Reflections on historical community ties

By Lynne Onishi

Recently, I reconnected with a friend from high school. We hadn’t seen each other in nearly 10 years, and I was fascinated to hear about all the life he had lived since. My friend explained how he had studied history in college out of a deep curiosity about the past but ended up uncovering so many stories that the world needs to hear today. I haven’t stopped thinking about this. In the last couple of years, I’ve been doing more history-focused reading, hoping to uncover some kind of truth that will help me make sense of my life now. I think a similar phenomenon also connects people of faith to our sacred texts and traditions. We return to the rituals and readings from so long ago, knowing that God is somehow still speaking through these ancient stories.

This is a time of year when so many of us look back into our history and let those stories inform our lives today. In February, we celebrate Black History Month and lift up the Black stories and individuals who have shaped our present and continue to pave the way for our future. In 2024, we celebrate African Americans and the arts. On February 19th we observed the Day of Remembrance, the anniversary of President Roosevelt’s signing of Executive Order 9066. In the Japanese American community, we honor our ancestors, tell their stories, educate the public, speak up so that this never happens to marginalized people today.

And at Blaine Memorial UMC, we’re spending the whole year celebrating 120 years of ministry! Now, I’ve only been around for a small portion of this history. But as I hear more stories from our past, I have started to piece together a larger tapestry of the ways this community has touched the lives of many. And I’m finding new ways that my personal and family stories intertwine with the story of Blaine Memorial UMC. Perhaps this is true for you, too. Our community’s history tells us not only how we became who we are today, but we can also let our past inform who we will become.

The IH and RM teams 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.

Questions? Send an email.

Lynne Onishi is the director of the Blaine Youth Group and serves on the Reconciling Ministries Team.

Announcements

Order Easter Lillies Today!

Download the PDF form and print at home. Forms are needed by Sunday, March 24.

Read the latest issue of the Beacon!

Our February-March issue of the Beacon newsletter is ready for view. The March 2024 issue will be available very soon with more of the great news and insights Blaine Memorial UMC has to offer!

You can access past issues in our archive.

Wednesday Meditation & Prayer • Every Wednesday

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?” Our time together continues with a few readings from The Upper Room Magazine. Finally, we end our time together with a pastoral prayer. Join us!

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. Just us in this Zoom study on Tuesdays at 7:00PM, which is being 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 the remainig Tuesdays: 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 continues until March 25!

Join Rev. John Miyahara (UMC/US Navy Chaplain), Rev. Brian Lee (Simpson UMC), and members of the Japanese American United Methodist Caucus congregations in a 6-week Lenten book study. We are 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! Join us tomorrow, Monday, March 11 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.

Educational Scholarships 2024, Apply Now! • Due May 15, 2024

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:

• Vera Ing Scholarship
• Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church Scholarship
• Yasuda Scholarship
• William S. Yorozu Scholarship
• Robert S. Sato Scholarship

Applications are available through emailing Blaine Scholarships or through the church office. All scholarships will consider, but are not limited to, elements such as grades (if applicable), personal essay, church participation and finances. Applications and two (2) letters of recommendation must be received no later than May 15, 2024 for consideration.

We are looking forward to applicants excited about pursuing their education.

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February-March 2024 Calendar