During Korea's important Chuseok holidays, believers visiting their hometown church, Shinri Church in Cheongpung-myeon, Jecheon city,
Chungcheongbuk-do, on September 14, enjoyed meeting with Rev. Lee Jong-su (third from left) and current church members and thanking heaven for its blessings (photo).
"In the past, when the Korean church was focused on individual church growth, it was considered unfaithful and therefore sinful to miss a worship service at your own church, and holidays were no exception. Today, as the church faces growing polarization and crisis, there is strong recognition among members of the clergy that unless we live and work in mutuality, the church will vanish," said Rev. Lee Jong-su, Shinri Church's head pastor.
Gang Mi-hwa, an ordained deacon of Youngnak Church, said, "This is the first time since my marriage that I've attended Wednesday worship during the Chuseok holidays at Shinri Church in Cheongpung, where my family lives." She told the pastor and elders after the worship service, "I go to Youngnak Church in Seoul, but I'm always praying for my hometown church." In a voice filled with emotion, she said, "As I presented my gift of traditional sweets, I felt my heart warming. I realized that when we join our hearts in such small expressions, we are giving comfort and strength to our hometown churches."
Photo and article by senior reporter Kang Min Seok, from Jecheon, with Marion Kim (marionkkim@icloud.com)
Full Story in Korean:
추석명절에 고향교회 방문
A Hometown Church Visit During the Chuseok Holidays
2016-09-19 11:16
