Ash Wednesday

BYG: The Journey Continues Comments Off on BYG: The Journey Continues

BYG: The Journey Continues

Posted by on Mar 4, 2025 in Ash Wednesday, Blaine Youth Group, Church News & Events, Congregational Care, Giving, Prayer, Service Opportunities, Small Groups, Spiritual Formation, Videos, Weekly Calendar

Ally Sofronas and Katelyn N. whip up mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving Meals.

BYG Update

The Journey Continues

By Kaylee Yokoyama, photos by Kai Yamamoto

As we continue into 2025, it’s an opportunity to reflect on the memories, growth, and experiences Blaine Youth Group has engaged in over the past year. The last twelve months were filled with community, service, faith, and fellowship. 

We first began the year off with a BYG Night. We prepared for Camping Ministries Sunday through singing worship songs as the youth spent time reflecting on their camping ministries experiences. We were also gracious to have Nathan Buck from Faith UMC who led the youth in worship songs. 

Our BYG serve up delicious Suno Dogs and Italian Sodas.

As we entered autumn, we held our long-awaited Youth Booth at Bazaar. The youth enjoyed selling and making Suno Dogs and we had the return of our popular Italian Sodas! It was amazing to witness the youth work together to serve the congregation — and for the younger youth, to experience the youth booth for the very first time! 

In November, BYG also participated in our annual Thanksgiving Service Project where we were able to serve a delicious meal of chicken, salad, mashed potatoes, and apple crisps made by the youth for about 20 families at Kimball Elementary School. BYG also partook in a Thanksgiving Meal Service Project video by Jesse Love which captured the youth’s impact on the community through their stewardship.

BYG serve up Chicken Curry raising funds for camping.

Finally, to end the 2024 year, the youth participated in the Christmas program along with the church school children. To start off the 2025 New Year, we also had our Curry Bento Fundraiser where the youth worked diligently to prepare and served curry, salad, rice, and oatmeal cookies to raise proceeds for Camping Ministries.

I am deeply grateful for the support of our congregation, leaders, Rev. Karen, and the BYG families. Your support, time, and care have made 2024 a year filled exciting and meaningful experiences for BYG. We couldn’t have done it without you.

Kobe and Emma help prepare ingredients for curry.

Looking ahead to 2025, we are excited for continuing growth and connections with our community. We can’t wait to see what the new year holds as we journey toward faith, service, and fellowship.

Kaylee Yokoyama serves as the Associate Director of the Blaine Youth Group.

Announcements

Prayer and Coffee • Wednesday, March 5, 2025 

Join Rev. Karen for prayer and community on Wednesday (3/5) at 9:00AM on Zoom. Our time together consists of brief check-ins, devotionals, and prayers. This is a great way to begin Lent, clear and center your mind, all while connecting with God and your prayer community. We will discuss the meaning of Lent and the significance of Ash Wednesday. Feel free to bring a cup of coffee, tea, and a bite to eat. Hope to see you on Wednesday.

Ash Wednesday Service •  Wednesday, March 5, 7pm

Next Wednesday, March 5, is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the penitential season of Lent. Ashes will be distributed at 12:00PM and at 7:00PM during an Ash Wednesday service in the Sanctuary. As we begin another Lenten journey, we are invited to reflect on Jesus’ temptations in the wilderness. Lent is a season of remembering our true selves through reflection, reconciliation, and reconnection on the journey toward the cross and the empty tomb.

Meeting Jesus at the Table: A Lenten Study • See Dates and Times (Below)

This year’s all church Lenten Study book is Meeting Jesus at the Table: A Lenten Study. The book is written by Cynthia M. Campbell and Christine Coy Fohr. For Lent this year, our theme will be Bread of Life: Meeting Jesus at the Table. The Gospels are full of stories of Jesus sharing meals with people. Whether multiplying bread to feed a whole crowd, relaxing with his inner circle, or telling curious elites stories about even greater banquets, Jesus imparts wisdom and forgiveness during meal times. This eight-session study provides biblical insights along with thought-provoking queries regarding our own time, such as whom should we invite to Sunday dinner and who is left out and left behind in our culture today. Each chapter includes questions for small group discussion or personal reflection.

Books are on sale in the Church Office for $10.00 each.

Rev. Karen will lead a 7-week Lent Book Study using Meeting Jesus at the Table: A Lenten Study. She will teach the class on the following days:

  • Thursday (3/6), 7:00PM
  • Tuesday (3/11), 7:00PM
  • Tuesday (3/18), 7:00PM
  • Tuesday (4/1), 7:00PM
  • Tuesday (4/8), 7:00PM
  • Tuesday (4/15), 7:00PM


The classes will be held on Zoom and the link will be released the day before. Please note that some classes are on Tuesdays and Thursdays due to scheduling conflicts with other events taking place at the church. Thank you in advance for your flexibility.

Artwork copyright Erin Shigaki. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, by Barry Johnson, 2024.

Kimball Elementary School Cloud Pavilion Art Dedication • Thursday, March 13, 5:30pm

Kimball Elementary School Principal Angela Bogan has invited the Blaine Memorial congregation to Artist Erin Shigaki’s Cloud Pavilion Art Installation in the Kimball Elementary School Library on March 13, from 5:30PM-6:30PM. The Cloud Pavilion (kumo no akusha) by Erin Shigaki conveys the histories, hopes, and relationships of both Kimball Elementary students and Beacon Hill residents. Please RSVP to Yuki Sofronas by Wednesday, March 12 at 4:00PM so we can get a head count. The church is arranging rides to the school entrance. For those who feel comfortable walking to the school, we will walk together in a group.

About Erin Shigaki

Erin Shigaki’s art practice focuses on the experiences of communities of color, often the World War II (1939-45) incarceration of her Japanese-American community. She is passionate about highlighting similarities between that history, the detention and family separation immigrants face today, and other systemic violence and injustices that people of color continue to face. She believes that using art to tell stories about these moments can educate, redress wrongs, and heal. Erin Shigaki was born and raised in Seattle, Washington. She is a graphic designer and illustrator by trade. She is also a community activist. She helps run an annual pilgrimage to Minidoka, the American WWII concentration camp where her family was incarcerated, and she is also a part of Tsuru for Solidarity, working to end detention and incarceration for all. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University.

Blaine Girl Scout Troop #43880 Cookie Booth • March 16, 2025 after Sunday Service (Social Hall)

Please come out to get your favorite cookies and support our Girl Scout Troop this year as they raise money for their annual camping trip! Thank you for your support!

Learn more about our next Guatemala Mission Trip during our Info Meeting in March.

Guatemala Mission Trip Informational Meeting • March 16, 2025

Are you interested in going on a mission trip this coming August 8 to August 16?  Do you have a desire to serve others in an underdeveloped country?  Are you not sure about going, but want to learn more? Blaine will again partner with Mission Guatemala and send a mission team to San Andrés Semetebaj, Guatemala.  Please join us for a short informational meeting Sunday, March 16, in the Webb Room at 12:00.  If you have any questions, please contact Bob or Donna Sekijima at or Alice Ikeda.

Read more about Blaine Memorial’s 2024 Guatemala Mission trip.

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.

An All-Church Retreat to Refresh, Renew, and Rejoice! • August 22-24, 2025

We are bringing back the All-Church Camp Retreat! This year’s theme is Refresh, Renew and Rejoice! Please save the dates: August 22-24, 2025! Our campsite location will be in Olympia, WA. Please contact Harry Tang with questions. More information to be revealed…

The Beacon Newsletter is Now Available!

Click the image above to view our latest issue or view past issues here.

View the March 2025 Calendar

Learn More
Ash Wednesday Comments Off on Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday

Posted by on Feb 14, 2024 in Ash Wednesday, Blaine Youth Group, Church News & Events, Congregational Care, Innovation Hub, Lenten Season, Miscellaneous, Pastors' Columns, Prayer, Sermons, Service Opportunities, Spiritual Formation, Weekly Calendar

All are Welcome

  • Ash Wednesday
  • February 14, 2024, 11am
  • Hybrid Worship
  • Continue scrolling or view the print version of the bulletin

Order of Worship

Prelude 
Dear Lord and Father of Mankind
(UMH #358)
Yuki Sofronas 
Opening Prayer 
Rev. Mia MiKyung Park
Congregational Hymn 
Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days 
Verses 1-3 
(UMH #269) 
Yuki Sofronas
Scripture Reading 
Joel 2:12-13 
Barbara Nagaoka
Prayer of Confession 
Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Scripture Reading 
Genesis 3:19 
Barbara Nagaoka
Scripture Reading 
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 
Barbara Nagaoka
Meditation 
Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Hymn of Contemplation 
Jesus, Remember Me 
(UMH #488)
Yuki Sofronas
Explanation of the Recognition of Ashes 
Rev. Mia MiKyung Park
Take Time to Be Holy 
(UMH #395)
Yuki Sofronas
Closing Hymn 
I Surrender All 
(UMH #354)
Yuki Sofronas
Benediction 
Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Postlude 
Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days 
(UMH #269)
Yuki Sofronas

Sermon Questions

  • How is the Ash Wednesday Gospel message more about our motives than our actions? (Matt 6:1-6, 16-21)
  • What do we learn about the character of God from Joel 2:12-13?
  • How can you return to/reboot your relationship with God?

Lectionary Readings

Wednesday, February 14, 2024:
Ash Wednesday
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 or Isaiah 58:1-12; Psalm 51:1-17; 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
Thursday, February 15, 2024: 
Psalm 25:1-10; Daniel 9:1-14; 1 John 1:3-10
Friday, February 16, 2024: 
Psalm 25:1-10; Daniel 9:15-25a; 2 Timothy 4:1-5
Saturday, February 17, 2024: 
Psalm 25:1-10; Psalm 32; Matthew 9:2-13

Announcements

Lent Book Studies

The Third Day: Living the Resurrection Lenten Book Study

This year’s All Church Lenten study is The Third Day: Living the Resurrection by Tom Berlin and Mark A. Miller. This study will begin on Tuesday, February 13, at 7 pm via Zoom and will be facilitated by Rev. Mia MiKyung Park and Rev. Karen Yokota Love. The link will be emailed prior to the meeting date. We will also meet on Tuesdays: 2/20, 2/27, 3/5, 3/12, and 3/19 to discuss each chapter. 

The Office is selling The Third Day: Living the Resurrection books for $14.00 and the Leader Guide is $12.00. You are welcome to buy the book in the Office and read with your small groups. 

In The Third Day: Living the Resurrection, Tom Berlin uses his storytelling gifts and scriptural understanding to connect readers to the experiences of individuals around Jesus in his final days. The focus is on new life and redemption rather than loss.

Come and journey with characters like Peter, Mary Magdalene, and Thomas as they experience the despair of losing Jesus and the surprise and joy that awaits them in the resurrection. This study will explore events around these characters, along with Paul and the disciples at Emmaus, and how the resurrection transforms their lives.

NJAUMC Lenten Book Study begins on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024!

You’re invited to join Rev. John Miyahara (US Navy Chaplain), Rev. Brian Lee (Simpson UMC), and members of the Japanese American United Methodist Caucus congregations in a 6-week Advent book study. We will be reading Savior: What the Bible Says about the Cross by Magrey DeVega. Books are $17.00 in the Church Office. Please note that reading the book isn’t required! The first session will start on Monday, February 19 from 4:30-6:00 PM (Hawaii), 6:30-8:00 PM (Pacific) and 7:30-9:00 PM (Mountain). The study will conclude on Mon., March 25.

Bob Ross Painting Night • Friday, February 16!

Join the Innovation Hub for an evening of fellowship, painting, and relaxing while we watch Bob Ross on Friday, February 16 from 7:00 – 9:00 PM in the Social Hall! We will provide some light snacks and beverages as well as painting supplies and materials! All are welcome. Scan the QR code or sign up here: https://forms.gle/5eLsmiRjoP3FFbaz6

Please email Lynne Onishi at lynneonishi@gmail.com with any questions. We can’t wait to see you there!

Last year at the Day of Remembrance Part II, members of Blaine Memorial UMC caravaned to the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, Wash. The solidarity with the Japanese American community and those who are in the NWDC link the past and present injustices, drew attention to worsening conditions inside NWDC. Photo by Ryan Kozu.

Day of Remembrance 2024 “Remember & Resist”

Sunday, February 18, 1:00 – 3:30 pm (One event at TWO sites)

Washington State Fairgrounds’ Agriplex
5th St SW, Puyallup, WA 98371
1:00 – 1:45pm
Northwest Detention Center
1623 E J Street, Tacoma, WA 98421
2:30 – 3:30 pm

Sign up here!

February 19, 2024 will mark 82 years since the signing of Executive Order 9066, ordering the forced removal and mass incarceration of Japanese Americans on the West Coast. Most Japanese Americans in the Seattle area spent their first few months in detention at the Puyallup Assembly Center, ironically nicknamed “Camp Harmony.” It’s now the site of the State fairgrounds.

The trauma of family separation, child imprisonment, poor sanitation, bad food, inadequate health care, and uncertain futures CONTINUES today at Northwest Detention Center (NWDC) in Tacoma, just a 20 minute drive from Puyallup. NWDC is a private prison with capacity to hold 1500 immigrants, but Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) is secretive and never disclose how many are incarcerated or who they are. We know most are from Mexico, Central & South America, Southeast Asia, India, Africa and the Middle East who seek asylum and opportunity in the US.

Conditions inside are horrific; detainees often hold long hunger strikes demanding humane treatment and their legal rights. There were 7 last year and another in January. This private for profit prison in our state must shut down.

Join us to hear from incarceration survivors at both Puyallup and Tacoma – Japanese American camp survivors and people recently detained at NWDC. There will be Taiko! When we raise the roof with drums and voices, those held inside know they are not forgotten.

Please come to both parts of this important event – we will remember our past AND speak out for the rights of others.

Organized by Tsuru for Solidarity, La Resistencia, Puyallup and Seattle chapters of the JACL, Minidoka Pilgrimage Planning Committee, and Densho. For more information, media inquiries, and to find out about volunteer opportunities email info@seattlejacl.org.

Sukiyaki Dinner Returns!

Saturday, March 2, 2024 • Blaine Memorial UMC

More information to come!

Afghanistan and Ukranian Refugee Donation Ministry

At this time, 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. No to clothes or toys.

Blaine Memorial UMC Collection Hours: Tuesday-Friday between 10:00AM-4:00PM. Call the Church Office at (206) 723-1536 prior to dropping off your items.

South King County Response Center Collection Volunteer Hours: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 10:00AM-2:00PM, 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 at: donnasek@outlook.com and/or Anne Arakaki-Lock at: salock@comcast.net.

The Beacon is now available!

View the Jan-Feb 2024 Calendar

Learn More