2026-04-23 Good News

Lessons from a Raised Bed Garden "The earth produces of itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come."— Mark 4:28–29 Around mid-April, Kaleo Johnson, one of the scouts from Wesley's Troop 201, completed his Eagle Scout project.  It was a beautifully constructed raised garden bed in the...

Looking for something that is family or group oriented, great exercise, and saves lives?  Did I forget fun and root beer floats?  Please consider joining your neighbors at the annual Bay Area CROP Walk sponsored by Church World Service on Sunday, May 17 at 1:00.  Hope Grows UMC (formerly Almaden Hills UMC) will again host The Walk. Former Wesley pastor, Rev. Mariellen Sawada, will kick off The Wal...

3月27日（金）はサフラン会の例会でした。この日は友愛会のケースマネージャーの星野美智代さんによる講演会、そしてテーマは『豊かな老後を過ごすために～知っておくべき5つのポイント～』でした。そろそろ老後を考える年頃の方が増えてきたサフラン会、25名の参加者で賑わいました。日本とアメリカでは社会制度などを含めて老後を単純に比べることは出来ませんが、それぞれのライフステージに従って今から準備出来ることは共通しています。その準備のための5つのアプローチを分かりやすく説明してくださいました。1) 経済的な備え：ソーシャルセキュリティ受給要件を把握して、将来必要になる費用を試算(生活費・医療費・介護費)。長期的な資金計画をつくる。2) 健康と介護プラン：丈夫で元気な時から始める。個別ケアプランの作成。メディケアの申し込みなど。3) 住まいの見直し：住まいの安全と暮らし方、自宅の中での安全性、外での交通...

Some of our members and those interested in membership attended a workshop with Emily Allen from our conference, which addressed the structure of our church polity and who we are as Wesley Methodist. Interested church members attended: Dave Land, Virginia Bailey, Bev Lovaas, and Elizabeth Chien-Hale.......

On a beautiful Easter Sunday, we had our annual Easter Egg Hunt in the garden of the Issei Memorial Building. With about 1,000 eggs, the children had a blast searching for all the eggs. A shoutout to the CAF and MYF youth for filling and hiding the Easter eggs. Always great fun in the warm, spring sun. He is Risen!......

On April 12, we held Compassion Sunday. The congregation was invited to participate in a variety of volunteer activities after the church service. We had groups making 100 hygiene kits, sorting and folding towels and blankets for the humane society, writing letters to first responders, completing work around the Compassion Workshop, and cleaning up the neighborhood. Additionally, there was a group...

After a three-year hiatus, newly retired former minister, Rev. Keith and Viki Inouye came to Wesley for an all-too brief visit. You know they’re both grandparents now and their new job is babysitting. Everyone was pretty much everyone, but Marcia Yasukawa and Jim Higuchi were there to greet the Inouye’s return as was Alice Hikido.......

Coming to visit their son and our accomplished accompanist were Shane Cantanho’s parents Dave and Renee Cantanho. Nice to see Jackie Kawashima in the house seen here with Kathie Kanavel (right) Guess who is in town for a visit from Japan?  Naoko Bakoshi ...and the whole family is happy to see her after such a long absence:as she is seen here with her son Tyler.......

Easter Sunday and Wesley almost had a full house to embrace the Risen Lord! Beneath the beautiful floral cross, Rev. John brought Jesus into our spiritual lives with  Holy Communion. This  being Easter, Holy Communion takes on new meaning for us as we embrace Jesus’ sacrifice of his blood and body in forgiving our sins. Ivan Vielma and Jazhara Jones sang a high impact duet: “Thank You Jesus for th...

Lynn Tabuchi leads a team of volunteers who dress a special cross with gorgeous living flowers in preparation for Wesley’s Easter Sunday service. Helping Lynn are Christine Ozawa, Lori Longmire and Chris Koshiyama. Byran Longmire and Chris Koshiyama Set up the flowered cross in the Sanctuary. Lovely, isn’t it?......

What a bountiful spread for breakfast. Wesley people enjoying a meal together. Eating before leading the Praise band were Ivan Vielma and Jazhara Jones. Grace Wada welcomes Mary and Dale Sasaki. Dale is recovering from a recent surgical procedure and is looking terrific.......

It just wouldn’t be Easter without our traditional pancake breakfast prepared by our Wesley men and this year did not disappoint. It took a huge crew to feed the masses. There was from left: Rob Hikido, Keith Nakashima, Zena Fong, Jim Higuchi, Dan Chafey, Mark Iwagaki, Its Yokota, Bob Yasukawa, Jim Baylor, Wayne Kuwada, Lester Haraguchi, Ernie Murata, Denny Gibo, Ron Tanizawa, and Art Black. Thank...

Christ Has Risen! Celebrating early our Risen Christ were church folks attending the early morning service with Rev. John. Reading scripture and serving as liturgists were Lyn Haberstock and Jeffrey Oldham. Giving the heartfelt message of the miracle of our Risen Christ and his everlasting love for us was Rev. John Oda. Music was provided by Mark Teagle and Barbara Hiura......

On Good Friday, held on April 3, congregants came forward and remembered as they walked with Jesus to the Cross. This was a night to reflect on our Savior’s suffering and death.  We walk with him to the cross and reflect on his passion and sacrifice. There were six scriptures narrating this, his final day walking this earth. Scripture readings were presented by Wesley members Clarissa Johnston Abr...

Actors and a playwright Steve Nakano,  Tasi Alabastro, Dana Soliman, and Samantha Ricci, from our J-town community  along with members of Wesley, Carol Mar and Brenda Gee  above, read Mark Teagle’s new musical/play "Casting Stones" on March 29. Also participating was Dave Land, Paige Youden, Jan Yamaguchi and Joanne Miyahara.......

Hooray! 13 Years Being a Reconciling Churchby Barbara Hiura WooHoo! Wesley Church recently celebrated its 13th year of becoming a Reconciling Church and what a festive and uplifting day it was. If you were in church that day, you were witness to what it meant to be an open and accepting place of worship especially for our LGBTQ+ members…to be an ally. Following the service, the congregation came t...

Our God’s Garden children lead a Palm Procession into the Sanctuary on Palm Sunday, March 29, and led us in song, "Hosanna, Praise is Rising." A big thank you to Kiyomi Yanai in leading the children in song, and all the other God’s Garden teachers in practicing with the children.......

Wesley UMC participated in the “No Kings Protest” held on March 28 at St. James Park.  Here a group met on the steps of the court house just prior to the march.  Present were, front row from left: Derek and Joanne Miyahara, Bev Acuna,  Cynthia  Fukuda and back row, from left: Akiko Buchanan, Terri Koike, Melissa Diaz, Roger Miller and Barbara Hiura. Rev. John Oda marched and,  Mark Teagle and Kare...