Hands of Grace Bids Farewell

This is the end! Oh my! After some 15 years, The Hands of Grace Ministry led by the talented Mona Otomori and Yumi Haraguchi, has come to a close with a sale of craft items made over the years and a few new ones at a two-day boutique held at Wesley on Nov. 2 and 3. And while there didn’t seem to be a lot of folks coming through to purchase items, all knew this was their last look at a very special era of crafting at Wesley and ahem…they bought. At the end of both days, HoG made $4,000 of pure profit and a gift to our church’s Umbrella Ministry. Yay!
For many, this was a nostalgic tour of all the crafts made at workshops held through out the years all carefully prepared and planned by Mona and Yumi. What an uplifting time for our church when one’s artistry can emerge with surprising outcomes. It was a time to gather church crafters and wannabes in creating something unique and special to be sold at various church venues the profits of which went to Missions and other church ministries. But it was that precious time to learn and be exposed to Asian focused designs as well as useful traditional and folk arts.
Those who participated recall the camaraderie and relationships formed during crafting sessions. Many of these Asian focused adorable items for sale, from pillows and purses, to jewelry, Christmas ornaments, aprons, cards, takuan, and leis to home crafts such as knitted hats and scarves, scrubbies, and leis. All of this will be missed but well-remembered.
A hearty thank you to Yumi and Mona and to all crafters who participated in this wildly exciting adventure.

Yumi Haraguchi and Mona Otomori take care of sales

Mostly Wesley folks checked out the craft items for sale with Flo Oishi and Janice Noda shopping.

Stopping by from Roseville were the Mayedas, Harvey and Judy.

Sunday after service saw more shoppers.

Very tasteful and elegant crafts with that Japanese flare were on sale.