The Iceman Cometh
No…Not Santa! We were blessed to have Rev. Dick Corson give the Christmas message on Sunday, Dec. 24 AKA “The Iceman” because of his dedicated and caring work every Tuesday during our church’ outreach Food Distribution program, where he spends his morning packaging frozen food our of the freezer for our Grant families. Today he continued the four part discussion on community.
And of course, the warm-up act, was brought forward by Rev. Bobbie Corson who poignantly brought forward the Virgin Mary story from the Scripture reading taken from Luke 1:26-38.

Daniella Polar and Jonatan Schumacher and their children lit the third Advent candle of JOY on Dec. 17. “We light these candles, the candle of joyous hope, of proclaimed peace, and of deep and everlasting joy, as a sign that we are those who walk with a skip in our step because we can see the destination and it is pure joy. We are ascending to God’s promise."

The fourth Advent Candle of love was lit by the Kellie and Brent Nunokawa family.

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 backyard of the Mineta House. Kaleo built it with careful planning, with a great deal of hard work, and lots of help from his fellow scouts and from a few dedicated parents. On behalf of all of us at Wesley, thank you, Kaleo and your team of helpers – which includes DeeDee Azuma who coordinated all of the scheduling.
And this week, I am going to plant some vegetables in it to transform the empty planter bed into a (hopefully) lush garden. Planting is not simply dropping a seed into the ground and hoping for the best. It is a process and as I laid out the tools to plant the garden in the raised bed, I realized that gardening is a process much like our the ministries here at Wesley!
Let me explain, planting a garden begins with choosing the right spot for the right plant. Not every vegetable thrives under the same conditions. One of the veggies I'll be planting this year is a Japanese cucumber. They need full sun and something to climb as they grow. The strawberries I will also be planting, thrive when there is good drainage and room to send out their runners. You cannot simply put any plant anywhere and expect it to do well. You have to know the plant. You have to observe the light, consider the space and think about what each variety truly needs to flourish. There is deep spiritual wisdom in this process. How often do we place people, or ourselves, into roles, into expectations, into boxes, without ever stopping to ask what conditions they/we actually need to thrive? When it comes to the ministries at Wesley, my hope is that everyone will get involved in one or several of the ministries but only where you believe you will grow!
Then comes preparing the soil. This is my favorite part. Before a single plant goes in, you need to work the dirt, loosening it, mixing in compost, making sure it is neither too compact nor too loose, that it holds moisture without drowning roots. You are essentially creating a welcome for the plants. You are saying to whatever you are about to plant: "Hey, this ground has been made ready for you!" Wesley Church, at its best, does exactly that. Before new people arrive, before new ideas take root, before transformation can happen, someone has been quietly preparing the space, getting things ready to welcome new people, new ideas so the church can continue to transform!
And then there is the ongoing work of tending the garden. Planting is really just the beginning. A garden does not grow on good intentions alone.  It asks you to return, day after day, to water, to watch, to notice what is flourishing and what might need a little extra care. Some plants surprise you with how vigorously they take off. Others need more coaxing, more patience, more time in the right conditions before they find their footing. The gardener's job is not to force the harvest but to stay present to the process and to trust that growth is happening even when you cannot yet see it above the soil. This is, I think, one of the most spiritually rich lessons a garden can teach us. We live in a world that rewards speed and visible results. But the garden insists on its own timeline, and it asks us to slow down, pay attention, and trust the steady, quiet work that God is doing even when we cannot see it.
All of this, I think, is what the Wesley Church community looks like. We are, each of us, gardeners. We tend one another. We prepare the ground for those who have not yet arrived. We pay attention to what each person needs to truly grow. And we consistently show up for each other with love and caring.
Kaleo built a raised bed at the Mineta House, on ground where the Mineta family had once called their home. The land had already known good people doing good work, and now there is something new being planted to transform the yard. You are welcome to come by and see it sometime. Better yet, come by and help.
With dirt on my hands and love in my heart,

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 Walk that takes us to and around beautiful Almaden Lake about a mile from Oakridge Mall.

How you can help:
1.  Sign up as a walker, jogger, or stroller and stop any time you wish.
2.  Sign up as a sponsor/supporter of any amount.
     Make checks to Church World Service/CROP Walk or CWS/CROP
3.  Sign up as both OR organize your own mini-walk any time, any place, any donation.
Where does your money go?
CWS (75%) is a non-denominational international relief organization services areas stricken by war, disease, famine, and poverty. Locally, Second Harvest Food Bank, Sacred Heart Community Services, and Martha's Kitchen share in the remaining 25%
.
Sign up tables will be available after service May 3 and May 17. For additional information, contact a Missions Committee member. Thank you. Ed Gibo, John Tanaka, Doris Tabuchi, Judy Yasutake, or Judie Kanemoto
"Go take a Walk and put your best foot forward".  You will feel better.

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。


40枚近いスライドを基に幅広く詳細にまとめられた、非常に中身の濃いお話しでした。ここでは概要しかお伝え出来ませんが、更に詳しく知りたい方、また質問等ある方は、是非友愛会にお問い合わせください。友愛会のソーシャルサービスはいつでも地域のシニアコミュニティをサポートする体制を整えておられます。

講演の後はポットラックで親睦の時を持ちました。和洋折衷メインからデザートまでバラエティに富んだ会食に加えて、有志による春らしい花柄のカップとソーサーの提供もあり、賑やかで華やかな時間となりました。こうした集まりに参加して定期的にコミュニティと交流することは、今回の5つのポイントの中で最も重要であると教えて頂いた『人間関係・社会参加』にとても良いそうです。

Saffron-Kai was started in 1979 by Rev Frank Ohtomo and several Nichigo volunteers as a support group for the wives of new expatriates from Japan, and to this day, it continues to meet monthly. Its most recent gathering was on Friday, March 27.

The event featured a lecture by Michiyo Hoshino, a case manager at the Yu-Ai Kai, on the theme “For a Fulfilling Retirement: 5 Key Points You Should Know.” With an increasing number of members reaching the age where retirement planning becomes a concern, this gathering was bustling with 25 participants.

The lecture focused on the common steps we can take now to prepare for the golden age;
After the lecture, we enjoyed a potluck lunch, and great time was had by all. Participating in gatherings like this and regularly interacting with the community is said to be excellent for “Relationships and Social Participation”—the most important of the five points discussed in this session.

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 that met on Saturday at Taylor Street Farm to help with planting and weeding. Thank you to all those who volunteered during our Compassion Sunday event.

Clarissa Johnston-Abril explained what our church’s Compassion Ministry, is all about, its beginnings and the many ways it impacts the lives of our neighbors in need through our church’s outreach and stewardship. As the chair, she oversees the various service programs. A video of a number of our Food Distribution volunteers was shown where they talked about why they serve was shown during service.

Compassion Sunday gave those in our congregation an opportunity to go out and serve. Cleaning up the neighborhood was one such project and boy did they collect a lot of trash and debris on our streets of Japantown. The crew was composed of from left: Ning Bao and Catherine Huang and Jeffrey, Mark Teagle, Bich and Brian Hamilton, and Aton Abril. Not shown were Carl Miya, Brenda Gee and Jeffrey Oldham.

Other projects were creating hygiene kits shown here by Christine Ozawa, Kacie and Kenzie, and Marjorie Peckham. Joel Sakakihara shows off the finished project.

Hikaru Bakoshi and Lindy Lim fold blankets and towels bound for our local Animal Shelter.

Out in our storage bin area, Roger miller, third from left talked about our food distribution program to Elizabeth Chien-Hale, Ed Gibo, Michiko Collins and Derek Miyahara which goes out to our underserved community and his specialty, bags of food and drink that go to the unhoused at St James Park.

Here a group writes thank you letters to first responders with from left: Joanne Miyahara, Karen Miller, Lyn Haberstock, and Mieko Moody

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 the Blood” doing offertory.  We are grateful for their gifts.

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.

On Easter Sunday, April 5, Wesley welcomed three new members into our fold: Elizabeth Chien-Hale and Robin Kinoshita above and Helen Jewell below.

Lori Tabuchi leads a team of volunteers who dress a special cross with gorgeous living flowers in preparation for Wesley’s Easter Sunday service. Helping Lori 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 you!!!

Outside making the pancakes were Hector Acuna and Bob Yasukawa.

Finally, the crew is all set to go! Bring’em on in. Ready to serve were (from left): Ernie Murata, Denny Kinoshita, Keith Nakashima, Rob Hikido, Ed Gibo, and Zena Fong, the only gal among the guy breakfast crew.

And the hungry Easter brothers and sisters gathered for a wonderful shared meal together.  Nothing could be better on Easter Sunday to be in relationship.

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 Abril; Lyn Haberstock; and Kristin To; followed by Rev. Dale Tremper from La Trinidad UMC, Jerry Haug of La Trinidad and Wesley members Carol Mar; Vanessa Perry-Mar; and Joanne Miyahara.

The narrative began with Jesus’ appearance before Pilate, his torture and judgement at the hands of Pilate and giving him to the people for crucifixion. His final hours were on the cross where soldiers divided his cloths to his last breath.
The solumn service was one of heartfelt reflection.
In remembering Jesus’ sacrifice for us, we lit candles placed on the cross, then left in silence.

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.

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 together to purchase baked goodies made by our members in the church’s annual fundraising bake sale. Talk about being filled so completely in mind, body and spirit with a meaningful service dedicated to what it means to be an ally to our LGBTQ plus brothers and sisters. After, there’s nothing like a yummy tasty treat to add satisfaction to one’s palate.
For our Liturgists, Brian and Bich Hamilton, being an ally means “accepting and loving people for who they are,” stated Brian.  This was followed by, Bich’s comment: “To me, being an ally means to listen, to learn the perspective and the challenges, joys of my siblings and to act with justice on their behalf,”.
Being an ally is an integral part of Wesley being an open church as pointed out by Carol Mar and her wife Vanessa Perry Mar as they both spoke of what it meant to them to have Wesley as their ally. Both having come from different faith traditions found a home at Wesley where our church has put into practice being “a church rooted in love, formed in faith and committed to justice” from which all persons, programs, ministries, and outreach flowed. This spiritual practice to them is what is meant by being their ally in faith and a home where they can freely embrace Jesus, God and continue their spiritual growth.
Denise Rawlinson witnessed being an ally to her grandchild and accepting and loving them for their authentic selves. It’s not easy, she noted, and there is a learning curve, but being open and loving is the first of many steps in their relationship.
Mark Teagle followed with a message meant to inform the congregation of the meaning of being an ally to LGBTAQ+ community beyond words. He talked of his conservative upbringing, church, high school and seminary, and moving outward with the questions he asked soon becoming aware of the interconnection of social injustice and faith-based church. In recent years, he ultimately countered the legitimacy of those conservative beliefs and became an advocate and activist for opening up God’s love inside the walls of church to be that place that welcomes all, meaning LGBTQ plus brothers and sisters. This was seen in the coming to fruition of his musical/play “Doors Open”. He noted the good work of PFLAG as the nations’ largest organization and ally dedicated to supporting, educating and advocating for LGPTQ plus people and those who love them.
Filled with information and exuding with heartfelt thanksgiving for how God has transformed our church into spiritual home for everyone, the generosity of the church complement was seen as they bought out our entire stock of cakes, pastries, breads, cookies, pies, charcuterie plates, spam musubi and Japanese confection made by church members in this fundraising effort. The good feeling just continued forward. This year’s church fundraiser broke all records making $2,854 all going to the non-profit Reconciling Church Ministries in our outreach campaign. I am thankful for this outpouring of kindness and generosity by our church members. This fundraiser is unique because members contribute all the home-made goodies for sale and then they turnaround and purchase them.
I wish to acknowledge the many hands that made the day a success. Thank you to the Scouts who set up the tables and staged the Fellowship Hall prior to the event, and on the day of the sale: Kelvin Kamachi, Kathy Iyama, Jeanne Katsuro and Cynthia Fukuda, April Kawahara, Misao Kusuda, Judie Kanemoto, Irene Nakamitsu, Bev Acuna and Terri Koike (cashiers) and Hector Acuna and Barbra Hiura (money counters).
Huge kudos go out to all the bakers and goody makers: Vanessa Perry-Mar and the CAF and MYF, DeeDee Azuma, Linda Cato, Marcella Rensi, Beverly Lovass, Bev and Hector Acuna, Irene Nakamitsu, Jim Higuchi, the Miyaharas (Derek, Joanne, and Ryan), Luz Gonzales, Mayumi Miyakawa, Yumi Haraguchi, Barbara Hiura, April Kawahara, Kathy Iyama, Toni Soo-Hoo, Terri Koike, Cindy Fukuda, Emma To, Grace Sada, Christine Ozawa, Kacie Ng, Kenzie Ng, Jane Hayashi, Robin Kinoshita, Kim and Andrea Smith-Landucci, Tomoko Tanaka, Mary Horio, Donna Toyohara, Carol Mar, Carolyn Kameya, Steve and Doris Tabuchi, Jill Aragaki, Jeanne Katsuro, Amanda Halbakken, Patsy Utsumi, Steve and Doris Tabuchi, Judie Kanemoto, Misako Ogi, Bobbie Ueunten, and Bic and Brian Hamilton . Hats off to all the church members who purchased. And, Hey everyone…thank you for making this one of the best fundraisers of the year. Thank you God for filling us with your love so that we may love all.

Brian and Bich Hamilton as well as all the speakers, Carol Mar and Vanessa Perry-Mar and Denise Rawlinson talked about what it means to be an ally.

 Mark Teagle’s message was uplifting and informative.

Barbara Mulford eyes all the delicious goodies she hopes to buy. ”They’ll probably be all gone by the time I get here,” she commented.  Not true, and she purchased everything she was desiring.

Here we see our bake-sale cashiers (from left), Teri Koike and Bev Acuna, with another satisfied customer, Shizuko Adachi.

Patsy Utsumi was delighted to receive a cup of lemonade from freshly squeezed lemons from Brian Hamilton.

Our newest Praise Band member, Abbii Camacho was quite pleased with her selection.

Sales were brisk and donations were quite generous.

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 Kara Tanouye also participated

On the march we see Bev Acuna with Terri Koike on the left and to her right, Akiko Buchanan and Melissa Diaz, our protest organizer.

Participating across town in Milpitas was Barbara Mulford.  Hear! Hear!

My mom has always had a green thumb. Growing up, our backyard in Stockton was always alive with various vegetable plants, fruit trees and flowers; all planted and nurtured by my mother. She inherited her green thumb from her mother. I, however, found out that a green thumb is not a hereditary trait, at least not like the one my mom and grandmother possessed. Back in college, someone gave me a beautiful plant as a housewarming gift. It was full and lush. That poor plant withered and died soon thereafter because, well, because I don’t have a green thumb. It turned into a sad looking thing full of grey sticks and dead leaves. When I drove home to Stockton a few months later, I brought my dead plant along, thinking I would give my mom the pot. My mother looked at my pitiful, dead plant; said nothing and put it outside.

Later that year, I went back for another visit. Lo and behold my “dead” plant had been brought back to life. I didn’t even recognize it. It was even more lush and full; and the leaves were a deeper shade of green. She had given it fresh soil, found the right spot in her menagerie of potted plants, and paid attention to it. Not a miracle, exactly. My mom just knew how to revive my plant, a plant that I had written off for dead. I remember standing there admiring the beautiful new life on the plant. When I think about that plant, I also think about all the things and places in my life where I was quick to declare something dead or hopeless.

As told in the Gospel of John, on that first Easter morning, Mary Magdalene walked toward the tomb at dawn, not in hope, but in devotion. They came to tend to the dead. What they found instead was something completely different. The stone was rolled away. The grave was empty. And the risen Christ, mistaken at first for a gardener, called Mary by her name.
The resurrection of Jesus was a singular, unrepeatable event. And yet the pattern of resurrection, death giving way to life, endings becoming beginnings, hopelessness turns into hopefulness; all of this can be found in our lives today, because the God of Easter is also the God of everyday life.

The resurrection is the foundation of our faith, and it is not just about Jesus coming back after the crucifixion, but that the last word does not belong to the grave. The last word belongs to a God who can make all things new. Our God can bring life back to things that seemed hopeless and gone. This is the resurrection.

Perhaps the most personal experience of a resurrection that has happened to me has been my path to sobriety. Addiction hollowed me out as a person until I could no longer recognize myself. But the Easter story tells us that God is not deterred by tombs of any kind. The same voice that called Lazarus out by name called me out of my alcoholism and addiction. Every time I attend an AA meeting, I meet people who were certain they were spiritually or emotionally dead (and sometimes even physically dead), but now they have found themselves, much to their own astonishment, able to live again – a new resurrected life.

This Easter, I hope and pray that you will take a moment to survey your life and courageously point out the dead plants in your own life, whether they be old negative thoughts that can be revived into positive ones; or destructive habits that can be changed into healthy lifestyles. Bring them before the God of Easter. Not because resurrection is guaranteed to look the way we imagine, but because our God is a God who specializes in life where there was none. The stone is rolled away. The Gardener is still at work! New things are springing up, do you not perceive them? He is risen. He is risen indeed. Wishing you and yours a blessed and joyful Easter!

Blessings,
Rev. John

Congratulations to the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin on the groundbreaking for their new Dharma Center on Thursday, March 12. Rev. John Oda and several members of the Wesley staff were among the many Japantown community organizations there in support as Rinban Henry Adams dedicated the project. Construction will start soon and last about one year.

• Jimi Yamaichi Japanese Cultural Arts Scholarship - $2,000
• Warren Hayashi Japanese Cultural Arts Grant - $2,000
• *NEW* San Jose Japantown Community Grant - $3,000
• *NEW* Nagareda Family Trust Scholarship - $5,000

Online application and more details online
Applications are due April 10, 2026.
Please help us share these opportunities! Contact (scholarships@nikkeimatsuri.org) with any questions.

A new exhibit has just opened at the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) Historic Learning Center in San Francisco.  According to one of the sponsoring organization, “I Am An American: The Nisei Soldier Experience” is a new traveling exhibit that tells the storied history of second-generation Americans of Japanese ancestry, known as “Nisei,” who demonstrated their loyalty during World War II by enlisting to serve in the U.S. Army. In the exhibit, their service is recounted against the backdrop of fear and racial tension that inspired thousands to volunteer from Hawaii and drove the U.S. government to remove Japanese Americans and people of Japanese ancestry on the West Coast to ten Wartime Relocation Authority (WRA) Incarceration Camps during the war. "
The exhibit began its five-year tour of 11 venues around the nation on February 23, 2026 with the first stop in San Francisco.  The exhibit will be on view to the public until August 31, 2026.  Please see the National Japanese American Historical Society (NJAHS) website for more information at njahs.org.  The exhibit is located at the Military Intelligence Service Historic Learning Center, Building 640.  640 Old Mason Street, San Francisco, CA.

• A free 5-week social justice leadership program for students.
• Open to all Santa Clara County high school students (no prior experience needed)
• June 24-July 23, Wednesday and Thursdays 1pm-5:30pm

Apply by April 5th (priority deadline)
more info online: bit.ly/ccsapply2026

The beginning of the Lent season was marked by the Ash Wednesday service which was a combined event with the La Trinidad.  Here Rev. Dale Temper, the pastor of La Trinidad had ashes imposed by Rev. John Oda as we all began the walk with Jesus to the cross. Rev. Temper participated in the service by offering the Prayer of Confession and the Assurance of Pardon. Rev. John gave a “Reflection,” and the choir sang “Dust to Dust, Ashes to Ashes."

Rev. John marked all who wished with the Cross of Jesus and burden of sin he bore for all of us.  It is a time to “turn away from Self and back toward God.”

Kristin To (right) greeted Bill and Shirley Manor.

この2月末から3月初めにかけて、三枝子と二人で日本に行ってきました。色々目的があったのですが、その中の一つが山本先生ご家族にお会いする事。そこで3月1日（日）の夜、伊丹教会をお訪ねしました。

写真にあるように、皆さんお元気そうでした。先生も知恵さんも教区、教会、幼稚園、クリニック、そして家庭と大忙しです。菫ちゃんは新しい学校で元気に勉強し、来年は大学受験です。皓君は高校受験に合格したばかりで、この4月から高校生です。皆さまに宜しくとのことでした。

さて2月のニュースレターでは、新約の時代の食事について調べてみたのですが、そこで「最後の晩餐」は過ぎ越しの祭りの食事であった事を紹介しました。その時、その料理の一つ一つに込められている意味については3月に、と書いてしまったので、ここで簡単に紹介します。

種無しパン：酵母などを使わずに焼いたパンは純粋さを表します。最後の晩餐で主イエスはパンを自らの身体に譬えられました。
ワイン：ユダヤの民のエジプトからの脱出を記念して、契約の成就と喜びを意味します。最後の晩餐では主イエスはワインを「私の契約の血」と呼び、新しい契約、即ち私たちの罪の赦しの象徴とされました。

仔羊：過ぎ越しの祭りは、エジプト脱出の前に仔羊の血を扉に塗ることによって神の怒りから救われた事を記念します。この事から、仔羊は生贄ともなり、犠牲を意味します。
苦い野菜：レタスやチコリー等が使われ、エジプトの奴隷時代の苦しみを思い出すためだそうです。

ナッツ：デーツやナツメなどが使われたようですが、多くの場合、そのままではなく、果物やワインと混ぜ合わせてペースト状にしました。奴隷時代に住んだ家の壁土を象徴します。

他にオリーブや魚なども食卓に提供されたようです。でもここでダ・ビンチの「最後の晩餐」の絵を思い出して下さい。そこには主イエスと十二人の弟子とが描かれていますが、食卓にはパンと葡萄酒しかありません。勿論この二つが主イエスの身体と血であり、今日の聖餐式に引き継がれているのですが、でも食事としての晩餐の主役、仔羊はどこに行ったのでしょうか。予算不足で注文できなかった？　いや、そうではないでしょう。ちゃんとこの絵の中に描かれています。一度探してみてください。その時に、この絵に隠された大きな意味が見つかると思います。

以下、日語からのお報せです。
• 3月22日（日）は日語礼拝です。高槻日吉台教会主任牧師の吉岡恵生先生がメッセージをとりついでくださいます。
• 2月19日から始まった一麦会のレント聖書研究会は、3月26日に最終日を迎えます。、毎週木曜日午後7時半からです。新しく参加を希望される方は、コリンズ道子姉までご連絡ください。
• 3月27日（金）のサフラン会は、「豊かな老後を過ごすために」と題するセミナーです。参加ご希望の方は足立静子姉か塚本三枝子姉にご連絡ください。

From late February to early March, Mieko and I traveled to Japan. We had several objectives for the trip, one of which was to visit Rev. Hajime and his family. On the evening of Sunday, March 1, we stopped by the Itami Church.

As you can see in the photo, everyone looked very well. Rev Haime and Tomoe-san are extremely busy with the parish, the church, the kindergarten, the clinic, and their family life. Sumire-chan is studying hard at her new school and will be taking college entrance exams next year. Koh-kun has just passed his high school entrance exam and will be a high school student starting this April. They asked us to give their best regards to everyone at Wesley.
Now in the February newsletter, we looked into meals during the New Testament era and mentioned that the “Last Supper” was a Passover meal. At that time, I wrote that I would discuss the meaning behind each of the dishes in March, so here It is.

Unleavened bread: Bread baked without yeast or other leavening agents symbolizes purity. At the Last Supper, the Lord Jesus likened the bread to His own body.

Wine: Commemorating the Jewish people’s exodus from Egypt, it signifies the fulfillment of the covenant and joy. At the Last Supper, the Lord Jesus called the wine “the blood of my covenant,” making it a symbol of the new covenant—that is, the forgiveness of our sins.

Lamb: The Passover commemorates how the Israelites were saved from God’s wrath by smearing lamb’s blood on their doorposts before the Exodus. For this reason, the lamb symbolizes self-sacrifice.

Bitter herbs: Lettuce, chicory, and similar vegetables are used to remind people of the suffering endured during the time of slavery in Egypt.

Nuts: Dates and jujubes were apparently used, though in many cases they were not eaten as is but mixed with fruit and wine to form a paste. This symbolizes the mud walls of the houses where they lived during their time as slaves.

Olives and fish were also served at the table. But do recall Da Vinci’s painting, “The Last Supper.” It depicts the Lord Jesus and the twelve disciples, but there is nothing on the table but bread and wine. Of course, these two represent the body and blood of the Lord Jesus and have been carried over into today’s Eucharist, but where did the lamb—the main course of the meal—go? Could they not afford to order it? No, that cannot be the case. In my opinion, it is actually depicted in this painting. Try finding it. When you do, I believe you will discover one of the profound meanings hidden within this painting.

The following is an announcement from the Japanese-language service:

• Sunday, March 22, is the Japanese-language worship service. Rev. Yasutaka Yoshioka, Senior Pastor of Takatsuki Hiyoshidai Church, will deliver the message.
• The Hitomugi-kai Lenten Bible Study, which began on February 19, will conclude on March 26. It meets every Thursday at 7:30 p.m. If you are interested in joining, please contact Michiko Collins.
• The Saffron Club meeting on Friday, March 27, will feature a seminar titled “Living a Fulfilling Retirement.” If you would like to attend, please contact Shizuko Adachi or Mieko Tsukamoto.

Rev. John prayed for Terri and her husband Jeffrey Thornton who are embarking on a month-long trip to Botswana and Zambia to deliver supplies and much needed goods to small villages in need. The Food Distribution program laid hands on her as the goodwill of God flowed through us for the success of their mission of mercy.

Lori Longmire spearheaded a fundraising effort among the participants of the Tuesday Food Distribution program and presented the funds to her on Feb. 24. We raised over $1,000.

We wished her well and she’s well into her third week for her monthlong mission.