news article
Korean-American faith leaders celebrate spirituality
October 19, 2023 / By Rev. Jee Hae Song, St. Paul's United Methodist Church and Warners United Methodist Church
In the beginning of October, 304 clergy and laity attended the Special Session of National Association of the Korean American United Methodists (KAUM) in Northbrook, IL. Four of those clergy attendees were from Upper New York (UNY).
The Rev. Yohan Moon (Clarence Center UMC); the Rev. Sung Jun Park (Homer UMC); the Rev. Jin Kook Lee (Henrietta: Faith UMC and Korean Mission of Rochester UMC); and I all attended, representing UNY.
This is the first in-person KAUM meeting since 2019. The group hasn’t been able to meet in four years because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the body of Korean clergy and laity that serve in The United Methodist Church (UMC). This included but is not limited to Korean-speaking congregations and Cross-Racial/Cross-Cultural (CRCC) appointments.
Prior to this year, I was not interested in the KAUM because, in the past, it consisted mostly of clergy who served Korean-speaking immigrant churches. As a clergy serving CRCC, I didn't think it was my place to belong.
As a first-time participant, I cannot but think that it was God who led me to this gathering. I was able to network with other Korean clergy and laity who are of the same mind. That is that we love our Church and cannot let God's Church be dismantled. Everyone was weary. But through those four days, we were able to connect, be fed (both spiritually and physically-- eating lots of Korean food), and be empowered.
The main goal for the KAUM gathering is to reclaim who we are as United Methodists, revive our Korean heritage for the mission of The UMC, and renew our relationship with God and with one another. The body confirmed once again to support and encourage each other in this trying time of our denomination.
As many churches disaffiliate from the UMC, many Korean churches have as well, including many KAUM leaders. Bishop Hee-Soo Jung, the resident bishop of Wisconsin Annual Conference and the only active Korean bishop in The UMC, convened this special session. Bishop Jung is also president of the Korean Ministry Plan.
In his opening worship, Bishop Jung quoted the healing story in Mark 2 and asked, "What if we came to Jesus today with a paralyzed denomination on our shoulders?”
"The future of the church lies in reconciliation, acceptance, friendship, repentance, and self-reflection," he said. "The future of the church lies in the envisioning framework of a theological interpretation through unity in diversity through God's creation.”
Also in attendance was New York Conference Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton, president of the United Methodist Council of Bishops. He said one of his purposes for attending the gathering was to express honor and deep respect for the work of the Korean American churches and pastors in The United Methodist Church over the years.
"I honor you for being faithful in the midst of the struggle. It has not gone unnoticed,” he said. “Speaking on behalf of the denomination, I wanted to make sure to express my gratitude to each of you.”
Bickerton also said The United Methodist Church is not a church of one mind and one faith, but a denomination that embraces diverse perspectives, including traditionalist beliefs, and tries to embrace both conservative and progressive sides.
Surprisingly, I found a lot of diversity within the Korean body. There are twice as many clergy serving CRCC than those who serve Korean-speaking congregations. There is a group, called NEXUS. They are second and third generation Korean immigrants who speak very little Korean, but still identify with their Korean heritage. There are people with diverse theology and culture. I confirmed that that's the microcosm of our denomination-- The Church that embraces diversity and accepts people as they are.