|
|
|
|
Why didn’t you come? (1)
On the 25th of May I had called a pastor from my denomination to ask something. When the question and answer session was almost over, he said “Why didn’t you come to the musical event last night?”
I didn’t know anything about the musical night so I asked what this was about. “It was the 100th anniversary of the Oakland Korean United Methodist Church which was held at the Castro Valley United Methodist Church.”
I have never visited that church, or didn’t know what was happening, so I didn’t go. The pastor told me that they had used my poem in the 100th anniversary cantata and was composed by Elder Minsun Jung.
About 2 months ago Elder Jung told me about composing a new hymn with my poem and sent an e-mail file. When the file I received didn’t open up, he said he would visit me with the music score. I think it was the “Oakland Korean United Methodist Church 100th Anniversary Cantata”. He was the conductor of that church long time ago. He teaches at a university in Korea and during vacation time, he would fly into USA and attend Oakland Korean United Methodist Church. I think that was the reason why the church requested him to compose for them and he gladly did the composing.
On the 26th of May, someone left a phone message. The person addressed himself as the “Oakland Korean United Methodist Church 100th Anniversary Event Chairman”. He also asked why I did not attend the musical night. He has requested to “call him” back. When I called him the next morning, he had gladly answered. The elder asked me, “Did you not get my invitation card?” He had sent the invitation to my old address. So after he had received my new address, he sent the invitation and the pastor’s letter. His invitation with care and letter of thanks made me feel great.
Dear Rev. Paul Lee,
I hope the LORD gives you endless peace and happiness.
Thank you for walking with Oakland Korean United Methodist Church through the 100 years, and through you Rev. Lee by God’s plan, I give thanks and to pass the happiness.
I am happy and happier that through 100th anniversary musical festival we are able to praise God through your poems which were composed for the anniversary. I hope you understand through the Oakland Korean United Church members, even if we are not that far away, I write this to give thanks.
Also, I invite you for the 100th anniversary service of the church on the 8th of June. Hope you attend and witness the grace through the choir prepared in the best.
Once again, I give thanks to your help with your confessional writing, and join us.
With peace and happiness,
Reverend KangWon Lee of the Oakland United Korean Methodist Church
I was glad while reading and re-reading the letter, how honest and thankful they were. I bow my head in the character and the care of the reverend and all those events, caring and preparing to the 100th anniversary. I myself was thankful, knowing how hard it is to write one caring letter when pastors are usually so busy.
I read the letter and the invitation many times after I got the message of attendance from the 100th anniversary event.
I give thanks that my humbly written poems were used to become a hymn for a church that was planted during the early Korean immigration time, and the pastor who invited me in gladness along with their church members. Also I give thanks to God that his works are able to spread in unexpected ways.
(June 10th, 2014)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Why didn’t you come? (1)
This HeungGu is the HeungGu?