Mil Gracias

In an endeavor to help the victims of the tsunami and earthquakes in Japan, members of the First United Methodist Church planned a cultural learning evening to teach Japanese crafts and art and share in Japanese dinner. The evening was a gratifying success.

From donations, ticket sales, and the silent auction, as well as bake sale and raffle from the United World College, a check for $3,500 will go to UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief). Since there are no administrative fees for the committee, the people in need will receive 100 percent of the donation.

Always it is a pleasure to work with Sharon Seto and Nina Markus-Johns at the United World College, but this event proved more intensive as the Japanese students and others volunteered to teach watercolor and calligraphy and demonstrate a traditional tea ceremony. Many thanks to the students.
And to the kitchen staff from the United Community Soup Kitchen led by Chef Rudi Stampfli and his crew. What a long day they had baking and preparing traditional Japanese cuisine.

Our thanks to the community, also, for supporting this effort as we extend Christ’s mission beyond the walls of the church.

Last, but not least, we thank the Optic and journalist Mercy Lopez for the nice feature story and accurate reporting.

Rev. Ellen Swain
First United Methodist Church