Our friendly staff is available to help assist you with questions and can be contacted anytime by calling or emailing the church office at 206-723-1536 or blaineoffice@yahoo.com. We look forward to meeting you!
Pastors
Rev. Karen Yokota Love, Senior Pastor
Karen Yokota Love (she/her/hers) currently serves at the senior pastor at Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church in Seattle, WA. Prior to being appointed to Blaine Memorial, Rev. Karen served congregations in Milton, Puyallup, and Tacoma. She is a Yonsei, or fourth generation American of Japanese descent. Rev. Karen has spent her life collecting stories about her ancestors’€™ experiences during their detention to help bring to light justice and healing. She also enjoys educating people about this nugget of history and how we use the past to work towards a better future. Rev. Karen currently serves as the president of the National Japanese American United Methodist Caucus. She holds a B.A. degree in Journalism from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master of Divinity degree from Claremont School of Theology in Claremont, California. When not at church, Karen enjoys spending time with her husband, Jesse, getting her hands dirty with any sort of DIY project, reading, taking long walks, and attending a good yoga class.
Program Staff
Yuki Sofronas, Office Assistant
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Lynne Onishi, Blaine Youth Group Director
Lynne Onishi (she/her/hers) is a lifelong Blaine Memorial UMC congregant. She has been co-directing the Blaine Youth Group since 2017. Prior to that, she served as a volunteer youth leader. Drawing from her experience as a student in youth ministry, Lynne strives to make BYG a community where youth can learn about faith through curiosity, service, justice, and meaningful relationships with God and neighbor. Lynne holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Seattle Pacific University. She has worked with children, youth, and young adults in ministry settings and beyond. In her ministry work, Lynne has served as a counselor and adult chaperone for NJAUMC summer camps, as a teacher for Vacation Bible School, as a small group leader for undergraduates at SPU, and as the associate minister at the Wesley Foundation at Seattle (a Methodist campus ministry organization by the UW campus). Lynne has also worked with children and youth as a pediatric dental assistant and as a tutor and teaching intern in educational settings. When she’s not working, Lynne enjoys activities such as photographing her two cats, getting outside for a run or hike, doing DIY projects, and eating delicious food. She can often be found reading a book, writing in her journal, or belting show tunes to a nonexistent audience.
Kai Yamamoto, Associate Co-Director, Blaine Youth Group
Kai Yamamoto (he/him/his) serves as an associate director of the Blaine Youth Group. Before he became an associate director of BYG, he participated in the Youth Group as both a BYG leader and youth. He has been working to create a welcoming and loving environment where youth could develop their faith and love for God. In Kai’s free time, he enjoys playing video games and taking photos.
Kaylee Yokoyama, Associate Co-Director, Blaine Youth Group
Kaylee Yokoyama (she/her) is an associate director of Blaine Youth Group. She is currently studying psychology and minoring in education at the University of Washington. Kaylee strives to make BYG a welcoming faith community, where youth grow in their faith and develop meaningful relationships through community and service. Kaylee is excited about supporting the youth in their passions and engaging in opportunities to continue growing BYG. She has experience working with youth and young adults. She has served as a youth leader in BYG and volunteer shephard at vacation bible school. Kaylee has also worked with children, youth, and young adults as an undergraduate research assistant, clinical summer camp intern, undergraduate psychology peer mentor, and volunteer teaching assistant. In her free time, Kaylee enjoys spending time in nature, listening to music, reading, playing board games, and golfing!
Support Staff
Mimi Mar, Bookkeeper
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Wendy Yates, Bookkeeper
Wendy is a long-time Blaine Memorial UMC member, mom of 3 daughters and 4 grandchildren. She spent most of her working career in education. Loves to crochet!