Everyone is welcome to our annual Thanksgiving Potluck luncheon on Sunday, November 22 from 11:30 to 1:00. Come celebrate the abundance of blessings God has faithfully provided us including health, family, friends, peace and security.
Share Our Substance program began in the 1970's as the United Methodist Women responded to the increasing tragic impact homelessness had on our neigshbors.  From the early days of making weekly sandwiches for thirty or so folks in the park to enriching the lives of hundreds every week through food distribution, Grant Elementary, and many other programs made possible by your faithful giving and service.
Clarissa Johnston-Abril and Mark Teagle will present the Compassion Ministry's involvement in the community and how you can join this remarkable team.  You will also hear how opportunities to alleviate hunger and sufferings are blessings we can respond.
Please bring a main dish, salad, or dessert if you are able.  If you forget, don't worry, we've always had plenty of food.  Missions will provide pumpkin pies. If you had a good harvest of persimmons, please bring some for our table decorations.  Help Wesley "Go Green" by bringing your place settings.
Without suffering, there cannot be compassion.
"Come Ye Faithful Come".  Thank You

The United Women in Faith had three submissions for the upcoming Curry Cook Off which will be held on Dec.12 at Wesley. The chefs were Terri Koike, Bobbie Ueunten and Bev Acuna and 12 judges had a delicious sampling Oct. 4.

Such serious expressions for the tasters because indeed, it was a difficult choice to make.

The winner! Please make a date to check this one out as well as the many J-Town non-profits participating.  You will not be disappointed.

My dad loved to eat. I don’t mean he enjoyed a nice meal now and then. I mean he loved food, especially home-cooked meals, and he ate wholeheartedly and without apology.
Thanksgiving was like his Super Bowl. He would survey the table: the turkey, the stuffing, my homemade cranberry sauce, the veggies, and a pot of freshly cooked rice right beside the mashed potatoes and gravy. Then he would fill his plate, clean it, and quietly ask for seconds.
What amazed me was that his appetite never really diminished. In the last year of his life, his hearing was nearly gone, he had no teeth left, and his balance was unsteady, but he still wanted to eat, and eat, and eat. At our last Thanksgiving together, he cleared his plate and was ready for dessert.
This year will be our second Thanksgiving without my dad, and it will feel different around that table. But I find myself grateful that I carry a vivid memory of a man not diminished, but of a man still saying yes to the good gift of food in front of him.
His appetite was a kind of gratitude. My dad didn’t pick at his food or take it for granted. He received it gladly, freely, and cheerfully. Growing up in Watsonville, he had to pick strawberries as a kid, and I am sure there were lean years when the table was not so full. Perhaps that is why he never lost the habit of treating each meal as a gift. There was something holy in that, though he would have laughed if I’d told him so.
The Apostle Paul says God loves a cheerful giver. The Greek word for cheerful is hilaros, the root of our word “hilarious.” Paul isn’t picturing someone who gives through gritted teeth, but someone who gives with joy, the way my dad ate: freely, gladly, and cheerfully. And notice what Paul says generosity produces: not just a balanced budget or a finished project, but thanksgiving to God. Gratitude and generosity turn out to be two ends of the same table. We receive with thanks, and because we have received so much, we give generously.
That is what stewardship really is. It isn’t simply the church passing the plate. It is the people of God noticing how much has been set before us and responding with thankful and generous hearts.
During the first three Sundays of November, we will be invited to make our commitments for the coming year. Your gifts to Wesley are what keep our ministries going: worship and music, care for our members in times of joy and loss, our children and youth, and our outreach to neighbors in Japantown and beyond. Through these ministries, Wesley makes sure there is room at the table for everyone.
You’ll also be hearing more about our Kitchen Remodel and the capital campaign that will carry it forward. I can’t think of a more fitting project for a congregation that has always gathered around food: potlucks, memorial receptions, holiday dinners, and ordinary Sunday fellowship time. Those are the meals that turn a crowd of people into a family.
So as you sit down at your Thanksgiving table this year, take a moment to look at what God has placed before you, and let yourself be glad about it, the way my dad delighted in every meal set before him. May your gratitude for God’s bounty grow into a heart that gives generously and cheerfully.

Grace and peace,
Pastor John

サフラン会は、1979年秋、今から47年前に、当時の日語部の大友愛郎牧師と数名の日語部メンバーが中心となり、日本から新しく渡米された方々を支えるサポートグループとして始まりました。それから長い年月を経た今も、月に一度集まり、互いの親睦を深めたり、情報交換をしたり、困った時には助け合ったりしながら、楽しい時間を過ごしています。毎回テーマを決め、皆さんが気軽に参加できる会を心がけています。
例えば、9月の例会には18名が参加しました。テーマは「私のティータイム」。参加者がサンドイッチやスコーンなどを持ち寄り、美味しいフィンガーフードとお茶を囲んで会話に花を咲かせました。
まずは、夫々が持参した自慢のフードを紹介。その後、この夏の思い出をシェアしました。ヨーロッパや日本、アメリカ国内を旅行された方、いつも通りの日常を丁寧に過ごされた方、大学院での学びに励まれた方、趣味の世界を深められた方など、夫々の体験談や、時には失敗談も交えたお話を興味深く伺いました。
共感の笑い声が絶えない和やかな雰囲気の中で、皆さんから元気をいただき、日頃の忙しさを少し忘れて、心安らぐ楽しいひとときを過ごすことができました。
今期も、ガーデンピクニックや、麹を使った発酵食品の会など、多彩なテーマでの活動を予定しています。また、サフラン会ホームページ（https://sites.google.com/view/saffron-kai/）では、年間の予定やこれまでの活動、お得な情報などもご覧いただけます。皆さまもぜひ一度、覗いてみてください。そして次のサフラン会で、ご一緒に楽しいひと時を過ごしませんか。
（塚本三枝子）

Saffron-Kai began in the fall of 1979—47 years ago—as a support group for people who had recently arrived in the Bay Area from Japan. It was founded primarily by Rev. Frank Otomo, who was then the Japanese language pastor at Wesley, along with several Nichigo members. After many years, we continue to meet once a month to enjoy fellowship, exchange information, and help one another when needed. We choose a theme for each meeting and strive to create a relaxed atmosphere where everyone feels welcome to participate.
For example, 18 people attended our September meeting. The theme was “My Favorite Teatime.” Participants brought sandwiches, scones, and other treats, and we enjoyed lively conversation over tea and delicious finger foods.
First, each of us introduced the special treats we had brought. Afterward, we shared special memories of this past summer. Some had traveled through Europe, Japan, and the United States; others had carefully savored their everyday lives; some had been diligently pursuing their studies in graduate school; and still others had delved deeper into their hobbies—including, at times, tales of their mishaps.
In a warm and friendly atmosphere filled with constant laughter born of shared experiences, we drew energy from everyone present. We were able to forget our daily busyness for a little while and enjoy a peaceful and delightful time together.
A new season starts in September, and we’re planning a variety of activities on diverse themes, such as a garden picnic and a gathering focused on fermented foods made with koji. You can check the Saffron-Kai website (https://sites.google.com/view/saffron-kai/) for our annual schedule, past activities, and special offers. Please feel free to take a look. And why not join us at the next Saffron-Kai to share some enjoyable moments together?

Thank you to the Wesley community for the generous donations to the Memorial Fund in honor of loved ones. As the Memorial Fund has been growing over the years, the Finance Committee wanted to establish a formal process to thoughtfully disburse the money, and the Administrative Board established the Memorial Fund Committee. The Memorial Fund Committee seeks to honor those being remembered by supporting programs that promote wellness, fellowship, and the nurturing of healthy lives in body, mind, and spirit. In January, the Memorial Fund Committee will begin reviewing proposals that focus on serving the congregation and the wider community, outreach and acts of care for those in need, worship and spiritual growth, and improvements that enhance the church’s space for gathering and ministry activities.
While the process of donating in honor of someone’s memory remains unchanged (donating to the Memorial Fund or other designated fund via Subsplash or check), as of January 2027, undesignated “in memory of” and Memorial Fund donations will be directed to the general fund. Any questions or proposals should be directed to Joanne Miyahara through the church office, Memorial Fund Committee member.

Have an idea for a program that promotes wellness, fellowship, and/or the nurturing of healthy lives in body, mind, and spirit?
The Memorial Fund Committee will begin reviewing proposals in January 2027. Applications are available on the website. Contact Joanne Miyahara for more info.

Hello, my name is Caroline Waddington. I found this church over a year ago, when I was home for the summer before returning to college. I was looking for a church and didn’t expect much when I came here, but it exceeded my expectations. My past pastor said you get lucky if you find a church that meets 1-2 of your main wants, but I found one that meets all of them. I wanted an Asian church that is active in social justice and affirming to LGBTQ+. Finding this church felt like God called directly to me and, once again, showed me that things that seem impossible can happen. Even though I've been at this church for so long, many people don't know who I am, and because I was finishing my final year of college, I've mostly been connected to the church online. From the call to action for social justice to the potlucks and community-first events the church puts on, I know this is a place I wanna call home. From the start, I always wanted to be part of something bigger with the church, but I was too shy (and at college) to take the initiative. I talked to peers about how I wanted to serve and help the youth, similar to the programs I went to in college and high school, and miraculously I heard about the Youth Ministry Assistant position at Wesley. This felt like a direct call from God, and I am so grateful to officially be part of the Wesley family and get to know everyone on a personal level. If you see me around, don’t be scared to say hi! I’m very extroverted and love to meet new people:)

Honored in service on Sept. 20,  was Steve Tabuchi for the many years he attended Family Camp and provided to a multitude of children the most memorable fishing experiences ever…the thrill of the catch  John Ng, our Family Camp coordinator took some time during service to recognize Steve’s for contributing his expertise as an angler, and passing that love on to a our church family.  There are probably a lot of young anglers because of him.  Hat’s off to you, Steve! Thank you.

Note the fish!  The Yasukawas were emulating fish jumping out of the lake.

As an aging congregation, where do we turn when we need hands-on assistance for our loved ones needing more help than family members can provide?  How do we know we’ve made the right choices between in-home care or assisted living, or direct hire versus agency? Coming to our rescue is the United Women of Faith who along with enticing us with a salad lunch, brought in Kathy Hurst, a guest speaker who is a licensed agency owner of K’s In-Home Care Solutions to edify us on Sept. 20. She is a God send.  Her slides and talk were comprehensive, running the gamut of caregiving and issues that may confront us in the decisions we make and then, providing a way we can make informed choices rather than running around trying to find aid at the last minute.  Thank you to the United Women of Faith for providing us with this much-needed message.
In thinking about the needs of our congregation, the UWF addresses first, what our church is all about.  According to Mary Horio, the UWF President, “Ai Shin, Ai Rin, Love God, Love One Another is our church motto and one of our United Women in Faith mottos is: We believe that love in action can change the world.” From these deeply seated faith values, was how the salad lunch and speaker came to be.
“It is wonderful and uplifting to see how today’s lunch and program came together to embody the spirt of these two meaningful and powerful mottos!” she stated.
Thanks were given to Hurst, for her informative Caregiving presentation and to our UWF co-chairs, Beverly Acuna and Terri Koike.  She also acknowledged the many workers for all the behind-the-scenes hard work that made our UWF program and lunch possible. The UWF was pleased that there were 50 attendees who choose to fellowship and join the presentation following the provided salad lunch.
Mary Horio, ended the event with the following prayer as we are always thankful to God for overseeing church events such as these that engage us, provide fellowship, and sate us with food, of course.
“Dear loving and gracious creator God,
We raise a Hallelujah for Kathy Hurst and her Caregiving presentation that nourished our minds.
We are grateful.
We raise a Hallelujah for the many hearts and hands that worked on our program and provided our lunch that nourished our bodies.
We are grateful.
We raise a Hallelujah for all those in attendance that were led by the Holy Spirit in this time of fellowship that nourished our souls.
We are grateful.
And all of God’s children said… Amen!”

The UMW provided a delicious salad lunch during fellowship time after service.

Kathy Hurst, owner of K’s In Home Care Solutions agency, was brought in as a guest speaker to talk about the ins and outs of caregiving and how to go about getting care giving services for you loved one if outside help is needed.

During her slide presentation, she covered the full range of care giving topics.

There was a great deal of interest in this topic with almost 50 attending.

UWF President, Mary Horio, closed the program with a Hallelujah and a prayer.

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Thank you to everyone who attended the October 18 congregational meeting and to all who have shared feedback through the online survey, stakeholder meetings, coffee-hour conversations, and church leadership discussions. At the meeting, we shared what we have heard from congregation so far, next steps in the planning process and how members can be involved going forward. If you were not able to attend the meeting, you can view the presentation slides online (wesleysj.net/newsletter-archives).
Our kitchen has supported Wesley UMC’s ministry and community life for more than 50 years and the Kitchen Remodel Team is exploring how to responsibly renew this essential space to meet our needs for the next 50 years.
Based on congregational feedback and Board of Trustees research, the Trustees approved Initial Project Objectives for the Kitchen Remodel Project on October 6. We will use these objectives as we work with an architect to develop preliminary plans and a Project budget:
• Construct a Certified Kitchen that meets health and safety codes, including upgrading plumbing, drainage, electrical and ventilation systems
• Replace aging, high-use equipment; and
• Improve workflow to better support church ministry, meals, and events.
If funding allows, the Project may also include targeted kitchen improvements as well as upgrades to Fellowship Hall bathrooms and airflow, heating and cooling.
We are still in the early planning stages of this Project and there will be many opportunities to stay informed and provide input. We encourage you to attend the November 15 charge conference, where the Trustees will ask for support to keep working on the Project. We would then select an architect and develop preliminary plans and cost estimates over the next six months. Retaining an architect is necessary to make informed decisions, and could cost up to $100,000. That expenditure would not be refunded if we do not proceed with a remodel.
Through monthly newsletter articles and a congregation meeting next spring, we’ll provide updates and invite your feedback to help shape Project plans. We plan to present recommendations to the Administrative Board and then to a charge conference next summer or fall.
We also invite you to consider participating in the upcoming capital campaign. Remodeling the kitchen could cost at least $4M and it may take some time to raise the funds we need. The Administrative Board has seeded the campaign with approximately $55,000 remaining from the capital campaign fund and a recent bequest of $940,000, so we are off to a great start!
We are grateful for the care, wisdom, and commitment the Wesley community has brought to this process. We look forward to sharing what we learn and seeking your ideas in the months ahead.

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As I write this Pastor’s Reflection, Luz, her mom Stella, and I have just returned from Europe where we visited Luz's younger brother Anthony and his wife Sarah in the Netherlands. We spent about 1/2 of our time in the Netherlands and the rest of our time in Belgium and Germany. I should confess right now that I speak zero Dutch. In Belgium, I managed a few words in French. And in Germany… well, thank goodness most people spoke English.
There is a particular kind of humility that comes from traveling in a foreign country where you don’t speak that language. I remember standing on the platform at the train station in Antwerp, watching the announcements scroll by in Dutch trying to catch the English part. (Parts of Belgium speak Dutch, other parts speak French, and a small portion speaks German.) On that trip, we manage to get to the correct platform at the correct time but we quickly discovered that the platforms got switched. So I had to ask a few strangers for help. While traveling, Luz and I leaned on each other a lot. We also used Google Translate to read menus, and our GPS apps to make sure we were going in the right direction. We also trusted Luz’s brother and some patient strangers to get us where we needed to go. We were, in the truest sense, foreigners. Grateful ones, but foreigners all the same.
On one of our long train rides, I found myself staring out of the window thinking about traveling to unfamiliar places. I recalled Abraham in the Old Testament. In Genesis 12, God says to Abraham, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.” Those were God’s instructions, minimal as they were. God did not create an itinerary. Abraham did not have Google Translate, or Apple Maps. God’s instructions were simply “go,” along with a promise that God would be with him. Hebrews 11 later reflects on this: Abraham “set out, not knowing where he was going”, and still he went. Would you embark on such a journey to an unfamiliar place with an unfamiliar language without a map?
In reality, I think most of us know something about that kind of journey. Grief is an unfamiliar journey to places we have never been, with a language that only those who have traveled that same road can understand. Some of us have had to visit other unfamiliar places, like a new diagnosis, a divorce, an empty nest, a troubled child, the first months of sobriety, or the failing health of a loved one. We find ourselves standing in the middle of a different and unfamiliar life, unable to read the signs, unsure which platform is ours and often unable to even find the right language to describe what we’re going through.
What struck me during our time in Europe was that we did not have to travel alone. We did not need to speak the language fluently. We only needed to trust the people around us, trust our apps, and trust that the God who called Abraham is the same God who would travel with us. This same God will go with you into every foreign and unfamiliar place that you have had to or will have to navigate in your life. That is a promise.
So, if you find yourself somewhere unfamiliar this season, geographically, spiritually, physically or emotionally; I hope you will remember that you don’t need to fear because God will be with you on your journey to an unfamiliar land. You don’t need to know where you are going or how to get there. Abraham didn’t. Neither, most days, do I. Happy journeying my friends.

Grace and peace,
Pastor John

Thank you to the Wesley community for the generous donations to the Memorial Fund in honor of loved ones. As the Memorial Fund has been growing over the years, the Finance Committee wanted to establish a formal process to thoughtfully disburse the money, and the Administrative Board established the Memorial Fund Committee. The Memorial Fund Committee seeks to honor those being remembered by supporting programs that promote wellness, fellowship, and the nurturing of healthy lives in body, mind, and spirit. In January, the Memorial Fund Committee will begin reviewing proposals that focus on serving the congregation and the wider community, outreach and acts of care for those in need, worship and spiritual growth, and improvements that enhance the church’s space for gathering and ministry activities.
While the process of donating in honor of someone’s memory remains unchanged (donating to the Memorial Fund or other designated fund via Subsplash or check), as of January 2027, undesignated “in memory of” and Memorial Fund donations will be directed to the general fund. Any questions or proposals should be directed to Joanne Miyahara, Memorial Fund Committee member.

今日は日語の働きの一つ、ケアミニストリーを紹介します。このミニストリーは、教会員の中でサポートを必要としている方々を、互いに支え合いケアしていくグループとして、約25年前に活動を始めました。その前にも日語部の婦人会の活動の一環として、同じような相互ケアが行われていたと記憶しています。
「ケアミニストリー」という名前のグループができて以来、その時々の状況に応じて、ケアの方法も少しずつ変わってきました。ご高齢の方とペアを組み、電話をしたり訪問したり、、毎月ゴールデンへリテッジを訪問していたりした時期もありました。
そして、最も大きく活動の形が変わったのは、コロナ禍だったのではないでしょうか。実際にお見舞いに伺うことが難しくなったため、手紙やメール、電話などを通して近況をうかがい、お祈りに覚えるという形へと変化していきました。
現在は6名のメンバーで活動しています。中には引っ越して現在はサンノゼを離れている方もいますが、メールや電話でのケアは可能だからと、引き続きこのミニストリーに加わってくださっているのも嬉しいことです。
今は2か月に一度部会を持って、教会員の皆さんの近況を確認し、必要に応じて訪問したり、手紙やカードをお送りしたり、お祈りに覚えたりしながら活動しています。
また、月に2回、日語のニュースレターがオンラインで配信されていますが、コンピューターを開くことが難しくなられた方には、印刷したニュースレターを郵送しています。ご希望の方がいらっしゃいましたら、どうぞお気軽にお知らせください。
ケアミニストリーのメンバーも、細々とではありますが、このような活動を通して、お互いに支え合うことの大切さを感じるとともに、私たち自身も大きな恵みをいただいていることを感じています。これからも、教会の皆さんが孤立することなく、互いに心を配り、祈り合いながら歩んでいけるよう、小さな働きを続けていきたいと思います。　　（塚本三枝子）

Today, I’d like to introduce one of the Japanese-language ministry’s initiatives: the Care Ministry. This ministry began about 25 years ago as a group where church members support and care for one another, focusing on those who need assistance. I recall that even before that, similar care activities were taking place as part of the Nichigo Women’s Association.
Since the group was officially named “Care Ministry,” the methods of care have gradually evolved in response to changing circumstances. There was a time when we paired up with elderly members to call or visit them, and we also made monthly visits to Golden Heritage.
I believe the biggest change in the nature of our activities occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since it became difficult to visit people in person, we shifted to checking in on their well-being through letters, emails, and phone calls, and keeping them in our prayers.
We currently have six members. While some have moved away from San Jose, we are delighted that they continue to participate in this ministry as they can still provide care via email and phone.
We now hold a committee meeting every other month to check in on church members. Depending on their needs, we visit them, send letters or cards, or keep them in our prayers.
In addition, a Japanese-language newsletter is sent out online twice a month. For those who find it difficult to use a computer, we mail printed copies of the newsletter. If you would like to receive one, please feel free to let us know.
We members of the Care Ministry feel the importance of supporting one another through these activities even though our work is still small in scale, and we also feel that we ourselves are receiving great blessings. We hope to continue this modest but meaningful work so that everyone in our church can walk together without feeling isolated, caring for one another and praying for one another.

Special Announcement:
At 9/27/26 Nichigo worship service, Rev. Dick Corson will give a sermon in chapel. The service starts at 10am, and everyone is truly welcome.

We are happy to welcome the youth back for a new year of Youth Group! Thank you for all of the love and support from the congregation. I am excited to be the new Youth Lead! As a former participant of Wesley’s Youth ministries program, I am grateful for the opportunity to give back to the program in this new capacity.
In the year after I graduated college, the Wesley community was warm and generous in welcoming me back, and they gave me the time to integrate back into the congregation. I was welcomed onto the awesome AV team, given the opportunity to help with the new church strategic planning, and even allowed to just sit in service every Sunday. During my exploration, however, I knew that helping with the Youth program was calling me back. It was a formative experience that taught me how to public speak, be a role model, think introspectively, and put others before myself. It has guided my values and actions in ways that I had not realized until years after I graduated. As the youth lead, I hope to be able to give these same opportunities to the youth. I want to build a welcoming place for all students and give them chances to build collaborative skills that will help them as they approach new chapters in their lives.
For this school year, we are using Wesley’s new strategic plan to guide us. We are currently in our unit about Love that Welcomes, discussing what that means to the youth and how we can love different communities in our lives. We will move towards a “Faith that Forms” unit in the winter and end with “Justice that Acts” in the spring. I also look forward to having the youth integrated into the congregation by serving as liturgists, helping with God’s Garden, and our continued involvement with Nikkei Matsuri and other cultural events. I also want to have the youth build relationships with the people of Wesley, so if you have any questions, ideas, or opportunities, please feel free to share them with me at youth@wesleysj.net.
I look forward to continuing the important work of all the previous youth directors before me, and a rewarding 2026-2027 school year!

Things really get done at Wesley!  But how?  I mean, the congregation enjoys treats, tea and coffee during Fellowship Time. How does that happen? The Church gets cleaned up on Church Clean-up Day. We have salad lunches and presentations that we can attend. Things get fixed around church and it is maintained throughout year.  There are so many activities from spiritual growth, church maintenance to community outreach at Wesley. How does one get involved in the work of the church beyond Sunday service?  Who organizes and runs all the happenings at Wesley? Well, the opportunity to find out came with the church’s Ministry Fair held on Aug. 23, where many of Wesley's Committees displayed what their ministry was all about and noted how YOU can get involved.

Mark Teagle is in charge of Spiritual Formation and if you’re Interested in say a Bible Study where Dave Land and Roger Miller seen here, are engrossed in the topic. If interested, Mark is the one to talk to.

Missions and Compassion is a focus on our Church’s outreach to the world and is lead by Clarissa Johnston-Abril.  Wesley does and the avenues of involvement for doers are many.

Cynthia is serious about the work of the Board of Trustees in talking to Bob To and Tomoko Tanaka.  Check out the new parsonage and now, the new project involving the Kitchen re-do.  This all falls under the work of the Board of Trustees.

Umbrella Ministries has a variety of activities that our congregation has enjoyed from a Japanese Tea Ceremony, Tai chi, Ikebana, to making Ribbon Leis.  What will Jan Yamaguchi do next or maybe she’ll even lead a poetry writing session.

Wesley tries to be more ecologically conscientious and helping us stay on that path is Mary Chafey.  Be a part of the Green Team!!!

Staff Parish Relations Committee used doughnuts to entice potential members. "Are you interested?" SPRC chair Kristin To asks Flo Oishi.

I know you’ve seen the Wesley United Women of Faith in action.  They hostess…a lot.  You’ve seen their Bless the Dress project as their missionary focus is on women and children around the world.  They did the salad lunch held on Sept. 20 with a guest speaker who talked about caregiving.  And while you see these women of faith everywhere, they are part of a mission and you can be a part of this as well.  Mary Horio is the President along with the rest of the board members, Terri Koike, Kazuko Tengan, Joanne Kumano, Bev Acuna, DeeDee Azuma and Mary Chafey.

The photo frame was popular.  Here are a few others.

On Aug. 23 we welcomed back our God’s Garden Teachers, God’s Garden children, CAF/MYF youth and our new Youth Coordinator Lead. We welcomed Emma To as our new Youth Coordinator Lead for our CAF and MYF youth. We welcomed back Kiyomi Yanai, Lisa Bantilan, Jayne Williams, Mary Asano, Karen Chou, Leighton Horio, Christine Ozawa, Mika Visitation, Mari Fujii, Rob Hikido, Clarissa Johnston-Abril and Jim Mar for another year as God’s Garden teachers. Their dedication to Wesley church and our children over the many years is immeasurable. We presented Bibles to our new 3rd graders. Rev. John blessed backpacks for another school year. We’re off to a wonderful start of Sunday School!

3rd graders received their Bibles from Rev. John Oda.

Kelli Martines, Director of Administration, welcomed aboard two new staff hires filling out the children’s ministry with Emma To coming on board as Youth Ministry Lead which is a new ministry with an expanded vision for youth and community building. Hatty Lin is the new Director of Children and Youth Ministries. While Hatty has been the Director of God’s Garden for the past four years, in her expanded roll, she will continue overseeing Gods Garden and now Youth Ministry which includes our Middle School through High School aged students.

On this very special day, our congregation was treated to the musical genius of Jeffrey Bao who is not new to performing before us, but now he’s off to college. And he was accompanied on the piano by Ning Bao, Jeffrey’s father, as they played “Schön Rosmarin for us. That was a treat with a ton of flavor.

While Blessing the backpacks is focused on the children, the adults have come forward as well to receive God’s Blessings and all involved had loads now much lighter with God’s Holy presence.

Wesley's monthly Open Mic Nite hit the chapel stage on Saturday, September 12. Among the highlights were Hawaiian songs from Greg, a tribute to friendship from Warren, poetry from E.W., ukulele solos from Jonathan, and an amazing ukulele-trumpet duet from Jonathan and Jiawei. Mark your calendars for the next Open Mic event coming on Saturday, October 10 at 7:30 pm in the Chapel.

‘“Bless the Lord, Oh my soul, and don’t forget his benefits” [Psalm 103:2]. {From Rev. Jon Visitation’s Message}
Whoa…What? A one- pounder? A trout at Pinecrest Lake? Who caught it? Jace, a youngster. Geez, he caught the biggest fish at Family Camp this year and not only did he make the parents proud, but the news of his catch was broadcast in the camp grapevine by his even prouder grandmother, Judy Yasutake. Jace beat out all the adults too and was declared the fishing champ of Wesley All Church Camp 2026. And fishing…isn’t that one of the blessings of family camp?
Wesley’s All Church Camp over Labor Day is the place to be. This is God’s country, meaning, here among the Sugar Pines and Doug Firs, the rarified fresh air, the mountains, lakes and trails at over 5,000 ft. you can clear your mind, relax, and allow yourself to feel the presence of God. This is the blessing, the benefit. And we are thankful for this time and place where our church family not only experiences a unique time together, tbut builds lasting memories. We hike, fish (that’s the big deal, here), swim, kayak, go boating, sing around the campfire, eat S’mores and do craft projects. This year Wesley had 114 campers. And what a time we had.
Hat’s off and thank you to Camp Director, John Ng for putting our camp experience together. It is, after all, his Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter holidays all rolled into Family Camp and does he ever make it a time to remember. Christine is an equal partner in our experience as this is their family experience. They both share in making Family Camp the highlight of the year. Jon’s hardest task isn’t all that organizing which he has down to a science, but it’s putting together the Scavenger Hunt list and trying to outwit team Carmen, but alas, this year was no different. Team Carmen was once again top dog so it’s back to the drawing board for Jon.
A huge shout-out to our fishing gurus—John Ng, Ham Tran, Bob Yasukawa, and Cindy Fukuda. Thanks to them, novices like me and the children had a wonderful time catching fish at Wesley Rock and out on the lake. The fish may not have been prize-winners, but the thrill of feeling that first tug on the line and reeling one in creates unforgettable memories. I can see how camp plants the seeds for future anglers and gives us yet another reminder of God’s blessings.
Mark Teagle not only provided all the music leadership, for the campfire sing-along and the worship, he also led a group on a Kayak outing. That was an experience I’ll never forget. This year, a fierce wind kicked up and all the kayakers, even a little for Mark, had us all struggling to get back to the dock.
Camp skits and musical numbers created many memorable moments! But, Camp G stole the show with their skit and performance of our camp song, “Golden.” While most groups tried to sing it, Camp G had no singers—so they rapped it instead—and won the competition hands down with their creative interpretation. Imagine Judy Yasutake rapping the verses and chorus in a New York Jewish accent, and you’ll get the idea. DeeDee Azuma added her spoken-word style, backed by Carmen Cook and the Sakakihara family. Hilarious!
The multi-talented Urata family turns Family Camp into their annual family reunion. They share great fishing stories and, this year, gave us a new rendition of our “Family Camp” song. We also heard Natalie and Arissa from the Wesley Keiki Band perform “Surfin’ USA,” and Natalie danced a beautiful hula while her parents played “Mele o Lanai.” It was simply awesome.
Once again, David and Becky Wong, from Clovis, brought their portable sno-cone machine and provided that Hawaiian sweet and delightful shave-ice experience at camp. We had many of us walking around with blue tongues. There were after campfire food and snacks. Camp D had movies nights, with hot dogs and rice, and nachos for snacks. Camp E and F, had chili and sushi rice along with cookies, lemon and lime bars. Nobody goes hungry.
This year, with the gorgeous lodge finally open, it was game night every evening. The battle that never ceased was the Scrabble tournament and with DeeDee returning after many years away (thanks to the four-season cabins) provided much needed competition for Paul Ueunten.
The Four Seasons cabins and the beautiful brand-spank’n new Lodge were God Sends, as now our older less mobile folk can attend and that’s made a huge difference. And with the lodge being located on level ground, we’re hoping more of our seniors will want to join the family camp experience.
Our Sunday worship service was graced by Rev. Jon Visitacion. What a delight it was to have him and his family at All Church Camp for the first time. His meaningful message focused on the challenges he sees in his health care workplace, where cutbacks, layoffs, and heavier workloads have created difficult times for many. Yet even in-the-midst of these trials, he reminded us, God’s blessings remain. It is hard to see friends and colleagues struggle, but God’s light of hope shines through our gifts of giving, consoling, understanding, and sharing. Rev. Jon encouraged us all to keep remembering God’s blessings and benefits. While the message was brief, we were uplifted. Thank you, Jon.
Lastly, we were honored our last evening, with the presence of Warren Shimonishi. He was our Family Camp Director for some 40 years along with his late wife, Rosie, before John took over. Accolades and high-fives all around for Warren because through his dedication and perseverance, and with John taking over, we’re continuing his legacy. Also, the man likes to fish…and by golly, he won the second-place fishing award. Way to go, Warren!
We were Blessed by God and certainly got high from God’s gifts. Next year comes around quickly and if you've never been, think about coming and if you attended this year, y’all come back, hear and feel God’s presence at a higher altitude.

It’s all about fishing. Here Dave Wong from Clovis along with Jon Ng and the children have their first trek out to Wesley Rock.

Cynthia Fukuda second from left, helps the other novices fish. She does the set-up so all look like pros. Check out the stringer held up by Terri Koiki, third from left. Bev Acuna is at the stern and Misao Fukuda is stem side.

Wow! Nice haul for the Urata kids, both Tina Urata’s grandchildren. This was caught off a rented boat on the lake.

The yucky job…cleaning the catch. Cynthia Fukuda shows how it’s done.

Jeffrey Oldham learned Radio Taiso and was prepared to lead this early morning exercise. This too is part of our camp tradition.

Back at the craft area, Bev Acuna on the right is making a colorful T-shirt.

And there was making a lanyard with Tina Urata showing her granddaughter how.

Ashley Cook and her friend, are designing their cloths.

Kayaking with Mark, the seasoned veteran with Carmen Cook working on her stroke.

Finally, Kelli Martines get’s a chance to slow down and relax shown here with Richard Poczulp.

The Murillo’s, Carlos and Melissa do the same as they watch their boys, Sato and Hideo in the pool.

Camp gatherings are about singing around the campfire led by Mark Teagle and Roberta Gee on guitar.

I believe 11 new families participated in the telephone skit which is a traditional highlight.

April Kawahara cannot believe what her friend Cynthia is pantomiming. Like, Really?

Natalie and Arissa performed “Surfin’ USA” to an appreciative audience. And below, a hula accompanied by her parents, Richard and Junko playing “Mele O Lanai."

The youth girls do the “Cups” song made famous by Anna Kendrick in the movie “Pitch Perfect.” Very cool.

The youth boys also performed a song they did at Junior High Camp.

Camp G’s winning performance of “Golden” with the Sakaikhara family, Carmen Cook, Judy Yasutake, and DeeDee Axuma and their Bad Lemon Table skit below.

The youth Fishing Derby awards went to Jace,  Kaia, and Arissa.

Among the adults…third was a tie between Barbara Hiua, Bev Acuna and Cynthia with our hugs 8 oz catch.

Second place went to Misao Kusuda for her 9 oz fish.

Warren received his fishing award and was recognized for his Camp Leadership.

Carmen Cook’s team wins the coveted Scavenger Hunt event.

Roasting marshmallows for S’mores is a Family Camp tradition.

Game night in the Lodge is gong to be a much attended highlight of the camp experience in years to come with the Paul Ueunten, DeeDee Azuma, Scrabble tournament accompanied by Becky and Dave, friend and Ashley and Carmen Cook.

It’s quiet enough to read or

Play the raucous Spoons card game or

Chess or

Jenga.

Our final meal before heading home!  Sadly we bid goodbye to our home over the Labor Day Weekend.  See you next year.

Did you notice? God’s house got cleaned this past Aug. 30?  Didn’t you suddenly feel refreshed and somehow renewed when you came for worship the very next day? Just the smell of wax and oil or being able to really see the world through squeaky clean windows just gives you a sense of God’s almighty presence surrounding you.
It takes a lot of hands to clean our church, finding the dirt and grime in every nook and cranny, to help the work crews, there are lots of "how to" signage, thanks to DeeDee Azuma.
We had crews of Wesley people and friends (I mean really good friends) vacuuming and taking wax and oil to all the furniture and pews in the Sanctuary, so it was thoroughly clean and smelled really good. Nichigo members did the same to the chapel and library.
One crew mopped and buffed our grimy Fellowship Hall floors, while another cleaned the kitchen—organizing cupboards and removing baked-on grease from the stoves and ovens. And, of course, they cleaned out the refrigerator. Yuck! Another team tackled all the church bathrooms, scrubbing the areas that need more attention than the usual weekly wipe-down.
We need to really do a shout out to our Scout Troop 201 which included some 20 Scouts and parents, who tasked themselves with cleaning all the classrooms. They removed all the chairs, scrubbed the floors, sanitized the toys on both floors. It’s a huge job. And when it was all done, and after the church was clean, they set up the tables and chairs for the very well-attended Ron Ogi Memorial service happening the next day.
The carrot on the stick for everyone who worked in the morning was a tasty lunch and yes we had a crew taking care of setting up the grill and prepping the hamburgers and cheeseburgers with all the fixings. Hats off to all our food prep team.
Wesley is a busy church. Wesley is an active church. Wesley is a church with energy. So when it comes to both small and large tasks, our Wesley members rise to the task needed. And because we’re a J-town neighborhood church, community folk lend a helping hand. We are also not shy about informing the schools around us about large jobs and we get High School students coming to help and receive community service credit. We had Community Youth Service parents come out and lend a hand. Our village is large especially combined with our community outreach. And we are grateful.
A final shout-out goes to our Board of Trustees, a dedicated group of leaders who care for the maintenance and rebuilding needs of our church. They are experienced and knowledgeable about our buildings and grounds. On this day, they provided leadership by forming teams to clean the entire church. A huge thank-you goes to DeeDee, who has led this annual effort for decades. If you need anything—from the leads on down—she is the person to ask. She is there days beforehand to set up and stays until the cleanup is complete, down to the last rag being picked up. It’s perfect and God nods in approval.

The sanctuary crew gets it done with vacuuming, Dale Sasaki, and cleaning the pew seats, Teresa above and Derek Miyahara adding fine oil to the cross and Lynn Haberstock Spot removing the seats, below.

Joanne Miyahara makes sure that even the tops of our doors get a wipe-down

Ning Bao looks on as a Wesley friend does high ladder work. Note the signage of jobs already done.

Mark Teagle wants to be able to see through our glass doors and windows.

Jill Aragaki and Michiko Collins tackle the narthex greeter box.

Scout Troop 201 pulled out all the chairs and tables, cleaned the classrooms with DeeDee Azuma offering direction.

It’s major work cleaning the kitchen. Sorting pans are Terri Koike and Doris Tabuchi and checking our spice larder is Karen Maeda.

Wayne Kuwada is a familiar sight cleaning the Fellowship Hall floors.

The bathrooms get a good scrubbing.

Hector Acuna makes sure not a corner is missed.

Armed with her weapon of choice, Terri Koike assisted by Cynthia Fukuda get ready to blow out some debris, somewhere.

Moving benches takes three…Tom Maeda and Keith Nakashima doing the lifting and Dale Sasaki giving directions.

Barbara Mulford takes on the staff kitchen/office space all by herself.

Luz Gonzales, Shelley Nakashima, and Bev Acuna discuss what’s next on their list to do.

The entire sanctuary crew…showing off.

Zena Fong takes charge of the prep work for lunch along with Jim Mar and below Jim and Mark Iwagaki flip burgers over a hot grill.

After a hard-working morning, from left: Bev and Hector Acuna, Brenda Gee and her brother Bradley enjoy the meal above, as did Keith Nakashima and Mary Horio, below. And doesn’t Tom Maeda (far left) make the burger look yummy as does Jim Mar with his mouth full by the bulletin board. Yummy!

Saturday, September 19 saw the Wesley Jazz Ensemble entertaining at "Good CARma" at the Palo Alto Buddhist Temple. The show featured more than 70 classic cars, great food, a silent auction, a bonsai display and two sets of toe-tapping music from our own WJE. With songs like "Route 66", "Low Rider", and "Mustang Sally", the car theme came through. Thanks to Wayne Adachi and the members of WJE, the car enthusiasts there got a great show and $500 was donated to the Wesley Kitchen Fund. Look forward to the WJE playing at Wesley in December!

There's a particular feeling in my bones that shows up sometime in early September. It's not quite fall, we don't really get fall here, at least not the way people back east experience it. But the mornings are a little cooler, the shadows start slanting differently by 4pm, and if you're the kind of person who pays attention to grocery store endcaps, you've probably noticed the Halloween candy has been out for weeks, and the Christmas decorations are lined up backstage, ready for their big entrance. I say this every September, half-joking, half not: "Have you finished your Christmas shopping yet?" Because every year Christmas seems to show up earlier, so that joke lands a little differently than it did the year before.
In this passage from Genesis, God makes a promise to Noah; right after the great flood, right after everything that mattered had been wiped out and everyone and everything had to start over. God didn't promise Noah an easy life. God promised rhythm. Seedtime and harvest. Cold and heat. Summer and winter. Day and night. On and on, without ceasing, for as long as the earth remains.
That's a profound promise. It means that even when everything in my life feels like it's falling apart, the rhythm of the seasons will keep coming and going. The world will keep turning toward planting again, toward harvest again, toward light again. Feelings of grief or loss will change along with the seasons, too.
I think about my Issei grandparents and how many seasons they had to move through. There were many seasons that they would never have chosen: a new country, a new language, incarceration, the return to the West Coast, and the slow rebuilding of their lives from nothing. They lived Genesis 8:22 in a way, quite frankly, that I hope I never have to. And they kept planting anyway. My mother's family owned a nursery in Seattle, so after the war they had to literally plant again from scratch. My uncle once told me that they would sneak clippings from the side of the road; small cuttings taken so they could be rooted and grown into new plants. That’s how they restarted the Des Moines Way nursery in Seattle - one sprout at a time.
So as the days get shorter and the sunlight leaves us a little earlier each evening, I'm trying to be less resistant to the season changing and more trusting of the rhythm underneath it. God promised the seasons would not cease. I am asking God to help me believe that all will be okay when the seasons of my own life are changing.
Perhaps the real gift of September is not simply that it pushes us closer to the hecticness of Christmas, but that it reminds us we are gently and lovingly held inside God’s rhythm which is wiser and steadier than our own plans.
See you Sunday, and don't forget to bundle up a little, the mornings are turning colder.

With love and warmth,
Pastor John

日語ミニストリー　
The Prophets of the Old Testament
by Mimune Tsukamoto

旧約聖書にはイザヤ書など5 つの「大預言書」と、ホセア書などの12 の「小預言書」が収められていますが、彼ら「預言者」とは一体どのような人たちだったのでしょう。生い立ちを見ると、イザヤやエゼキエルのように王侯貴族や祭司といった上流階級出身の人も居れば、アモスのような羊飼いやミカのような農村の庶民など、実に様々です。それにそもそも預言者になるための学校や公的資格があったわけではなく、「預言者」という「肩書」は、世の人々によってそのように呼ばれた、という事になります。

では本人には、どのような自覚があったのでしょう。それは一口に言えば「神の召命 (Calling)」でした。神様から「このように告げなさい」と命じられ、それを実行せざるを得なかった。でも、皆さん喜んですぐに仰せに従ったわけではありません。モーセはユダヤの民を引き連れてエジプトを脱出するように命じられ、嫌だ嫌だと抵抗しましたね。「涙の預言者」と呼ばれたエレミヤも、「敵国の町に1 人で乗り込め」と言われたヨナもそうでした。でも彼らに共通していたのは、人々の称賛を受けることではなく、様々な苦難に会いながらも、神に命を捧げる道を選んだこと。それが「召命」の本来の意味なのでしょう。

でも本人が納得しても、人々はどうしてその人を「預言者」と呼んだのでしょう。そこには大きく二つの要素があったようです。まず預言が神の教えと一致しているか、そして権力ではなく神に忠実な人であったか。そうでなければ「偽預言者」と言われました。事実、エレミヤは召命によってエルサレムの滅亡を説き、世の人々からは「偽預言者」と言われましたが、やがてその預言の通りエルサレムはバビロンによって滅ぼされます。
この「召命」ですが、実は今の教会にも大切に受け継がれています。牧師となるには、まず神学校を卒業してMaster of Divinity (MDiv) の学位を得ますが、それは単に出発点に過ぎません。正式に「牧師」と任命されるには按手（Ordination）を受けねばならず、学位取得後のその道程を「Ordination Process」と呼び、通常3 年から5 年かかります。以前ウェスレーの日語牧師であった荒谷出先生は、丁度そのプロセスの最中だったのですが、「いやもう大変、自分の召命をメソジスト教会にも信じてもらわねばならなくて」と仰っていました。

この6月のメソジスト教会の年会で、ウェスレーのマーク・ティーグル兄がProvisional Commissioning のConfirmationを受けられ、いよいよそのOrdination Processを始められます。ご本人はもとより、ウェスレーにとっても、メソジスト教会にとっても、とても大切で嬉しい事ですね。

The Old Testament contains five “Major Prophets,” such as the Book of Isaiah, and twelve “Minor Prophets,” such as the Book of Hosea. But what kind of people were these “prophets” exactly? Looking at their backgrounds, they were a truly diverse group: some, like Isaiah and Ezekiel, came from the upper classes—royalty, nobility, or the priesthood—while others, like Amos, were shepherds, and Micah, a commoner from a rural village. Furthermore, there were no schools or official qualifications required to become a prophet. Therefore, the “title” of “prophet” was simply what people of that time called them.

So, how did they themselves perceive their role? In a nutshell, it was “God’s calling.” They were commanded by God to “proclaim this,” and they had no choice but to carry it out. However, they did not all gladly obey the command immediately. Moses, for instance, was ordered to lead the Jewish people out of Egypt, but he resisted, saying, “No, I won’t do it.” The same was true of Jeremiah, known as the “Prophet of Tears,” and Jonah, who was told to “go alone into the city of the enemy.” What they had in common, however, was not seeking the praise of others, but choosing to devote their lives to God even while facing countless hardships. That is likely the true meaning of “calling.”

But even if the person himself was convinced, why did people call him a “prophet”? It seems there were two main factors involved. First, whether the prophecy aligned with God’s teachings, and second, whether he was faithful to God rather than to those in power. If not, he was called a “false prophet.” In fact, Jeremiah, called by God to prophesy the destruction of Jerusalem, was labeled a “false prophet” by the people of his time; yet, as his prophecy foretold, Jerusalem was eventually destroyed by Babylon.

This concept of “calling” is, in fact, still cherished and passed down in the church today. To become a pastor, one must first graduate from seminary and earn a Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree, but that is merely the starting point. To be officially appointed as a “pastor,” one must undergo ordination, and its journey is called the “Ordination Process,” which typically takes three to five years. Pastor Izuru Aratani, who previously served as the Nichigo pastor at Wesley, was right in the middle of that process at the time, and he remarked, “It’s really tough—I have to convince the Methodist Church to believe in my calling as well.”

At the Methodist Church’s annual conference this past June, our Mark Teagle received confirmation of his Provisional Commissioning and will finally begin the Ordination Process. This is a very important and joyful occasion, not only for him personally, but also for Wesley and the Methodist Church.

We want to share an update regarding our Youth Ministry. Last month, after much thought and prayer, Vanessa Perry-Mar decided to resign from her position as Youth Director. Thankfully, she will continue to serve on our Kids Camp directing team and, hopefully, other volunteer roles at Wesley. We are very grateful for the time and energy that Vanessa contributed to our youth ministry and look forward to all of the ways that she will continue to serve our church and community.
Since Vanessa’s resignation last month we have been reimagining and rethinking the position, and are excited to announce that we have created two new positions, Youth Ministry Lead and Youth Ministry Assistant. Both are part-time positions and will work directly with our youth, middle-high school. We have started a search to fill these positions. If you or anyone you know may be interested in helping to grow our youth in their journey of faith, please contact Kelli Martines at kelli@wesleysj.net to learn more.

Maybe you are new to the church. Maybe you want to get more involved and get to know more people. A Wesley Neighbor Group could just be the thing. Based in neighborhoods across Santa Clara Valley, these small groups meet in homes. After an icebreaker and a short, entry-level Bible Study, the group participates in a fun activity, great discussion, and some food! Lots of smiles, community building, and faith formation thanks to the hospitality of a Wesley member. Ask around and find a group near you. Or ask Mark Teagle markteagle@wesleysj.net to recommend a group to you.
And as our Neighbor Group ministry continues to grow, we are recruiting new leaders and hosts. Watch for more information coming soon.