Kitchen Remodel Team
REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 15, 2026 WESLEY UMC CHARGE CONFERENCE
Kitchen Remodel Team
Kitchen Remodel Team
Our kitchen is at the heart of ministry at Wesley UMC. Through food and fellowship, we live out our vision of being a place of welcome and belonging – not only for members of our congregation, but our wider community. In 2026, Wesley UMC began a planning process to explore renovating the Fellowship Hall kitchen. The project aims to sustain the church’s ministries, hospitality, meals, events, and community outreach for the next 50 years.
Actions Taken
- Created a Kitchen Remodel Team: Dave Brown, Melissa Diaz (Team Lead), Rob Hikido, Mark Iwagaki, Byran Longmire, Rev. John Oda, and Lori Tabuchi agreed to serve on the Team. The Team’s purpose is to develop a project scope and budget, obtain formal approvals, and, if the project is approved, oversee project completion.
- Launched listening and outreach process: The Kitchen Remodel Team gathered input through a congregation-wide survey, coffee-hour information tables, stakeholder meetings, leadership discussions, and a congregational meeting.
- Approved initial project objectives: Based on congregational feedback through the outreach process, the Board of Trustees approved initial project objectives for the kitchen remodel:
- Support Wesley UMC’s ministry for the next 50 years by improving kitchen safety, functionality and convenience. Our Initial Project Objectives are:
- Construct a Certified Kitchen that meets health and safety codes, including upgrading plumbing, drainage, electrical, and ventilation systems
- Replace aging, high-use equipment
- Design for improved workflow to support church ministry & events
- If budget allows…
- Add targeted functional improvements to the kitchen
- Improve Fellowship Hall bathrooms and airflow/HVAC
- Support Wesley UMC’s ministry for the next 50 years by improving kitchen safety, functionality and convenience. Our Initial Project Objectives are:
- Prepared for architect selection: The Team began to develop a Request for Proposals (RFP) process to select an architect experienced in designing commercial kitchens. The Team aims to select an architect in spring 2027 to develop a schematic design and cost estimate for the kitchen remodel; this information will be brought to church leadership in fall 2027 to consider proceeding with the project.
- Advanced funding plans: The project’s preliminary cost is estimated at $4 million. By October 30, 2026 approximately $1.195 million had been committed through existing capital funds and bequests. A capital campaign is expected to launch in early 2027.
Requested Charge Conference Action
The Kitchen Remodel Team asks for a vote to support continued planning work on the kitchen remodel.
Respectfully submitted,
Melissa Diaz
The Kitchen Remodel Team asks for a vote to support continued planning work on the kitchen remodel.
Respectfully submitted,
Melissa Diaz
Posted in Charge Conference 2026