2024 Senior Pastor Report
2024 Senior Pastor Report
Rev. John Oda, Senior Pastor
Rev. John Oda, Senior Pastor
Greetings in the Name of Christ! As we reflect on this past year at Wesley United Methodist Church, we are reminded of God’s steadfast presence and abundant grace in all we have done. From community events that deepen our relationships, to sermon series that tackle some of today’s most pressing issues, we have sought to embody the love and compassion of Christ in our ministries. Our commitment to inclusivity, community outreach and spreading the love of Christ continues to shape our church's identity and mission. I am grateful for the dedication of each member and volunteer who has made this church and its ministries vibrant and impactful. Together, we are building a church that not only nurtures spiritual growth but also extends a welcoming hand to all who seek hope, healing, and connection. I am honored to share some of the highlights of our work and the blessings we have experienced as a congregation this year. This report covers the period from January 1, 2024 to November 25, 2024.
Worship
Wesley UMC continues to offer hybrid (online and in-person) worship services every Sunday. Our in-person attendance at our weekly worship service for 2024 has been around 160 people and our online average is close to 150 every week. This is approximately a total of 310 average attendance every week. The online worship has been growing steadily. One of my ongoing goals is to improve the worship experience at Wesley. To this end, we have incorporated more videos to the service, e.g., the scripture reading is now a video which makes it more engaging. This past year we also hired a lead singer for the band in our effort to improve the quality of our music and it has worked. This same person also directs the choir when needed.
Improving Wesley’s Online Presence
Wesley United Methodist Church has continued to make strides in its online presence. We want to ensure that we can connect with both our local and extended communities more effectively. We have recognized that our “congregation” extends beyond the walls of our physical space, so we’ve taken intentional steps to engage with people digitally. Through our newly designed website and a more active approach on social media, we hope to make Wesley’s message and mission accessible to more people.
To that end one of our major initiatives in 2023 was the development and launch of the Wesley app. In 2024, the app continues to allow members and visitors to access worship services, event calendars, giving options, and the newsletter from their smartphones. This app has been especially beneficial in helping people engage with our church wherever they might be in the car, at their kitchen table or on a dog walk. The app enables a nice connection with those who are not be able to attend worship in person regularly.
In 2024 we’ve continued to focus on increasing our website’s visibility by updating content regularly and adjusting that content here and there. This approach has helped us reach new people in the local community and beyond, inviting them to explore what Wesley has to offer. We will continue to do this in 2025.
This year, Wesley completed a significant rebranding effort aimed at reflecting our vision, values, and mission more accurately in today’s world. Concluding in October, this process involved three dedicated sessions where church members gathered to explore how our visual and verbal identity could better express Wesley’s spirit of welcome, faith, and service.
In our initial session, which was led by two of the Annual Conference Communication staff, we discussed the church’s mission and identity, discussing how we want to be perceived within both our congregation and the wider community. During the second session, also led by the same Conference Communication staff, we held a day long retreat where we discussed the various ways we might get our message out to the wider community. In the final session we revisited the reasons why we embarked on the rebranding process in the first place, and we spent time talking about the good things that the church is doing and how we might continue to spread the “good news” of Wesley. We also decided not to redesign the Wesley logo and will continue to look other ways to “brand” items.
Wesley Staff
The configuration of the Wesley staff continued to change in 2024. One of our Administrative Assistants increased her hours and her responsibilities to include some banking duties. Our MYF Director left his position around mid-year. The CYF Director has taken on both rolls and is working on restarting our college-aged ministry.
In 2024, Rev. Bobbie Corson continued her good work as the Pastoral Associate for Visitation. This has been a volunteer position. Her visits to members have significantly added to the pastoral care ministry at Wesley.
Small Group Ministries
In 2023, we launched new Neighbor Groups groups for Wesley based more on geography rather than interest. Mark Teagle, Director, Wesley’s Director of Spiritual Formation, Community Engagement, & Music, has done a wonderful job launching these groups and has done a great job in overseeing all of them. He makes sure all of the leaders are equipped with lessons, trained properly and is in regular contact with all of them.
This Advent one of Wesley’s creative friends, Coke Tani, will lead “Embodying Advent Thru the Magnificat”. These four Advent Interplay workshops will reunite body, mind, heart and soul by playfully loosening inner space, create human connection and unlock the wisdom of the body.
Compassion Ministries
Another area of responsibility for Mark Teagle is our Compassion Ministries. In 2024 Wesley’s Compassion Ministries continue to be a popular and significant ministry at the church. There are several components to our Compassion Ministry: Unhoused Ministry, Food Distribution, and Grant Elementary School Tutoring and Support. In 2024 the Compassion Ministry Tuesday Food Distribution began a partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara Valley. This has enabled us to increase not only the volume of food that we give away but the quality. The number of people who have taken advantage of the Food Distribution ministry has grown significantly in 2024.
Fellowship and Community Building
The fellowship within our church family has been a source of strength and support. Our gatherings, events, and fellowship activities have created bonds of friendship and mutual care. We have celebrated milestones, shared in times of joy, and comforted one another in times of sorrow. In 2024, we continued our monthly Wesley Fellowship Lunches. Our hope has been that we could attract more young families who could bring their families to church and feed them at the same time. These have been extremely popular. Our attendance on these Sundays is always greater than on typical weeks.
In 2024 Wesley hosted a trip to Japan. The Trip to Japan fostered fellowship and gave all of us who participated in the trip, a renewed appreciation for the cultural and spiritual ties we share. Traveling together allowed us to form meaningful connections, not only with one another but also with the people and churches we encountered along the way. We were able to visit the church of the former Japanese Language minister of Wesley and another ministry lead by a United Methodist Minister. We hope this trip will become a cherished tradition, culturally enriching our congregation and strengthening the ties between our church and our global Methodist family.
This year we revived the Aki Matsuri (Fall Festival), a beloved Wesley tradition that hadn't been held in five years. Aki Matsuri was an opportunity to bring the community together to celebrate Japanese culture and the changing season. The festival featured a vibrant selection of food for sale, reflecting the flavors of the Japanese American community. The children enjoyed a dedicated play area filled with activities just for them. The kids area created a lively and joyful atmosphere. Attendees were also able to purchase plants at Wesley’s Garden and discovered unique finds at the Wesley Treasure booth, a highlight for those looking to take home a special memento. Aki also had live entertainment which added rhythm and energy to the day. Aki Matsuri was a warm, memorable celebration of community and culture, welcoming everyone into the heart of Wesley.
Wesley recently celebrated the completion of its long-awaited garden, a project that took nine years to bring to life. This beautiful, versatile space is designed to serve multiple purposes: a welcoming area for children’s activities, a serene labyrinth for meditation and spiritual reflection, and a picturesque venue for weddings. The garden also provides an inviting community space and an outdoor area for church ministries, including annual events like Easter egg hunts and sunrise services. It embodies our commitment to creating spaces where community, faith, and celebration can flourish year-round.
Celebrating Financial Strength
In 2024, the church continued to be financially strong. We currently have approximately $3 million in the bank. Some of these monies are designated for various Board of Trustee Projects, one of which is the Mineta House.
In 2024, Wesley became a part of history by purchasing the family home of the late Norman Mineta—a beloved member of our congregation who left an indelible mark as a U.S. Representative and as Secretary of Transportation. Affectionately named 'The Mineta House,' this iconic home sits directly across from the church, symbolizing both a tribute to his legacy and a practical step forward for our ministry. This new parsonage connects our congregation to Norman Mineta’s legacy of service, resilience, and faith. Proceeds from the sale of the former parsonage made this purchase possible, ensuring that the Mineta House will remain within the Japantown community for generations to come.
As we look toward the coming year, we will keep seeking God's guidance for our church. We will stay committed to worship, outreach, discipleship, fellowship, and stewardship. Together, we will continue to explore new ways to grow and serve, trusting the Holy Spirit to lead us forward with faith and courage.
In closing, I want to say how grateful I am to serve as your Senior Pastor. It’s a true blessing to be on this journey with you, and I’m excited for what God has planned for our church. May we walk together in faith, hope, and love, trusting that God’s grace will guide us in all that’s ahead.
Worship
Wesley UMC continues to offer hybrid (online and in-person) worship services every Sunday. Our in-person attendance at our weekly worship service for 2024 has been around 160 people and our online average is close to 150 every week. This is approximately a total of 310 average attendance every week. The online worship has been growing steadily. One of my ongoing goals is to improve the worship experience at Wesley. To this end, we have incorporated more videos to the service, e.g., the scripture reading is now a video which makes it more engaging. This past year we also hired a lead singer for the band in our effort to improve the quality of our music and it has worked. This same person also directs the choir when needed.
Improving Wesley’s Online Presence
Wesley United Methodist Church has continued to make strides in its online presence. We want to ensure that we can connect with both our local and extended communities more effectively. We have recognized that our “congregation” extends beyond the walls of our physical space, so we’ve taken intentional steps to engage with people digitally. Through our newly designed website and a more active approach on social media, we hope to make Wesley’s message and mission accessible to more people.
To that end one of our major initiatives in 2023 was the development and launch of the Wesley app. In 2024, the app continues to allow members and visitors to access worship services, event calendars, giving options, and the newsletter from their smartphones. This app has been especially beneficial in helping people engage with our church wherever they might be in the car, at their kitchen table or on a dog walk. The app enables a nice connection with those who are not be able to attend worship in person regularly.
In 2024 we’ve continued to focus on increasing our website’s visibility by updating content regularly and adjusting that content here and there. This approach has helped us reach new people in the local community and beyond, inviting them to explore what Wesley has to offer. We will continue to do this in 2025.
This year, Wesley completed a significant rebranding effort aimed at reflecting our vision, values, and mission more accurately in today’s world. Concluding in October, this process involved three dedicated sessions where church members gathered to explore how our visual and verbal identity could better express Wesley’s spirit of welcome, faith, and service.
In our initial session, which was led by two of the Annual Conference Communication staff, we discussed the church’s mission and identity, discussing how we want to be perceived within both our congregation and the wider community. During the second session, also led by the same Conference Communication staff, we held a day long retreat where we discussed the various ways we might get our message out to the wider community. In the final session we revisited the reasons why we embarked on the rebranding process in the first place, and we spent time talking about the good things that the church is doing and how we might continue to spread the “good news” of Wesley. We also decided not to redesign the Wesley logo and will continue to look other ways to “brand” items.
Wesley Staff
The configuration of the Wesley staff continued to change in 2024. One of our Administrative Assistants increased her hours and her responsibilities to include some banking duties. Our MYF Director left his position around mid-year. The CYF Director has taken on both rolls and is working on restarting our college-aged ministry.
In 2024, Rev. Bobbie Corson continued her good work as the Pastoral Associate for Visitation. This has been a volunteer position. Her visits to members have significantly added to the pastoral care ministry at Wesley.
Small Group Ministries
In 2023, we launched new Neighbor Groups groups for Wesley based more on geography rather than interest. Mark Teagle, Director, Wesley’s Director of Spiritual Formation, Community Engagement, & Music, has done a wonderful job launching these groups and has done a great job in overseeing all of them. He makes sure all of the leaders are equipped with lessons, trained properly and is in regular contact with all of them.
This Advent one of Wesley’s creative friends, Coke Tani, will lead “Embodying Advent Thru the Magnificat”. These four Advent Interplay workshops will reunite body, mind, heart and soul by playfully loosening inner space, create human connection and unlock the wisdom of the body.
Compassion Ministries
Another area of responsibility for Mark Teagle is our Compassion Ministries. In 2024 Wesley’s Compassion Ministries continue to be a popular and significant ministry at the church. There are several components to our Compassion Ministry: Unhoused Ministry, Food Distribution, and Grant Elementary School Tutoring and Support. In 2024 the Compassion Ministry Tuesday Food Distribution began a partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara Valley. This has enabled us to increase not only the volume of food that we give away but the quality. The number of people who have taken advantage of the Food Distribution ministry has grown significantly in 2024.
Fellowship and Community Building
The fellowship within our church family has been a source of strength and support. Our gatherings, events, and fellowship activities have created bonds of friendship and mutual care. We have celebrated milestones, shared in times of joy, and comforted one another in times of sorrow. In 2024, we continued our monthly Wesley Fellowship Lunches. Our hope has been that we could attract more young families who could bring their families to church and feed them at the same time. These have been extremely popular. Our attendance on these Sundays is always greater than on typical weeks.
In 2024 Wesley hosted a trip to Japan. The Trip to Japan fostered fellowship and gave all of us who participated in the trip, a renewed appreciation for the cultural and spiritual ties we share. Traveling together allowed us to form meaningful connections, not only with one another but also with the people and churches we encountered along the way. We were able to visit the church of the former Japanese Language minister of Wesley and another ministry lead by a United Methodist Minister. We hope this trip will become a cherished tradition, culturally enriching our congregation and strengthening the ties between our church and our global Methodist family.
This year we revived the Aki Matsuri (Fall Festival), a beloved Wesley tradition that hadn't been held in five years. Aki Matsuri was an opportunity to bring the community together to celebrate Japanese culture and the changing season. The festival featured a vibrant selection of food for sale, reflecting the flavors of the Japanese American community. The children enjoyed a dedicated play area filled with activities just for them. The kids area created a lively and joyful atmosphere. Attendees were also able to purchase plants at Wesley’s Garden and discovered unique finds at the Wesley Treasure booth, a highlight for those looking to take home a special memento. Aki also had live entertainment which added rhythm and energy to the day. Aki Matsuri was a warm, memorable celebration of community and culture, welcoming everyone into the heart of Wesley.
Wesley recently celebrated the completion of its long-awaited garden, a project that took nine years to bring to life. This beautiful, versatile space is designed to serve multiple purposes: a welcoming area for children’s activities, a serene labyrinth for meditation and spiritual reflection, and a picturesque venue for weddings. The garden also provides an inviting community space and an outdoor area for church ministries, including annual events like Easter egg hunts and sunrise services. It embodies our commitment to creating spaces where community, faith, and celebration can flourish year-round.
Celebrating Financial Strength
In 2024, the church continued to be financially strong. We currently have approximately $3 million in the bank. Some of these monies are designated for various Board of Trustee Projects, one of which is the Mineta House.
In 2024, Wesley became a part of history by purchasing the family home of the late Norman Mineta—a beloved member of our congregation who left an indelible mark as a U.S. Representative and as Secretary of Transportation. Affectionately named 'The Mineta House,' this iconic home sits directly across from the church, symbolizing both a tribute to his legacy and a practical step forward for our ministry. This new parsonage connects our congregation to Norman Mineta’s legacy of service, resilience, and faith. Proceeds from the sale of the former parsonage made this purchase possible, ensuring that the Mineta House will remain within the Japantown community for generations to come.
As we look toward the coming year, we will keep seeking God's guidance for our church. We will stay committed to worship, outreach, discipleship, fellowship, and stewardship. Together, we will continue to explore new ways to grow and serve, trusting the Holy Spirit to lead us forward with faith and courage.
In closing, I want to say how grateful I am to serve as your Senior Pastor. It’s a true blessing to be on this journey with you, and I’m excited for what God has planned for our church. May we walk together in faith, hope, and love, trusting that God’s grace will guide us in all that’s ahead.
Posted in Charge Conference 2024