Small Groups

Find Joy…In EVERYTHING! (What brings you joy?)

By the Rev. Karen Yokota Love

We are just a hop, step and a jump away from Easter Sunday or, as some call it, Resurrection Sunday. Whatever you call it, the outcome is the same. 

Easter is always the transition point of spring; flowers start popping out of the ground, the trees have buds, the cherry blossoms are in full bloom at the University of Washington Quad, and sometimes (but rarely), a hail storm transpires. We put it all in God’s hands. Whatever the temperature may be that day; the church will always be ready for another Easter celebration! What have you learned during this season of Lent? Did you find what you were searching for? 

Over the past couple of years, I have asked myself that question over and over. During this Lenten season, I’ve been working on a new spiritual discipline: to find joy in everything that I do. That’s got to be one of the most difficult spiritual disciplines I’ve yet to try. Finding joy in an unexpected flat tire on the way to an important meeting. Finding joy during a tumultuous political climate. Finding joy in learning to play the ukulele with the Blaine Ukulele Group of Seattle (B.U.G.S.). Finding joy in family and friends. Or, how about this: finding joy in being a follower of Christ. 

I know that on the first Easter morning when the women went to the tomb to take care of Jesus’ body, there had to be a lack of joy. The stone was rolled away, and when they went in, there was no body to be found. There was great concern. But all of a sudden, from behind them, a question was asked, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He isn’t here but has been raised.” 

Those are the joyous words, “He isn’t here, but He has been raised.” 

Friends, this Easter that is where the joy can be found, in knowing that Jesus has been raised. And this is something that Christ did for each one of us. Christ died to take away the sins of the world. Christ died because Jesus loved us so much. Who else would do that? This is why I find Easter so joyous!

During the Lenten season, I found great joy in an announcement that was made after worship on Sunday, March 23, 2025. It was announced that PNW Resident Bishop Cedrick D. Bridgeforth will appoint Job Pangilinan to be the Associate Pastor of Blaine Memorial UMC, effective July 1, 2025. Job will be commissioned as a provisional member of the Pacific Northwest Conference in June at Annual Conference. He is an active member and a candidate for ministry at Fairwood Community United Methodist Church in Renton, WA. Job will oversee our Children’s, Youth, and Family Ministries. With extensive work and life experience in corporate, education and legal fields and professions, Job brings to the church strong gifts in administration, systems analysis and implementation, and efficiency evaluation. My hope is that together we will create a dynamic, fluid and creative team where we can continue to grow our existing ministries and breathe new life into other areas of the church!

It was a joyous celebration when Blaine Memorial UMC was invited by Kimball Elementary School Principal Angela Sheffey-Bogan to witness community artist and friend to Blaine, Erin Shigaki, as she unveiled The Cloud Pavilion (kumo no akusha) mural in the library (see front cover). Blaine Memorial UMC brought more than 30 people to the unveiling of the mural. The Cloud Pavilion conveys the histories, hopes, and relationships of both Kimball Elementary students and Beacon Hill residents.

Blaine Memorial UMC welcomed Seattle Councilmember (Position #8) Alexis Mercedes Rinck and Seattle Councilmember Mark Solomon (Position #2) to a Town Hall Meeting. We welcomed more than 55 people that evening, with 90% of the people from the neighborhood! Both CM Rinck and CM Solomon talked about funding shortfalls and other negative impacts of the Trump administration, public safety in the Chinatown International District, affordable housing, and protections for Seattle renters.

It is time for us to remember once again, my friends, and proclaim the good news: Christ is risen! And we, too, shall rise with joy. May we all be blessed and find new meaning as we celebrate together the story of Christ, love, and resurrection! Happy Easter!

The Rev. Karen Yokota Love serves as the Senior Pastor of Blaine Memorial UMC.

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2025 Educational Scholarships • Application period open through May 15, 2025

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 Community College/ Trade School Scholarship
• Robert and Lucy Sato Scholarship
• Blaine Memorial Scholarship
• Ted and Margaret Yasuda Scholarship

Applications are available through emailing Michelle Vaughan 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, 2025 for consideration. We are looking forward to applicants excited about pursuing their education.

For more information, visit and bookmark the Educational Scholarships 2025 page.

Ireicho: Book of Names • See Dates, Sign Up Now!

Request to stamp the Ireicho: Book of Names in Seattle, in Puyallup, and on Bainbridge Island in 2026!

The Irei Project, in conjunction with the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) Puyallup Valley Chapter and Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial Association, is pleased to offer appointments to stamp the Ireich? at the Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church in Seattle on March 27, 2026, at the Expo Hall and Remembrance Gallery in Puyallup on March 28, 2026, and at the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial on March 29 and March 30, 2026. Stamping is by appointment only.

Sign up now!

Currents: An Operetta featuring Gail Nomura and Shigeru Nishida in a Discussion Panel • May 7, 2025, 7:00PM

Join Gail Nomura and Shig Nishida at McMenamin’s Anderson School, Hayne’s Hall in Bothell, WA on May 7, 2025 at 7:00PM at Currents: An Operetta! The event is free, both you’ll need to register here.

Location: Haynes’ Hall??18607 Bothell Way NE- Bothell

All ages welcome!

Urgent Help Needed for Asylum Seekers at Fairwood UMC/El Dios Viviente UMC

As the needs of our refugee siblings continue to grow, Fairwood UMC and El Dios Viviente UMC remain committed to providing essential services and shelter for refugee families at Fairwood UMC in Renton.

Right now, there are urgent needs for the asylum seeker program shelter, and we are reaching out for your support. The following items are needed:

• Queen-size air mattresses (24-inch)
• Blankets (any size)
• Gift cards
• Toilet paper
• White rice (grain)
• Cooking oil (Crisco or Mazola)
• Trash bags (55-60 gallon)
• Laundry detergent
• Black totes (45-gallon)

If you can donate any of these items, we would deeply appreciate it. If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Cruz Santos.

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.

View the April 2025 Calendar