To Whom Much is Given: an Update on our Work Following the Retreat

In February, we held our Winter Retreat, A Time to Reflect & Reimagine, in a cozy cabin-like setting at beautiful Willow Glen UMC. Before the year comes to an end, we want to follow up and let everyone know how we have responded to all of the ideas that were lifted up. For the retreat, we used feedback and suggestions to guide the topics of discussion, with a focus on our need to reach new people in new ways, bringing our rich heritage into mission today. To begin, we reflected on values long held by our Wesley community:

• Our Japanese American culture, while being inclusive of others
• Continued support of our compassion and outreach ministries
• Commitment to growing our children’s ministry, family-oriented
• Our roots and connection to our Japantown and San Jose communities
• Providing a healing space for all
  
  

Throughout the day, we identified goals, ways that we hoped our church would grow. Since then, we have worked toward those goals. Here are some updates:

• Worship - There was strong agreement that we should bring back Children’s Message in worship, building a connection between our children, young families, and the rest of the congregation. Soon after the retreat, we resumed sharing a Children’s Message monthly, in coordination with communion Sundays.
• Collaboration - In recognition of the multitude of committees and events that keep Wesley strong, vibrant, and busy, there were suggestions that we move forward with an effort to consolidate committees and collaborate in order to have greater focus and impact. We have done a lot of work in this area:
  • As Council on Ministries (COM) Chair, Jim Mar has been busy this year, working closely with all ministry leads to identify ways that we can streamline efforts while continuing to serve and outreach.
  • Norman Marks gave so generously of his time and expertise to conduct a thorough financial audit. We have spent the year restructuring our staff and responsibilities, and look forward to addressing the issues that Norman identified in order to assure compliance and provide transparency.
  • This fall, we began working with Parable, a church accounting firm. It has been a long, arduous effort, led by our Finance Chair, Lori Tabuchi, and former SPRC Chair, Kathy Haneta. They have dedicated countless hours to help clean up our financial records, consolidate accounts, and continue to support our onboarding process with Parable.
  • Wesley has deepened its connection with our Japantown partners. Within the past month, we have collaborated with other community organizations to hold the 2nd Annual Curry Cook-Off and Community Keiro Kai. Our Director of Administration, Kelli Saito Martines, participates in Sustainable Japantown efforts with JAMsj, Japantown Business Association, SJ Nikkei Resisters, SJ Taiko, Japantown Community Congress of San Jose, and others, as well as serves on the board of the Nikkei Matsuri Foundation. Mark Teagle made possible a partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank in order to provide support for our Compassion ministry’s food distribution and outreach to the unhoused at St. James Park, all while serving as Co-Chair of the board of People Acting in Community Together (PACT), a grassroots organization that promotes a just society.
• Primetimers - We recognized a desire to better support opportunities for our Primetimers to have more social interaction. By offering assistance with transportation and event planning, we hope to return some of the care that our Primetimers have extended to all of us for so many years.
• Events for Families - We identified a missed opportunity and plan to better leverage camps and events by inviting families to participate in other Wesley events. We also began offering monthly fellowship lunches after Sunday worship services.
• Revive Aki Matsuri - All reiterated a hope to bring back Aki Matsuri, our traditional fall festival that had not been held for five years, since before Covid. Thanks to the vision of Alice Hikido, Lori Longmire, Shelley Nakashima, Jim Mar, and several other key advisors, the festival remained on the radar of church leadership. In the spring, three veteran leaders stepped up to bring this Wesley tradition back to Japantown. Pam Urauchi, Rob Hikido, and Kiyomi Yanai led the way and together with more than 100 volunteers, we celebrated a very sunny Aki Matsuri just one month ago.
• Outreach - We discussed the need for continued outreach, particularly in our growing neighborhood. We talked about working with JBA and our Japantown Farmers Market as spaces for outreach. Our Media and Technology Coordinator, Hikaru Bakoshi, has greatly increased our social media presence, while developing our website and app. With the upcoming opening of our long-anticipated Garden on December 1, we look forward to many new opportunities to welcome friends and neighbors to gather at Wesley.
  
  

Wesley is undoubtedly a vibrant, service-minded community, with loving hearts and helping hands to make our church, community, and world a more peaceful, caring place. Luke 12:48 tells us that “to whom much is given, much is required.” Thank you for so generously and joyously sharing your gifts throughout the year. Together, we will continue to reflect and reimagine to keep Wesley a thriving, growing place of worship for all.