THE KUKMIN DAILY

Jeongneung Church (Rev. Park Eun-ho) held a forum on June 24 at the church’s worship hall in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of its Elders College (lifelong education). Reflecting on the theme “Alternative proposals for problems of the aged,” the participants shared their opinion that “In this era of aging society, we should keep in mind our churches’ duty of mission to the elderly, and should move positively to develop effective welfare programs and to administer related facilities.”

Hanyang University Chair Professor Choi Seong-jae (speaker in photo), in his paper “Seeking Methods of Government and Civilian Cooperation for Elderly Education in an Aging Society,” proposed, “We should conceptualize elderly education as ‘lifelong education,’ and form a committee that brings together the Education Ministry, the Health and Welfare Ministry, churches and other civilian organizations, to initiate the development of a curriculum and textbooks for elderly education.”

Prof. Oh Gyu-hun of the Presbyterian University and Theological Seminary (PUTS), speaking on “The Meaning of Elderly Ministry in the 21st Century,” named “formation of relationships” and “community” as the core elements of ministry with elderly persons. In a presentation on “Churches’ Elderly Schools in the 21st Century: Prospects and Coherent Care,” Secretary General Kang Chae-eun of the Association of Korean Church Elderly Schools, said, “To help old people spend their remaining years happily and meet death peacefully, is to practice God’s commandment, ‘Honor your father and mother.’”

In 1975, Jeongneung Church became the first church in the country to establish an elderly college. Through its current program, persons aged 60 or older may take part in worship, attend lectures by distinguished persons, and involve themselves in various kinds of special activities including mountain climbing, calligraphy, yoga, ballet and volunteer service. Up to the present, the college has had 4,684 participants, among whom 3,436 have graduated.

Reporter Lee Saya (Isaiah@kmib.co.kr), with Marion Kim (marionkkim@icloud.com)

Photo by senior reporter Kang Min Seok


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