that they have done and godspeed to Clarissa as she takes on this new endeavor.
I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to Warren & Jane Hayashi; Nora & Ray Yamashiro; Warren Shimonishi (& Rosie Shimonishi, posthumously), for their dedication and leadership of the Wesley PrimeTimers fellowship. The PrimeTimers is a group of energetic, mature Christians, retired or soon to be retired, who gather socially for senior group activities such as exploring historic venues, enjoying dining experiences at various eateries, and/or volunteering their time and talents together serving at Wesley UMC. In 2026, after many years of devoted leadership, each of them retired from their leadership roles. I want to take this opportunity to thank them all for their many years of service, their vision, their support, and commitment to the PrimeTimers Fellowship Group.
Your leadership is truly valued and appreciated.
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Mar, Council on Ministries Chair
CLERGY & STAFF
Rev John Oda - Senior Pastor
Mark Teagle - Associate Pastor
Kelli Martines - Director of Administration
CORE TEAMS
Ad Board - Marcella Rensi
Communications Team - OPEN
Lay Leadership - Rev. John Oda
Hospitality Team - Jim Mar
Reconciling Ministry - 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) – Emma To Youth Director Methodist Youth Fellowship (MYF) – Emma To Small Group and Bible Studies - Mark Teagle
COMPASSION & CARE
Missions & Compassion Ministry - Clarissa Johnston-Abril Umbrella Ministry - Shelley Nakashima & Kiyomi Yanai Memorial Service Team - Its Yokota & Luz Gonzalez
GROUPS
Agape Young Adult Ministry - Clarissa Johnston-Abril
Alpha Omega Ministry (College Age) - Mark Teagle
Nichigo-bu (Japanese-Speaking Ministry) - Mimune Tsukamoto PrimeTimers - OPEN
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 - Richard Poczulp, Hatty Lin, & Helen Lee
Rummage Sale – United Women in Faith c/o 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
TrunkG‘nGTreatG- Barbara Hiura & Kelli Martines
Hanging of the Greens - Kiyomi Yanai
Mochitsuki Core Team - Dale Sasaki & Keith Nakashima
Camp Mochi- Kelli Martines & Hatty Lin
Rev John Oda - Senior Pastor
Mark Teagle - Associate Pastor
Kelli Martines - Director of Administration
CORE TEAMS
Ad Board - Marcella Rensi
Communications Team - OPEN
Lay Leadership - Rev. John Oda
Hospitality Team - Jim Mar
Reconciling Ministry - 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) – Emma To Youth Director Methodist Youth Fellowship (MYF) – Emma To Small Group and Bible Studies - Mark Teagle
COMPASSION & CARE
Missions & Compassion Ministry - Clarissa Johnston-Abril Umbrella Ministry - Shelley Nakashima & Kiyomi Yanai Memorial Service Team - Its Yokota & Luz Gonzalez
GROUPS
Agape Young Adult Ministry - Clarissa Johnston-Abril
Alpha Omega Ministry (College Age) - Mark Teagle
Nichigo-bu (Japanese-Speaking Ministry) - Mimune Tsukamoto PrimeTimers - OPEN
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 - Richard Poczulp, Hatty Lin, & Helen Lee
Rummage Sale – United Women in Faith c/o 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
TrunkG‘nGTreatG- Barbara Hiura & Kelli Martines
Hanging of the Greens - Kiyomi Yanai
Mochitsuki Core Team - Dale Sasaki & Keith Nakashima
Camp Mochi- Kelli Martines & Hatty Lin
Posted in Charge Conference 2026