During the annual congregational meeting on January 19, 2025, the congregation went outside to the courtyard to participate in a special blessing of the new security and safety equipment that has been installed at the church over the past several months. Photos courtesy of Kris Sazaki. Pastor Sarah’s blessing is below the slideshow:

Blessing for the New Security Equipment 2025

When filled with prayer and the awareness of God’s presence, any of the places and spaces of our lives can become holy and sacred. We pray, it is God who gives the blessing, God who makes this holy ground. Everyone spread out along the fence, and touch the fence with a hand.
Prayer:
Loving God, we come before you today to bless the new fence surrounding our church grounds. May it stand as a symbol of your protection for Parkview’s church buildings and church family, a boundary that welcomes all who seek your love while providing a safe haven for our fellowship. And a barrier against anyone who would come with harmful intent. May everyone who comes through these fence gates sense your caring presence. Gracious God, this fence signifies a secure space for our Parkview community while remaining open to those seeking to join with us in our ministries and fellowship. May this fence be a visible sign of our commitment to safeguarding this sacred space, a place where we gather to worship, eat and laugh, pray and learn, and serve you and the world. 
We appreciate all the time and effort that went into designing the new fence and getting all the necessary permits. We give thanks for our safety security team members: Maurine Huang, Lois Van Beers, William Yee, Hach Yasumura and Betsy Eskridge. We’re so grateful for all those who worked to remove our beautiful wooden fence and salvage the wood: Phillip Chew, Russ Hart, Dave McGill, Jonathan Sakakibara, Stan Umeda, William Yee, and Gary Younglove.. Thank you that Stan Umeda is constructing beautiful arches from the saved wood to place on the gates. We thank you for the hard work and craftsmanship of Isidro and Sam as they constructed the new fence. God, we also ask your blessing on all the new security lights and cameras, and the new metal doors. As we dedicate this new fence and security equipment today, we pray for your Spirit’s continual presence within our church walls and property. May every meeting held here honor you so that this building, and grounds, and the security equipment, may stand as a sign of your Spirit at work in the world, and as a witness to the love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.