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Christian Conference of Asia
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Program Clusters: Special Programs:
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97th General Assembly in Somang Church, Seoul September 17th to 21st, 2012
The Presbyterian Church of Korea is currently holding its 97th General Assembly in Somang Church, Seoul, from September 17th to 21st, 2012 with the theme: “Christians, the Friends of the Least,” which is inspired by Mathews 25:40 and Leviticus 19:18. It includes the sub-themes: Friends for the Poor, Friends of Next Generation, Friends of the Disabled, Friends of Multicultural families and Friends of North Koreans. This Assembly, which is being attended by 1500 pastors and elders representing 64 presbyteries, and 108 international guests representing churches and ecumenical partners of PCK from many Asian countries and around the world, as well as leadership and staff of the General Assembly, is a special one as the church is commemorating the Centennial Anniversary of the General Assembly of PCK that was established on September 1st, 1912 under the name of the Chosun Presbyterian Church.
In
her congratulatory greetings on behalf of the CCA and representatives of the
partner churches and ecumenical organizations of PCK on the occasion of the Centennial
Memorial Service, CCA General Secretary, Rev. Dr. Henriette Hutabarat Lebang, expressed that the PCK has chosen a challenging theme for the Assembly in
the midst of escalating hostility among various groups in Asia and the further
marginalization of the least in the communities around the globe. This theme, she said, clearly underlines the
commitment of the PCK to strongly promote an inclusive community in which all
are included. She also commended the PCK Program on the “Decade of Life Saving
Management” (2002-2012) which has underscored that the mission of God embraces
the urgent need to address the problem related to the integrity of creation, as
highlighted in Psalm 24:1 that “The earth
is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it.” She said that the churches in Asia and
around the world are continuously praying 'for the onward journey of PCK as a
faithful church of Jesus Christ, and wish the churches in Korea all success in
preparing to host the Assembly of the World Council of Churches in Busan in
2013'.
The
international guests had the privilege to visit and get to know the various
ministries of the PCK in theological education and universities (Presbyterian
College and Theological Seminary, Seoul Jangshin University and Songsil
University), in the ministries of the local congregations in addressing the
issues of overseas migrant workers in Korea and their families (Nasom Church
and Yeong-deung-po Industrial Mission Center), and differently-abled people
(Changdong Yumkwang Church). The peak of
this exposure program is the visit to the De-Militarization Zone (DMZ) in
Panmunjeom, the place where the Armistice Agreement was concluded on 27 July
1953. This place is a sad place, a
witness of the continuing division of the people of Korea. The group held a special worship for
reunification of Korean peninsula at the Church located at the Joint Security
Area (JSA) on September 20. As the
global communities celebrate annually the international day of peace on
September 21, this is a special moment when the representatives of the churches
from Asia and around the world express
their solidarity with people and churches in Korea in praying for the
reunification of the people and families which have been separated for more
than 50 years.
The
PCK Assembly elected the new members of Executive Board of PCK for 2012-2013. We congratulate the new office bearers and Rev.
Dr. Lee Hong Jung who has been appointed as the new General Secretary of PCK
for a period of 4 years. Rev. Lee was a
former Executive Secretary of Justice, International Affairs and Development of
Service of CCA, President of the Presbyterian College and Theological Seminary
in the Philippines and a Lecturer in Missiology at the Univeristy of Hanil
Jangshin in Korea.
posted by communications on Friday, September 21, 2012 |
