6月7日のオダ先生の礼拝メッセージは、マタイが主イエスの弟子になる前は取税人であった事から始まりました。主イエスの弟子たちは、決して学問を収めた人たちばかりではありません。ペトロ、アンデレ、ヤコブ、そしてヨハネはガリラヤ湖の漁師でしたし、シモンは熱心党とよばれる政治結社の一員、また主イエスご自身、宣教を始めるまでは、父ヨセフの大工の仕事を受け継いでいたと言われています。

そう思って改めて見てみると、新約聖書によく登場する職業は、学者、祭司、医師、取税人、商人、職人、漁師、船頭、地主、貸金、占い師、羊飼い、そして農業労働者などです。また召使や奴隷と呼ばれた人々、その多くは借金を返せなくなったり戦争に負けた国から連れてこられたりした人々でした。また当時、政治や軍事はローマの支配下にありましたが、神殿を中心とする宗教的な催事は、全て祭司や学者たちで仕切られていました。
また市民サービスも、治安活動は主にローマ軍とユダヤの神殿警備隊、消火活動はローマ軍と一般市民や奴隷たちが自発的に担っていたそうです。また子供の教育は、ユダヤ教の会堂で開かれ、祭司や学者による律法の学習が中心でした。またそれ以外にも、楽器奏者や歌手、踊り子、技師、猟師、また工事労働者や船員が居ました。それに人類の歴史で一番古い職業と言われる娼婦、また娼夫も存在したと思われます。

こうしてみると、職業の種類としては今とそんなに変わりないように見えます。でも一つ、当時にはあっても今はない職業があります。それが預言者。未来を占う予言者ではなく、神の言葉を預かる預言者です。

旧約の時代には歴代の王に仕えて政治・軍事の重要な決定事項について神の意向を取り次ぐのが「お抱え預言者」の仕事でした。でも旧約聖書に名を残しているイザヤやエレミヤなどの預言者は、神からの召命と託宣を受けて、逆境と戦いながら神の言葉を語り続けた人々です。一方、一般市民にとっては、今でいう「くじ」が神の意志を知る手段でした。これは今でもタロット占いなどに引き継がれていますね。

現代も預言者を自称する人は存在しますが、やはり私には、旧約聖書に名を残したような預言者は居ないように思えます。何方か、ご存知の方が居られれば、是非教えてください。一度お話しを伺って、その方が取り次ぐ神のみ言葉を、是非聞いてみたいものです。

by Mimune Tsukamoto

Pastor Oda’s sermon on June 7 began with a story of Matthew who was a tax collector before becoming a disciple of the Lord Jesus. The Lord Jesus’ disciples were by no means all highly educated people. Peter, Andrew, James, and John were fishermen on the Sea of Galilee; Simon was a member of a political group known as the Zealots; and it is said that the Lord Jesus Himself took over His father Joseph’s carpentry business until He began His ministry.

Taking another look with this in mind, the occupations that frequently appear in the New Testament include scholars, priests, doctors, tax collectors, merchants, artisans, fishermen, boatmen, landowners, moneylenders, fortune-tellers, shepherds, and farm laborers. There were also those referred to as servants or slaves, many of whom were people who could no longer repay their debts or had been brought from countries that had lost wars. Furthermore, while politics and military affairs were under Roman control at the time, religious rituals and ceremonies centered on the Temple were entirely managed by priests and scholars.

As for public services, law enforcement was primarily handled by the Roman army and the Jewish Temple Guard, while firefighting was reportedly carried out by the Roman army, ordinary citizen volunteers and slaves. Children’s education took place in Jewish synagogues and centered on the study of the Law under the guidance of priests and scholars. Although not specifically mentioned, there were musicians, singers, dancers, artisans, hunters, construction workers, and sailors. It is also believed that prostitutes existed, male and female, a profession often considered the oldest in human history.

Looking at it this way, the variety of occupations doesn’t seem all that different from today. However, there is one occupation that no longer seems to exist today; prophet. Not a fortune-teller but the ones who convey the word of God.

In Old Testament times, the job of a “court prophet” was to serve successive kings and convey God’s will regarding political and military decisions. However, the prophets whose names are recorded in the Old Testament—such as Isaiah and Jeremiah—were people who, having received a calling and oracles from God, continued to speak God’s word while battling adversity. On the other hand, for ordinary citizens, what we would now call “divination by lot” was the means of discerning God’s will. This practice has been carried on even today in forms such as tarot readings.

While there are people who claim to be prophets even in modern times, it still seems that there are no prophets like those whose names are recorded in the Old Testament. If anyone knows of such a person, please do let me know. I would very much like to hear the word of God that they convey.

The annual Wesley Golf Tournament is Monday, Aug. 3, and everything is falling into place.  We are currently soliciting Wesley committees and individuals to help us out by making a donation to our “shhhhhh” Silent Auction.  Your donation - something simple, a basket of goodies, gift certificates, free play at golf courses, wine, your own personal artwork, or time at your vacation home - goes to support our Wesley ministries, including Kids Camp and our Youth Camp Fund, which helps to send our youth to Asian Camp every summer.  Please give this some thought and while you’re out and about, think of perhaps getting a gift card from one of your favorite places to shop or eat. Donations may be dropped off at the church office July 26-30. Please contact Paul Ueunten at (pueunten@earthlink.net). THANK YOU!

Ron Ogi, an avid golfer, beloved and an integral and dedicated member of Wesley’s Golf Committee, recently passed away. We are dedicating this year’s golf tournament to his memory and the golf committee will be sponsoring a hole acknowledging the specialized work Ron did for this tournament by making all the hole sponsor signs for this event for all the years that we can remember.
That being said, with the temperature rising and the weather is heating up. it signals your time to register for Wesley’s Fundraising Golf Tournament which will be held Monday, Aug. 3, at Sunnyvale Golf Course with a shot-gun start at 7:30 a.m.  Yes, it’s a bit early in the morning (yawn), but the good news?  You finish in time for lunch and be home before it gets dark where you can relax and relive this wonderful day.
This is a not to be missed fun and most exciting event of your golfing season. You will have a fine time playing with your family or dear friends as we are accepting foursome requests, and of course sharing a fabulous Japanese buffet for lunch. What’s not to like? Golf, food, and yes…prizes.
For the competitive golfers, there are cash prizes for first, second, and third place winners in Men’s A and B Flights, Women’s Flight, and Calloway (non-handicap) Flight.  Closest to the Hole winners will receive a prize.  
Registration fee is $160, which includes green fees, shared cart, three mulligans, a snack/goodie bag, lunch, and prize fund. Please make out your check to Wesley UMC with golf tournament on the memo line. An authentic Japanese cuisine buffet lunch awaits from a Japanese restaurant in SJ’s Japantown and held at Wesley. The lunch, will begin around 2:00 p.m., and is included for registered golfers and the cost for lunch only will be $40.
If possible, please avail yourselves to doing online registration (go to WesleySJ.net website or app. Go to events and find golf tournament) or send hard copy of registration forms and checks made out to Wesley UMC to Kelli Martines at 566 N. 5th St., San Jose, 95112 or drop them off at the church office by July 22.  You can also use the QR code for the link to the registration form or simply fill out the one enclosed in this newsletter.
Contact Kelli Martines: (Kelli@Wesleysj.net) if you have questions.

Spoiler alert – if you haven’t seen the movie Project Hail Mary - do not read this.

I am pretty obsessed with a recent sci-fi film called Project Hail Mary. So much so that I have some of the key songs from the movie on my Spotify playlist. My iPhone screen saver right now is a scene from the movie. And, of course, I’ve seen the movie numerous times.
In the movie, the sun is dimming because a microscopic organism called Astrophage has started to consume its energy. The Earth has perhaps a generation before the cold sets in and life on earth collapses. In a last-ditch desperate act humanity sends three people across the galaxy to find a solution. Over the course of the trip only one person survives, a scientist named Ryland Grace. He wakes up from an induced coma with no memory, heading for a distant star called Tau Ceti. His two crewmates have died. He becomes the last hope for earth. He is utterly alone, until, he wasn’t.
There, in the vast darkness of space, Ryland Grace encounters another spacecraft. Inside is an alien, a creature from a spider-like species that evolved around a different sun, sent on the very same mission by his own civilization. His star is dying too. His “people” face extinction too. He has traveled just as far and his crew also died on the way to Tau Ceti. He alone and carrying the same weight on his shoulders. Ryland names this alien Rocky because he looks like a rock.
What follows is a beautiful display of friendship and collaboration. Rocky and Ryland share no common language. They share no common biology. Rocky breathes ammonia. Ryland breathes oxygen. They cannot even exist in the same room without protective barriers between them. And yet they build a shared language from scratch. They share their hopes, their fears, their challenges, their grief. They discover that they are more alike than different; two curious minds sent on a common mission.
To me this sounds like the best version of Wesley Church. We gather each week, people of different languages, different backgrounds, different fears, different challenges, different pasts. At Wesley we are called to build a shared language. We are called to work across every difference toward a mission larger than any one of us. Rocky and Ryland did not choose each other and yet they formed a relationship. And through their bond, they were both transformed.
Ryland Grace was sent on Project Hail Mary to save Earth. He actually did not volunteer for the job, nor did he sign up to save Rocky’s world too. He didn’t even know Rocky’s world existed. But by the end, Ryland and Rocky worked not just for their own species but for each other. The mission expanded out of an act of genuine friendship.
This is what happens when we show up for one another. Some of us arrive at Wesley thinking we are here for our own healing, our own questions, our own grief. And then someone sits down next to us, and we find out that they are walking through a challenge that we had previously gone through; and our mission suddenly expands.
This is what the writer of Ecclesiastes means when he writes that we are members of one another not just metaphorically, but practically. When one part suffers, all suffer. When one part flourishes, we all flourish. Ryland and Rocky were each sent on what seemed like solo missions. The moment they found each other, the mission became something neither of them could have accomplished alone.
As we continue our summer season, I want to invite you into two practices drawn from this movie. #1. Look for your Rocky. Who has God placed in your orbit who is unlikely, unfamiliar, perhaps even hard to communicate with? Don’t ignore them. Build the common language. You might be transformed in the process.
#2. Let your mission be expanded. Perhaps you came to Wesley Church with your own needs, your own prayers, your own questions. That is good, even great! But let’s also stay open to the moment when our story intersects with someone else’s, and the mission becomes something larger than you ever intended.
Ryland Grace went on a mission to save Earth and in the process he also saved himself. He made an unlikely friend in Rocky who spoke another language. He expanded his mission. Grace, (I love his name), found what he was looking for. And I believe, will you too.

With love and hope for the journey,
Pastor John

You are invited! The Wesley Summer Singers will provide the anthem in worship on June 28 and July 5, 12, 19, and 26. And you can be a part of it.
Simply come to the Sanctuary each Sunday at 9:00 am to learn the music. Then sing with the group during the service. No experience necessary. But if you've sung a part like alto, tenor, soprano, or bass before, it really helps. Questions? Reach out to Mark Teagle (markteagle@wesleysj.net) or talk to any Choir member. We are also looking for Special Music offerings, especially during August but throughout the year as well.

Virginia Bailey is a long-time member at Wesley Church. She has led the Disciple Bible Study course, ‘Remember Who You Are’ many times. This Disciple Bible Study course covers the prophets and Paul’s letters. The prophets have much to remind us about ‘who we are.’

After listening to Rev. John mention the prophet Hosea several Sundays ago, I reminisced about how I view the prophet Jonah. I have not worried about how he survived being in the belly of a big fish. What grabbed my attention then and now, were the words Jonah spoke to God after God did not destroy Nineveh and its people. Jonah says “O Lord! Is not this why I fled to Tarshish at the beginning; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and ready to relent from punishing. (Chapter 4, verse 2) This description of God differs from the stern, aloof God that we encounter in much of the Old Testament.  
I don’t know what kind of God you want in your life, but I want a merciful God who abounds in steadfast love and forgiveness because I know I need that kind of God in my life. I believe we, as God’s people, all need this kind of God, as well. I want to have mercy from God first and justice second.
In the current, seemingly lawless (and godless?) time in our nation, I wonder who and where our prophets are that should be calling us back to God, back to caring for the widows, the orphans and the alien among us? I do believe they are out there but they are harder to hear and find. Are you one who is called by God to call others back to caring for one another, to call us back to the example that Jesus gave us for how to live together as God’s people? Are you called to be a Jonah in this world?

The Wesley Ukulele Band performed at the very well-attended San Francisco Soy and Tofu Festival, a fundraising event for Nichi Bei Foundation on June 13 at St. Mary’s Cathedral with, from left: Barbara Hiura, Jane Wong, Ryan Miyahara, Tofutti, Smiley Kai, Cheryl Koshiro (Hula dancer), and Tina Urata.

To all our teachers…
Brent Shimada, Karen Mikami, Brian Hamilton, Rob Hikido, Mieko Moody, Vanessa Perry-Mar
To All our Activity Leads…
Sarah Holt, Michelle Sakakihara, Leslie Mune, Michiko Collins, Bev Acuna, Melody Ito, Madison Ng, Young Chan, Alan Ngai, Carol Mar, Erwin Polar
To all our youth assistants…
Becca, sophia, Madison, Anna, Kazumi, Rinji, Malia, Aedyn, Lacie, Nolo, Keana, Kyan, Madison, Kailyn, Kenzie, Joanne, Chad, Leila
To all the support staff…
Kelli Martines, Rev. John, Mr. Mark, Hikaru Bakoshi, Terri Thornton, Jayne Williams, Byran Longmire, Joyce Pon, Yumi Hariguchi, John Moody, Brennan Wong, Hailey Oshita, Kayla Shimada
To all those who donated to the wish Tree…
Carl Morimoto, Mary Horio, Roberto Mata, Flo Oishi, Jim Mar, Beverly Lovaas, Amy Shiozaki, Joanne kumano, Barbara Mulford, Judy Kanemoto, Judy Yasutake, Joy Bayler, Shirley Kuramoto, Barbara Hiura, Bobbi Ueunten, Its Yokota, Kazuko Tengan, Joanne Miyahara, Mary Sasaki, Jim Higuchi
To all those who donated from the Amazon wishlist…
Due to technical difficulties, we are unable to identify all who donated, but please know that we are very appreciative of everyone who did.
Kids camp would not be possible without the help of the wesley community. Please accept our deep gratitude and appreciation for all that you do!

And a big thank you to our Kids Camp Directors (from left), Christine Ozawa,  Vanessa Perry-Mar, Karen Mikami, and Hatty Lin!

“Someone’s junk is another person's treasure,” was a comment I heard often. No truer words are spoken when it comes to the UWF’s annual rummage sale held this past, June 6, at Wesley. The entry line stretched for over a block down the front of our street with bargain hunters, treasure seekers, and many in need of essentials like clothing and shoes, were waiting in anticipation.
We were ready! And it is a sight to behold as all came through into our 5th street parking lot were met with tables heavily ladened with clothes, dishes, appliances, holiday stuff, toys and games, baskets, crafts, electronics, and the much sought after fully working multi-speed bikes. Those bikes were gone in like a minute to a good home I presume. Everyone found something to their liking.
Along with the rummage sale coordinated and run by Terri Koike and Bev Acuna with a ton of help, the money-maker every year is the Treasure’s rooms run efficiently by Jeanne Katsuro and her crew. They expanded to three rooms this year and were filled with jewelry, from costume to precious, fine Japanese dishes, dolls, and kimonos, brand-name handbags, collector items like pins, match-box cars and trucks as well as designer labeled blue jeans. Truly all treasures and sold at a bargain.
I reiterate…there is something for everyone and for every pocketbook. From clothing items at just .50 a pop and most rummage sale items at 1 buck to three, it’s pretty reasonable. But even the treasures are inexpensive, most goods $10 to $20 and perhaps a little more.
For days prior, church and community people came to drop off their unwanted items, cluttering their homes. A crew of some 20 to 30 people from Wesley, students, friends, and community folk spent days sorting, pricing and boxing all the items received and making them ready for the sale. After four days, the church was ready for the big day. Our outreach effort is felt every year. “I look forward to your rummage sale,” one patron commented, and “It is all so well organized and well-run. Thank you.” How about that!!!
This labor-intensive effort especially for our UWF leaders has a dual purpose. It is intentional outreach to those in need which is why everything is sold so inexpensively, and making enough money to support the missions work of the United Women in Faith which is a dedicated focus on the health and well-being of women and families around the world. That is the reason for this massive church-wide effort. “Our intent is not to make money,” Koike notes,” it’s providing a much-needed service to the community.”
The rummage sale, without all the exact figures in, netted approximately $15,000, according the Koike.  I say, hear! Hear! And kudos and high-fives to all especially the year-long work of the leaders, Terri, Bev and Jeanne.  We also need to acknowledge the Wesley Village as many hands are needed for this sale to even happen; to Scout troop 201, our Japantown community, and our friends. We needed you and you all came through with flying colors. Thank you.

What an amazing showing of all those working and leading the Rummage Sale effort!

A very cute highlight this year was our stuffed toy display presented by Cynthia Fukuda.

Rob Hikido was one of our many security folk ensuring the sale goes smoothly.

Nice to see Dale and Mary Sasaki as itemizers.  Tomoko Tanaka in the middle prepared for the onslaught of buyers..

Cashiers were Shelley Nakashima and Lori Tabuchi.

One of the Treasure’s rooms nice displays for pottery, dolls, and prints.

Shop till you drop!!! Our 5th St. Parking lot filled with patrons.

Jeanne Katsuro, coordinator of the Treasure’s room, gave instructions to her crew.

Terri Koike, Rummage Sale Coordinator, was everywhere taking care of all aspects leading up to, during and after the sale.

Shizuko Adachi, Karen Maeda and Cynthia Fukuda sort and price.

Bev Lovaas and Flo Oishi sort the massive amount of clothing items that came in.

Rev. John Oda was searching for that one great find.

June 2 - 8, 2026: These are extraordinary days!  
WUMC congregation and Japantown community organizations answered the call to service as they jumped in with hearts and minds of one accord: Service & Fellowship! Thank you to each and everyone that was able to participate in our 2026 annual Rummage Sale!!!  
[Yes, all three exclamation points are intentional!]  
Throughout these many busy, busy days, there were friendly smiles and cheerful conversations as items were received, sorted, cleaned, priced, packaged and sold. Followed by the post-event chores of trash removal, furniture replacement, repacking of supplies and reports.How, oh how did all of this huge volume, with so many volunteers, so many different parts, that all touch so many lives ever come together with service and fellowship in such a meaningful way?
Praising our loving God and raising a Hallelujah for the Holy Spirit working with and through each volunteer. Indeed, great is our God!

Rev. Shijung Shim, Assistant to the Bishop of the California-Nevada Conference,  gifted us with wisdom in her message “The Mystery of the Trinity” on May 31.

Her scripture spoke of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac based only on the strength of his faith alone that God would raise is son from the dead.  The trinity, three in one, is our human expression of God.  But God is far more than what we can express or understand.   “Perhaps the meaning of the trinity is we may never comprehend the depth of God’s love for us. But we are to continue to grow and journey with God maybe that be the expression of the Trinity.” See the full impact of her message our Youtube video, Tinity Sunday.

Wesley was a big part of the Memorial Day service at Oak Hill Memorial Park's Japanese section. Alice Hikido represented Wesley as many community groups laid a flower on the altar. Ted Hasegawa played "Taps" on the bugle. And our Scout Troop #201 was part of the color guard that presented the American flag. Rev. John Oda was a scheduled speaker but had to bow out due to illness. Wesley also provided the programs and the flowers for the ceremony.

Keith Nakashima, chair of the Wesley Endowment Fund, presented the Kimie Yanagawa Sanematsu Scholarship to three deserving high school graduates, Jeffrey Bao seen here along with Zoe Tang, and Katlyn Yee, who were not present.

Jeffrey Bao received his award above and was recognized by Vanessa Perry-Mar, Youth Director,as one of our graduating seniors from Bellermine College Preparatory who will be attending Northwestern University.  Also recognized but were not present were Zoe Tang, Branham High School, who will be attending Chapman University and Kaitlyn Yee, Leigh High School, who will be going to  Cal State Fullerton College.

Special thanks to Byran Longmire, with help from Tom Maeda, who designed and installed an extension to the rear of the Chancel Stage in the Sanctuary. This new extension gives us three feet of additional space across the back of the stage. This has already been very helpful for communion services and for Kids Camp. Thank you, Byran, for making this happen.

Here are some ways that Wesley is opening its doors (and parking lots) to our Japantown neighbors.
On the first and third Thursdays of the month, Yu-Ai Kai's Brown Bag  food program uses our Food Distribution Tables and parking area to distribute food to seniors in our neighborhood. This program was relocated here due to the construction at the Buddhist Church.
San Jose Nikkei Resisters and the Neighbors Not Enemies Coalition hold their regular meetings at Wesley.
On June 19 and 20, the Japanese American Museum of San Jose (JAMsj) and Contemporary Asian Theater Scene (CATS) held a staged reading of Philip Kan Gotanda's play "The Sisters Morimoto" at the Museum. Wesley provided the parking for this event.
Wesley regularly provides meeting space for other Japantown community groups. We are also helping with storage space for the upcoming Obon Festival for the Buddhist Church. More examples of Wesley living up to its motto: "Love God, Love One Another."

After dodging it for more than six years, last Thursday (May 14), I tested positive for COVID-19 (or is it COVID-26 now?). For three days, I barely left my bed. The fever, the exhaustion, the chills, the heaviness settled into every part of my body. Even the smallest movements felt like I was slogging through mud. As I write this, I am slowly recovering. One day at a time.

Being sick has made me realize a couple of things. First, I have been with many of you in your seasons of illness and other health challenges. All of a sudden, I was the one with the illness and health challenge. I was the one who had to ask for help, the person who was dependent on others. I was the one who needed the prayers and comfort. I am grateful for the opportunity to gain some measure of humility, and I have come to realize once again – I cannot do life all by myself.

I also realized something about my mindset around my work schedule. In my three days of stillness, I had time to think (albeit through a foggy brain) and one realization that came to me was that I rarely stop. I live my life at a fairly unrelenting pace. There is always something more to do, someone else to call, another meeting to prepare for, another email to respond to, another need to be meet. I never ever just sit and breathe. I am always trying to achieve something. In ministry I can convince myself that the work cannot wait, that I am indispensable, that rest is something that I will get on my vacation. But then something like a virus stops me and makes the decision for me. COVID has caused me to stop and be still, at least for three days.

The Psalmist writes, "He makes me lie down in green pastures" (Psalm 23:2). I used to read that verse as pure comfort. Lying in bed these past days, I saw it in another way. Being “made to lie down” is not just comfort, it is a grace. Being made to lay down was Gods way of saying to me, “You are not the engine that keeps this going. I am. John, lay down in these green pastures and rest.”

And so, I have been resting. And lo and behold the church has not stopped while I was in bed. The ministries continue. Sunday Worship happened, beautifully I might add – thank you to Geronimo Desumala for your wonderful sermon on May 17. You all checked in on one another. You all carried on in faithfulness. The kingdom of God, it turns out, does not depend on me being upright and productive.

As I mentioned above, I am on the mend, day by day. Thank you all for being the kind of community that shows up for one another - in sickness and in health, in strength and in weakness. Until I am fully back on my feet and can see you in person, I will carry you all in my heart and in my prayers.

With gratitude and resting in God’s grace,
Rev. John

Rev. John walked with the San Jose Japantown community leaders in the SJ Taiko Stroll.

Nikkei Matsuri Foundation Board members including Kelli Martines (right) and Kellie Nunokawa (second from left)

The Wesley Ukulele Band performed on the Aloha Stage.Hula dancers from left: Lani, Betsy Crandall, Natalie,  May Serrano, and Margaret Hironaka

The Keiki also performed!

Hula Dancers Mika Yamatake and Natalie

The Wesley Jazz Ensemble performed to a full house in spite of the sprinkles with Dave Land servicing as emcee, with Peter Horikoshi and Ryan Miyahara seen and band members below thrilling the crowd with their unique sound and musical variety.

Wesley members came out to eat and show their support of our jazz band with from left, Rod and Grace Wada, Joanne and Derek Miyahara, and Jim Tengan.

The Blues Brothers were a crowd pleaser with Blues men Dave Land and Mark Teagle strutting their stuff and getting the crowd involved with dancing and clapping.

Showing off our Wesley Church’s new vision statement and selling United Women of Faith cook books were, from left: Ann Cowels, Bobbie Ueunten and Cynthia Fukuda.

The youth did an amazing job behind the scenes in making both the crowd-pleasing unique Asian favored hot dogs.

Sato and Hideo, prep the hot dog buns at the Suno and Teri booth.

Venessa Perry-Mar, staff Youth Director, was delighted at selling over 1,000 hot dogs in this fundraising effort. In fact they sold out.

Thank you and Congratulations to our Nikkei Dogs Chairs, Hatty Lin and Helen Lee, and Teppan Tacos Chair, Richard Poczulp! Proceeds will benefit our Wesley Youth Camp Funds.

Walking the wok to the Teppan Taco booth is Wayne Kuwada and Byran Longmire.

It’s Teppan Taco Time as Kenton Kuwada waits for his order to come up.

On the right we have Keith Nakashima and Scott Haneta stir frying all that cut up and marinated pork.

Misao Kusuda is intent on ensuring warm tortillas in the taco-making process.

Taking orders were Ning Bao and Keith Nakashima with a hearty work crew behind.

Warming the tortillas on this chilly drizzly day were Bev Acuna and Karen Maeda. What a success! They were all sold out by 3 in the afternoon.

It takes a village for our church to prepare for Nikkei Matsuri and the evening’s work in the Fellowship Hall was just one tiny portion of all the work needed. In this instance, the work crew was doing the prep work for the Teppan Taco food booth. The work included slicing and dicing pounds and pounds of pork butt as seen here with Byran Longmire, Karen and Tom Maeda. I know for a fact, all three are very handy with a knife. Below, Lori Longmire is ensuring that each bag is the correct proportion for the marinade.

Several tables of pork cutters included clockwise from left: Jim Mar, Its Yokota, Ichiro and Tyler Bakoshi, Hector Acuna, and Judie Kanemoto.

Doing up some of the coriander going for the taco topping were Jeffrey Oldham and Carl Miya.

Peeling and chopping garlic and ginger were, clockwise from left: Rob Hikido, Marcus, Catherine Huang, Helen Lee, and Natasha Odama.

Yes, many hands make short work and would you believe, this is only the first of two shifts. Vanessa Perry-Mar with Elaine Hikido and Luz Gonzalez.

Making the yummy secret sauce for the tacos were: Sarah Holt, Shelley Nakashima and Bev Acuna.

I love a man in an apron…Jeffrey Oldham helping Brenda Gee do the dishes. No dish pan hands here. We wear gloves!!!