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Why didn’t you come? (2)
Someone had gladly let me write on the April of 2000 when Reverend KyungJik Han had passed away, I had written an obituary about Reverend Han. In September of 2009 during the “8th Praise and Thanks Night”, he had written an article in detail of that event, and the interviews afterwards. He was the newspaper editor-in-chief. He had gladly called me one time and asked why I did not attend the 100th Anniversary Musical Night. The reason was he was the elder of the Oakland United Korean Methodist Church. I told him that I didn’t know and on the 8th of June, he requested that I attend the event.
At that time, the reverend attending with me is the brother-in-law of the previous retired reverend. I had been friends with him in Christ for while, so I headed to the Oakland United Korean Methodist Church with my wife. Since the church is old, it was built in the neighborhood; regularly 10 cars would make the parking lot full. Since I had arrived early, I was able to fit along with 30 other cars that had filled the tiny parking lot.
After the elder who had called me greeted me, a female member of the church gave me flowers to decorate for VIP guests. Afterwards, the outsider guests took pictures. Finally, was guided to where I would sit. After sitting down and greeting the person sitting next to me, the person happened to be 100th Cantata’s composer, Professor Minsun Jung’s wife. The service started 4PM in the afternoon. The event was historical, the service was very long. In the order of the service, the congratulatory of the Mayor of Oakland and the previous superintendant. Followed by the greetings of the descendants’ of the reverends from the past 100 years, who had led the church from the start and through hard times. Following was the stories of the seniors of the church and the tearful stories of their faith and their belief. The speakers were all granddaughters of the past reverends; most of them were in their 60s. It was impressive to see all the descendants of the church sitting all in the front.
Also all the reverends who had previously served Oakland United Korean Methodist Church who are still alive attended, all sitting in the front row. Many of them have white hair. I think many of them had many emotions sitting there. During the later portion of the service, I heard an unforgettable story while the senior pastor was giving an appreciation plaque. In 1972 the church was nearly forced to close. It was a serious matter. The senior pastor during that time led majority of the church members and had left. While everyone had left, 2 families were here to clean the church’s belongings. They had decided that the church would not shut its doors and was able to save the church. That is how the church was able to last 100 years. The two couple’s family was awarded the appreciation plaque. At that time, they were in their 30s. How hard was it for two families to keep and maintain the spreading of the good news? How would they think the 100th year anniversary service was the best of them? They are now in their 80s. I heard later that the couples had asked a doctorate student in theology from Korea studying abroad to continue leading the church, and was able to continue its service. At that time, they were only able to pay him $300 dollars a month.
Afterwards, they had called Elder Minsun Jung along with my name, and called me forward. He had awarded me an appreciation plaque for writing the 100th year anniversary Cantata along with a deep appreciation. For me, it was rather unexpected. I had written hymns for 30 years now, and along with Elder Gilsang Kwon, had 10 “Praise and Thanks Nights” Several pastor’s had called me to write a “church theme hymn” and had elder Kwon compose. I was deeply moved and felt heavy hearted for receiving an appreciation plaque. I think this was the encouragement from God to write more hymn’s in might and be a stronger worker in God’s work.
(June 11th, 2014)
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Youtuber Reverend? (23,000 views coming soon…) 
Why didn’t you come? (2)