Page 5 - Presbyterian Connection

Connection
LEADERSHIP
Healing Divisions
presbyterian.ca
SPRING 2023
PRESBYTERIAN
5
By the Rev. Dr. Son Donghwi (David), London Korean Christian Church in London, Ont.
Am I an American? No.
Am I a Korean? No.
Then who am I?
These were words on the wall of a Korean Church in New York City. The context in Canada is the same. Whether written on the church wall or not, it could be any multicultural Korean church in Canada’s mission to help people find their identity. It would be their life-long journey to struggle with finding their identity in a foreign land. “Who am I?” and “Who will I be?” are the most frequently asked questions within them- selves while wrestling to settle down in society.
According to Statistics Cana- da, in 2021, the (South) Korean community represented 0.6% of Canada’s total population, while more than half of them (58.3%) reported a Christian religion (www150.statcan.gc.ca). No wonder there has been a humor- ous saying: “When two Japanese meet, they set up a business firm; when two Chinese meet, they open a Chinese restaurant; and when two Koreans meet, they establish a church.” (Won Moo Hur and Kwang Chung Kim, “Religious Participation of Korean Immigrants in the United States,” Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 29, no. 1, March 1990: 20.) This group of very religious aliens are on the periphery of Ca- nadian society, so is the London Korean Christian Church (LKCC). They have always lived with a hyphenated identity. Since the
beginning of 2022, however, an- other hyphen was added to LKCC. In opposition to the denomina- tion’s decision on human sexual- ity, more than 80% of the mem- bers left LKCC as well as the PCC to attend another church. Another large chunk of the remaining 20% decided not to go to any church. Therefore, the first Sunday service in 2022 left a huge mark of trauma on the small group of people who decided to stay in LKCC and the PCC. They have been aliens to their contemporaries in Canadian society, and now they have also become aliens to other Korean siblings in Christ. It was the wil- derness. But they remained faith- ful and resilient. I responded to God’s call to be their companion and we together started a journey
of faith in September 2022.
The Christmas Concert at the end of 2022 was a huge celebra- tion, offered by professional mu- sicians from LKCC and local guest musicians. The day was one of the worst snowstorms to hit Can- ada and the States. But the house of God was packed with people; the singing voices broke through the roof; beautiful noises filled all the corners of the church; and smiles were on everyone’s faces. One pianist, Sunhwa Her, shared, “Through this concert, I have ex- perienced God reminding me of Romans 8:28: ‘And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.’ Not only musicians, but also our congregation has taken their roles, where they were able to support this concert to make
this great thing happen.”
One elderly member, Ok-kyu
Park, also said, “The concert
[in December] was grand. The weather was very challenging, but the sanctuary was filled with the audience. They showed great love for the church and the music. The cast presented their best gifts to Baby Jesus. The high-quality performers and the audience became one in that bleak winter night. The musical feast of Christ- mas that decorated the hearts of the audience will be remembered for a long time. Thank you, Lord.”
By the grace of our loving and almighty Lord, LKCC has been experiencing fast growth over the last few months. But what we are experiencing even more is the goodness of God, a deeper soul-touch by the Word and the Spirit, and restored happiness and laughter. Our cup overflows.
Jesus was a marginal person par excellence. He was an alien to his own people and a friend to the marginalized. He kept choos- ing love. So, he lived in-between, but also lived in-both worlds as he was perfect human and divine, and by carrying the cross and ris- ing again from the dead he lived in-beyond all differences, divi- sions and any sorts of classifica- tions. As Jesus lived in-between, in-both and in-beyond, LKCC people are encouraged to follow his way of life. We are pilgrims on earth to the kingdom of God. We are sojourners not settlers. We are shaping our life’s unfold- ing story into a wonderful tale of growth, integrity, integration, beauty and triumph.
Am I a Canadian? Yes.
Am I a Korean? Yes.
Who am I?
I am a Christian.
From front left: Sam Kim (tenor), Eunju Yi (narration), Songlee Kim (piano), Dayesl Kim (mezzo soprano), Seokho Park (piano), Jungeun Kee (violin), Sunhwa Her (piano), Isaac Lee (cello). From rear left: ChanJoo Ahn (piano), the Rev. Dr. Son (minister).