Mission life: THE KUKMIN DAILY

Thanksgiving Sunday: Pohang Churches Share Comfort and Hope Following Earthquake

2017-11-21 15:01

On November 19, the first Sunday after the Pohang earthquake, churches in the area proclaimed messages of comfort and hope. This was also Thanksgiving Sunday, so many churches around the country held worship services and colorful events encouraging their members to “live thankfully even in the midst of suffering.”

The sanctuary was filled with the sounds of children’s chatter. At Gibbeumui (Joyful) Church on this day, the whole congregation of children and adults worshipped together (top photo). The reason for the united service was that the Sunday school worship hall is being used to shelter people made homeless by the earthquake. Joyful Church is in the north of Pohang city, which suffered the heaviest damage due to its proximity to the seismic center, but the church avoided damage thanks to its earthquake-proof design. Not only that, since the 15th of this month it has offered its building as a refuge for persons whose homes were cracked or broken down by the earthquake.

*Members of Pohang Youngnak Church, which was hit hard by the earthquake, worship in the church cafeteria. Photo courtesy of Pohang Youngnak Church.


Pohang Youngnak Church held its worship service in the church cafeteria, after the earthquake had caused eight concrete structures surrounding the bell tower to fall through the roof. Rev. Kim Seon-heung said, “I’m thankful no one was injured in the collapse of those hunks of concrete, which are too heavy for anyone to lift…The church members also expressed thanks to one another that they could meet safely in the church, and we had a worship service overflowing with thanks in spite of the difficult situation.”

Reporters Jang Chang-Il, Lee Saya, & DongWoo Kim (jangci@kmib.co.kr), from Pohang, with Marion Kim (marionkkim@icloud.com)
Photos provided by Gibbeumui Church and Pohang Youngnak Church


Full Story in Korean:
지진 고통 속에서도 감사예배… 위로·희망 나눴다: 강진 후 첫 주일·추수감사절 맞은 포항 교회들

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