Greeting to the 10thQuadrennial General Assembly of the
United Church of
Christ in the Philippines
Dear Chairperson Ms. Helen Grace Paris, Dear
General Secretary Bishop Marigza, dear
Brothers and sisters of UCCP:
I
bring warm and sincere greetings to this Assembly from your partners in the Presbyterian
Church in the Republic of Korea This year marks the 12th anniversary
the trilateral partnership of UCCP with the PROK and the Presbyterian Church of
Korea, and we, in the PROK are thankful to God for this valued partnership.
The
theme of your Assembly this year, “Spirituality
for These Critical Times” is a meaningful one, as the times are indeed
critical, with so many distressing events taking place politically,
economically, and climate-related throughout the whole world, and as Christians
we are called to hear God’s word for all of these issues.
Our
Korea nation listens for God’s word in the issues that confront us. Primary for PROK is the issue of our divided
nation. We strive for a Peace Treaty to
bring about healing of North and South Korea, and ask that you share in the
signature campaign for it. As well, each Monday the PROK is holding a Prayer
Service for unification; we will continue until unification takes place.
Secondly, our whole nation is stricken by the sinking of the Sewol Ferry with
the drowning of over 200 passengers, in which most of the casualties were high
school students. We are deeply grateful for the sympathies and prayers of
comfort you have extended to the bereaved families. We pray that God grant the
Korean nation the wisdom to protect and save the lives of our people caught in
dangerous situations.
Our
PROK grieved for you in the time of destruction that has struck so much of your
nation in recent months, in the earthquake that collapsed churches and houses
in Bohol and Negros Islands and by the Super Typhoon Haiyan that devastated
both the East and West Visayas regions of the Philippines. In deep sympathy and
solidarity the PROK helped with relief goods and financial assistance to UCCP
to stand in solidarity and bring the hope of Jesus Christ to those who grieve. Our long term humble service program is the reconstruction
of five (5) identified church buildings partially or totally destroyed by
Typhoon Haiyan and the last earthquake. We pray, not just for recovery from the
Typhoon and earthquake, but that God will strengthen the UCCP to remain a
beacon of life and witness to God’s reign of justice and peace in the
Philippines. It is our hope that our partnership will endure so that we can
help each other bring about the kingdom of God revealed in the world.
On
this 10th Quadrennial General Assembly of the United Church of
Christ in the Philippines, the PROK prays that God will guide your Assembly
sessions, the elections of your new officers, and the goal setting for your next
four years. May God’s blessings of life, justice and peace be with you.
In
Christ’s love and peace,
REV. BAE TAE-JIN
General
Secretary, PROK
May
26, 2014
[이 게시물은 관리자님에 의해 2016-11-03 21:39:53 총무 칼럼에서 이동 됨]
