Hanging of the Greens

       On Saturday, December 2, Wesley hosted our annual Hanging of the Greens with the theme, “Be the Light! Help Spread Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace!”
       The evening included delicious food, and festive music was provided by the talented Wesley Ukulele Band. Everyone enjoyed making beautiful tissue paper decorated glass votives to bring home as a reminder of our theme, “Be the Light.” Jingle bell wristlets were made to be used later to accompany the ukulele band during the sing-along in the sanctuary. Ornaments were made by children and adults alike that included light bulb-shaped ornaments, decorated to look like stained glass, gold and silver glitter stars decorated with rainbow-colored yard and mini pom-poms, colorful paper candles topped with a flame, and wood slice ornaments used to frame the faces of the children and youth. Children decorated the other side with fingerprint art.
       The evening came to a musical close with a sing-along in the sanctuary led by the ukulele band, and a visit by Santa ringing his bell with a gold sack full of candy canes for one and all! By the end of the evening, the bare 12-foot Christmas tree in the sanctuary was aglow, fully decorated with colorful, sparkling ornaments. What a festive way to welcome the advent season!
       Special thanks to my daughters, Mika Visitacion and Mari Fujii for helping to plan and organize the event, to the talented Wesley Ukulele Band, and to Jim Mar (ho-ho-ho)! Many thanks to Chris Koshiyama and Eric Fujii who put up the Christmas tree in the sanctuary the weekend prior. Thanks to the many folks, including CAF and MYF youth, who helped with the ornament making stations, and to those who helped out in the kitchen, and clean up! The event was a success because of all of you!
       And of course, thank you to all who attended the event, for bringing your delicious dishes to share, and for making MERRY memories together! May we all “Be the Light” during this holiday season!
~With gratitude, Kiyomi Yanai