NCCK Holds Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service for 100th Anniversary
Also Comforts Families of Itaewon Tragedy Victims ,
Attendees at the NCCK 100th Anniversary commemorative ecumenical thanksgiving service gathered in a circle at Yondong Church in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 22nd, holding hands and offering a ‘body prayer’. provided by NCCK
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, ‘In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK, Rev. Kim Jong-saeng as the General Secretary), an ecumenical (church unity and cooperation) thanksgiving service was held, reaffirming the value of unity among churches. In addition, they comforted wounded neighbors and sought a lasting peace solution for the Korean Peninsula together with the global church.’,
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, ‘The ecumenical thanksgiving service held at Yondong Church in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 22nd aimed to express the longing for unity among Korean churches and reaffirm their commitment to unity. Following the order based on the ‘Lima Liturgy,’ leaders of ecumenical communities worldwide and representatives from member denominations including Rev. Kim Young-geol, the Chairman of the National Council of Churches in Korea, Rev. Jeon Sang-geon, the Moderator of the General Presbyterian Assembly of Korea, and Major General Jang Man-hee, Commander of the Salvation Army Korea, were in attendance.’,
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, ‘Major General Jang, who delivered the sermon, expressed gratitude for the gathered different denominations, churches, and organizations, emphasizing the ability to move towards a beautiful tomorrow by embracing each other’s differences as wisdom. He urged to worship the one God with love and respect towards each other’s differences, healing and comforting the world’s wounds with the love of Christ.’,
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, ‘The highlight of the ecumenical united service was the praise of the ‘100-member choir’ who gathered without distinction of age or gender. The NCCK 100th Anniversary commemorative choir song ‘All Pain Becomes My Ache,’ written and composed by Ryu Hyeong-seon, the Artistic Director of Gwangyang City Creation Traditional Music Band, was revealed for the first time. During the service, all attendees gathered in a circle, holding hands, and offering a ‘body prayer,’ confessing their love for one another and their desire for peace. On the 23rd, the Korean Christian Unity Building will also host the Ecumenical Forum for the Korean Peninsula (EFK).’
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Jerry Pillay (fourth from the left) WCC General Secretary visiting a memorial space for victims of the Itaewon tragedy in Seoul Jung-gu Byeoldeul’s House on the 22nd, interacting with the families.
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, ‘Earlier in the day, a delegation from the World Council of Churches (WCC), including Jerry Pillay, visited the site of the Itaewon tragedy in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, and the victims’ memorial space ‘Byeoldeul’s House’ in Jung-gu to comfort the families. Lee Jung-min, the Director of the Itaewon Tragedy Victims’ Families Meeting, said, “Since the incident, religious and civic organizations, including the NCCK, have been a great help to us by standing in solidarity.” He expressed gratitude to NCCK and the WCC delegation for showing interest amid their busy schedules.’,
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, ‘General Secretary Pillay expressed, “It pains me to see that the families bear the heavy burden of seeking the truth. I hope responsible parties will provide answers,” and comforted, “The world church shares the pain of those who have lost their loved ones.” ‘