United in Christ

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Dear friends, 

Grace to you and peace from God and our Lord Jesus Christ! I pray and hope that you are being well sustained by God’s grace. It is hard to believe that I am writing my last quarterly letter to you for 2024. As the year is coming to an end, I am happy to report that my health, both physical and mental, has been mostly restored. Thanks be to God and to you who have accompanied me with your prayers and other forms of support!  

[ngg src="galleries" ids="1267" display="pro_horizontal_filmstrip" show_captions="1"]Here in Korea, this year marks the 140th anniversary of the arrival of the first Presbyterian missionary in the Korean peninsula and the 100th anniversary of the National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK). On September 20-22, NCCK held a two-day international conference to mark the special milestone. The gathered community remembered the journey NCCK has taken as a companion of the marginalized and persecuted throughout Korean history. The ecumenical community also resolved to continue to walk with the NCCK as it leads the ecumenical movement of Korean Christians into the future.  

Among the ecumenical partners from abroad were Dr. Dianne Wright of PC(USA) and Ms. Sukyi Pang from the Hong Kong Christian Council (HKCC). That made me very happy, but the conference’s content was hard. Many presenters helped us face the truth. We learned how the current geopolitical dynamics in Asia-Pacific, primarily caused by the U.S.–China tension, are exacerbating the age-old conflict on the Korean peninsula. Yi Yehjung of the Korean Sharing Movement said, “The Inter-Korean civilian exchanges began to falter nearly 15 years ago, and currently, South Korean civil society exchanges with North Korea are completely suspended.” She concluded her presentation by saying, “I would like to reiterate that we must now redirect our energies and capabilities from direct contact with North Korea to activities that change the environment surrounding North Korea and the Korean Peninsula.” It was a clear call coming from civil society that if we want engagement, we, the people of faith, must do something to change the current environment. PC(USA) has accompanied NCCK’s journey toward reconciliation and peacebuilding for many years.  

 I prayerfully ask: How seriously do we take this call? What are we Presbyterians willing to do?  

The conference ended with a rousing worship service. The next day, we participated in another meeting, which opened with the following words, “We are meeting as Ecumenical Forum for Korea (EFK), but this is an informal meeting because our siblings of the Korean Christian Federation (KCF) of DPRK are not with us. We haven’t had any contact with them since 2019.” Recognizing that the situation we are facing now is very different from what we have known, some wondered if the Tozanso Process of the World Council Churches, which has served as the ecumenical platform for the reconciliation of the two Koreas for the last 40 years, has lived out its effectiveness. We shared insights about where we see glimpses of hope even in the current dire situation, and we decided to re-activate the North America Korea Peace Working Group.  

    On September 30, I boarded a flight to Taiwan with my two colleagues. We went to hear the voices of the people who made Taiwan their home about how the geopolitical changes happening in the region were affecting their church and society. One said, “When the China Christian Council (CCC) joined the World Council of Churches (WCC) in 1991, the Presbyterian Church of Taiwan (PCT) became an inactive member. Taiwan has no seat at either the UN or the WHO.” It was a cry to be heard, a yearning to be reckoned with, and an ardent desire to sit at the table with others—in other words, to belong. I ask: Why does one have to leave when another one joins? Why does it have to happen even in a Christian community? Doesn’t the Gospel call us to unity? What could be a faithful response to their cry?  

Then, on October 15, I flew to Hong Kong to be with PC(USA)’s partners in Hong Kong. The next day after arrival, I participated in the welcome luncheon of the Hong Kong Christian Council (HKCC) held in celebration of its 70th anniversary whose theme was “United in Christ.” The food was excellent! I presented a plaque to HKCC on behalf of the PC(USA), and to my utter surprise, HKCC presented me with a bigger plaque! There is definitely something special about Asian hospitality! 

Present at the welcome luncheon included those from HKCC’s member churches, representatives of other faith groups, those representing HKCC’s ecumenical partner entities such as myself, and some who came from the entities in mainland China such as the Amity Foundation, China Christian Council, and the Three-Self Patriotic Movement. The next day, I participated in HKCC’s 70th anniversary Thanksgiving service that was held at St. John’s Cathedral. I believe HKCC’s theme, “United in Christ,” was a wise choice because it speaks to our critical needs. Everywhere to which I turn my eyes, I see sharp divisions, and that includes the Christian community. If we are to preach the good news of Jesus, I believe we need to start uniting among ourselves across divisions. We need to make efforts to unite across differences as followers of the Way of Jesus.  

I will be traveling to the U.S. for a six-month stay in about 10 days. I will stay with a friend in Indianapolis and work from there. In March and April 2025, I plan to engage in Interpretation Ministry. I have some important stories to share, and I need your help. Would you please ask your congregation and/or presbytery to host me during my time in the U.S.? Please email mission.live@pcusa.org in the World Mission office, mary.nebelsick@pcusa.org, or unzu.lee@pcusa.org. Please know that the hosting presbytery or congregation typically absorbs a visiting mission co-worker’s travel and hosting costs. For more information about hosting a mission co-worker, please contact mary.nebelsick@pcusa.org.  

As Thanksgiving Day approaches, I remember you and give you thanks. May your Thanksgiving Day be blessed.  

United in Christ, 

Unzu