2025-05-22 Good News

ここ暫く、バチカンでのコンクラーベが世界的な注目を浴びていました。言うまでもなくカソリック教会のローマ教皇を選ぶ選挙ですが、昨年の同名の映画も今年のアカデミー賞を受賞しましたし、プロテスタントの教会に属する私たちも、身近に感じる話題です。でも実はキリスト教にはもう一つ、「東方教会」と呼ばれる大きな教派があり、それについては、あまり意識されていなかった方も多いのではないでしょうか。でも一方で、「ギリシャ正教会（Greek Orthodox Church）」とか「ロシア正教会（Russian Orthodox Church）」と言う呼び名を聞いたことは殆どの人があるのではないでしょうか。それに「ニコライ堂」は、おそらくご存知かと思います。これはロシア正教会の流れを組む日本正教会の東京復活大聖堂の呼び名です。こうした正教会やオリエント教会など東方世界の教会の総称が東方教会です。この東方教会は大き...

As June unfolds, I have begun to feel the subtle shift of the season. The days have really stretched out a little longer, the air feels a little warmer.  Many of us have planned and are looking forward to summer plans—vacations, time with family, or (hopefully) simply finding moments to rest.There’s something holy about this season. In Mark 6:31, Jesus turns to his disciples and says, “Come away t...

This year, we have been overjoyed to welcome eleven new members into the Wesley United Methodist Church family. Each person brings their own unique story, spirit, and gifts to the Wesley community, and we are blessed to walk alongside them in faith and fellowship.Please join us in celebrating the newest members of Wesley Church: Rebecca Boles, Sophia Burich, Leila Martines, Kacie Ng, Nolan Tran, J...

Last Sunday Wesley UMC joined over 140 walkers from ten local churches to bring awareness that suffering and deaths due to hunger are outrageous and preventable.Almaden Hills UMC again hosted the Annual CROP Walk to benefit Church World Service and local charities. The one to three mile routes took walkers to and around beautiful Almaden Lake.  Representing Wesley were Catherine and Nin Bao, Elain...

Our Food distribution program received a much needed boost from some 13 James Lick High School students doing community service work with all their helping hands on board. Here, Terri Koike, Tom Maeda and a couple of students help in prepping dry goods bags for our clients on April 22. Misao Kusuda and Shizuko Adachi  set out can goods with assistance from a very tall and strong high schooler. Rog...

Teppan Taco food booth workers prepping for the onslaught on Nikkei Matsuri Festival goers.  This delicious treat was sold out by 2 p.m. Chef Larry Inouye, who is the creator of Teppan Tacos, stepped up to do the marinade and added his expert cooking skills making this street taco have that touch of tasty perfection. Suno and Teri, our church's Nikkei Dogs did very well as they too sold out by the...

May The Fourth Be With You! On May 4, Bev Acuna dressed up as a Jedi Knight to be the only Wesleyite to pay homage and celebrate Star Wars  day.......

A few Wesley Church folk came out to support our Praise Band leader, Ivan Vielma’s graduation musical recital held at San Jose State University on May 13.Back row, from left: Bich and Brian Hamilton, Terri Koike, Bev Acuna, Barbara Mulford, Barbara Hiura, Mark Teagle, Ivan, Dave Land, Roger Miller, Hector Acuna, Ichiro and Hikaru Bakoshi, and Karen Miller.  Front row, from lest Misao Kusuda and Bo...

On May 4th, we recognized our God’s Garden teachers past and present. Throughout the years, God’s Garden has been blessed with dedicated teacher volunteers who have cared for our Sunday School children for many years. Many of them have been teaching for over 20 years! Starting as infants and going all the way up to 5th grade, our children have been supported by loving teachers who are committed to...

To raise funds for Asian Camp this summer, we had a yummy bake sale after service on May 4th. There were mini pies, cupcakes, rice Krispy treats, chocolate dipped pretzels, brownies and so much more! With the help of the youth, their families and other church members, we sold out of almost everything and raised over $1,800! These funds will help our Wesley campers, counselors, and director get to ...

We had a few, but very hard-working, God’s Garden children put together some small tokens of love for our Wesley women. Our hard-working Sunday School teachers got the day off from teaching but a couple showed up to help on Mother’s Day. The children got an assembly line going and packed about 70 bags with cookies and tea bags. After service, the children passed out the goody bags. And with the he...

What a treat! Bich Hamilton was the message giver on Mother’s Day on the “Reflection on the Womb of God” in words and art.  A message that took two years in the making with visions, talk, with doodles and art in focusing on our Mother God who conceived us all and who knows each of us intimately…our Mother God who cares for us with attention to her perfect design. We are her creation, Bich, intimat...

Mark Teagle welcomes Rev. Akiko Miyake-Stoner, Senior Pastor from the United Japanese Christian Church in Clovis to Wesley as Rev. John Oda goes to Clovis in a pulpit exchange. Greeters, from right: Hector Acuna, Jim Higuchi, and a very familiar face, Warren Hayashi, show peace and love to Rev. Miyake-Stoner. Today’s Pastoral team were Rev. Miyake-Stoner and Liturgist, Barbara Mulford. An animated...

Flo Oishi comes to help out doing kits with organizer and Compassion Ministry chair, Clarissa Johnson-Abril looking on. From left: Betty Hayashi, Amy Shiozaki, Alice Hikido, and Joy Bayler put together hygiene bags for the unhoused in our community. On Saturday,  Ning Bao, Rob Hikido, and Mark Teagle helped out at Taylor Street farm. Lindy Lim helps sort and fold towels for our local animal shelte...

Last Thursday, a group from the Wesley Ukulele Band went to the MidPen Media Center recording studio in Palo Alto to record the song, "Sukiyaki" (Ue O Muite) for a PBS program celebrating Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander month.......

 On Saturday morning, May 10, nine participants were introduced to Tai Chi led by Dr. Chen, a Tai Chi and Yoga trainer, whose mission is to empower her client’s well-being. Dr. Chen has 40 years of experience as a holistic acupuncturist and is an MD neurologist from China. We started with an evaluation of our stance and walking form and continued with warm-ups which included movements such as shou...

Beauty, flowers, tranquility and creativity were enjoyed by all who attended the Umbrella Ministry's first Ikebana or Japanese flower arranging class. Appreciation of nature and a few gentle instructions made for a lovely experience. Misao Kusuda explained how she got involved in Ikebana and was a superior instructor for the 16 participants. We hope you'll join us next time!......