In Community:

June 2021 Newsletter

Routines and Ruts

By Pastor Craig Swanson

Lois and I took a little time off this month to take care of some projects that needed our attention. We spent a few days on ladders, waxing the boat while it was out of the water. We spent most of the remainder of the time working on some projects at the cabin. Typically, when we are out of town on Sundays, we try to attend a local church for worship but since churches almost everywhere are still in a transition phase following the pandemic lockdown, we opted to join in on FBC’s virtual worship services. It was an experience unlike any other for me. We slept in, put on some sweats, had a leisurely breakfast, and took a final cup of coffee out on the deck. We sat in some comfortable chairs, synched my phone to a speaker so we both could hear easily and joined in with you all. After the benediction was pronounced, I remember thinking, “I could get used to this”.

And that’s the problem. This is not what church is about. It’s not a spectator activity that we watch from the comfort of our homes. The pandemic has forced us to adapt temporarily to new situations, but these appear to be coming to an end. It’s important that we not get comfortable with how things have been this past year. Believers are meant to be together.

May 23rd was Pentecost Sunday, the day we commemorate the giving of the Holy Spirit to the church. Acts 2:1 makes it a point to tell us that on the Day of Pentecost, the believers were all together… not spread out. Gathering is important. Gathering is significant. By gathering together, we encourage as well as being encouraged. We have an opportunity for using our spiritual gifts and practice loving one another. Jewish Christians in the first century faced many challenges. They were ostracized and persecuted. They were tempted to hide their faith and simply practice it privately. If they had access to YouTube, they would have worshipped virtually. But the writer of the book of Hebrews reminds them that worship is not a solo experience. The readers are commanded to “not give up meeting together” because we need one another.

I’m not wanting to pressure people to return to in-person worship until it’s safe to do so, but I do want to caution us from becoming comfortable with the status quo. As we consider ways to expand our in-person activities, I look forward to us becoming more like the church was intended by God to be. I’m hoping to be seeing you soon.

In-Person Worship Service Update

By Pastor Mike Kurtz

It was back on April 4 – Easter Sunday – that we first reopened for in-person worship services. We have held four in-person joint English/Japanese services since then, and even in that short time, we have a learned a thing or two. On top of that, some of the state guidelines have changed, so we will begin to see some changes coming in the not-to-distant future. As of this writing, we have a lot of decisions to make and a number of challenges to work through, so we covet your prayers for wisdom as we proceed.

What has changed in the short time since we reopened?

When we first started in-person worship services, we began with a complex process of registering, signing a health attestation, pre-screening questions as people entered the building, reduced mingling, and many other behind-the-scenes things that most people aren’t aware of. We did these things to intentionally to be on the side of caution. Knowing that and as we learned along the way, we began to simplify the process – although it will become simpler in the weeks ahead.

Some of the changes that were most apparent included:

• Streamlining Entry – Rather than having people fill out an online attestation form to gain approval, we decided early on to instead provide a checklist prior to attending and trusted that if you didn’t meet those criteria that you would choose not to attend. We did ask a few questions upon arrival, and we did take temperatures, but that was more efficient than having to check for individual approvals prior upon entry. It was a small thing, but it was easier on the screeners at the front door.
• Live music – This came purely by “accident”. I (Pastor Mike) had gotten my second vaccination shot the day before we were scheduled to record music for the following Sunday, but I canceled that session due to side effects. Last minute, I decided to just try doing the music live. The response from those in-person and those online was extremely favorable. Consequently, we are going to try to do live music for in-person services whenever possible.
• Live singing – I still remember that first in-person gathering. The state was not allowing everyone to sing during worship services. More accurately, they allowed 15 people to sing, but we had no way to enforce that restriction. Since then, that restriction was lifted so everyone can sing (with masks).

This may not seem like much, but it’s a great start to moving back to normal. With the vaccination, many other restrictions have been lifted. This has created a challenging question for us: do we maintain two sets of policies – one for vaccinated people, another for unvaccinated people? Leadership has decided not to divide the congregation into two groups. For the time being, we will try to maintain consistent practices between the vaccinated and unvaccinated with the possible exception of those speaking or singing on stage when fully vaccinated. This will mean for the time being, continued physical distancing, the wearing of masks, and maintaining capacity restrictions.

Looking ahead, one of the greatest challenges we face is in the reopening of our Children’s Ministries in-person. Children’s Sunday School and Children’s Church are both resource-heavy, requiring many volunteers to run the ministry. Without sufficient help, it will be difficult for families to return to in-person worship services if there is no place for kids to go during the worship service. This challenge has a trickle-down effect to other ministries, so we are hopeful to have a solution before the fall.

It is May 31 as I write this. Even later this week things are likely to change further. Moving toward meeting every week, full reopening per state mandates, etc. These are good changes, and we look forward to slowly but surely meet together – everyone – as a church family face-to-face soon!

Serving Beacon Hill Elementary School

By Pastor Mike Kurtz

One of the many things that was put on hold for the past year has been our ability to reach into our communities to help as needed. One area that was hit the hardest was the local public schools which no longer met in person. Few, if any staff, were present at school. No teachers. No students. Even the grounds crews were cut back so that schools were left to sort of “decay” in the wake of all this waiting.

Earlier this year, Reiko Aramaki approached Colleen Weinstein, Seattle Schools Self Help Project Manager. Her role in the schools, among other things, is to liaison between outside community service groups and the public schools. She works in the facilities department, and her work is primarily with building-related projects. Knowing our commitment to BHIS, Colleen asked if we might help with the groundskeeping there. With cuts in that area, the grounds needed some work especially as a return to in-person classes was nearing. Reiko Aramaki looked into the project and confirmed a date in spring when FBC could bring a team in to do the work.

The Project

The project seemed simple enough: clear three garden beds of weeds and grasses, move some plants, and apply mulch. Was it really that simple? Actually, yes! With the proper tools and hard-working volunteers, the project was completed in a mere 90 minutes! The School District provided many of the tools, wheelbarrows, and mulch. Others brought their own tools. The grass and weeds were already embedded in soft ground cover, so removing old grasses and weeds was fairly easy. In the end, the project turned out great!

The Volunteers

Can I say that FBC has some great volunteers?! In fact, we had too many! At the last minute, I was informed that we had to limit our volunteer count, so I had the unfortunate task of turning people away. It turns out that the limited number that we were allowed was just enough. The group was divided into three teams, each getting a bed to clear and fill. Perhaps even more than the project itself, seeing everyone gabbing with one another, encouraging one another, and just joking around at times was a beautiful sight to behold. (I miss those days, don’t you?)
Thank you, team, for coming out on a Saturday morning to help a community school look even better in the name of Christ:

Dawn Hogan, Steve Machida, June Hirose, Sam Tollefson, Melissa Nakamura, Watson Louie, Sue Machida, Norin & Marsha Crawford, Dan Matsumoto, Anthony Cheung, Paul Mayeda, Lauren Mayeda, Patty Mayeda, Kelly Aramaki

The Weather

I know this seems like a small matter, but trying to do outside work in dirt-filled garden beds would be a real struggle if it was raining. We praise the Lord that Saturday was one of the most beautiful days of the spring. The sky was blue, the sun was shining, and the temperature perfect. Thank you, Lord!
As schools fully reopen in the fall (at least that is the plan), we hope to revive efforts to build a strong relationship with BHIS and assist them with their needs. While we are unsure what that might look like at this time, we’ll let you know! Thank you again for your prayers and support.

Small Group Highlight

by Kenji Kumai

If you don’t know me, I’m Kenji Kumai (Justin and Julia’s uncle)…haha! Just copying Justin Kumai’s intro from his small group article from the March 2021 Grapevine. It’s been encouraging to see the “Small Group Highlight” section in the Grapevine, especially during the Covid time. Being a part of a small group has really been a blessing to so many through 2020 and into 2021. Zoom has made it possible for us to stay connected. Thank you, Mina, for all your hard work on the Grapevine! What a great way for us all to stay connected and be encouraged.

It has also been such a blessing to be part of the Small Group Leaders’ Gathering zoom meetings organized by Pastor Takeda. Thank you, Takeda-sensei, for your encouragement to all of the small group leaders and a chance for us to “get together” to share about our small groups. At one of these meetings the focus was on discipleship. And that was encouraging to me because it was the theme of discipleship that was the reason to start our small group several years ago.

At our annual “Elder Retreat” several years ago we spent the weekend seeking the Lord’s direction and vision for FBC. We talked a lot about discipleship that weekend and since I was very involved with the Men’s ministry at that time, God used that and led me to start a small group of a handful of men. We talked about how God could work in the lives of men who are the spiritual leaders at home. How God can work in the lives of the men at FBC to grow in their marriages, their families, their kids, in their work places and their communities. I felt strongly at that time to get a group of guys together to grow together and to encourage one another.

I call our group “Guys Group”…haha! Just too lazy to come up with a better name, I guess. There are currently six of us “guys”: Chris Jo, Jim Lee, Josh Takano, Aaron Nishimura, Ellison Iseri and myself. We are currently going through the Gospel Journey but during our zoom meetings we mostly share about how we are doing in all areas of our lives and then we pray for each other. At times, we will go through a book together to help us with certain areas of our lives. We all go through ups and downs and this is the time that we can open up and share our hardships and whatever we are struggling with. We encourage each other and pray for each other. We keep each other accountable and sharpen each other. We would get together and often have dinner together at our place before meeting but obviously we haven’t been able to enjoy that for over a year now. We are looking forward to being able get together in person again.

This group of guys has been such a blessing to me. I have known each of them since their college days or even earlier for some. And now we are all getting older. Our goal is to keep growing closer to our Lord so that we can lead our families to continue to grow closer to our Lord.

My journey with Jesus in Seattle

By Yui Mizuno

Hello everyone, thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my testimony with you today. I am so grateful to God for all He has done in my life during these last few years to lead me to where I am today.

Before I start, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Yui Mizuno and I was born in Nara, Japan. Even though my family was atheist, I went to a Christian middle and high school for six years. Though I was exposed to Christianity, I remained very skeptical about God. Deep inside, I always wanted to think I can be a nice person without believing in anything. However, looking back, my heart did not feel fulfilled no matter how hard I tried to be the “nice” person, because it came from my own pride and selfishness. 

Fast forward to 2014, I came to the US as a student at Green River College. There, I went through a broken relationship that had no trust. This was the turning point where I started to think about my identity and how to love others.

Ayako, who is in CA now, went to the same college as me and she started inviting me to come to FBC. In January of 2017, I attended FBC’s New-year fellowship. It was my first time experiencing God’s love. I was so surprised that people were so welcoming. I never experienced that kind of warmness. I felt they knew something that I didn’t, especially about love and kindness. That made me want to know more about Christianity. 

Through each weekend service, I felt God gradually healing and softening my heart. I learned that it’s impossible to truly love others unless I’m fulfilled by God’s love.

When I read Matthew 7:7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”, I felt God was telling me to come to Him and receive the true identity in Christ. He comforted me and made me realize I don’t need to work hard to be accepted or loved because His love is unconditional. This verse encouraged me to start a new life with Jesus.

I made the decision to publicize my faith and got baptized in March of 2017. As I was just graduating from College, I was planning to transfer to a university in Vancouver. However, I felt that God was telling me to remain in Seattle so I did, though I wasn’t sure why He wanted me to stay. Now, I know that His plan for me was to develop deeper relationships with people in Seattle and grow my faith through the communities and ministries.

I graduated from SPU in early 2020, and have been working with children who have special needs. I’m engaged to Alex last summer and am planning to move to Vancouver at the end of this month. God let me stay in Seattle for 7 years and now He is leading me to Vancouver to continue showing His love to one another with my future husband, Alex. 

God has provided FBC as my home in Seattle, where I grew my faith through the families in Christ. Some of you treated me like a granddaughter, some of you treated me like a daughter and some of you treated me like a sister. 

Because I was always surrounded by amazing Christian families and couples, God also healed my idea of marriage and even gave me hope. When Alex and I started talking online, we were able to connect spiritually so easily. We started sharing worship songs, our testimonies, experiences from mission trips and each other’s callings. Although we lived completely different lives, we had similar experiences and callings. That made me think that it would be so cool if he is the one so I asked God to show me some signs. One day, my small group was sharing who are some favourite people in the Bible. I said my favourite people in the Bible are Priscilla and Aquila because they were serving together as a couple. Right after the time with my small group, Alex and I were talking on the zoom. Then, he shared a sermon which was talking about Priscilla and Aquila and he wants to be like the couple. When we were listening to worship songs together, we often had the same songs in our heads before requesting them. It could be a coincidence, but I really felt that God was showing me some signs that He has a purpose for us to get together. Also, there was one moment that God really encouraged me to take this next step in my life. When we were covering the book of Ruth in the worship service, God gave me a desire to have faith like Ruth had. I prayed to God to give me the faith that I can humbly trust and follow wherever He is leading me to. Moving to a different country and starting a new life can be scary, but God filled my heart with His peace as I prayed to God. Because the Canada-US border has been closed for non-essential travelers, there was a chance that I might not be able to enter Canada. However, God answered all the prayers and safely brought me to Vancouver, Canada on 29th. I thank again to everyone who prayed for my transition to move to Canada. The border was very empty and our process to cross the border was very smooth thanks to God. 

As pastor Kohei provides premarital counseling for us, I’m discovering something new about myself as well as about Alex. It is not easy, however, I see how God is slowly shaping Alex and I to be more like Jesus as we go through this process. I thank Pastor Kohei for his patience with us and for leading us through this important process.

I truly want to thank everyone at FBC for showing me how to love each other through actions, and especially want to say thank you to my wise and humble mentor, Hiromi, who has been mentoring me for 4 years to help me grow as a woman in Christ. Wherever I go, I will always be worshipping our God and praying for FBC families. Thank you!

「シアトルでの導きの証」

水野　唯

こんにちは、今日こうして皆さんに証を分かち合える機会を感謝いたします。この機会を通して神様がどのように私の人生を導いてきてくださっているのかを証させていただきます。

私は奈良県で生まれ、両親は特に信じている宗教があるわけではなかったのですが、中学高校時代はキリスト教の学校に通っていました。その当時、キリスト教に触れる機会はあったものの、神様の存在に対して懐疑的でした。そして私は常に宗教や何も信じなくても良い人間になれると思っていました。思い返すと、私のプライドと利己中心的な親切でいくら良い人を演じていても私の心はいつもどこか虚しさを感じていました。

高校を卒業し、2014年にワシントン州にあるグリーンリバーカレッジの留学生としてアメリカに来ました。そこである方とお付き合いをしていたのですが、その関係は未熟で信頼とはかけ離れたものでした。その彼とのお付き合い、別れが私自身のアイデンティティや人の愛し方を考えさせられる出来事となりました。

今はカリフォルニアにいる彩子姉が当時同じカレッジに通っていて、彼女が教会に誘ってくれるようになりました。2017年の１月に教会であった新年会に参加しました。そこで初めて神様の愛を体感したのを覚えています。その場にいた皆さんがとてもフレンドリーで、そこで感じた温もりは今まで経験したものではありませんでした。当時、愛や親切心に対して疑問を持っていた私は、この人たちは何か知っているのではと思い、キリスト教を学んでいくきっかけとなりました。参加した各日曜礼拝で神様が少しずつ私の心を癒し、柔らかくしてくださっているのを感じました。そして、まず自分自身が神様の愛で満たされていないと本当に周りを愛することはできないということを学びました。

マタイの福音書７章７節「求めなさい。そうすれば与えられます。探しなさい。そうすれば見出します。たたきなさい。そうすれば開かれます。」この聖書箇所を読んだ時に、神様は私が神様の元に行き、本来のアイデンティティを受け取ることを伝えているように感じました。そして傷ついていた私の心に慰めを与え、神様からの無条件の愛を受け取ることに何一つ頑張る必要はないと教えてくださいました。この箇所は私が信仰を持ってイエス様と新たな人生を歩む決心を与えてくれました。

そして2017年の３月に信仰告白をし洗礼を受けました。その頃はカレッジを卒業するタイミングで、もともとバンクーバーにある大学に編入を考えていました。しかし当時理由はわからなかったのですが、神様が私にシアトルに残るようにと言っている気がして、シアトルで編入を決意しました。今振り返って、その時の理由は私がシアトルで深い人間関係をたくさんの人と築けるよう、またコミュニティやミニストリーを通して私の信仰を成長させるための神様の計画であったと気づくことができました。

また2020年に大学を卒業し、特別支援が必要な子供達と働くお仕事が与えられました。神様は7年間私をシアトルに置いてくださいました。そして、新たにバンクーバーで神様の愛を婚約者であるアレックと一緒に表していくことを導いてくださっています。

神様はFBCをシアトルでのホームとして備えてくださり、私はここでたくさんのキリストにある家族を通して信仰を成長させていただきました。ある人たちは私を孫のように、ある人たちは娘のように、またある人たちは姉妹のように接してくれました。

このように沢山の素晴らしい家族や夫婦に囲まれて過ごした中で、神様は私の結婚に対してのイメージに癒しと希望を与えてくださいました。アレックスとはオンラインを通して話し始めたのですが、彼とはすぐに霊的な部分でお互いを知っていくことができました。賛美を一緒にしたり、救いの証や宣教旅行での経験、今受けている召しなどを分かち合う中で、全く違う環境で育ったのにも関わらず似たような信仰の歩みや召しを受けていることを知っていきました。彼が将来を共にするパートナーとして備えられていたらどんなに素晴らしいだろうと思い、もしこの人が御心であるなら私にわかる形で教えてくださいと祈り始めました。
ある日私が参加しているハウスチャーチで聖書の登場人物で好きな人たちを紹介し合う時がありました。そこで私は夫婦で共に神様に仕えたプリスキラとアクラを紹介しました。するとその晩、アレックスとZOOMで話をしていると彼がこんな夫婦になるのが憧れだと言って、プリスキラとアクラをテーマにしたある教会のメッセージをシェアしてくれました。（この時は本当に驚いて、彼が盗聴していないか確認した程です）また、私たちはよくZOOMで賛美を聴いて祈る時間を持っていたのですが、私がリクエストしたい賛美をリクエストする前に彼が選曲してくれたりということが度々ありました。偶然に感じるかもしれませんが、この様な出来事を通して、神様が何か特別な理由を持って私たちを導いたのだと実感することができました。

もう一つ、結婚に導かれたきっかけをシェアできればと思います。去年、日語礼拝でルツ記を学ぶ機会があり、その時ルツの人生を知りました。そして私も彼女のようにどこに導かれても神様の計画に対して忠実で献身的な信仰を持ちたいと祈りました。違う国に行き新しい生活を始めることに不安を抱くこともありましたが、祈りを通して心に平安が与えられていきました。現在カナダアメリカ間の入国規制をしているため、私がカナダに入国できる可能性が100％ではなかったのですが祈りが応えられ、5月29日に無事に入国することができました。国境はとても空いていて入国のプロセスもとてもスムーズに終えることができました。今一度、お祈りしてくださっていた皆さんに心から感謝をお伝えしたく思います。

現在、武田牧師に結婚の学びをしていただいています。その都度、今まで知ることのなかった自分自身や相手のことを学んでいます。お互いを知り、受け入れていくプロセスは簡単ではありませんが、この機会を通して(少しずつではあるものの)、それぞれがイエス様の似姿に変えられていく様子に立ち会える恵みが与えられています。この貴重な機会を与えてくださり、いつも忍耐強く私たちをリードしてくださる武田牧師に感謝いたします。

そして行動で愛を示してくださったFBCの皆さんに心から感謝をお伝えできればと思います。特に４年間メンターとして思慮深く謙虚なキリストにある女性の模範となってくださっている宏美さんに感謝をお伝えしたいです。

どこに導かれてもこれからも同じ神様を賛美し続け、この教会の家族を思い祈っています。

50th Anniversary Testimony

By Merrill & Jo Valberg

FBC Family in Christ,  

With open hearts and arms, we embrace FBC Ohana with joy to celebrate our 50th Anniversary on March 22nd.  We truly appreciate the blessed years of fellowship, encouragement, and support from you since we arrived in 1973. We’ve been blessed to grow in His Word, prayer, fellowship, sharing in kindred spirit as we joined alongside in the Lord’s work.  We have three grown children: Erika, Kurt, Aaron and two granddaughters, Emily & Shelby.    

Through 50+ years of hindsight, we see His handiwork of promises of His Word fulfilled. He is the God of His Word. Through unpredictable times faith is strengthened and hope grows.  We learn that there is no temptation come upon us that is not common to man and we boldly approach God’s throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. He is our sufficiency we learned, as needs themselves draw us closer to His heart. And He delights in answering prayer as we believe He can do what we ask of Him. 

We can go on, but on a lighter side, we’ve had to learn each other’s language and find common ground. So early on, we said if on coming home from work and communications were not right, then we’d start over, go back out the door and come in again. In the days of business, we said no business talk after 9 pm.  For over 10 years we’ve assisted in care of Merrill’s sister, Shirley.  In the past year, she’s required care in a facility and we’ve taken over her personal affairs, cleared out her apartment, and delegated personal effects.  And in the process, we’ve learned that love allows for time and asking the Lord (and Shirley) where and who might have use for items has helped ease the sometimes-difficult detachment of our hold on things with affection. Thank you, Lord! 

Looking forward (to our next 50!) we want to seek His ways to love the LORD our God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength, and our neighbor as ourselves. His Word speaks ‘Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.’ Each evening we have devotions, prayer, and read the Word. The prayer list is dynamic. As He answers it’s an encouragement; if His way is not seen, by faith we trust His working…and keep confessing and praying. 

In closing, we share His blessing on the FBC Christ family – ‘And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.’   

With grateful thanks & joy, 
Merrill & Jo  

p.s. Words cannot express the blessing of family on the long-term care of our elders. The contributions of nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and extended family has lifted the load over the years and created a quality life for our Shirley. Bless be the loving ties that bind the family! 

FBC Calendar

Sacred Road mission trip, Vacation Bible School, and Fall Conference are cancelled this year due to COVID-19.