BYG Update Camping Edition: Asian Camp 2024
Why Asian Camp is Important for the Future
By Edwin Santos, additional photos by the Rev. Karen Yokota Love
This year’s Asian Camp in California prepares youth for their faith journeys, “Yesterday, Today, and Forever”.
The 2024 Asian Camp was held at Camp Gilmore in Calabasas, CA from July 14-19, 2024. Asian Camp had youth from various states such as Washington, Colorado, and the majority being from California. As a first-time attendee, it was great to be part of the Asian American community, especially when observing the Blaine Youth Group (BYG) as part of worship, outdoor activities, and faith moments.
The theme of Asian Camp “Yesterday, Today, and Forever” focuses on the growth of our identities. Fellow campers were each part of a “Growth Group” that included a counselor throughout the duration of the camp. The program tied very well with current life and identity themes with Christ in an ever changing world. As we recognize where God showed up in our past, we can anticipate his presence today, and plan for it in our tomorrow.
Having an excellent experience for youth is important because of their dwindling numbers in the church. If the youth do not have a welcoming experience in a camp, then they won’t return for future events. Not only are youth the future, they are the present and they need to be provided a space for all youth in order for them to grow in Christ for the future.
Parents are also important in the camp experience. They can help keep the lessons learned from Asian camp relevant by making sure that their children attend future camps so that they can stay up to date with what’s going on in their community. It’s crucial to have camps based on affinity/culture so that the youth can stay connected to their history and culture. I also believe that it is very important that people of color be part of other camps because in the eyes of God we are one family; we are God’s family.
Lastly, the theme of faith is part of daily life for our youth. Growing up, many of them are experiencing the hardships of being part of the world but not fully responsible or in control of it. Being reminded of the importance of faith in life is vital for youth in their walk as a believers of Christ.
Edwin Santos attends Blaine Memorial UMC in Seattle, Washington.
Asian Camp 2024 Reactions
This year’s AC provided great experiences for our young people. Let’s hear what they had to say about camp!
“I really enjoyed Asian Camp. I attended Junior High Camp for the past two years so going to Asian Camp was really “reconciling-ish.” My favorite moment was being part of the (community with the) same faith and similar background. The theme of the camp was “Yesterday, Today, and Forever”. It was very centered on the future and how you can still change it and let God lead the way. It’s not set in stone yet.”
-Mia I.
“It was a fun and welcoming experience. We had a lot of fun activities like water day and a banquet. I’ll remember those moments.”
-Annabelle A.
BYG will not meet on Sunday mornings throughout the summer. We encourage youth and families to attend worship together at 10:00am in-person and via live stream!
Blaine Youth Group (BYG) is a place where youth (6th-12th grade) are invited into a loving community and celebrated as they are. BYG provides a safe environment for youth to build lasting friendships, grow spiritually, learn acceptance of self and others, express compassion for the world and develop a love for God. BYG has a space for any person who is interested and all are welcome.
Contact Information
Director of Youth Ministry (Outgoing)
Associate Directors of Youth Ministry
Kai Yamamoto and Kaylee Yokoyama
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
- Innovation Hub Update: Lynne to attend Claremont Seminary!
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.
