Lynne to attend Claremont Seminary!
By Lynne Onishi, photos by Ryan Kozu, Kai Yamamoto, et. al.
Outgoing Blaine Youth Group Director and Innovation Hub Convener, Lynne Onishi, shares some memories and thank-yous for those she has served during her years of leadership at Blaine Memorial UMC. Thank you, Lynne for being a vibrant part of Blaine Memorial’s church history! Blessings to you as you embark on new adventures!
At the end of the summer, I’ll be moving to Los Angeles to begin a three-year Master of Divinity program at the Claremont School of Theology. It will be a big change in my life, and I ask for your continued prayers. I couldn’t take this next step without the care and support of my community at home!
This has not been an easy decision to make. I’ve been discerning this call to ministry for many years now and I feel like it’s finally time for me to take this next step forward. I’m excited for seminary and for all the new changes ahead, but this is truly a bittersweet moment for me. It’s hard to say goodbye to everything and everyone I’ve known.
It’s been seven years since I first began directing the youth ministry at Blaine Memorial in the fall of 2017. What I thought was just going to be a one-year college gig turned into a formative experience leading ministry. It has changed the trajectory of my life! Throughout this time, I have had the privilege of watching several young people grow up and become more fully themselves! We led ministry virtually for over a year! And in 2021, I embarked on a new project here leading the Blaine Innovation Hub and starting new ministries with young adults. My role has expanded to include leadership and ministry support in several areas since. I’ve been lucky to see the Spirit moving in so many ways!
I wanted to take a moment to express some big thank-yous to this Blaine Memorial community who has walked alongside me. I want to extend my gratitude to the Innovation Hub team who has continually dreamed of new ideas and ways to engage young adults. I want to thank the reconciling team who has put so much thought and care into becoming a reconciling church. I will forever be grateful to the Blaine Youth Group leaders who show up each week and bring the energy with them. I want to thank the Blaine Memorial pastoral leadership past and present for your guidance in all things ministry, grad school, leadership, spiritual formation and life! I want to thank all the youth and their families who have been so supportive and receptive over the years.
And I’d like to make a few shout-outs to the individuals who have been in the depths of this work with me over the years – my co-directors and co-conveners. You’ve made this work meaningful and transformative not only for the congregation but for me.
Firstly, I want to thank Kai Yamamoto and Kaylee Yokoyama for the ways you’ve stepped up to lead BYG alongside me for the last year and a half. You’ve put so much time and care into ministry with our leaders, youth, and families. It has been an honor to see you both grow into the leaders you are today!
Next, I need to make a big shoutout to Lawrence Paltep, who co-directed the youth ministry with me for over four years, including those uncertain and chaotic pandemic years! We accomplished so much thanks to your passion, creativity, and desire to try wild and wacky things!
Lastly, I want to thank Yoshi Kuramoto, who began this journey with me as my BYG co-director all the way back in 2017 and went on to lead the Innovation Hub and young adult ministry! I’m so proud of the work we’ve done together, and I am forever grateful for your encouragement to keep asking the questions and responding faithfully.
As I transition to new places and new experiences, I hope the Blaine Memorial community will continue trying new ways to do ministry and dream about new possibilities for what this church can look like. I hope you may embrace the neighborhood and wider community that you’re part of. And may you continue to listen for God’s calling in all of this!
Lynne Onishi is the outgoing Youth Director for BYG, Innovation Hub Convener for Blaine Memorial UMC. Thank you for your service, Lynne and blessing on your journey at Claremont School of Theology!
Announcements
Prayers and Coffee on Zoom • Wednesdays at 9am
Join Rev. Karen for prayer and community on Wednesdays at 9:00 AM on Zoom. Our time together consists of brief check-ins, devotionals, and prayers. 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. Hope to see you on Wednesday.
The Beacon is now available!
Read more:
- Spiritual Summer: A Time for Spiritual Strength
- Walk for Rice: BMUMC raises $11,500 for low-income families!
- Blaine Memorial 120th Anniversary Aprons!
- Junior High Camp 2024: Finding Your True Self
- Asian Camp 2024: Why AC is important for the future
Bookmark blaineonline.org for more infomation!
Vacation Bible School 2024 Continues!
- August 18
Theme: Operation Restoration – Mending God’s World Time: 10am to 12pm, including lunch
Location: BMUMC Church School Classrooms
Registration: $20 per Sunday per child, Additional Campers from same family $15. We will register your kiddo on the day of VBS. If you have not registered it is still not too late. We will continue to accept new registrations all the way up to the last day of VBS Sunday! Visit blaineonline.org for registration!
Email: blainevbs@gmail.com to enroll now!
2024 Guatemala Mission Trip
From August 16 through August 24, a Blaine mission team (20 from Blaine Memorial and 3 from Mt. Vernon First UMC) will be going on a trip to Guatemala in Central America. We will be working mostly with the indigenous Mayan people near the town of Panajachel by Lake Atitlan with a UMC related organization, Mission Guatemala (www.missionguatemala.com). Mission Guatemala is “a faith-based 501(c)3 non-profit organization with a mission to help meet the basic needs and improve the quality of life of under-served and impoverished Guatemalan peoples through health, education and nutrition initiatives and missionary service”. We will have a Vacation Bible School with crafts, games, lots of laughter and fun.
Our construction crew will help build a kitchen at the junior high school in Godinez. Our dental team will be serving Mission Guatemala’s scholarship children at the medical clinic in San Andres, Semetabaj. Most of all, we will be building friendships with the missionaries and staff at Mission Guatemala, with the local families living in the area, and with our team members. We are excited about the opportunity to share and receive God’s love with people of a different culture.
We ask Blaine church members to please pray for safe travels, building relationships with those we meet and showing Christ’s love through our actions and words. Thank you for your prayers and support!
Team Members: Anne Arakaki-Lock, Joshua Akiyama, Milo Choe, Nina Choe, Judy Kuo, Laura Gilbert, Kenji Guess, Alice Ikeda, Howard Nakase, Jill Nishi, Katelyn Nakase, Zachary Nakase, Janet Sekijima, Margaret Sekijima, Bob Sekijima, Donna Sekijima, Lourdes Tifre, Pastor Zulma Tifre, Stacy Lopez, Martin Yagi, Teresa Yagi, Pearl Yamamoto, Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Tsuru for Solidarity Presents: Liberation Obon!
September 1, 2024, 1:00pm to Dusk
Outside the Northwest Detention Center (NWDC) 1623 E J Street, Tacoma, WA 98421
Shut down NWDC! Liberation Obon will celebrate ancestors and resilience to end immigrant detention! Join La Resistencia and Tsuru for Solidarity as we protest wrongful imprisonment.
Activities will include:
- Traditional circle and street folk dancing
- Children’s art making
- Giant Daruma!
- Community food trucks Healing ceremonies
- Speakers from inside NWDC
Wear your heritage clothing! Blaine will organize a group to go to the obon after worship! Please contact Rev. Karen is you’re interested in participating!
Afghanistan and Ukrainian Refugee Donation Ministry
Items being collected: At this time, we have an abundance of some items and so we are NOT in need of clothing or children’s toys. Especially needed items include women’s products, toothpaste, personal care items, rice cookers, blenders, mixing bowls, microwave ovens, toasters, mixers, irons, dish sets, towels, and blankets.
Blaine Memorial UMC Collection Hours: Collection items can be dropped off at the Blaine Memorial Social Hall from Tuesday-Friday between 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Please call the Church Office at (206) 723-1536 prior to dropping off your items.
South King County Response Center Collection Volunteer Hours: The Donation Center is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, same time as the Tukwila Pantry at 3118 S. 140th St. Seattle. Please text Kim Parks at (206) 683-1707 when you would like to help. Please wear a mask and bring a marking pen and measuring tape if possible. Other Questions? Please contact Donna Sekijima or Anne Arakaki-Lock.
