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Recent Korea Trip reflection by Ann Klotz
I have had an amazing experience as part of the Virginia Conference team that went to South Korea May16-26. Bishop Sharma D. Lewis, Seungsoo RJ Jun, Ho Dae Kim, Rev. Dr. Hyo Lee, and John Meeuwissen went to explore a relationship with the Korean Methodist church for shared ministry with UMC Global Ministries in Vietnam. To read more about the trip, see https://vaumc.org/Korea2022/
To see more pictures and chronological entries, see Bishop Sharma D. Lewis‘ posts for trip.
Here I hope to share my reflections and select photos on 7 topics:
1. Resilient Hope
2. Prayer
3. Vision
4. Reverence for a historical context that guides service
5. Mission oriented discipleship
6. Abundant generosity and hospitality
7. Beauty and attention to detail

1. Resilient Hope

The trip began with a tour of the Joint Security Area (JSA) Panmunjom. At this site, we could look over to North Korea. The monument recognizes the countries in the Korean War armistice agreement. What impressed me was Bishop Chungsuk Kim’s passionate statement of his hopes and prayers for a reunited Korea. (Bishop Kim is bishop of the South Seoul Annual Conference, Korean Methodist Church.) In the Korean Methodist Church building, there is an empty office that speaks of this hope:

 2. Prayer

Dawn Prayer Meetings, 24-hour intercessory prayer rooms, Prayer Mountains (retreat centers), Prayer closets…prayer is at the core of the spiritual disciplines of Korean Methodists.

3. Vision

The ministries of these Korean Methodist pastors have thrived because of their vision of the many ways to share the gospel.

4. Reverence for a historical context that guides service.

We toured the Yanghwajin Foreign Missionary Cemetery (where more than 150 foreign missionaries are buried.) There is so much appreciation for their lives that brought the gospel to Korea, a 100th Anniversary Memorial church is built to maintain the cemetery and continue the legacy of active faith and service. Also, among the Korean Methodists, there is constant reference to their Wesleyan heritage and values.

5. Mission-oriented discipleship

The church grows as each division of the church undertakes to sponsor mission sites around the city, country, or beyond.

6. Abundant generosity and hospitality

These attributes are deeply a part of the culture and an expression of faith.

7. Beauty, and attention to detail

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