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Connection
MESSAGE FROM THE MODERATOR
Looking Back, Looking Ahead
2 SUMMER 2019
PRESBYTERIAN
presbyterian.ca
By the Rev. Daniel W. Cho, Moderator of the 144th General Assembly
“Hey, you look like Jackie Chan!”
The gentleman and I hadn’t even shaken hands yet as he arrived for a meet and greet with the Modera- tor when he suddenly felt delightfully compelled to remark on this purported resemblance. Now, I’m a big fan of martial arts films, and certainly Jackie Chan (with whom I have two degrees of separation) is among my favour- ite stars. So although it’s flattering (I think?), I for one see no resemblance! That was the start of a good-humoured conversation that later in the evening went off into an unexpected and poign-
ant direction (more on that later).
This was definitely among the more lighthear ted moments of my visits with congregations, presbyteries and synods as well as mission projects across Canada and beyond. I have thoroughly enjoyed this incredible privilege to serve as Moderator, travel- ling this past year and meeting with so many wonderful and faithful people in
our church.
I was inspired by Isaiah’s call to be
“repairers of the breach” (58:1–12) and made it my foundational theme for this year, which speaks of the true expression of our faith commitment to God as it is lived in loving connec- tion and care with one another. In my visits, I have been sharing my desire to highlight this theme of bridging in a three-fold manner: to connect with the young people of our church; learn to stand in solidarity as one in each other’s struggles; and to connect as friends and siblings in our church, par ticularly as we face the challenge to collectively find “a way ahead that allows the mission and ministry of The Presbyterian Church in Canada to continue” (General Assembly recom- mendation for the Special Committee of Former Moderators).
Guided by this connectional chal- lenge, I have shared my passion for a church committed to love—a love that’s not always easy or comfor ta-
ble; a love that is so outrageously and powerfully counter-cultural that it even calls us to live it in relation to our “en- emies.” And in the words of Thomas Merton: “Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy.” Even as a ubiq- uitous and familiar teaching in church circles, I have found this gospel of love to be a very welcome and timely message for our congregations.
I think we see here a sample of the contradictions we face in everyday life. For example, we can feel alone even in a crowd; we might feel lost even as we are so occupied with many clear tasks; we can live bold lives of faith in the midst of many doubts we may harbour; and we might be unswerv- ing in our commitment to live Christ’s path of love even as we find it difficult to express this toward some individu- als. The presence of these contradic- tions in our lives can sometimes be irritating and discouraging.
How much of this discouragement is reflected in our conversation gridlock over sexuality? There’s a general sense of eagerness to come to a resolution, yet so many people say that we/they are “stuck.” We fully acknowledge and accept the authority of General Assem- bly, and yet, last year it acquiesced to former moderators to help propose a way ahead. Our experience as a rela- tively small denomination with close relationships among congregations and leaders has at times been wrought with quarrelling and discord.
This brings me to the gentleman I mentioned above. Our benign conver- sation between two visible minority per- sons about ethnicity and resemblances reminded him of a previous conversa- tion he had with an Arab friend of his. Commenting on the ongoing conflict and tension between Palestinians and Israelis he asked his friend point-blank, “Why do you fight so much?” The an- swer surprised him: “Because we’re family, and families fight.”
This is the paradox we, too, seem to find ourselves in today. In the midst of our challenge, let us hold on to the love and hope we have for one another and for our church. And framing it this way—as a family—hopefully we will understand the implications of the in- herent responsibility, connection and care that holds us together and that can give us the mutual encourage- ment we need to move ahead. This is my earnest prayer.
I’d like to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation and thanks for many things and to the many people who have helped make
The Moderator (center) at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Banff.
my year so very special and heart- warmingly memorable.
Thank you to all the congregations that extended such wonderful and gracious hospitality during my visits. I was very moved by the incredible welcome and suppor t that I received from all of you. Thank you for envel- oping me with the laughter and joy that overflowed from the vibrancy of your church fellowship. Thank you also for honouring my request to in- clude young people in the services and setting up youth events whenever it was possible.
Thank you for sharing with me both your passionate concerns and hopes for the church in these next few years.
I’m thankful for the new friendships that were formed with ministry col- leagues and the special moments of sharing both the joys and pains of life, even briefly.
I’m truly thankful for having the chance to connect and reconnect with many young people over the course of this year, including those who came out to attend or who in- tercepted my visits both here and
abroad. (Speaking of connection, one young teen commented that she attended her church all her life and found it quite silly whenever adults in the church would say to her, “I knew you since you were a baby! Do you remember me?” She thought that was the most ridiculous thing to say. Then with a smile she added, “But I like that...it makes me feel loved. I hope it doesn’t stop.”)
I’m thankful for all the staff at 50 Wynford who in substantive ways facilitated and suppor ted my work as moderator. They are a faithful, dedi- cated and gifted group of people who want the best for the church, and we are blessed to have them.
I’m extremely thankful to my “new” congregation, St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church in Toronto, for their patience, suppor t and understanding of my fre- quent absences starting at the end of my very first month as their minister. I look forward to spending uninter- rupted time with you all.
Thank you also to my former congregation, Rexdale Presbyterian Church, who I know played a big role
in my being here today.
Thank you to my wife, Esther, who
always accompanied me and provid- ed selfless suppor t during my whole term. I will always be grateful.
Finally, I thank God for this tremen- dous honour and privilege to serve the church. It has been both life-changing and life-giving for me. My gratitude knows no end.
This passage has new meaning for me now:
“But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new peo- ple from the two groups. Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death. You are members of God’s family...and the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.” — Ephesians 2:13–20 (selected, New Living Translation)
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