Rev. Mariellen Sawada Yoshino. Courtesy photo.

MIDDLETOWN – Rev. Mariellen Sawada Yoshino, the Fresno District Superintendent of the Northern California Nevada United Methodist Conference, will be the featured speaker at the Middletown Community United Methodist Church on Aug. 3 at the 10 am Worship Service.

Rev. Yoshino will kick off the eight-day program of events, “Celebrating Family,” at the Middletown Community United Methodist Church.

She is a third-generation Japanese-American minister formerly of Wesley United Methodist Church in San Jose and also co-authored “A Fire with God, Becoming Spiritual Stewards.”

“This is really ‘big’ that Rev. Yoshino is coming to Lake County and to Middletown,” said Claudia Listman, lay leader for Middletown’s Methodist Church. “She is such a motivating speaker and I am thrilled to have her kick off our exciting programs for the community.”

As a speaker, Sawada-Yoshino is well recognized for her eloquence and for the depth and impact of her message. She has been preacher at the Earl Lectures in Berkeley and at a number of national United Methodist conferences for camping and retreat leaders, and several Exploration events for youth contemplating Christian professional ministry.

Previously Rev. Yoshino was appointed to Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Palo Alto. She is a gifted teacher and leader of youth, and an inspirational writer.

Sawada-Yoshino has been a contributing editor for “Devo’Zine,” a devotional publication for youth published by The Upper Room. She has also been published in “Youth” magazine and has written Sunday school curricula for “Word Among Us” and “Bible Lessons for Youth.” She has also authored the United Methodist Women’s School of Mission’s books, Youth Study, John Wesley: Holiness of Heart and Life and Youth Study, Joshua and the Promised Land.

The Middletown Community United Methodist Church Hallelujah Hearts Choir will also perform and everyone is invited to attend the worship service.

The Middletown Community Methodist Church is located at 15388 Armstrong St. and is the site of the Middletown Luncheon Club, Jazzercise, Weight Watchers, Monthly Community Dinner, Dine and Sing Thursdays, and other community events.

For more information about these and other United Methodist Church activities and programs, phone 987-3379.

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