Greetings for UCCanada 42nd General Council, August 2015
Greetings, dear friends of United Church of Canada. I bring the good wishes of the PROK Moderator Rev. Hwang Yong Dae and the officers and people of the PROK General Assembly, along with Mission Co-worker, Rev. Catherine Christie, to your 42nd General Council, to the outgoing Moderator, Rt. Rev. Gary Paterson, and to the incoming Moderator, Rev. Jordan Cantwell, to General Secretary Nora Sanders and to all those gathered here in Corner Brook. It is a responsibility for each one who comes to a national decision-making meeting like this to represent our people, their wishes and their needs.
This is a historic meeting, and there is much to celebrate as well as much to wrestle with. This year is the 90th anniversary of the UCC, yet for years before union in 1925, Canadians were involved in God’s mission in Korea. With honour and love we remember the missionaries for the great gift of the Gospel they brought to our land, and the support they gave to education, medical care and liberation for our people. We thank the people of the United Church of Canada and its predecessors for their continuing lifegiving commitment to God’s work in Korea.
In 1953, when Rev. Kim Jae Joon was expelled from the Korean Presbyterian church, the UCC alone stood with the newly-developed PROK and showed true brother and sisterhood. Canadian missionaries and co-workers have continued to make a beneficial difference to our church and life.
So it is so important for us at PROK that we take up the Mutual Recognition of Ministry with UCC at this time, in recognition that in changing times, our relationship is changing, from one of dependence, to one of mutuality. In September this year we will be celebrating the 100th General Assembly of Korea’s Presbyterian Church. We look forward to signing this document before our Assembly. More importantly, we look to the years ahead, to mutual ministry serving God and God’s world in close communion.
I have brought from Korea multicoloured stoles to present to some members of this General Council to represent the joy and significance of this occasion. This material is called ‘Sec Dong’, and is a traditional Korean material used at times of festival and celebration in our society and represents the embrace of all the diversity of life. I have one for the Moderator, the Rt. Rev. Gary Patterson, one for the new Moderator, Rev. Jordan Cantwell, and one for General Secretary, Nora Sanders. I also present these books highlighting the co-history of our PROK-UCC mission partnership to General Secretary Nora.
This year of 2015 is the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Korea at the end of the Second World War. This year also marks 70 years since Korea was divided, which has led to great sorrow and grief for our people. I offer another gift to the United Church of Canada, a ceramic vase which I hope will be displayed in the General Council office. Our hope is that it encourages all who see it to pray for the peaceful reunification of our land.
The man who made this vase, a PROK elder, is designated as a National Treasure by my country because of his craftsmanship. This colour is Cheong-ja, and such pottery was developed during the Goryeo Dynasty dating back 1100 years, when the Peninsula was one country, from North to South. Thus it becomes not just a vessel, but a symbol of our prayer that once again we will know unity and harmony.
May the blessing and the hope of the Lord be upon you all.
UCC – You are not alone! Because PROK is now with you!
[이 게시물은 관리자님에 의해 2016-11-03 21:39:53 총무 칼럼에서 이동 됨]
