Being at the Table
By Anne Arakaki-Lock, photo by Rev. Karen Yokota Love
During Lent, we enjoyed our book study, “Meeting Jesus at the Table”. It was very nourishing.
The book makes me realize that when we show up at the Lord’s Table, especially when we’re hungry, we’re going to be fed. With Christ as our host, there is plenty for everyone, and the invitation is always there.
This reminds me of pre-COVID. For years, there were folks at Blaine Memorial who prepared meals in our kitchen and other folks served the food to our unhoused friends under the freeway bridge in downtown Seattle. We were responding to severe ‘food insecurity’ through the Lord’s Table ministry.
I pray that our readers can take a moment to remember or imagine how hungry our friends who stood in line were. Most of us may not need to stand in such a line. Yet may I suggest that there may be a moment or maybe even many moments when you are hungry — i.e., hungry for “hope, for courage, for companionship,” as noted in our Lenten book. The authors remind us that people are starving. They say that “food and eating are just metaphors.” We are all starving for something.
I know personally that I am starving for grace. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:23-24). Yet, how often do I not accept Jesus’ offer to join Him at the Table? I am too busy or clueless that He’s already present at the Table. But I so want to feel His protection, His forgiveness, His warmth and love.
I know that I have the privilege of being at the Table with Jesus when I’m in Sunday Worship, especially during Holy Communion. I am also at the Table and being fed when I’m with my sisters-in-Christ during our Tuesday Small Group meetings on the ZOOM screen. Similarly, when I call in to Wednesday morning Prayer and Coffee. Just as the disciples sat around the Table and chatted, complained, laughed, prayed, our souls are being fed by Jesus.
It seems that at Blaine, there are many opportunities to meet with Jesus at His Table. There are the big banquets like Sukiyaki and Bazaar or occasional ones like an Anniversary Celebration and more frequent ones like Social Hour.
Yet I find myself at the Table with Jesus most often when it’s just the two of us. Sometimes it’s a potluck and I bring my dish too, a little bit to serve others as He’s asked me to do.
Copies of the Lent resource, “Meeting Jesus at the Table”, are still available for purchase at the Church Office for $10. Anne Arakaki-Lock is a member of Blaine Memorial UMC.
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2025 Educational Scholarships • Application period open through May 15, 2025
The Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church Educational Scholarships are designed to support the mission of the church through supporting a multitude of educational opportunities. We are proud to have helped students in their pursuit of continuing education since 1968. We encourage all applicants; from those just entering their next phase of education to those returning to complete or pursue continued education.
We are blessed to offer the following scholarships:
- Vera Ing Community College/ Trade School Scholarship
- Robert and Lucy Sato Scholarship
- Blaine Memorial Scholarship
- Ted and Margaret Yasuda Scholarship
Applications are available through emailing Michelle Vaughan or through the church office. All scholarships will consider, but are not limited to, elements such as grades (if applicable), personal essay, church participation and finances. Applications and two (2) letters of recommendation must be received no later than May 15, 2025 for consideration. We are looking forward to applicants excited about pursuing their education.
For more information, visit and bookmark the Educational Scholarships 2025 page.
Ireicho: Book of Names • See Dates, Sign Up Now!
Request to stamp the Ireicho: Book of Names in Seattle, in Puyallup, and on Bainbridge Island in 2026!
The Irei Project, in conjunction with the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) Puyallup Valley Chapter and Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial Association, is pleased to offer appointments to stamp the Ireicho at the Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church in Seattle on March 27, 2026, at the Expo Hall and Remembrance Gallery in Puyallup on March 28, 2026, and at the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial on March 29 and March 30, 2026. Stamping is by appointment only.
Currents: An Operetta featuring Gail Nomura and Shigeru Nishida in a Discussion Panel • May 7, 2025, 7:00PM
Join Gail Nomura and Shig Nishida at McMenamin’s Anderson School, Hayne’s Hall in Bothell, WA on May 7, 2025 at 7:00PM at Currents: An Operetta! The event is free, both you’ll need to register here.
Location: Haynes’ Hall, 18607 Bothell Way NE- Bothell
All ages welcome!
Urgent Help Needed for Asylum Seekers at Fairwood UMC/El Dios Viviente UMC
As the needs of our refugee siblings continue to grow, Fairwood UMC and El Dios Viviente UMC remain committed to providing essential services and shelter for refugee families at Fairwood UMC in Renton.
Right now, there are urgent needs for the asylum seeker program shelter, and we are reaching out for your support. The following items are needed:
- Queen-size air mattresses (24-inch)
- Blankets (any size)
- Gift cards
- Toilet paper
- White rice (grain)
- Cooking oil (Crisco or Mazola)
- Trash bags (55-60 gallon)
- Laundry detergent
- Black totes (45-gallon)
If you can donate any of these items, we would deeply appreciate it. If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Cruz Santos.
Migrant and Refugee Donation Ministry @ Riverton Park UMC • Blaine Memorial UMC Collection Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 10:00am-4:00pm
Riverton Park UMC is in dire need of:
- Diapers (sizes 3 through 7)
- Diaper wipes
- Kitchen pots and pans
- Paper plates
- Toothpaste
- Long grain rice
- Cooking oil
Blaine Memorial UMC Collection Hours: Collection items can be dropped off to the Blaine Memorial Social Hall from Tuesday-Friday between 10:00AM-4:00PM. Please call the Church Office at (206) 723-1536 prior to dropping off your items.
View the April 2025 Calendar
