(Cover) Yuko Iyori, Consul General Makoto Iyori, Steve Sumida holding commendation certificate and his wife, Gail M. Nomura holding the flowers that were presented to Steve.
Special Report
Sumida receives Commendation from Min. for Foreign Affairs
By Gail M. Nomura, photos courtesy of the Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle, Emi Suzuki
University of Washington Professor of American Ethnic Studies Emeritus Stephen H. Sumida received the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Commendation at a ceremony hosted by Makoto Iyori, Consul-General of Japan in Seattle on October 2, 2025. Foreign Minister of Japan Takeshi Iwaya awarded this commendation to Sumida in recognition for his distinguished achievements in promoting academic exchange between Japan and the United States of America and thus contributing to the strengthening of friendly relations between Japan and foreign countries. The commendation particularly highlighted Sumida’s work as chair of the American Studies Association’s ASA-JAAS Project Coordinating Committee which secured grants and funding for and coordinated an exchange of scholars from the American Studies Association (ASA) and the Japanese Association for American Studies (JAAS).
(First slide) Kathy Onishi, Rev. Karen Yokota Love, Yuko Iyori, Eugene Onishi, Gail Nomura, Ron Nobuyama, Steve Sumida, Yuko Iyori, Consul General Makoto Iyori, and Yuki Sofronas celebrate together. (Second slide) Yuko Iyori, son-in-law Kyle Suzuki, granddaughter Clare Suzuki, Steve Sumida, wife Gail Nomura, daughter Emi Suzuki, granddaughter Alice Suzuki, and Consul General Makoto Iyor.
Sumida has a long record of promoting intellectual exchange between the United States and Japan starting with his serving as an Amherst Fellow teaching at Doshisha University in Kyoto after his graduation from Amherst College in 1968. Later in his career he was a Fulbright Fellow and taught in Japan at Tsuda University and Tokyo Institute of Technology. At the University of Washington, Sumida has hosted and mentored visiting scholars from Japan and other countries.
As president of the Association for Asian American Studies and the first Asian American to serve as president of the American Studies Association he has actively promoted academic exchange between US scholars and Japanese scholars through meetings, conferences, and personal interaction.
In his acceptance speech Sumida spoke of his own personal growth in knowledge of Japan from his living and teaching in Japan, from his first teaching at Doshisha University as a recent college graduate to his teaching as a UW professor in Japan. He also spoke of the deeper understanding of Japan he got from his acting in an ACT series of readings of the American English adaptation of Heike Monogatari, scripted by Philip Kan Gotanda and Yusuf El Guindi, and directed by Kurt Beattie. This was a full circle moment as at his first teaching experience in Japan at Doshisha he had been asked by the famous Japanese scholar and translator Kitagawa Hiroshi to review and critique his 800-page typescript translation into English of The Tale of the Heike. But now through his work on “The Tale of the Heike” English adaptation play he could experience and understand the theme of the Heike Monogatari which he said was “that all phenomena are vanity and evanescence, all prideful striving and ambitions are dreams on a spring night, whirls of dust in the wind…All things must pass. And this I know is a comfort. Peace be with us all.”
Additional speakers at the ceremony were Harvard University Takashima Professor of Japanese Humanities Emeritus Jay Rubin and Sumida’s daughter, Emi Suzuki, president of Sumida Farm. The Hon. Steve Hobbs, Secretary of State of Washington, gave the toast. Many Blaine Memorial UMC members attended this ceremony and enjoyed the generous hospitality of Consul General Iyori.
Gail M. Nomura is a member of Blaine Memorial UMC in Seattle.
BMUMC Announcements
The Beacon is now available!
- Senior Pastor Reflection Insisting on Hope: Entering Advent with Courage and Joy
- Blaine Memorial UMC feeds 128 Individuals through Thanksgiving Meals
- A Special Message from Bishop Bob: The Lee Activity Center Dream
- Blaine Memorial UMC Bazaar 2025: Thank You for Your Support!
- Associate Pastor’s Spiritual Reflection: Thirty Seconds…A Thanksgiving and Advent Reflection
- Spiritual Formation Center: Born of God when the Holy Spirit lives in us
GIVING TREE GIFTS: DELIVERED!
Blaine Memorial UMC and Kimball Elementary together are bringing hope and joy this season to the children of our community.
Through the leadership of Terri Adolfo, the support of Mr. Abdi Husein, and the generosity of Blaine Memorial UMC, the gifts you see in the photo are all going to children in need. Through the simple gesture of giving: sharing happiness, inclusion, and the feeling of being provided for…together as a spirit-filled community, we can help others in big ways!
Be sure to check out blaineonline.org for updates, including a video report, on these two projects!
Job Opening: Part-Time Youth Director
The Youth Director at Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church is a dedicated individual with a heart for youth ministry, committed to guiding and mentoring young individuals in their faith journey. This position involves direct engagement with 6th to 12th graders, creating a supportive and encouraging environment for their spiritual growth.
New P.O. Box Addresss for Blaine Memorial UMC Mail
We have a new mailing address! Blaine Memorial UMC would like to direct all new mail to the following address:
Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church
P.O. Box 24065
Seattle, WA 98124
Blaine Memorial’s mailing address has changed to a P.O. Box for improved security. Please save this address! Please send your mail and future giving to this address. All new mail that you receive will have the P.O. Box as Blaine Memorial UMC’s new return address.
December Worship Dates to Remember
| Sunday, December 14 • Christmas Play with children and youth in the LAC, 10am | |||
| Sunday, December 21 • Christmas Music Sunday in the Sanctuary, 10am • Blue Christmas Service in the Sanctuary, 1pm | |||
| Wednesday, December 24 • Christmas Eve Family Worship Service, 4pm • Christmas Eve Candlelight Lesson and Carols Service, 7:30pm | |||
| Sunday, December 28 • First Sunday of Christmas Worship, 10am |
Wednesday Morning Coffee and Prayer
- When: 9:00AM
- Where: Zoom
The hour together consists of brief check-ins, devotionals, and prayers. We will continue reading from The Upper Room Daily Devotional Guide.This is a great way to start your morning, clear and center your mind, all while connecting with God and your prayer community. Feel free to bring a cup of coffee, tea, and a bite to eat.
Contact the Church Office for the Zoom Link.
Ugly Sweater Battle Royale Holiday Contest
Attention, Fashion Disasters! Do you own a holiday sweater so hideous it frightens small children? One that jangles, sparkles, or possibly hums? Good — because we WANT IT. Wear it proudly to our Ugly Sweater Battle Royale on Sunday (12/14) after the Christmas Children’s Play. Strut your stuff for a chance to win glory, fame, and a questionable prize.
Bring your brightest colors, wildest patterns, and most ridiculous designs for a chance to win:
- Most Creative Sweater
- Ugliest Sweater
- Best Holiday Theme
Join us in celebrating the season with some light-hearted fun!
Sukiyaki Benefit Nominations Needed!
It’s hard to believe that Blaine Memorial’s Sukiyaki Benefit Dinner is around the corner! We’d like to open up nominations for a worthy organization to receive a portion of the proceeds from our annual March event.
Download the form:
View the Sukiyaki 2026 Updates page!
Last Day to Sign Up for Poinsettias on the Altar: December 14
Advent season is almost here, and it’s time to sign up for poinsettias for the altar. You may dedicate a poinsettia in celebration of a person or an event, in memory of a loved one, or to honor God’s glory. Poinsettias may be taken home after our Christmas Eve services. Each plant is $12.00. The deadline for Poinsettia Orders is Sunday, December 14, 2025. Forms are available online on our website, in the Narthex, and in the Office.
Prayers of peace and comfort for the Grace Mandac Adriano Family
Grace Mandac Adriano, 51, passed away at home surrounded by family and friends on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, after a hard-fought battle with cancer. Grace is survived by her husband, Joseph Adriano and sons Caleb and Ethan. She had a love for cooking, gardening, and she loved being in the outdoors with God’s creation. Grace loved her family and friends with all her heart. She embodied a deep love for the intersection of justice and mercy. Grace’s whole professional career was about getting people housed.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Caleb and Ethan’s College Fund through Blaine Memorial UMC.
A viewing will be held at Bonney Watson Funeral Home at 16445 International Blvd, SeaTac, WA 98188 on Thursday, December 18, 2025 from 12:00PM-8:00PM. There will be a public Celebration of Life service on Saturday, December 20 at 10:00AM at Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church. Following the Celebration of Life service, guests are invited to her burial service and a reception at Bonney Watson Funeral Home at 16445 International Blvd, SeaTac, WA 98188.
May Grace rest in peace and let God’s perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Community Announcements
Blaine Memorial UMC thanks you for donating during November.
Together, Blaine Memorial UMC collected so many items to help support families in need after SNAP benefits were on hold. Although some SNAP benefits have been restored, some are facing delays.
We are still organizing and sorting what has been collected. Please stay tuned for more info on how much was received. You are a blessing to the community!
If you’d like to give directly to the local organizations, please do so. They have the capacity to purchase food at discounted bulk rates. Please click on ACRS and/or Rainier Valley Food Bank.
December 2025
To view the January calendar, click or tap here.
