Church News & Events

God’s Radical Love: Diversity Comments Off on God’s Radical Love: Diversity

God’s Radical Love: Diversity

Posted by on May 16, 2023 in Church News & Events, Innovation Hub, Prayer, Small Groups

By Lynne Onishi

Happy Spring from the Innovation Hub team! We’ve had an exciting month of ministry together. The young adults recently engaged in some friendly competition while playing a lively game of whirlyball (see photo). This young adult activity group is hoping to venture back outdoors for some beautiful Spring and Summer hikes. Please stay tuned for updates!

We also recently wrapped up a short Bible Study series that helped us to examine what it means to be faithful to scripture and inclusive of all people. We discussed different modes of Biblical interpretation and then looked at texts that have been used as weapons against LGBTQIA+ folks. It was quite an intellectual, spiritual, and emotional journey as we learned about cultural and historical contexts, church tradition, the difficulties around translation of Biblical texts, and our own unique relationships to the Bible.

Reconciling Ministries Q and A:

We are bringing back our Reconciling Ministries Q and A series this month! In previous newsletter articles, we explained what the Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN) is, and we shared updates about our reconciling process at Blaine Memorial thus far.

Q: What are we voting on? What is the Reconciling Statement?

A: Churches join the RMN by voting to adopt a reconciling statement, which must receive support from 75% of the congregation.

This statement is a declaration to both one another and the public that our congregation is committed to inclusivity and justice. Before we take a final vote, we will take a closer look at the Reconciling Statement:

We celebrate God’s gift of diversity and value the wholeness made possible in community equally shared and shepherded by all. We welcome and affirm people of every gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation, who are also of every age, race, ethnicity, physical and mental ability, level of education, and family structure, and of every economic, immigration, marital, and social status, and so much more. We acknowledge that we live in a world of profound social, economic, and political inequities. As followers of Jesus, we commit ourselves to the pursuit of justice and pledge to stand in solidarity with all who are marginalized and oppressed.

As you read this statement, what questions or reflections are you having? What makes sense to you? What seems confusing? How might Blaine Memorial commit to this vision of a radically inclusive and diverse faith community? We hope that you take the time to engage in conversation with one another and discuss how this reconciling statement fits with our mission and ministries at Blaine Memorial UMC.

By voting to adopt this statement, we are pledging to live out a life of faith that aligns with Jesus’s radical love for the world. We are excited to be going on this journey as a community! The IH team and RM Task Force are always looking for new folks to join us. If you feel called to lend your voice to these important ministries, we invite you to join us at our next team zoom meeting. Please contact Lynne or any of the other team members for more information.

Contact Lynne Onishi with questions about the Innovation Hub team or Reconciling Ministries, lynneonishi@gmail.com.

Also read…

Reconciling Ministries Statement Vote: May 21

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Walk for Rice 2023! Comments Off on Walk for Rice 2023!

Walk for Rice 2023!

Posted by on May 16, 2023 in Blaine Youth Group, Church News & Events, Giving, Service Opportunities, Small Groups

Last year, Team Blaine raised over $8,300 to help support local food banks with a special focus on the Asian Community. Now is the time to help! Reach out to Justine or Audrey Hwang for more details!

Support Walk for Rice Now!

By Justine, photos by Audrey Hwang

The 33rd annual ACRS Walk for Rice will be on June 17, 2023 at Seward Park!

Blaine Memorial UMC has a special connection to the Asian Counseling and Referral Service Walk for Rice. In 1990, Sam Mitsui, with Herb and Bertha Tsuchiya, wanted a way for everyone to help feed the community. Team Blaine continues to honor Mitsui’s contribution through the Walk for Rice, commemorating 33 years of service.

This year’s Walk for Rice will be in-person at Seward Park on Saturday, June 17, 2023! We need you!

The ACRS Food Bank remains one of the busiest food banks in King County, distributing more than 1 million pounds of food annually to 5,700 clients. More than half are children under the age of 18 or seniors over 65, and many people served by the ACRS Food Bank are low-income. Proceeds from the Walk for Rice allow ACRS to buy many of the culturally familiar foods that its Asian clients rely on: tofu, noodles, and produce like bok choy. Don’t forget, rice!

Last year, Team Blaine raised over $8,300, which put us in third place! This year, ACRS hopes to raise $325,000 and Team Blaine’s fundraising goal is $7,000. You can also support us by joining Blaine Memorial at Seward Park on June 17th at the Walk for Rice celebration!

Go to our team page to donate online or join our team as a walker! You can also mail your donation (checks made out to “Walk for Rice”, memo: “Team Blaine”) to the Blaine office.

Thank you in advance for supporting ACRS Food Bank – every dollar counts!

Justine serves as Team Captain for the ACRS Walk for Rice, representing Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church.

Read our latest issue of the Beacon!

The June edition of the Beacon features stories from our church in celebration of Summer! Download the PDF!

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Sukiyaki 2023 Photos! Comments Off on Sukiyaki 2023 Photos!

Sukiyaki 2023 Photos!

Posted by on May 16, 2023 in Blaine Youth Group, Church News & Events, Giving, Service Opportunities

By Rev. Karen Yokota Love, photos by Ryan Kozu and Kai Yamamoto, graphics by Ally and Steve

Thank you, Blaine Memorial, for making this year’s Sukiyaki Take Out fundraiser a huge success! The entire community came out to help, cook, set-up, bake, clean, and make this year’s event memorable, exciting and meaningful. This was the first year we had Sukiyaki in three years. Thank you for your commitment to the Blaine Memorial UMC community! A portion of our earnings will benefit the Rainier Valley Food Bank. We look forward to preparing more activities and opportunities to bring our community back to Blaine for fellowship and to connect with the greater neighborhood. Enjoy photos from this year’s Sukiyaki event!

David Hayasaka, Jim Mano, and Rick Mano pour out Saifun noodles. The Saifun noodles are an important ingredient for Sukiyaki.

Howard Nakase cleans and peels vegetables to be chopped.

Many Blaine volunteers fill the uncooked Sukiyaki orders so that each dish is proportionally equal.

(L-R): Carol Okano and Pam Ikegami cut tofu

(L-R): Miriam Tong, Stephanie Nishida and Barbara Kanaya cook the beef before merging it with the vegetables and Sukiyaki broth.

Justine, Lily, and Terry Adolfo sell baked goods to our community members. Some of the baked goods included cakes, cookies, bake mochi, manju, brownies, chi-chi dango, and ohagi.

Volunteers count each of the uncooked Sukiyaki servings.

Eugene Onishi and Kobe Yamamoto transfer cooked Sukiyaki into a different pan, as they get ready to package Sukiyaki orders. How much sukiyaki did you order?

(Above) Tala and Marisa happily sell baked goods to customers.

(Left) Jill Fluvog, Margaret Inouye and Donna Sekijima put different varieties of mochi and manju to make assorted packages to sell. This was sold at the Bakery and sold out within the first hour after opening at 2pm.

Read the Beacon!

The latest issue of the Beacon newsletter is ready for viewing! Printed versions are available in the office, sanctuary, and social hall!

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Sixth Sunday of Easter Comments Off on Sixth Sunday of Easter

Sixth Sunday of Easter

Posted by on May 13, 2023 in Archives, Blaine Youth Group, Church News & Events, Congregational Care, Giving, Innovation Hub, Pastors' Columns, Prayer, Sermons, Service Opportunities, Small Groups, Spiritual Formation, Sunday Worship, Weekly Calendar

Welcome!

Order of Worship

Prelude
Time Now to Gather
By M.N. Keithahn and J. D. Hormon
Kathy Onishi
Welcome of Grace and Greeting
Rev. Mia MiKyung Park
*Opening Hymn
For the Beauty of the Earth (UMH #92)
Eugene and Kathy Onishi
Mother’s Day Liturgy
Lynne Onishi
First Scripture Reading
John 14:15-21 (CEB, JLB)
Lynne Onishi & Tsutomu Nagoya
Children’s Message
Rev. Mia MiKyung Park
Special Music
Love Comes From God
Blaine Memorial Choir
Sermon
The Great Comforter
Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Hymn of Response
Spirit of the Living God, Fall Afresh on Me
(UMH #393)
Eugene and Kathy Onishi
Reconciling Ministries Moment #2
Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Introduction to the Offering
Rev. Mia MiKyung Park
Doxology
Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow
(UMH #94)
Kathy Onishi
Prayer of Dedication
Rev. Mia MiKyung Park
Announcements
Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Closing Hymn
Gift of Love
(UMH #408)
Eugene and Kathy Onishi
Benediction
Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Postlude
He is Exalted
By Twila Paris
Kathy Onishi
Passing of the Peace
Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Zoom Breakout Room
Rev. Dr. Jeney Park-Hearn

Announcements

Today! Blaine Memorial’s Mother’s Day Breakfast is back!

After worship!

Come join us as we give thanks to our mothers and mother-like figures in our lives! Join us as we honor the women and those who identify as women at Blaine Memorial UMC. Our Mother’s Day Breakfast is back! During this time, we will honor, remember and show our love to our mothers, grandmothers, godmothers, aunts, sisters, cousins, wives, teachers, mentors, and all of the women in our lives that have influenced and shaped us into the people who we are today.

Wednesday Coffee & Prayer

May 17 • 9am on Zoom

Please join Rev. Karen for a time of meditation and prayer on Wednesday, May 10 at 9am. The Wednesday Prayer group continues to meet each week. Our time together consists of a check-in question centering around United Methodist Founder John Wesley’s famous question, “How is it with your soul?” We continue our time together with a few readings out of The Upper Room Magazine May/June edition.

Finally, we end our time together with a pastoral prayer. We pray for anyone who would like to be prayed for. Please join us! Brew a fresh cup of coffee or steep some tea. This is a great opportunity to pause in the middle of the week to check in with others. The Zoom link will be sent out prior to gathering on Tuesday.

Reconciling Ministries Team

Celebrating God’s Gift: Diversity

By Lynne Onishi

Greetings from the Reconciling Ministries (RM) team at Blaine! The RM team is a lay-led group of congregation members who are passionate about LGBTQIA+ inclusion in the church. We are here to help guide this church through a process of discernment as we consider affiliating with the Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN).

To affiliate with RMN, our church must vote to adopt a Reconciling Statement. We want to hear what you think about this statement before we take a final vote, so we are conducting a straw poll on May 21. As we prepare to take a straw poll, we invite you to look at the Reconciling Statement below:

“We celebrate God’s gift of diversity and value the wholeness made possible in community equally shared and shepherded by all. We welcome and affirm people of every gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation, who are also of every age, race, ethnicity, physical and mental ability, level of education, and family structure, and of every economic, immigration, marital, and social status, and so much more. We acknowledge that we live in a world of profound social, economic, and political inequities. As followers of Jesus, we commit ourselves to the pursuit of justice and pledge to stand in solidarity with all who are marginalized and oppressed.”

Why are you a part of the team?

I am a member of the Reconciling Ministry Team because I know a family whose son is non-binary. I have seen their fear when prejudice and hate were directed toward their child. And I have seen their reaction to be one of honesty, courage, and love. I believe the church can come alongside families like this to provide support and community.

Terri Pittman

I am part of the Reconciling Ministries Team because I grew up in this church and have always felt included, yet also off to the side, and want to see a place that is welcoming and affirming to all.

Dale H. Watanabe

I am a member of the Reconciling Ministries Team because we, as a church, love God and God’s people. We can show our love by openly expressing welcome to our friends who are often marginalized and hurt, even though that may not be our intention. As a teacher, I worked with many youth who suffered pain and rejection because of their sexual identities. Sometimes, the pain was too much to bear. Offering an accepting (Christian?) community can metaphorically and literally save lives.

Arlene Naganawa

Reconciling Ministries Team

Yoshi Kuramoto, Arlene Naganawa, Lynne Onishi, Lawrence Paltep, Terri Pittman, Mariko Ronan, Jarrett Shirouzu, Jenna Tong, Dale Watanabe, Malia Yamamoto

The Reconciling Ministries Team invites all who are interested to join in our work! Visit rmnetwork.org for more information.

Image courtesy of Wikipedia.

Apply Now! Blaine Educational Scholarships

Due May 17

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. Applications are due May 17. We are blessed to offer the following scholarships: the Vera Ing Scholarship, Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church Scholarship, Yasuda Scholarship, William S. Yorozu Scholarship, and the Robert S. Sato Scholarship. Read more.

Blaine Cookbook needs your recipes!

Due May 31

Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church will release a 120th Anniversary Edition of “Let’s Dine!”, the latest in a series of cookbooks produced by Blaine Memorial over the past 70 years. This cookbook will commemorate the 120th Anniversary of Blaine Memorial, with a scheduled release of January 2024. We are seeking submissions for the 2024 cookbook and are calling on you to contribute! Read more.

This summer’s Camping Ministries and Vacation Bible School schedules are out!

Please save the dates for your children and youth! Summer Camps & VBS 2023!

June 25-30
Jr/High Camp (for incoming 6th-9th graders) Jr. High Camp registration is open now! Please register your youth by May 31!
July 10-14
Vacation Bible School 10am-3pm VBS registration is open now! Visit the VBS 2023 page and bookmark it for updates!
July 23-28
Asian Camp (for incoming 10th grade- 2 yrs. post-high school)

The Beacon newsletter is ready for viewing!

Printed versions are available in the office, sanctuary, and social hall!

Check out what’s happening at Blaine!

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Fifth Sunday of Easter Comments Off on Fifth Sunday of Easter

Fifth Sunday of Easter

Posted by on May 6, 2023 in Archives, Blaine Youth Group, Church News & Events, Giving, Prayer, Sermons, Service Opportunities, Small Groups, Spiritual Formation, Sunday Worship, Weekly Calendar

Welcome!

Order of Worship

Prelude
“In Moments Like These”
by David Graham
Leann Onishi
Welcome of Grace and Greeting
Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Opening Hymn and Opening Prayer
“How Can We Name a Love”
(UMH #111)
Miriam Tong, Leann Onishi, Neil Komedal
Transfer of Membership:
Alma Santos, Edwin Santos and Joshua Santos
Rev. Karen Yokota Love
First Scripture Reading
1 Peter 2:2-10 (CEB,JLB)
Kobe Yamamoto & Tsutomu Nagoya
Children’s Message
Sai Hanaoka
Scripture Reading
Romans 12:9-21 (CEB,JLB)
Kobe Yamamoto & Tsutomu Nagoya
Sermon “#BeUMC: ??? People of God”
Rev. Mia MiKyung Park
Hymn of Reflection
“Help Us Accept Each Other”
(UMH #560)
Kathy & Eugene Onishi, Unison
Reconciling Ministry Moment
Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Holy Communion
Rev. Mia MiKyung Park
and Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Communion Special Music
“The Sweetness of Mary”
by Joan MacDonald Boes
arr. by Brenda Hunter

“Amber Waltz”
by Mick Doherty

Leann Onishi
Doxology
and Prayer of Dedication
“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”
(UMH #94)
Miriam Tong, Leann Onishi, Neil Komedal
Announcements
Rev. Karen Yokota Love
Closing Hymn
“Because He Lives”
(UMH # 364)
Miriam Tong, Leann Onishi, Neil Komedal
Benediction
Rev. Mia MiKyung Park
Postlude
Traditional American Fiddle Tunes
Leann Onishi
Zoom Breakout Room
Rev. Jeney Park-Hearn

Sermon Reflection Questions

  • As a church, we sometimes struggle with a diversity of opinions. What are the advantages of people not thinking alike? What are the challenges?
  • As you reflect on the conflicts in your life and in the church, what gives you hope?
  • How will you continue to remain faithful, even in the midst of difficult times?
  • The primary reason Christians are resilient is because we believe in resurrection. Death does not have the final word. Where have you seen resurrection in your life and in the lives of others?
  • How might God be asking you to stretch out of your comfort zone to be a welcoming presence to those who feel alone and separated from church, society, and others?

Sermon title and questions are adapted from #BeUMC campaign website.

Upcoming Lectionary Scriptures

Monday 5/8
Psalm 102:1-17; Exodus 13:17-22; Acts 7:17-40
Tuesday 5/9
Psalm 102:1-17; Proverbs 3:5-12; Acts 7:44-56
Wednesday 5/10
Psalm 102:1-17; Proverbs 3:13-18; John 8:31-38
Thursday 5/11
Psalm 66:8-20; Genesis 6:5-22; Acts 27:1-12
Friday 5/12
Psalm 66:8-20; Genesis 7:1-24; Acts 27:13-38
Saturday 5/13
Psalm 66:8-20; Genesis 8:13-19; John 14:27-29

Announcements

Next Week! Blaine Memorial’s Mother’s Day Breakfast is back!

Sunday, May 14, 8:30am-10:00am and after worship!

Come join us as we give thanks to our mothers and mother-like figures in our lives! Join us as we honor the women and those who identify as women at Blaine Memorial UMC. Our Mother’s Day Breakfast is back! During this time, we will honor, remember and show our love to our mothers, grandmothers, godmothers, aunts, sisters, cousins, wives, teachers, mentors, and all of the women in our lives that have influenced and shaped us into the people who we are today. Calling all men and those who identify as men at Blaine Memorial! We need your help! Help us prepare the breakfast beginning at 6:00am! Please contact Howard Nakase for more information.

Wednesday Coffee & Prayer

May 10 • 9am on Zoom

Please join Rev. Karen for a time of meditation and prayer on Wednesday, May 10 at 9am. The Wednesday Prayer group continues to meet each week. Our time together consists of a check-in question centering around United Methodist Founder John Wesley’s famous question, “How is it with your soul?” We continue our time together with a few readings out of The Upper Room Magazine May/June edition. Finally, we end our time together with a pastoral prayer.

We pray for anyone who would like to be prayed for. Please join us! Brew a fresh cup of coffee or steep some tea. This is a great opportunity to pause in the middle of the week to check in with others. The Zoom link will be sent out prior to gathering on Tuesday.

Blaine Memorial UMC Church Member Stephen Sumida in “Hometown Boy” play

Throughout the month of May

Seattle Public Theater presents “Hometown Boy,” starring our very own Stephen Sumida. Performances will run every weekend in May. If you’d like to see Steve perform as “Walter,” please purchase your tickets here.

If you have ticketing questions, or would like help with purchasing tickets, please contact the box office.

About Hometown Boy

James hasn’t been back to his rural Georgia hometown in over a decade, but reluctantly returns to check in on his father, whose behavior has become worryingly erratic. And since the South has a way of holding onto secrets, he soon stumbles into a life he thought he had left behind as a child. That stench in the air isn’t just his father’s decaying house, but the rotten core of long-buried secrets teeming just under the surface and ready to explode.

Image courtesy of Wikipedia.

Apply Now! Blaine Educational Scholarships

Due May 17

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. Applications are due May 17. We are blessed to offer the following scholarships: the Vera Ing Scholarship, Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church Scholarship, Yasuda Scholarship, William S. Yorozu Scholarship, and the Robert S. Sato Scholarship. Read more.

Blaine Cookbook needs your recipes!

Due May 31

Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church will release a 120th Anniversary Edition of “Let’s Dine!”, the latest in a series of cookbooks produced by Blaine Memorial over the past 70 years. This cookbook will commemorate the 120th Anniversary of Blaine Memorial, with a scheduled release of January 2024. We are seeking submissions for the 2024 cookbook and are calling on you to contribute! Read more.

This summer’s Camping Ministries and Vacation Bible School schedules are out!

Please save the dates for your children and youth! Summer Camps & VBS 2023!

June 25-30
Jr/High Camp (for incoming 6th-9th graders) Jr. High Camp registration is open now! Please register your youth by May 31!
July 10-14
Vacation Bible School 10am-3pm VBS registration is open now! Visit the VBS 2023 page and bookmark it for updates!
July 23-28
Asian Camp (for incoming 10th grade- 2 yrs. post-high school)

In case you missed it…

Making a Scene with Dr. Stephen Sumida

May 2023 calendar is available

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Dr. Stephen Sumida on importance of video reenactment Comments Off on Dr. Stephen Sumida on importance of video reenactment

Dr. Stephen Sumida on importance of video reenactment

Posted by on May 5, 2023 in Archives, Church News & Events

Making a Scene with Stephen Sumida

By Jesse N. Love with Dr. Stephen Sumida, photos by Ryan Kozu

From the beginning of 2023, Dr. Stephen Sumida with Blaine members Shig Nishida and others have been working on a special video project for Blaine’s 120th anniversary depicting an unjust moment in US American history: a reenactment of the removal of Japanese Americans from Seattle’s Japantown in April 1942.

Working with our congregation and its tech crew, Sumida helped gather the congregation of Blaine as extras. Dressed in 1940s costume, our church is preparing vignettes of the lives deeply affected by internment. This project brought to life in modern times people like Henry Itoi and Minnie Yokoyama (portrayed by Jarrett Hirouzu and Lynne Onishi, respectively), an engaged couple in the middle of this massive removal working to capture one last moment before treading into an unknown future. Others such as Ada Mahon, Revs. Everett Thompson & Emery Andrews, Mr. E.L. Blaine, are historic figures who came to bear witness of this tragic event also portrayed by Blaine Memorial members.

Sumida guided Blaine’s tech teams to document behind-the-scenes footage. With help from Jesse N. Love and Glenn Mitsui, Sumida shares in this interview his goal of connecting the audience through humor and sadness in order to process this moment in history. This reenactment is a short, but important part, of an upcoming hour-long documentary scheduled for Blaine Memorial’s 120th Anniversary. Video projects such as this are not just our Archives Committee but serve as a detrimental part of telling Blaine Memorial’s origins. By remembering the past, we can ensure the future of Blaine Memorial UMC internalizes the history of its culture and faith.

Special thanks to Glenn Mitsui for preparing this video presentation of Dr. Stephen Sumida. Also, special thanks to the leadership of the Rev. David V. Valera and the PNW Conference for supporting this project.

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