Volunteers of all ages helped decorate Blaine Memorial UMC during the Greening of Blaine. As we enter the Advent and Christmas season, what are your hopes for the community and the world around you? Is God at work?

Senior Pastor Reflection

Insisting on Hope: Entering Advent with Courage and Joy

By the Rev. Karen Yokota Love, additional photos by Arlene Mitsui

Last Saturday, we ushered in Advent by greening the church. Royal blue cloth and Advent candles sit near the altar, the Christmas tree is decorated with chrismons, and the smell of evergreen wreaths, swag and garland covers the Blaine campus. Thank you to those who volunteered their time and creativity as they decorated and transformed the campus! Thank you to the many elves who worked on this year’s paper cutout craft of an angel whispering, “Do not fear!” It was a joy to begin the season with new and familiar faces as we prepared for the Advent and Christmas season.

***Ecumenical faith leaders advocate for SNAP Benefits with US Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal. What are our common beliefs that can bring hope through feeding and uplifting communities in need***?

Luke’s Gospel begins the story of Jesus with this opening line: “In the time of Herod…” This detail may seem minor to modern readers, however, it reveals layers of information about the fearful world Jesus entered – one filled with rampant oppression, economic disparity, uncertainty and instability. It’s a world not so unlike our own. Yet throughout the stories of Christ’s birth, we hear the whispers of angels delivering a surprising message: “Do not fear.” When Mary, Joseph, the shepherds and the magi are called into God’s redemptive story, they do not deny their fears – they move through them. They ask questions, hold fast to courage, trust in good news and say, “Here I am, Lord.” When we find ourselves in fearful times, can we acknowledge our fears while also insisting on hope?

Kaze Daiko graced Blaine Memorial UMC with a couple of performances after Sunday Worship Service. Kaze Daiko is a young taiko group based in Seattle teaching communities about resilience through music and to not have fear.

**The Rev. Karen Yokota Love tries her hand at taiko drumming.**

This Advent series takes seriously the angels’ message and trusts that Christ’s birth truly is “good news of great joy for all people.” The resources look closely at the fear and terror looming in the background during the time of King Herod and invite us to consider the fears we hold now. Fear can divide and paralyze us and can even be used as a tool for oppression. But what if we formed a different relationship with fear? Can we acknowledge fear without letting it rule us? Might we channel our fears into love and action? What if naming our fears helps us see more clearly how God is breaking in and where God is at work?

**This Advent, we will be discussing ideas of managing our fears through “What Do You Fear?”, a free resource available at the Church Office.**

As we journey through this season together, may your hope become gritty and resilient. This year’s small group Advent book study will use a free devotional from A Sanctified Art, “What Do You Fear?” Free copies are available in the Narthex and in the Church Office. May you remember: hope that trembles is still hope. This season, let us insist on hope and trust that good news is greater than fear. I look forward to discovering great hope with you during this Advent season.

(Left to right): Jason Yada, Ryan Kozu, Marina Kozu, GNW Bishop Cedrick D. Bridgeforth, Rev. Karen Yokota Love, and Ron Nobuyama at the Atlantic Street Center Gala where we were reminded of hope during turbulent times.

The Rev. Karen Yokota Love serves as the Senior Pastor of Blaine Memorial UMC.

BMUMC Announcements

***Click or tap to view the latest issue of the Beacon newsletter!***

The Beacon is now available!

Blaine Memorial UMC feeds 128 Individuals through Thanksgiving Meals
Special Report: Sumida receives Commendation from Min. for Foreign Affairs
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

Members of Blaine Memorial UMC continue to support Kimball Elementary through Thanksgiving Meals and Giving Tree projects. These gifts will go to the children in our community. Thank you all for your support!

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.

***Blaine Memorial UMC has a new P.O. Box address!***

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.

***Save the dates for our upcoming Advent and Christmas Worship Services!***

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.

***It’s that time: dust off your favorite ugly holiday sweater from your closet and enter into the Battle Royale!***

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!

***Elaine Chin serves up hot and fresh sukiyaki beef.***

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

***Thank you Blaine Memorial community for supplying food for those in need in November!***

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.

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