2024 El Camino Real District Celebration

Carl Miya and Richard Poczulp get ready for greeting and welcoming our guests representing 30 of 50 churches in the El Camino Real District on Sept. 14.

Hikaru Bakoshi and Rev. John Oda with Leighton Horio in the foreground, welcome one of the first to arrive.

To give all our guests a taste of our Japanese cultural heritage, the United Women of Faith vis-a-vis Bobbie Ueunten gave each attendee one of our prized Soup to Sushi cook books while our  Warren Hayashi a member of PACT encourages all to vote.

In that effort, Dave Land discusses the importance of the voting drive to a new arrival.

Our sanctuary was full with Bishops, pastors, and church members from various El Camino Real district churches.

The Praise Band led by Rev. Dick Diamonte from Palo Alto First and Aldersgate, uplifted the congregants

Our sanctuary was full with Bishops, pastors, and church members from various El Camino Real district churches.

With much anticipation and welcome, the audience finally heard words of greetings from the newly elected Bishop of our Conference, Bishop Sandra Olewine and were immediately warmed and uplifted by her inspirational remarks.  After she met with everyone.

Here, a nice photo op with Rev. John.

Rev. Mariellen Sawada Yoshino from Almaden first took the opportunity to greet the Bishop with members of her church.

DS Rev. Samuel Hong seen her with Aton Abril, gave the message.

Making sure the live-stream video and sound was perfect were Carmen Cook, Jeffrey Oldham, and Carl Miya.

Aton Abril lead the workshop "How Can Artifical Intelligence Help Your Church?"

Rev. John led a different workshop on "Should Your Church Create an App? Enhancing Ministry in the DIgital Age." There were four workshops held.

Working behind the scenes getting lunch ready for a hungry group by lunchtime were above: Judy Yasutake and Marcia Yasukawa and below: Luz Gonzales and Yumi Haraguchi.

The Wesley Ukulele Band provided luncheon entertainment especially with this western hula dance called "Ulupalakua."