Thanks to all who have added leaves to our Memorial Tree as they remember loved ones who are no longer with us, but who were a part of Centenary’s 125 years of ministry.
The first leaf was placed on the wall by Leslie Kitashima-Gray during her mother’s Celebration of Life. Leslie created the Memorial Tree to not only honor her mom, Moonza Kitashima, but others who called Centenary their home.
During Centenary’s 125th Anniversary Celebration, we have featured Memorial Tree remembrances to give people ideas of what may be written on the leaves. Some leaves simply have the person’s name on it.
For this Chimes, we would like to highlight the submissions sent to us by Stephanie Saito for Calvin Saito, George Saito, and Shozo & Bess Saito. Her father, Shozo, and her two uncles, Calvin and George, served in the U.S. Army 442nd Regimental Combat Team during World War II. Calvin and George Saito were Killed-In-Action in Italy and in France, respectively. With their remains placed into U.S. Flag draped coffins, memorial services were held at the Centenary United Methodist Church at 35th and Normandie, shepherded by their loving father, Kiichi Saito.
We invite you to also add leaves for your loved ones. If you are not able to come to church, we will put your leaves on the wall for you.
The leaves may have…
• In loving memory of _____
• In memory of _____. With love, _____
• An open-ended message or memory
Feel free to submit remembrances for one or more of your Centenary family and/or friends.
Go online and complete the form at https://forms.gle/18ZRw1UCN1mSS7Sy8. Click on the button below to download the Memorial Tree form and mail it to Centenary at 300 S. Central Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90013. You may also call the church at (213) 617-9097 to leave your remembrances.
Vicky Leon will print your responses on separate leaves and may email or call you to confirm the spelling. You will have a chance to put your leaves on the walls after any of the Sunday services before October 23, 2022.
Watch the video of Leslie placing the first leaf for the Memorial Tree and other leaves that are on the sanctuary’s walls to remember loved ones.