2026-01-22 Good News

Last October I was on vacation in Honolulu.  While I was there, I had hoped to slow down and come home rested, relaxed and renewed. I also knew I’d be spending time with my brother. So, I did what I often do to show people I care about them, I cooked, I cleaned, I made sure the fridge was full, I hung out with him.I also had to work a little while I was there.  I am currently planning the National...

The Candle of Love Lighting the 4th Candle of Advent, the candle of love, were the Tanoue family, Dr. Nathan and  and Kara and their two children. "Love makes us whole. Love restores what is weary. Love is Christ among us," "We light this candle of love, giving thanks that God's love renews us--inside and out." Our congregation was graced by a beautiful solo presented by Jazhara Jones. Lighting th...

Our own Mark Teagle received a recommendation from the District Committee on Ordained Ministry to move on to Commissioning as a Deacon. The Conference Board of Ordained Ministry will vote on that recommendation at their Spring Meeting. Mark will spend two years at the Conference level before being ordained as a Deacon. Congratulations to Mark!......

The Wesley Ukulele Band held their Christmas Party at 4th St. Bowl on Dec. 14, and it was a blast. Cheryl Koshiro and Tina Urata danced. Cheryl along with Smiley Kai, Natalie Urata and Toki Pagolotous won one of the games and will enjoy the Santa table decoration. All who attended had a wonderful fun-filled and festive time.......

At Wesley, the new tradition is to celebrate Christmas Eve with a Hawaiian-themed service. The sanctuary was full at 4:00 pm as the Wesley Choir and Ukulele Band led us in the traditional Christmas carols. There were a few Hawaiian favorites too like "Mele Kalikimaka" and "Nu 'Oli (Glad Tidings)". Jake Shimada played some lead parts while Tina Urata and Cheryl Koshiro danced some lovely hulas. Sha...

In holiday regalia, the Wesley Jazz Ensemble provides upbeat merriment at the Wesley Church Christmas potluck on Dec. 21.  Note the cute bandstands. Here Dave Land, who served as emcee, also soloed "The Christmas Song...Chestnuts Roasting on An Open Fire." Shizuko Adachi helped lead the children from Wesley God's Garden in singing "Santa Claus is Coming to Town." Along with live entertainment, Wes...

In holiday regalia, the Wesley Jazz Ensemble provides upbeat merriment at the Wesley Church Christmas potluck on Dec. 21.  Note the cute bandstands. Here Dave Land, who served as emcee, also soloed "The Christmas Song...Chestnuts Roasting on An Open Fire." Shizuko Adachi helped lead the children from Wesley God's Garden in singing "Santa Claus is Coming to Town." Along with live entertainment, Wes...

Happy Birthday, Terri! At our church's Food Distribution program on Dec. 30, Kelli Martines surprised Terri Thornton with a starburst cookie cake with beloved kitty candle for her birthday.......

私たちのウェスレー合同メソジスト教会はその名の通り、教団としての合同メソジスト教会（United Methodist Church、以下UMC）に属しています。そのUMCが設立されたのは、ごく最近の1968年の事でした。The Methodist Church とthe Evangelical United Brethren (EUB) Churchが合併してUMCとなりました。勿論、そのルーツは新約時代、西暦33年とされる聖霊降臨日（ペンテコステ）に遡る事は言うまでもありません。その後初代教会はエルサレムを中心に発展していくのですが、パウロの3度にわたる伝道旅行によって福音はローマ帝国の諸地域に広がり、西暦380年には皇帝テオドシウス1世によってローマ国教となりました。でもその後も宗教的分裂を繰り返し、西方教会、東方教会、またアフリカなどの諸教会に分かれていくのですが、ドイツのマルティン...

Our God’s Garden children shared the Christmas spirit up on stage on Dec 14th. They shared the nativity story with the congregation, as well as Christmas songs. With the diligent help of the God’s Garden teachers, the children practiced hard on Sundays. Thank you to all the children, parents and Sunday School teachers for your help in making this happen this Christmas!......

2026 United Women in Faith Installation and Special Mission Recognition AwardBy Mary Horio UWF Motto: We believe that love in action can change the world.On Sunday, 1/11/26, Rev. John Oda officiated the installation of your 2026 Wesley United Women in Faith Officers. With our focus on God’s love, compassion and peace, your UWF Officers pledged to fulfill their roles and responsibilities anad to up...

No Room! No Room! A La Posada Re-enactment By Barbara Hiura Have you ever participated in a “La Posada”? No? Well, it is an unforgettable cross-cultural experience of note. Wesley UMC was invited once again, to participate in a La Posada event by Pastor Gerardo Vazquez and his church, San Jose First UMC down the road from us, this past Dec. 18. You truly step into the past where folks from Wesley ...

At a banquet January 13, Hot Stove of Santa Clara Valley, presented our own Mark Teagle with their Amateur Umpire of the Year award. Hot Stove honors local baseball players and coaches at the youth, high school, college, and professional levels. "I feel very honored and humbled by this award," Mark said in his speech. With Mark in the picture are his wife Phyllis and stepdaughter Allyson.......

Thanks the Wesley Family for both your compassion and  generosity is annually contributing to the Grant School Xmas Gift Fund.As in last years, 25 Grant School children received Christmas gifts.Gina Romeo, the Grant School Secretary, starting in  November,  contacting the parent of the children and receives their Christmas request.The requests are received by the end of  November and Kelli, our We...

2000 lbs of Mochi, SOLD! By Barbara Hiura A ton of rice, cooked, steamed, and pounded! Voila! Mochi! A Japanese American New Year’s tradition that the entire Japantown community looks forward to annually. With humble beginnings and actual pounding, Wesley has been hosting a mochitsuki for the past 45 years starting with first-and-second generation participation. Now, it is an event that brings tog...

Another FUN Year at Camp Mochi! Wesley's Camp Mochi welcomed 43 children, from TK through 5th grade, to be a special part of our annual Mochitsuki! Many thanks to all - teachers, rotation leads, and youth assistants - who made this treasured tradition possible! TK Class: Ms. Mari Fujii & KeanaTK-K Class: Ms. Vicky Van & Kacie1st-2nd Grade Class: Ms. Mika Visitacion & Brennan Wong3rd Grade Class: M...

Making a Difference One Dress at a Time!“Do everything in love.” Corinthians 16:14 On January 18th, our congregation blessed 50 dresses sewn by our Wesley United Women in Faith for a non-profit organization “Dress A Girl Around the World.   Thirteen women participated in this fifth sewing drive, bringing the total number of dresses completed by this ministry since 2022 to 254.  These latest dresse...