Church News & Events – Page 36 – Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church

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Innovation Hub: Empathy

Posted by blaineoffice on Mar 12, 2023 in Blaine Youth Group, Church News & Events, Innovation Hub

The young people of Blaine Memorial UMC hosted a film screening bringing together many for cross-generational discussions on social and faith issues. Interested in supporting the Innovation hub? Contact Lynne Onishi!

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B.Y.G. Hygiene Drive

Posted by blaineoffice on Mar 12, 2023 in Blaine Youth Group, Church News & Events

Blaine collects hygiene products for Seattle Children’s

By Kaylee Yokoyama

*Donations were collected at Blaine in the narthex outside of the sanctuary from December 2022 through January 2023.*

Thank you Blaine for supporting Seattle Children’s Food Security Program with your new, unused hygiene products. This collection of hand soap, dish soap, menstrual products, underwear, diapers, toothpaste, and more will be vital for supporting our local community – all thanks to you! Your participation has positively impacted the lives of our greater community. Want more information or want to see more future community involvement? Contact Kaylee Yokoyama.

Blaine Memorial generously donated a variety of hygiene products. The items were sorted and organized at Seattle Children’s hygiene donation center by type of product and for the availability of individuals in need.

*The latest issue of the Beacon newsletter is ready for viewing. Click the image above.*

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Scholarships 2023

Posted by blaineoffice on Mar 12, 2023 in Blaine Youth Group, Church News & Events

Blaine Memorial Educational Scholarships 2023

By Michelle Vaughan,Scholarship Chair

Applications for Blaine’s Educational Scholarships is now open through May 17, 2023!

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: the Vera Ing Scholarship, Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church Scholarship, Yasuda Scholarship, William S. Yorozu Scholarship, and the Robert S. Sato Scholarship. The Scholarships will be awarded under the following criteria:

Vera Ing Community College/Trade School Scholarship

Established in 2016. Award(s) will be made to those pursuing continued education through community colleges and/or technical/trade schools. Other Eligibility Opportunities/Community Based Internships: For students who choose to intern at a nonprofit or community organization, where little or no compensation is offered, a scholarship is available. The internship period could be during the school year and/or summer months. Applicant will provide description of their opportunity.

Robert S. Sato Scholarship

Award(s) will be made to a college undergraduate and/or graduate student pursuing a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics or related fields of study.

Yasuda Scholarship

Award(s) will be made to high school seniors or college undergraduate.

William S. Yorozu Scholarship

Two award(s) will be made, one for a college sophomore, junior or senior, then to a graduate student.

Blaine Memorial Scholarship

Award(s) will be made to high school senior, community college, technical/trade school, college undergraduate or graduate student.

Email BlaineUMCScholarships@gmail.com or contact the church office to access scholarship information. All scholarships will consider, but are not limited to, elements such as grades (if applicable), personal essay and church participation.

Applications and two (2) letters of recommendation must be received no later than May 17, 2023 for consideration. We are looking forward to applicants excited about pursuing their education.

Michelle Vaughan serves as Scholarship Chair for Blaine Memorial UMC.

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Photos: DOR 2023

Posted by blaineoffice on Mar 12, 2023 in Church News & Events, Photos

The Day of Remembrance 2023 in Photos

By Rev. Karen Yokota Love, Senior Pastor

Photos by Ryan Kozu with Jesse N. Love

**Remembrance:** *Eugene Tagawa and Sharon Maeda attend the Day of Remembrance Ceremony at the Washington State Fairgrounds in Puyallup, Wash.*

**Listening In:** Blaine Memorial UMC church members critically listen to Kiku Hughes, a cartoonist. She reads her poetry and complements her readings with illustrations of her late grandmother, Ernestina, who was incarcerated in one of the 10 camps.

**Representation Matters:** Members from Blaine Memorial UMC attended the Day of Remembrance Ceremony at the Washington State Fairgrounds on February 18, 2023. Many of the members were either survivors or have family members who were sent to the Puyallup Fairgrounds 81 years ago when it became an Assembly Center before heading to the Minidoka Incarceration Camp.

**Family Names:** Marina Kozu and Ron Nobuyama look for their family names on panels. The Day of Remembrance Ceremony honored 81 years since the issue of Executive Order 9066. Over 7600 Japanese and Japanese Americans were incarcerated behind barbed wire fencing on the Puyallup Fairgrounds, now known as the Washington State Fairgrounds. The majority of the population was from Seattle, but people from Fife, Puyallup, Kapowsin, Eatonville, Snohomish, and Alaska were forced to live in horse stalls, animal pens, or barracks. This assembly center was open between April to September 1942.

**The Beat of the Drum:** *Seattle Kokon Taiko opens and closes the ceremony with a few powerful musical pieces.*

**Cranes:** *Shig and Rae Nishida receive tsuru (cranes) because they are “Camp Survivors.”*

**In Solidarity:** Day of Remembrance Part II included a caravan 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.

**Sharing of stories:** On February 19, Blaine Memorial remembered 81 years since the issuing of E.O. 9066. Church members including Donna Sekijima, Pam Ikegami, Jerry Ikegami, Dorothy Rutherford, Shizue Watanabe, Dale Watanabe and Nina Chinn shared their stories about camp life, their parents’ experiences in camp or their experiences living in the “Free Zone.” Thank you to Gail Nomura for your strategic planning and organizing of this special worship service.

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Photos: Anniversary Sunday!

Posted by blaineoffice on Mar 11, 2023 in Church News & Events, Photos

Celebrating 119 Years at Blaine!

By Rev. Karen Yokota Love, Senior Pastor

**Anniversary Sunday:** *We honored our 88+ church members in worship on January 29.*

**Real Influencers:** *The Revs. Karen and Ken Miyake (previous Blaine Memorial pastor) with his daughter, Washington State Representative Sharon Tomiko-Santos.*

**Smiles all around:** *Rev. Dr. Jeney Park-Hearn addresses the congregation with a greeting.*

**Saints:** *Ron Nobuyama rings a bell for each of our of our beloved 88+ saints who passed away in 2022.*

**Newly-Minted:** *Mike Takahashi (L) and Tom Kometani (R) celebrate their new induction into the 88+ club with Janet Kometani (M).*

**Cake to Celebrate:** *Pam Ikegami helps out by giving our 88+ elders a piece of celebratory cake. Delicious chocolate and vanilla cakes were offered.*

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B.Y.G. Bake Sale!

Posted by blaineoffice on Mar 11, 2023 in Blaine Youth Group, Church News & Events

Cookies, baked mochi, and other delicious treats were offered during the Blaine Youth Group Bake Sale!

B.Y.G. Update Bake Sale raises hopes, funds for young people

By Lawrence Paltep, B.Y.G. Co-Director

*The Blaine Youth Group serves delicious snacks for sale after worship service, along with scented candles.* *They raised over $1000 to fund future camping experiences that will enrich their spiritual journeys.*

Camping is an important part of our youth ministry. Developing deep relationships with other youth is an opportunity for all attendees to experience. These camps are held in California, the Blaine Youth Group makes great efforts to ensure that we attend. Last year, BYG covered costs for flights, charter bus, hotel, and COVID-19 exposure related costs. To raise funds, we hosted pop-ups and bake sales last year. Before the pandemic, we hosted annual banquets with auctions that took months of planning and organizing.

Knowing the financial responsibilities of sending a youth to camp, BYG and families have been proactive in raising funds. Earlier this year, our youth hosted a bake sale along with hand-crafted candles for church members to purchase. Co-Director Lynne Onishi and I have been very impressed with the ways that youth and parents have stepped up to lead these events. For the bake sale, youth, leaders, parents, and congregants prepared various baked goods such as cookies, mochi, and brownies. Everyone who contributed sweets put great thought and care in making their items.

*Scented candles were handmade by the B.Y.G. using their time and talent to raise funds for camping.*
*Thank you to the Blaine congregation for supporting this ministry with its treasure.*

On Friday, February 10, our youth made 40 candles, enjoyed potluck, and prayed together for the work that’s dedicated for summer camps. BYG came up with this brilliant idea to have a purposeful gathering to benefit camping ministries and create candles for others to enjoy. On Sunday, February 12, youth created signs and designed the presentation of the bake and candle sale, which generated over $1000.

As co-directors, Lynne and I oversee the extensive amount of coordination, support, and people-power to make these events happen. It is humbling to be part of a community that goes through great lengths to ensure the growth of our young people. Without the continued investment of the Blaine Memorial community, we would not feel secure in sending our youth to camp and continue our BYG programming. We greatly appreciate your continued love and support for this ministry.

*The Blaine Youth Group welcomes the congregation for delectable snacks and fragrant candles during its Bake Sale fundraiser*

The Blaine Youth Group meets on Sundays at 10:00am in the sanctuary then in the Nishida Room. If you are interested in growing spiritually, learning acceptance of self and others, and developing a love for God and neighbor, contact Lynne Onishi & Lawrence Paltep – co-directors of Youth Ministry at Blaine Memorial UMC.