An Exciting Opportunity
I shared the follow with our church today:
Last year our Conference welcomed a new Bishop –Bishop Hee-Soo Jung. Bishop Jung is from South Korea and leads form a place of joy and desire to see us build relationships with our communities and the wider connection of United Methodist around the world. I think that’s exciting.
Several weeks ago, I was approached about an initiative to connect with the Korean Methodist Church. I expressed my interest but didn’t assume I’d be selected to participate. This past Wednesday, our Conference surprised me by letting me know I have been chosen to be part of a cultural/spiritual exchange with South Korea. I’ve spoken with our Charge Pastor-Parish Relations Committee and they are excited about this opportunity.
The Ohio Episcopal Area will send me to Seoul on October 1. I’ll stay with a host family and be connected to a church. I’m not leading that church – this is not a pulpit exchange - but I will be serving with them, seeing what God is doing among our Korean siblings, and learning the Korean culture. This isn’t going to be a vacation – you might think of it as a sabbatical. I’ll return home on November 30. Tyler and Lucy are not going and Tyler will continue to attend and serve. In fact, there are some administrative tasks Tyler has agreed to take care of in my absence.
Two months is a long time. I don’t have any more details about what I’ll be doing, but I do have some things I want to share about what to expect while I’m away.
First, the Conference will work with me to bring in preachers. Our pulpit will be filled every week.
Second, the pastors of Purple Door Church in Grove City agreed to provide emergency pastoral care in my absence. I know Pastors Brian, Brandy, and Lizzie from my last appointment and I can’t image a better group of pastors to visit people in the hospital or step in should there be other significant events. They are compassionate, loving, and deeply faithful.
Third, you already know that our leadership is more than capable of managing the day-to-day operations and I trust that the good work our church does in the community – our outreaches and our food pantry – will continue just as it always does. Finally, I might be on the other side of the world, but I won’t be dropping off the face of the planet. You’ll continue to receive the weekly prayer and scripture email from me, but those emails will also include a link to a website with updates on what I learn and experience while I’m away.
The goal of this exchange is relationship-building. My goal is to build a sister relationship between our Charge and at least one church in South Korea. I don’t know exactly what that will look like but I’m so excited about the possibilities. I’m also excited to bring back fresh ideas for engaging in community service and worship. I’ll keep you all updated as I learn more. I ask that in the coming days you pray for our church – our ministries and our leaders – and pray for me and my family. I am confident that God will use this experience for our collective good and I can’t wait to see what happens.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Serena
