KNCC

EnglishJoint Statement of the 10th EKD-NCCK Ecumenical Consultation
Joint Statement of the 10th EKD-NCCK Ecumenical Consultation
Joint Statement of the 10th EKD-NCCK Ecumenical Consultation, 16th-20th February 2023 Transforming Division and Making Peace For a joint pilgrimage of German and Korean Churches towards Justice, Reconciliation and Unity “Christ's Love Moves the World to Reconciliation and Unity" History and context In the midst of a profound life-security crisis caused by the effects of climate crisis, the COVID-19 outbreak and its continuous mutations, the Russian war on Ukraine, and the hegemonic struggle between USA and China in the context of the newly developing Neo-Cold War Order, in a critical time we have held the 10th Ecumenical Consultation between the EKD (Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland) and the NCCK (National Council of Churches in Korea) in Seoul on February 16, 2023 for five days. We rejoice whilst looking back at the faithful ecumenical engagement and their efforts to both deepen their mutual commitment and enhance the people’s security for life in the service of our common Lord Jesus Christ during the last half century. In 1974, the first EKD-NCCK Joint Consultation was held in Düsseldorf, Germany, under the theme of "Social and Pastoral Needs of Korean Life and the Tasks of West Germany." Since then, the two church communions EKD and NCCK have held eight more ecumenical consultations with a common vision of which one included church representatives from North Korea. The 9th consultation was held in Wittenberg in March 2011 under the theme of "The Role of Reconciliation and the Church." The church's commitment for reconciliation and peace, the unification issue, the 500th anniversary of the Protestant reformation, and the 10th General Assembly of the WCC in Busan were discussed. The 10th consultation was planned to be held in South-Korea in 2021, celebrating the 30th anniversary of German unification and commemorating the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War, but due to COVID-19, it was agreed to gather in Seoul in February 2023. This consultation reaffirmed its mutual partnership solidarity through a meeting between the churches of the two countries for the first time in nearly twelve years, shared the tasks of cooperation granted through the 11th WCC Karlsruhe General Assembly in 2022, and considered the church's role as an agent for justice, reconciliation, peace and unity. Issues, reflections and focal discussion points In Europe, the Russian attack on Ukraine in violation of international law in 2022 has brought about a fundamental threat not only to the European peace order agreed on after World War II, but to world peace because of Russia's possession of and threat to use nuclear weapons and all that this entails. Also, consequences of this war affect many countries, also in the global South, for example with food crises, higher energy costs, and inflation. Whilst sharing our views and concerns about the question of peace and war in our respective contexts, we asked for the role of our churches and church communions in these profound and interconnected conflicts both in East Asia and Europe, and the role which concepts of people's security for life, the central role of the nation state and its institutions play here. Today, in the midst of the multifaceted crises, the global superpowers are continuously designing and redesigning a neo-cold war order by separating the world according to alliances and partner-ships based on their own interests and values, further escalating a hostile symbiotic tension and brinkmanship on the Korean Peninsula and threatening people’s life-security. In this geopolitical situation, the Korea-US and Japan-US alliances, which represent structural root causes of en-trenching the division of the Korean Peninsula and of an emerging neo-cold war order in North-east Asia, are playing as "double-edged swords," this time, based on the Indo-Pacific Strategy, clearly demonstrating that the geopolitical fate of the Korean Peninsula has been held hostage in an ‘alliance trap’ both in South and North. In particular, South-Korean society has changed a lot since the candlelight uprising led by people power in 2017. Through the Moon Jae-inn government, South-Korean society showed the diversity of civil society, the candlelight movement showed that South-Korean civil society guaranteed fairness, and the Moon Jae Inn government opened a dialogue phase between the two Koreas and led to the U.S.-North Korea summit. However, the situation surrounding the Korean Peninsula is unclear as the South-Korean regime has been replaced by the Yoon Suk Yeol government, and the peace process on the Korean Peninsula has been stalled. Furthermore, discrimination and exclusion of the poor, marginalized, migrants, refugees, irregular workers increase, minorities in Korean society are becoming more and more impoverished, and evil laws such as the National Security Law trampled on democracy and freedom of democratic citizens in the past dictatorship. Now, the South Korean church and society are facing many challenges, questions, and tasks regarding what the role of the ecumenical community should be in the face of a pile of tasks. During our consultation, we agreed that people should no longer be seen as passive victims of those conflicts, but must play inter-subjectively a crucial role in stabilizing inflammatory situations created by the power- and division-oriented regimes and in preserving and fostering justice and peace, healing and reconciliation. For the ecumenical pilgrimage of justice, reconciliation and unity both in Korea and Germany, our intercontinental ecumenical movement must advocate for constructive steps forward and engage in carefully developed joint initiatives for peace and reconciliation. In searching for specific topics and concrete commitment, our consultation identified several areas of common concern in different contexts and perspectives which may mutually enrich, question and encourage us: We critically reflected on persisting challenges of both the 33-year unified Germany and the peace movement in Korea since the NCCK's 88 Declaration on Peace and Reunification of the Korean Peninsula. In this context, we also shared the experiences of both churches in increasingly secularised societies and facing declining membership. Having been the starting point for the ecumenical consultations in 1974 when our church communions advocated for better working and living conditions of Korean workers in Germany, migration and the question of the church's task towards refugees, migrants and other marginalized groups is a burning issue now for our churches both in Germany and Korea. Likewise, in both societies fighting Racism whether based on ethnicity or religion is needed. Closely connected with, but not limited to that question, we reflected on the vision of a multi-dimensional diaconal church. In times when societies are drifting apart and Christian values are often no longer clearly visible or compromised due to striving for profit, high expectations, a clearer diaconical approach and impact of the churches’ visible diaconical work could set an agenda for a just, inclusive, intergenerational future orientated societies, where Christian values are visible. In both societies with tendencies to a more secular understanding, the diaconical role could set a counterpoint – concepts and ideas here could be shared in the future including also the risk like the question how far it can consist of cooperation, and it should work in line with market conditions. In our conciliar ecumenical solidarity, we, the EKD and the NCCK, should never let the logic of "the economics of war" and “the politics of war” control our understanding of the Korean and European peace processes. The ecumenical solidarity of the EKD and the NCCK should strengthen civilian peace diplomacy involving Christians from the relevant countries. By enhancing people’s peace-capital in a realistic international political environment we can help changing the direction and quality of the current international diplomacy that lays buried in national interests. As a common task of cooperation between the churches of the two countries, we should open a safe and sustainable dialogue to build peaceful relations between the two Koreas so that various generations can form peace talks and reopen civilian exchanges between citizens of the two states. In addition, we will continue to work together as an ecumenical community to understand the situation in neighboring countries such as Myanmar, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan and the Philippines amid long colonial and historical trauma, national-security autocratic ideology, poverty, grievances, and the climate crisis. For this, cooperation also with the Christian Council of Asia (CCA) is needed and welcome. The faith based community of EKD and the NCCK as a community of healing and reconciliation will strengthen our role and capabilities as peacemakers and promote a Eucharistic solidarity based on mutual confidence, while establishing the will to trust and take risks following our beliefs. As seen in the theme of the WCC 10th Busan Assembly, “God of life, lead us to justice and peace,” and that of the WCC 11th Karlsruhe Assembly, “Christ’s love moves the world to reconciliation and unity,” justice and peace are the two inseparably interdependent axes that sustain the whole web of life, and the love of Christ is the moving force to recreate the wounded and broken world into a healed and reconciled one world. Justice and peace are the core of people’s security for life, and it essentially requires an embracing and integrating process of justice and peace, that is, a spiritual and strategic process of healing and reconciliation. Without an ongoing process of healing and reconciliation, there will be no integration between justice and peace, no giving of life and no life abundant, and therefore no people’s security for life. In the process of healing and reconciliation, the Truth in Christ’s Love leads the way to justice and peace, and all healing, reconciliation and unity are therefore ultimately rooted in God. The meetings and conversations of the consultation have clearly indicated that both Korean and German Churches were bound by friendship and solidarity with each other as we have been for the last 50 years journey together. In order to broaden our theological understanding of God's mission in which we are participating and in order to strengthen mission cooperation and kindred friendship, our churches are to share the experience of just reconciliation and unity to give evidence of Christ's love for our neighbor and for the stranger and the peace of the gospel. For understanding more deeply the differences between tradition and politics and culture, joint research and efforts must be made together to achieve human rights, social justice, overcoming division and world peace, and for this purpose, mutual ties and cooperation of our churches in different continents must be strengthened through real and deepening encounter. Therefore, the Korean and German Churches should continue mutual visiting exchanges between various leaderships and church groups in each regional body, working-level, and all generations, not least to share their experiences and learn from and with each other. For throughout our consultation various testimonies have indicated that the experience of such intercultural exchange at a young adult age is life-forming. Ecumenical formations such as volunteer programs and EFK (Ecumenical Forum for Peace, Reunification & Cooperation on the Korean Peninsula) young adult peace seminars are essential for sustainable and long lasting development, and they pave the way to future ecumenical understanding and solidarity. Furthermore, partnership work, for example on the church district level, should be strengthened. For this, the important role of Korean congregations in Germany, represented in the convention of the Korean congregations in Germany, and the German speaking congregation in Korea should be valued as "Bridge builders". We, the NCCK and EKD, invite our member churches and ecumenical partners and people of good will everywhere to join the journey towards reconciliation and peace in the world and within our societies with renewed energy, in close partnership and transparent relationships to each other and with the churches and Christians in both our church bodies. We agree that the diverse societal consequences of the socio-ecological transformation in our societies, such as the increasing differences between rich and poor, the consequences of labour migration and flight, growing racism and the demographic change in our communities and societies, mean that we share responsibility and help shape those challenges. Together we want to discuss and develop sustainable models of inviting communities with spiritual charisma and a diaconial profile in the spirit of a 'church with others'. Action plan and suggestions 1. On this common, mutual, prayerful journey together we commit ourselves to: a) Embody the spirit of courage, caring, communication, confession, conciliation and commitment. b) Pray with people and churches of Korea by designating the Sunday before 15 August as the "Sunday of Prayer for the Peaceful Reunification of the Korean Peninsula". c) Organize solidarity visits to churches in Korea and Germany that can serve as peacemakers and bridge builders. A first encounter should be the young adult peace seminar hosted by EFK in Seoul at the end of July 2023. Participation of youth from both countries should be ensured. d) Continue accompanying the churches of NCCK and EKD by providing a common platform for member churches and ecumenical partners from both Korea and Germany to come together in order to advance towards reconciliation and peace. Online seminars and personal exchanges, for example from churches, Universities, diaconial institutions, and during pastoral education should be fostered and initiated, as well as volunteers' programs. The exchange of youth, students, theological lecturers, pastors, diacons, and other volunteers and ecumenical encounters in Germany and Korea should be encouraged and supported in order to provide opportunities for understanding better the other context and for learning from each other, and to envision a desirable common future for the two church communions and countries. We recognize that a historically symbolic moment for such initiatives could be found in 2024, the centennial year of NCCK. e) In a changing world new topics and issues should be tackled such as intergenerational justice, climate change, sexual violence, gender and diversity, or work-life balance. Ways and means of interaction should be sought for taking up these and other issues. 2. Furthermore, we commit ourselves to take actions to: a) Participate in the Korean Peace Appeal (KPA) Campaign for ending the Korean War and transforming the Armistice Agreement into a Peace Treaty. For this, we the NCCK and the EKD may actively participate in the KPA Campaign. b) Join the WCC’s ecumenical advocacy project “Light of Peace” this year. To join the KPA Campaign process we may invite our partner churches, particularly those whose countries were involved in the Korean War as combatant states in various forms – 16 states for direct combat, 6 states for medical support, 40 states for material support, and 6 states for post-war rehabilitation support. c) Call upon all foreign powers in the region to participate in a creative process for building peace on the Korean Peninsula by halting all military exercises on the Korean peninsula, by ceasing their interventions and reducing military expenditures. d) Enhance peoples’ peace capital through a praxis-oriented “positive” peace education and develop a civilian alliance of peace diplomacy. In this course, we may provide various peace platforms for young generations both in North and South Korea to meet together in order to envision a common future for the Korean Peninsula. e) Being in solidarity with those who are suffering in the context of Asia (after COVID 19) from Militarism and authoritarianism, poverty and inequality, from climate crisis, Gender and Sexuality discrimination, and where despite the bloody grassroots struggles in Asia, military rule and authoritarianism still survive. The liberated Asian countries were taken into the cold war framework without a chance to clean up the waste of colonialism. Liquidation of colonial vestiges, rooting-out of militarism, and establishment of economic justice are the ways toward a just and peaceful society. As the upholding of universal values along with the global network led by the ecumenical movement has supported Korea's democratic movements during military dictatorship, churches and the ecumenical community have to act for supporting peace in Asia. f) Regularly conduct various forms of the global ecumenical prayer movement for healing and reconciliation of the Korean Peninsula. For this, the EKD in cooperation with the NCCK and the KCF (Korean Christian Federation) may organize the “Sunday of Prayer” along with their member churches. For making peace, we Christians do not have weapons of war, but we do have prayer. g) Work with the EFK and the governments of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in providing international cooperation to maintain a truly Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and transform it into a zone of peace. We, the NCCK and EKD churches together and with our ecumenical partners, both in our own context and cooperating internationally, will be the main actors of this journey. We, too, consider our reflections and plans to be an invitation and suggestion for individuals, parishes, and communities to participate in the movement of justice and peace for the Korean Peninsula, Germany and beyond. The main subjects of peace-building are us, “we the people,” who live on the democratic values of sovereignty resting on every human being. The crucial key points are the people’s consciousness of peace-sovereignty, and our will for building a peace-alliance in solidarity with love and justice. For a continuing Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace, let us deepen our spirituality of reconciliation and unity and develop our strategy and expertise for enhancing social reconciliation and visible unity for the suffering, marginalized and the weak. Let us develop the EKD-NCCK’s ecumenical capacity in faith-based civil peace diplomacy by mobilizing all the relevant personnel resources of our member churches and partners. Conclusion We are a fellowship on the move, a community of pilgrims. We journey together towards life in all its fullness. We pray for God’s guidance and inspiration, so that our journey of love and solidarity will open us to one another through dynamic and creative interaction for justice. May the triune God of life lead us to be living instruments of justice and peace. We sincerely hope that the Holy Spirit will be the driving force of the EKD-NCCK Peace Solidarity as an indispensable people’s peace-alliance, so that the Holy Spirit makes us embody the love of Christ that moves us to reconciliation and unity. February 20th, 2023 Protestant Church in Germany (EKD) National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK)
2023-03-07 13:33:10
An Appeal from the Korea-Japan Platform for Alliances Based on Justice and History
Korea-Japan (Japan-Korea) Reconciliation and Peace Platform To: Mr. Joe Biden President The United States of America April 15, 2021 A Joint Appeal of Korean and Japanese Citizens to the U.S. Government and Civil Society US government and civil society, please do not be party to the Japanese Government’s refusal to settle historical wrongs: Correct historical awareness and an end-of-war declaration in Korea are levers for peace in Northeast Asia We send you our warm greetings of peace from Japan and Korea. We hope this appeal finds you well, and we wish to begin with the context out of which it has come. Based on a correct memory of the painful history between Korea and Japan, in July last year the civil society and religious communities in Japan and Korea launched the "Korea-Japan (Japan-Korea) Reconciliation and Peace Platform" (hereinafter referred to as the "JK Platform") to serve as a catalyst for a new era of reconciliation and peace. With the hope of reconciliation and peace between Korea and Japan, the JK Platform comes together with cooperation and solidarity through a correct perception of history, a permanent peace settlement on the Korean Peninsula and protection of Article 9 in Japan’s constitution, denuclearization and disarmament in East Asia, and human rights and peace education for the next generation. Last February 4th, we heard a report that President Joe Biden and President Moon Jae-in reached a consensus that, “cooperation between South Korea, the United States, and Japan is important for Northeast Asian peace and prosperity.” However, we are concerned that the US government, in order to strengthen US-Korea-Japan military cooperation, is urging the Korean and Japanese governments to reach a political settlement that will wipe away the past colonial legacy and the human rights issues including the enforced labor and the Japanese military sexual slavery. We do not want an agreement that puts national interests and military alliances first, forcing the victims of colonial rule to compromise and keep silence. Any political compromise that sets aside the issue of historical awareness will destabilize Korea-Japan relations and fail to bring about lasting peace in the region. Furthermore, the Korean War must also come to an end for peace and prosperity in Northeast Asia. We demand that the U.S. government develop policies toward an end-of-war declaration for the Korean War and the conclusion of a peace agreement. We earnestly appeal to U.S. civil society and religious communities for their loving attention, active support, and solidarity to ensure that the U.S. government positively responds to the following demands. First, we ask the U.S. government to respect the recovery of human rights for the victims of war crimes by the former Japanese military. The U.S. government's apology and reparation for the forced internment and unfair treatment of Japanese immigrants during World War II set a good example for the international community. The U.S. government was involved in the process in which Korea and Japan reached to the 1965 Japan Korea Treaty on Basic Relations and the 2015 Comfort Women Agreement. However, as you are aware, these two agreements did not reflect the intentions of the colonial victims, which has now become a root cause for the current unstable relationship between Korea and Japan. We believe that the current Biden administration, which now emphasizes human rights, should be active in restoring the human rights of war victims. We must remember and recognize that Germany made possible a new start in post-war Europe by reflecting on and remembering their own crimes against humanity committed against Jews. Second, we demand that the U.S. government implement policies toward ending the Korean War and concluding a peace agreement. We hope the Biden administration will consolidate its efforts to improve the relationship between the two Koreas, between Korea and Japan, and between Korean and the U.S. by advancing the peace process on the Korean Peninsula. We also hope that Korea will not be included in the QUAD alliance that will strengthen the new Cold War system in Northeast Asia and strengthen the division system on the Korean Peninsula. There was no direct confrontation between the U.S. and the Soviet Union in the East-West Cold War, but we can never forget the fratricidal Cold War in Asia. However, since that war has not yet officially ended it remains a fundamental cause of the violation of the peace and human rights of the people on the Korean Peninsula. We reiterate that an agreement to end the Korean War cannot be a diplomatic card calling for the denuclearization of the DPRK. This is ending the disastrous history of war and the history of division on the Korean Peninsula. For peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula as well as in Northeast Asia, we once again demand that the U.S. government implement policies that declare an end to the Korean War and conclude a peace agreement. We sincerely appeal for the active support and solidarity of U.S. civil society, religious communities, and political leaders, hoping that they will share our concerns for remembering the past history correctly, respecting the human rights, making peace, and especially for the establishing the Japan-Korea relations based on justice. Korea-Japan (Japan-Korea) Reconciliation and Peace Platform Korea Representatives Rev. Dr. Hong-jung, Lee (General Secretary, The National Council of Churches in Korea) Kyomu In-sung, Jung (Won Buddhism Priest) Mr. Choong-mok, Han (President, Korea Alliance For Progressive Movement) Ms. Tae-sun, Kwon (Co-representative, Korean Federation for Environmental Movement) Steering Comm. Members Fr. Ju-seok, Kang (General Secretary, National Reconciliation Committee of Catholic Bishop's Conference of Korea) Kyomu Sang-deok, Jung (Won Buddhism Priest) Rev. Seung-min, Shin (Director, The National Council of Churches in Korea/ Coordinator of Korea Platform) Ms. Mi Kyung, Eum (Chair of Reunification Affairs Committee, Korea Alliance For Progressive Movement) Ms. Mee-hee, Son (Co-President, Civil Network for the ‘Chosun School’ & Student in Japan) Mr. Ji-jung, An (Co-Executive Chairman, Korea Alliance For Progressive Movement) Ms. Jung-sook, Yun (Co-representative, Green Korea United) Mr. Kyung-min, Kim (General Secretary, Young Man's Christian Association Korea) Dr. Na-Young, Lee (Chair of the Board, The Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan & Professor of Sociology at Chung-Ang University) Mr. Sin-cheol, Lee (Standing Co-chair of Steering Committee, Asia Peace and History Education Network) Mr. Soo-yun, Shin (Chair of Steering Committee, Korean Network Against Military Bases) Mr. Tae-ho, Lee (Chair of Steering Committee, Civil Society Organizations Network in Korea) Secretariat Comm. Members Rev. Bo-hyun, Hwang (Executive Secretary, The National Council of Churches in Korea) Ms. Hye-ran, Yoon (Direcrot, Young Man's Christian Association Korea) Mr. Sung-kun, Moon (General Secretary, Young Korean Academy (Heung Sa Dan) Mr. Yeong-hwan, Kim (Chief of the External Relations Team, The Center for Historical Truth and Justice) Japan Co-Representatives Ken Takada (No War Civil Society Citizen’s Liaison against The Revision of Article 9) Shinsaku Nohira (Peace Boat) Fr. Ichiro Mitsunobu SJ (Japan Catholic Council for Justice and Peace) Rev. Bunkou Ono (Article9 Peace of Religious People) Steering Comm. Members Kenju Watanabe (Japan-Korea People's Solidarity Japan Network) Fr. Jun Nakai SJ (Japan Catholic Council for Justice and Peace) Rev. Aika Taira (Christian Network for Peace -sticking to the Peace Constitution) Koh Odagawa (Civil Forum on Korean Hibakusha Issues) Takashi Shiraishi (Network of hope for promoting civic exchange between Japan and South Korea) Atsuko Hiki (Division of Education, National Christian Council in Japan) Mina Watanabe (Women's Active Museum on War and Peace (WAM) ) Rev. Takao Takeda (Nipponzan Myohoji) Rev. Yukichi Ishikawa (Aichi Association for Peace of Religion) Yuichi Hida (Kobe Youth/Students Center) Rev. Takuya Izuka (East Asia Reconciliation and Peace Committee of National Christian Council in Japan) Keiko Kitamura (Women Committee of National Christian Council in Japan) Rev./Dr. Sungjae Kim (National Christian Council in Japan) Secretariat Noriko Hiruma (Japan Catholic Council for Justice and Peace) Akiko Shioe (Meeting to think about children's education in collaboration with Korean schools in Japan) Nobuyuki Sato (National Conference of Christians Seeking Institution of a Basic Law for Non-Japanese Residents) Noriko Kuju, EANPR (East Asian Network for Peace and Reconciliation) Takako Watanabe (Christian Network for Peace sticking to the Peace Constitution) Yoshimitsu Fujimori (National Christian Council in Japan)
2021-09-10 13:53:44
English2021 Sunday Prayer Worship for Peaceful Reunification of the Korean Peninsula
2021 Sunday Prayer Worship for Peaceful Reunification of the Korean Peninsula
August 15 is celebrated as Liberation Day in Korea, the day that signifies Korea’s liberation from Japanese colonization.In 2013, the WCC 10th General Assembly meeting in Busan, Korea passed a resolution that the churches of the world will annually observe each Sunday prior to August 15 as a “Sunday of Prayer for the Peaceful Reunification of the Korean Peninsula.”The Reconciliation and Reunification Committee of the NCCK drafted this liturgy in the hopes that each church could apply it with reference to their own situation.The Joint Prayer for the Peaceful Reunification of the Korean Peninsula is usually prepared by both the NCCK (South) and the Korean Christian Federation (North) together.In 2018 the two leaders from North and South Korea met and adopted the Panmunjom Declaration and the Pyongyang Declaration. In order to fully actualize the spirit of these two declarations, NCCK declared a People’s Korea Peace Agreement and is currently engaged in a global campaign to secure 1 million Christian signatures. Please join this signature campaign with your neighbors, relatives and neighboring communities. Peace is approaching us. * Please participate in the Korea Peace Appeal Campaign: https://forms.gle/ijY3rVrfZtsMwFjT7 If you have used this service liturgy, we thank you. Please send a brief note to Kurt at kurt.pcusa.ncck@gmail.com so that we will have a record. In addition, the NCCK welcomes any suggestions for improvement.
2021-08-09 15:40:02
EnglishLetter to President Rodrigo Duterte
Letter to President Rodrigo Duterte
Mr. Rodrigo Duterte President The Republic of the Philippines April 5, 2021 Dear Mr. President, On behalf of the National Council of Churches in Korea, we bring you greetings in the name of Jesus the risen Lord. As an Ecumenical body of Korean Church, for a long time we have devoted ourselves to the Korean democracy movement in solidarity with World Council of Churches and Christian Council of Asia. We have also been working together with the United Church of the Philippines (UCCP) to spread the Good News of salvation. But, on March 28, 2021, we heard the shocking news from them that your government froze their bank accounts and the properties of the Haran Center in Davao City. For a long time, as far as we know, the UCCP Haran (Home and Altar for Renewal, Action, and Nurture) has been a safe haven for Lumads fleeing from rampant militarization in their communities. According to the UCCP statement, the government’s freezing of the bank account and property stems from the malicious and unfounded allegation that the UCCP Haran’s assets have been “used to finance terrorism,” harboring the Lumads in the compound and indoctrinating them with “communist ideals”. We are also overwhelmed with anger and horrifying misery to hear that earlier in September last year, the UCCP Bishop Reuel Norman Marigza (currently, the NCCP’s General Secretary) and the Haran manager were accused of human trafficking and child abuse. Later on, it was revealed this accusation had been fabricated by the government. Above all, we define the Philippine government's attack as a grave human rights violation that jeopardizes the lives of the Lumads. Protecting the rights of the uprooted people is the nation's most important task, but the Philippine government is driving them toward death by calling them terrorists. We also define this attack as a violation of the Constitution in that it suppresses religious freedom guaranteed by the Constitution. The most important teaching of Christianity is "love of neighbor" (Mathew 12:27-29), therefore it is a serious blasphemy to disturb the missionary work of practicing love for neighbors. Strongly condemning these malicious acts of the Philippine government, we urge President Duterte to: Ensure the right to life and human rights of the Lumads Lift immediately the freeze on UCCP accounts and property Reveal the truth on the fabricated accusations against UCCP officials including Bishop Marigza, and come up with measures to prevent recurrence. We have heard that the human rights situation in the Philippines is worsening as the extra judicial killings are being committed against many innocent people including pastors. Therefore, we sincerely ask you to listen to the cries of the innocent people and bring justice to them. We believe that God will listen to the cries of the people, wipe away their tears and relieve their injustice. In addition, we will pray and act in solidarity with churches in the world so that God’s justice and peace will soon be realized in the Philippine society. "I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have overcome the world!" (John 16:33). Sincerely Yours, Rev. Lee Hong Jung General Secretary 강 용 규 Rev. Kang Yong-kyu Chair-person – International Affair Committee National Council of Churches in Korea
2021-04-09 15:46:50
North Korea policy review Faith-based letter to President Biden
April 7, 2021 Dear President Biden The undersigned faith-based organizations write in light of your administration’s review of U.S. policy toward North Korea. As groups motivated by our faith to support peace and human flourishing around the world, we affirm the need to rethink tactics of isolation and maximum pressure and advance U.S.-North Korean relations through dialogue and engagement. We also urge an approach that supports faith-based and other organizations in meeting the humanitarian needs of North Korea’s most vulnerable populations. As fellow people of faith, we ask that your policy review consider the following priorities: • End the Korean War. Although a ceasefire in 1953 brought an end to active fighting, the United States and the two Koreas never signed a formal peace treaty declaring an end to the war, and this ongoing conflict is the root of hostilities between the United States and North Korea. Korean people on both sides of the divide support an end to the Korean War, and the U.S. must support the will of Koreans and their right to live in peace. Declaring an end to the war provides the necessary security assurances to pursue denuclearization and is a long overdue and an essential first step toward a new relationship. • Agree to a step-by-step, action-for-action gradual denuclearization process. In working toward denuclearization, the United States should avoid maximalist approaches and expectations that North Korea will unilaterally disarm with no security guarantees or other reciprocal processes. • Support confidence-building measures that also address humanitarian needs. These measures include:o Reaffirming past commitments including those made in the 2018 Singapore Joint Declaration;o Strengthening exemptions for humanitarian activities so that humanitarian and relief organizations can quickly and flexibly respond to dire need in the country;o Consulting with humanitarian and peacebuilding organizations before implementing policy changes that could negatively impact their work;o Rescinding travel restrictions so that humanitarian travel can continue, including the monitoring and delivery of humanitarian aid, the recovery of U.S. service member remains, and the reunification of North Korean and Korean American families; ando Permitting Track II dialogues, private people-to-people exchanges and government-sponsored exchange programs such as the International Visitor Leadership Program which would expand opportunities for dialogue, engagement, and mutual learning. • Prioritize diplomatic engagement and avoid actions that complicate diplomacy such as large-scale military exercises, hostile rhetoric, or rejecting opportunities for engagement. • Avoid unilateral action that interferes with the engagement efforts of South Korea. Instead, give the Korean people agency to determine a peaceful future together. Religious leaders around the world have led the call for constructive dialogue and a peace regime. Pope Francis stated after the Singapore Summit, “The Holy See regards favorably the dialogues in course” expressing hope that dialogues would “lead to shared and lasting solutionscapable of ensuring a future of development and cooperation for the whole Korean people and for the entire region.” “The history of the Korean War has taught us that the reunification of Korea cannot be pursued by armed force and coercive means, given the tragic consequences of that conflict. It can only be achieved by peaceful means, through dialogue and cooperation,” reads a joint ecumenical statement issued by the World Council of Churches and signed by South Korean, U.S. and other international churches. We share this hope that sustained dialogue and engagement with North Korea can lead to meaningful change and affirm ongoing diplomatic engagement. We believe that embracing the above principles will succeed where hostility and isolation have failed. Our organizations look forward to continuing to promote peace and reconciliation on the Korean peninsula and hope to offer our support for a constructive U.S. policy toward North Korea. Thank you for your consideration, American Friends Service CommitteeChurch of the Brethren, Office of Peacebuilding and PolicyDC Methodist ChurchFairfield Grace UMCFriends Committee on National LegislationHoly Cross Washington Korean Episcopal ChurchJungto Society USAKorean Process Theology Study GroupMaryknoll Office for Global ConcernsMennonite Central Committee U.S. Washington OfficeNational Council of ChurchesPresbyterian Church (USA), Office of Global WitnessPresbyterian Peace Network for KoreaSt John’s Episcopal Church, MDUnited Church of Christ, Justice and Witness MinistriesThe United Methodist Church - General Board of Church and Society
2021-04-09 15:42:14
EnglishAn Appeal for Democracy and Peace in Myanmar  On Behalf of the Korean Church
An Appeal for Democracy and Peace in Myanmar On Behalf of the Korean Church
An Appeal for Democracy and Peace in Myanmar On Behalf of the Korean Church “Hate evil and love good, and establish justice in the gate.” (Amos 5:15a) Since the Myanmar military coup on February 1, we, the National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK), have been praying and watching the peaceful but desperate civil disobedience movement spread like wildfire, filled the holy anger of the people of Myanmar. Along with citizens around the world, we are angry over the atrocities and vicious human rights abuses of the military, which suppresses unarmed nonviolent civil actions with indiscriminate assault, gun fire, arson, and detention. The World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) have issued pastoral letters and joint statements in solidarity with the people of Myanmar protesting against the military, which has trampled on the will of the people for the past 60 years. We, the NCCK, including some of our member churches and institutions, have also issued solidarity letters and statements appealing for the suspension of the murderous suppression of demonstrations, immediate transfer of power to the civilian government, and active intervention by the international community. Nevertheless, as we witness the ever-escalating situation in Myanmar, we have now decided to engage in establishing true democracy and peace in the country. Once again, we gather our determined will and appeal to the Korean Church, the Korean government, and the global religious/civil society for the democratization of Myanmar as shown below. First, we appeal to the Korean Church and Christians. Jesus Christ showed us a model of solidarity through prayer. Christians live by the power of prayer, and prayer can change the world. At noon every day during Lent, let's share a one-minute prayer for building a society where murderous suppression of protests in Myanmar ceases immediately, power transfers to civilian authority, and democracy and human rights are respected. During Lent, let's fast for one meal and actively participate in the fundraising campaign to donate money to detainees, refugees, minorities and children. With the Korean Church eagerly awaiting the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who defeated the power of death, we sincerely appeal to the people of Myanmar whose hearts are suffering that we may unite with the practice of prayer. Second, we appeal to the Korean government and Korean corporations. On February 26, the South Korean National Assembly adopted a resolution condemning the Myanmar military coup and urging them to recover democracy and release detainees. The resolution condemned the military coup and urged the Korean government with the international community to actively engage in the crisis to pressure the military to release Aung San Suu Kyi, withdraw the state of emergency, stop using force against citizens, and restore democracy. We urge the government to respect the resolution and immediately take effective measures to pressure Myanmar's military, and thoroughly monitor South Korea's weapons and anti-protest equipment to keep it from being exported to Myanmar. Also, we sincerely appeal to Korean companies related to military industries. At this moment, the Korean companies’ well-intentioned investment and cooperation are returning to Myanmar people as weapons for the military. We appeal for the suspension of partnership and investment in Myanmar’s military until their democracy is secure. Third, we appeal to the international community. The tyranny and atrocities of Myanmar's military are fundamental challenges to a humane society. Innocent people in Myanmar who love democracy and peace are desperately appealing to the international community. Therefore, we urge the UN Security Council and the General Assembly, by the spirit of the UN's "Responsibility to Protect" principle, to pressure Myanmar's military, which is committing humanitarian crimes in killing its own citizens, and to pass arms embargoes, economic sanctions, and travel bans. The UN Human Rights Council should dispatch a human rights investigation team to monitor and prevent further human rights violations in Myanmar. We urge the Korean government, a member of the UN Human Rights Council, to put forth its best effort to persuade the UNHRC. We appeal to the International Criminal Court for active intervention in Myanmar's military, which has committed crimes against humanity for more than half a century. In particular we urge the Western colonial powers, the United States, China, and other neighboring powers that have used a divide and conquer strategy, perpetuated ethnic conflict, and kept Myanmar under military dictatorship, to lay down their desire to dominate and now actively work to democratize Myanmar. Korean church members, Korean people, and global citizens who love justice and peace, the people of Myanmar are now appealing to us, just as we have appealed to the global church and the world religious/civil society in years past. The people of Myanmar striving for their own democratization have found inspiration in our past appeals and our history of sacrifice for democratization in Korea. Now, we should become the eyes and ears, the hands and feet for the people of Myanmar. We should be a haven and a shelter. We believe that God's companionship and solidarity will accompany the people of Myanmar, their bereaved families, those in prison, those who are missing, and those who fight on the streets for democracy, human rights, and for life in this moment. We declare that we will pray and unite in solidarity with the Korean churches and the world's religious/civil society until the day when Myanmar actualizes democracy and respects the value of the people's freedom and human rights. March 11, 2021 The National Council of Churches in Korea Moderator, Peter Kyong-ho, LEE General Secretary, Hong-jung, LEE Member Churches Moderator, Jung-ho SHIN, The Presbyterian Church of Korea President Bishop, Chul LEE, The Korean Methodist Church Moderator, Gun-hee LEE, The Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea Territorial Commander, Man-hee CHANG, The Salvation Army Korea Territory Primate, Peter Kyong-ho LEE, The Anglican Church of Korea President, Mi-sun JANG, The Korea Evangelical Church Metropolitan Ambrosios Orthodox Metropolis of Korea Superintendent Young-hee YOO, The Assemblies of God of Korea President Eun-seob KIM, The Lutheran Church in Korea Member Organizations Chairperson of the Board of Directors Dal-ik SON, Christian Broadcasting System President Jin-han SUH, The Christian Literature Society of Korea Chairperson of the board of Directors, Soo-il CHAI, Korea Student Christian Federation President, In-dong SONG, The National Council of YMCAs of Korea President, Young-hee WON, The National YWCA of Korea
2021-03-16 12:03:08
EnglishGeneral Secretary's Message at a Press Conference Opposing US-SK Joint Military Drills
General Secretary's Message at a Press Conference Opposing US-SK Joint Military Drills
“The peace process on the Korean Peninsula is incompatible with the US-SK joint military exercises.” [A presentation given by Rev. Lee, Hong Jung at a civil society press conference organized by the South Korean Committee on the June 15th Joint Declaration opposing the US-SK joint military exercises on Thursday February, 25, 2021] The peace process on the Korean Peninsula is incompatible with the US-SK joint military exercises. While boasting the strongest military power and state-of-the-art military equipment, we cannot build mutual trust in building peace on the Korean Peninsula by practicing scenarios like Operation Plan 5015 that specifies preemptive attacks on and occupation of North Korea. The suspension of the US-SK joint military exercises was the key to shepherding in the Pyeongchang Spring of 2018 and opening the tightly closed iron gate of the peace process on the Korean Peninsula. The resumption of US-SK joint military exercises shows that both governments lack the true will to lead the peace process through peaceful means, despite the golden opportunity to once again create a new way out of this stalled peace process. In the name of supporting U.S. and North Korean diplomatic efforts to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula, they changed the name of the exercises to a name less likely to provoke the North and reduced their size, but unless the basic operational plan such as preemptive strikes and removal of the North Korean regime is removed, it is no better than trying to cover up the sky. The fundamental target of the US-SK joint military drills has not changed, and considering the context of the process of peace on the Korean Peninsula the negative meaning of the joint military drills has not changed. In the midst of a particularly acute battle between the Cold War hegemonies of the U.S. and China, U.S. strategic assets have been deployed near the Korean Peninsula, and the controversy over upgrading the THAAD system in Seongju has resumed; therefore, we must express deep concern for these military actions on the Korean Peninsula. South Korea, which the U.S. has incorporated into the infrastructure of its Strategic Framework for the Indo-Pacific including Japan, Australia, and India, lives with a geopolitical fate where it must be mobilized for alliance diplomacy and alliance wars for U.S. interests at any time, and the US-SK joint military exercises serve this purpose. The anti-life devastation and aftermath of the Korean War, which marked its 70th anniversary last year, the entrenched division of the Korean War and the spread of Cold War culture have become a symbol of anti-peace. The people who live on the Korean Peninsula both in the South and the North are victims of the 70 years of Korean War trapped under a global Cold War system. With a “holy fury” we strongly urge the immediate suspension of all military actions and hostile policies that encourage confrontation and conflict on the Korean Peninsula in order to protect the right to life and safety of the people. The leaders of the two Koreas promised to make efforts to establish a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula through the historic Panmunjom Declaration and the Pyongyang Joint Declaration. The DPRK-US Singapore Summit also shared the same spirit. Nevertheless, even in the midst of the process of visualizing and implementing the spirit of the joint agreements, the military authorities of South Korea and the United States have continued to conduct joint military exercises and to suppress the military strategies toward North Korea. We will never passively sit by and watch the logic of "war economics" led by the globalized forces of the Military Industrial Complex control the peace process on the Korean Peninsula. We urge the South Korea, North Korea, and the U.S. authorities to stop all acts of mutual hostility, to actively implement the agreements between the leaders in the Panmunjom Declaration, the Pyongyang Joint Declaration, and the Singapore Joint Statement, in cooperation with the global religious/civil society. With the belief that peace can only be achieved through peaceful means, we will pray and unite with the world's religious/civil society for a declaration of the end of the war, the conclusion of a peace agreement, a permanent peace settlement on the Korean Peninsula, and peace in Northeast Asia.
2021-03-10 11:47:44
EnglishAn appeal to Korean Church and Society:  “We Sincerely Ask for Your Prayers and Solidarity  for the Democratization of Myanmar.”
An appeal to Korean Church and Society: “We Sincerely Ask for Your Prayers and Solidarity for the Democratization of Myanmar.”
An appeal to Korean Church and Society: “We Sincerely Ask for Your Prayers and Solidarity for the Democratization of Myanmar.” The National Council of Churches in Korea, along with the Korean Church and its people send our enthusiastic support and solidarity as we see a wave of explosive national resistance and international solidarity spreading around the world after Myanmar’s military coup on February 1st. The Myanmar Council of Churches (MCC) has already issued an emergency statement calling for the restoration of democracy, the release of detainees, suspension of violence, and for peace and solidarity to Myanmar's churches and people, as well as churches and civil society around the world. The World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) also sent a joint pastoral letter to their member church hoping for democracy and the safety of the people in Myanmar. We are sure that Myanmar has reached a historical point where the military must no longer trample on the people’s democratization movement with guns and swords as happened in 1988 and 2007. We sincerely hope that this democratization movement will serve as the cornerstone of Myanmar's true democratization, where the right to live and the right to autonomy of various ethnic minorities are respected. We also urge the South Korean government, preserving the spirit of our candlelight revolution, to actively join in solidarity with Myanmar’s democratization movement, and we urge South Korean companies that support Myanmar's military leadership directly or indirectly to reconsider that cooperation. In response, we declare our solidarity with the Korean Church and the global Church on behalf of Myanmar, and we urge the following: The Myanmar military should respect the results of the November 2020 general elections and immediately hand over power to the civilian government. Myanmar's military should immediately release Aung San Suu Kyi, government leaders, and civil society figures. Myanmar's military should immediately stop the violent suppression of protests, investigate the truth of the crackdown, punish those responsible, and come up with measures to prevent a recurrence. The South Korean government, preserving the spirit of the candlelight revolution, should support Myanmar’s democracy, and Korean companies should reconsider their direct and indirect support of Myanmar’s military control. We the NCCK will be in solidarity and in prayer with the global Church until Myanmar's military dictatorship ends and true democracy is achieved. Feb. 24, 2021 Bishop Lee Kyung-ho, Moderator, Rev. Lee Hong-jung, General Secretary National Council of Churches in Korea
2021-02-26 16:19:52
화해·통일2020 Peace Prayer Movement (Light of Peace) Final: 2020 August 15th Joint South-North (North-South) Prayer  for Peace & Reunification on the Korean Peninsula
2020 Peace Prayer Movement (Light of Peace) Final: 2020 August 15th Joint South-North (North-South) Prayer for Peace & Reunification on the Korean Peninsula
* Korean (Above) - English (Below) 8월 2주 Final : 특별기도 - 한국기독교교회협의회(NCCK) 2020년 평화통일남북공동기도주일 기도문 자비의 하나님! 이 땅이 일본의 강점으로부터 광복의 기쁨을 누린 지 어언 75년, 우리는 올해도 변함없이 8.15를 맞이하였습니다. 주님께서 한/조선 반도에 허락하신 해방의 복음에 대해 감사드립니다. 그럼에도 여전히 남과 북/ 북과 남의 그리스도인들은 분단의 현실 때문에 온전히 해방의 기쁨을 누리지 못합니다. 주님, 이 땅을 불쌍히 여겨 주시옵소서. 정의의 하나님! 오래 전 광복을 맞았지만 이 땅은 완전한 독립을 얻지 못하였습니다. 분단과 전쟁, 대결과 증오의 세월은 마치 처음부터 적대적인 두 민족인양, 우리를 찢어놓았습니다. 38도선으로 갈라놓은 외세는 여전히 이 땅의 운명을 좌지우지하고, 사죄를 거부한 일본은 건건이 훼방꾼 노릇을 합니다. 주님, 이 역사에 제국의 정의가 아닌 하나님의 정의를 바로 세워주시옵소서. 희망의 하나님! 그럼에도 북과 남/ 남과 북의 형제자매가 다시 민족의 화해와 평화를 위해 힘쓰게 하심을 감사드립니다. 올해는 처음으로 두 정상이 평양에서 만나 민족사적 합의를 이룬 6.15 남북공동선언 20주년입니다. “우리 민족끼리 서로 힘을 합쳐 자주적으로 해결해 나가기로”한 평화통일 약속은 진심어린 민족의 마음이었습니다. 주님, 이러한 희망이 시들지 않도록 도우소서. 평화의 하나님! 이 땅에 뿌리 내린 평화의 나무는 지금도 자라나고 있습니다. 때론 외압에 시달려도 삼천리 방방곡곡에서 평화의 열매를 거둘 것을 기대합니다. 바라기는 안보라는 이름으로 행하는 전쟁연습을 중단하고, 보장이란 미명으로 개발하는 모든 무기생산을 그치게 하소서. 주님, 종전을 선언하고 평화협정을 맺음으로 북과 남/ 남과 북이 평화공존과 상생의 길을 걷게 하옵소서. 구원의 하나님! 지금 온 세계는 코로나19 감염 때문에 크게 위축되어 있습니다. 우리 민족이 해방의 감동을 온전히 누리기를 소원하듯이, 온 세계가 감염병의 포로 상태에서 속히 자유롭게 되길 소망합니다. 주님, 어려울 때일수록 남과 북/ 북과 남이 서로 하나의 민족임을 자각하고 협력하게 하시며, 당당히 세계 속에서 화해와 평화, 통일과 번영의 새 언약을 선포하게 하옵소서. 예수 그리스도의 이름으로 기도합니다. 아멘. 2020년 8월 15일 한국기독교교회협의회 화해통일위원회 *2020년 한반도 평화통일 남북공동기도문은 한국기독교교회협의회(NCCK)가 조선그리스도교련맹(KCF)에 제안한 초안입니다. Final : Special Prayer - National Council of Churches in Korea 2020 August 15th Joint South-North (North-South) Prayer for Peace & Reunification on the Korean Peninsula God of mercy! As this year 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of Korea’s liberation from the Japanese colonial rule, we give you thanks for your marvelous gift of liberation. But the joy of liberation could not be fully celebrated for Christians in the North and South due to the Cold War relic of longstanding division and confrontation. Lord, have mercy on us! God of justice! The joy of liberation ended up being only half fulfilled as the years of division, confrontation, and hatred have torn us apart as if we were two hostile nations from the beginning. The foreign powers, who established two separate Korean nations demarcated by a border at the 38th parallel, the line of latitude that crosses the peninsula, still dominate the fate of our nation. Japan, which has continued to refuse to apologize, is the intruder for peace and reunification on the Korean Peninsula. Lord, we humbly ask for the justice of your kingdom which is opposite to the injustice of the human empire! God of hope! We also give you thanks for making us your messengers of peace and justice. June 15 this year marks the 20th anniversary of the Joint Declaration between the two Koreas and held the first summit of inter-Korean leaders since the Korean War in the early 1950s.The North and South have agreed to resolve the question of reunification independently and through the joint efforts of the Korean people, who are the masters of the country. Lord, help us not to lose our hope! God of peace! Trees of peace, rooted in this land, are still growing. Even in times of external pressure from the foreign powers, we pray that the fruits of peace would be harvested throughout the length and breadth of the land all over the country. Help us to stop the military exercises and producing all weapons in the name of security! Lord, may the North and South walk in the path of peace and coexistence by declaring an official end to the Korean War and signing a peace treaty! God of salvation! We are frustrated and feel so helpless as we have faced the COVID-19 pandemic. Just as Koreans wish a full joy of liberation, may we overcome the COVID-19 and enjoy the gifts of life. May the North and South lead to mutual cooperation as one nation! Lord, may we boldly proclaim a new covenant of national reconciliation, peace, and prosperity! In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen! 15 August 2020 National Council of Churches in Korea * This '2020 August 15th Joint South-North (North-South) Prayer for Peace and Reunification on the Korean Peninsula' is a draft proposal proposed by the National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK) to the Korean Christian Federation (KCF). ---한국기독교교회협의회(NCCK)는 지난 68회 정기총회에서 “평화를 이루기까지 있는 힘을 다할 것”(시 34:14)을 다짐하고, 한국전쟁 발발 70년을 맞는 올해 2020년을 한반도에서 전쟁을 종식하고 평화협정을 실현하는 “희년의 해”로 선포하였습니다.이 희년운동의 일환으로 세계교회협의회 (WCC)와 함께 3월 1일부터 8월 15일까지 “한반도평화를 위한 세계기도운동”을 전개하오니, 이번 주부터 매주 보내드리는 기도문 (혹은 신앙간증문)을 가지고 교회와 가정, 직장과 각 자의 삶의 자리에서 이 기도운동에 적극 참여하여 주시기 바랍니다.
2020-08-11 15:59:00
화해·통일2020 Peace Prayer Movement (Light of Peace) Witness #7
2020 Peace Prayer Movement (Light of Peace) Witness #7
* Korean (Above) - English (Below) 8월 2주 증언 7 - 박종화 목사, 국민문화재단 이사장 한반도 평화와 통일을 위한 <공동기도문> 한반도의 평화와 통일을 위한 예배와 집회는 국내외를 막론하고 모두의 기원을 담은 <공동의 기도>를 예나 지금이나 필수 절차로 삼아왔다. 다만 이를 공적 형식의 <공동기도문>으로 결의하고 실행에 옮긴 사건은 평화와 통일운동의 과정에서만이 아니라 공적 예배예전에 포함되는 일은 교회사의 공의회적 결의라는 점에서도 그 뜻하는 바가 크고 깊다. 한국교회의 평화와 통일 운동의 기폭제는 세계교회협의회-국제문제위원회(WCC-CCIA) 주선으로 일본 도산소에서 열린 <동북아 평화와 정의협의회>(1983.10.19.-11.02.)였다. 물론 당시 “평화”나 “통일”이라는 용어조차 민간사용이 금기시 내지 금지되었던 한국 정치상황에서 KNCC(NCCK의 당시 약어, 이하 KNCC)가 WCC를 통하여 시도한 첫걸음이었고, 거기서 당연히 의제토론과 함께 공동기도는 필수절차였다. 이의 연장선상에서 WCC-CCIA가 주선한 남북교회 간의 첫 만남인 <스위스 글리온 회의>(1986.09.02.-05./조선그리스도교도 연맹 5인과 KNCC 6인 참여)는 공동기도는 물론 공동의 성만찬도 진행했다. 이것이 전 세계 에큐메니칼 운동과 남북 간의 교회가 기도로 시작한 평화와 통일을 향한 거보였음을 인식해야 한다. 이처럼 세계 에큐메니칼 교회들과 남북의 교회들 상호간의 공동기도와 공동의 연대를 공적 차원에서 처음으로 표명한 것은 KNCC가 발표한 시대사적 선언문인 <민족의 통일과 평화에 대한 한국기독교회 선언>(1988.02.29.)이다. 이 선언은 곧 이어 열린 <세계 기독교 한반도 평화협의회>(인천 송도, 1988.04.25.-29.)에서 전폭적으로 수용되고 세계교회가 동참케 하자는 결의로 이어졌다. 우리가 말하는 이 <88선언>은 “남북한 교회의 상호왕래가 실현될 때까지 세계교회와 협력하여 평화와 통일의 희년을 남북한 교회가 공동으로 선포하도록 하고, ‘평화통일 기도주일’을 공동으로 지키는 일과 ‘평화와 통일을 위한 기도문’을 공동으로 작성하여 사용하도록 하는 일을 추진한다.”고 결의 했었다. 여기서 유념할 사항이 있다. “공동기도문” 작성, “평화통일 기도주일” 설정, “통일 희년”의 설정이 한 묶음으로 제안되었다는 점이다. 한반도 평화와 통일 문제에 헌신적인 선두주자로 나선 WCC는 <중앙위원회>(서독 하노버, 1988.08.10.-20.)를 통하여 위에 언급한 KNCC 선언과 인천 국제대회가 제기한 “세계 기독교공동체가 남북한 기독교인들과 함께 평화적 통일을 위한 ‘함께 기도하는 날’을 연례적으로 갖도록 하자”는 제안을 수용하고, 동시에 <한국교회 여성협의회>(1988.04.28.)가 제안한 ‘1995년 통일희년’ 계획과 이를 ‘기독교 여성 향후 10년 운동’(1988-1998)과의 연계제안 등을 수용하여 차기 중앙위에서 포괄적 결의를 만들어 내기로 했다. 이어서 열린 남북의 <제2차 글리온 회의>(1988.11.23.-25.)는 남북의 교회가 ‘1995년을 통일의 희년’으로 선포하고, ‘매년 8.15 직전 주일을 동동 기도주일’로 지키며, 이 날을 위하여 ‘공동 기도문’을 채택하고, 나아가 세계의 모든 회원교회들이 이 날을 지켜줄 것을 권면하도록 WCC에 요청하기로 합의했다. 이런 일련의 남북 교회의 요청을 수용하면서 WCC <중앙위원회>(1989.07.27. 모스크바)는 아주 기념비적인 장문의 “정책성명서”<한반도의 평화와 통일/WCC Policy Statement>를 채택 하고 발표했는데, KNCC가 발표한 “88선언”을 비롯한 여타의 각종 후속 선언들을 두루 살피 고 한반도 평화와 통일에 대한 세계 교회들의 참여가 에큐메니칼 신학과 운동의 도도한 흐름 속에 중요한 위치를 점한다는 확신을 심어주었다. 특별히 강조하건데 KNCC가 발표한 <88선언>과 WCC가 발표한 <한반도 정책선언서>는 한반도의 평화 통일이라는 거대 담론과 주제를 기독교적 관점에서 가장 명확하게 해명하고 제기한 핵심 문서라고 보고 필독을 권한다. (참고자료: 1980-2000 한국교회 평화통일운동 자료집, 한국기독교교회협의회,2000, pp.102-110; pp. 159-163). WCC 중앙위원회(모스크바)는 발표한 <정책선언서>를 통하여 공동기도문을 비롯한 관련 행사에 관하여 이렇게 결의했다. : “‘한반도의 평화와 통일에 관한 글리온 선언’을 재확인하면서 세계교회협의회는 남북한 교회가 1995년을 “통일 희년”으로 지키기로 한 결정을 지지하며, 세계교회협의회의 모든 회원교회들과 에큐메니칼 협의체들이 공동기도주일을 지킴으로써 한국교회와 함께 기도에 참여할 것을 권고한다.” 이와 비슷한 결의를 같은 해에 모인 세계개혁교회 연맹총회(WARC, 1989.08.26., 참고 상계서 pp.163-164)에서도 해주었다. 이로서 <공동기도>는 남북의 교회와 세계 각국의 세계교회협의회 회원교회들의 ”에큐메니칼 공동기도“가 되었고, 기도문은 통상적으로 사전에 남북의 교회가 합의하여 채택해오고 있다. <공동기도문>의 모음집(위의 자료집, pp. 445-478)은 남북교회와 세계교회의 공동기도문이다. 그 속에 평화와 통일의 마음과 갈망과 결단이 응축되어 있다. 하나님께서 이 공동의 기도를 들으시고 한반도에 평화와 통일을 그리고 나아가 함께 기도하는 온 세계의 분쟁과 분단으로 아파하는 모든 곳에 화해와 평화의 축복이 임하시길 기원한다. 한국교회는 이 공동기도문을 들고 1988년 8월14일 첫 <평화통일 기도주일 연합예배>를 정동 감리교회에서 함께 드렸으며, 지금까지 온 누리 교회들 마다 이 공동기도의 외침이 통일과 평화의 그 날까지 울려 퍼질 것이다. Witness 7 - Rev. Dr Jong Hwa Park, Kukmin Culture Foundation Joint South-North (North-South) Prayer for Peace & Reunification on the Korean Peninsula Whether at home or abroad, the form of joint prayer has been lifted up as a necessary process in every worship and prayer service gathering for peace and reunification on the Korean Peninsula. However, this particular Joint Prayer for Peace and Reunification on the Korean Peninsula, which was officially adopted and used in the public worship services, has a remarkable meaning in the process of peace and in the history of the church. The driving force for the peace and reunification movement of the Korean church was the Tozanso Process with the theme, “Ecumenical Contribution to the Struggle for Peace and Justice in North-East Asia,” convened by the Commission of the Churches on International Affairs of the World Council of Churches (CCIA-WCC) from 19 October to 2 November 1984 in Japan. The Tozanso Consultation was the first attempt by the WCC to bring Christians from a wide spectrum of member churches worldwide along with Christians from Korea. Even the terms “peace” or “reunification,” at that time, were prohibited from using in the church. It was the first step that the National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK) attempted this ecumenical peace process in cooperation with the WCC, and the joint prayer of Christians between South and North Korea was a necessary procedure. Then, the WCC convened the Glion Consultation on 2-5 September 1986 in Switzerland. It was the gathering of Christians from both North and South Korea for the first time by joining in prayer and celebration of the Eucharist. It was a powerful experience of Christian unity in the midst of division. As such, the first public expression of the joint prayer and solidarity between inter-Korean churches and churches around the world was expressed in the historical statement issued by the NCCK, “Declaration of the Churches of Korea on National Reunification and Peace (“88 Declaration”) on 29 February 1988. This 88 Declaration was soon accepted at the World Christian Peace Council on the Korean Peninsula convened by the WCC in Songdo, Incheon, 25-29 April 1988. The 88 Declaration was meant that the WCC supports the joint prayer issued by the South and North Korean churches until the realization of the inter-Korean exchanges. In other words, it was decided to promote the ecumenical efforts for peace and reunification on the Korean Peninsula. There is something to keep in mind here. It was suggested that the establishment of the “the joint prayer,” “the prayer week for peace and reunification,” and “the jubilee for the reunification” are to be linked together. The WCC Central Committee, Hanover, Germany, 10-20 August 1988 claimed to observe a Sunday of Prayer for the Peaceful Reunification of the Korean Peninsula, and decided to propose a comprehensive resolution at the next central committee which combines the ecumenical efforts of the “Year of Jubilee for Reunification in 1995” and the “Reunification Movement of the Christian Women Association for the next 10 Years” proposed by the Korean Association of Women on 28 April 1988. In the second Glion Conference, 23-25 November 1988, the churches of the North and South declared the year of 1995 as the jubilee of reunification and decided to observe the prayer Sunday for peace and reunification on the Korean Peninsula on the Sunday before 15 August every year, prepared by the National Council of Churches in Korea (South) and the Korean Christian Federation (North). In response to the series of requests for peace and reunification on the Korean Peninsula from Korean churches, the WCC Central Committee, Moscow, July 1989 adopted a historical statement, “Central Committee Policy Statement on Peace and Reunification of Korea.” The churches around the world recognized that participating in the ecumenical efforts for peace and reunification on the Korean Peninsula as a milestone in the ecumenical movement. The 88 Declaration by the NCCK and the Central Committee Policy Statement on Peace and Reunification of Korea by the WCC are the most significant documents which present the issues of peace and reunification on the Korean Peninsula from the Christian point of view (See, NCCK’s Documents of Peace and Reunification, [NCCK, 2000], pp 102-110; pp. 159-163). The WCC Central Committee in Moscow made the following resolution regarding the joint prayer and other related events: By reaffirming the “Glion Declaration on Peace and the Reunification of Korea,” the WCC supports the decision of churches in both North and South Korea to observe 1995 as the “Year of Jubilee for Unification” and recommends that all WCC member churches and associate ecumenical councils and conferences join in prayer with the Korean churches by observing the Common Day of Prayer (WCC Central Committee, Central Committee Policy Statement on Peace and the Reunification of Korea, Moscow, USSR, July 1989). A similar resolution was also made by the World Reformed Church Federation General Assembly (WARC, 1989.08.26., References, pp.163-164), gathered in the same year. As a result, the joint prayer has become the ecumenical joint prayer of the churches of the North and South and the members of the WCC around the world, and the prayers are usually adopted each year by the churches of the North and South in advance. The joint prayer is an ecumenical effort of the churches in the North and South and churches around the world. The strong desire and determination of peace and reunification are condensed in the prayers. This joint prayer was lifted up at the first ecumenical prayer Sunday service on peace and reunification, Aug 14 1988 at Jung Dong Methodist Church in Seoul. Churches in Korea and around the world will continue to pray until the day of true peace and reunification on the Korean Peninsula. --- 한국기독교교회협의회(NCCK)는 지난 68회 정기총회에서 “평화를 이루기까지 있는 힘을 다할 것”(시 34:14)을 다짐하고, 한국전쟁 발발 70년을 맞는 올해 2020년을 한반도에서 전쟁을 종식하고 평화협정을 실현하는 “희년의 해”로 선포하였습니다.이 희년운동의 일환으로 세계교회협의회 (WCC)와 함께 3월 1일부터 8월 15일까지 “한반도평화를 위한 세계기도운동”을 전개하오니, 이번 주부터 매주 보내드리는 기도문 (혹은 신앙간증문)을 가지고 교회와 가정, 직장과 각 자의 삶의 자리에서 이 기도운동에 적극 참여하여 주시기 바랍니다.
2020-08-11 15:47:26
화해·통일2020 Peace Prayer Movement (Light of Peace) Prayer #53
2020 Peace Prayer Movement (Light of Peace) Prayer #53
* Korean (Above) - English (Below) 8월 2주 한반도 평화를 위한 기도 53 - 임종훈 안토니오스 사제, 한국정교회 주님, 우리가 평화를 이룰 수 있도록 기도하는 법을 가르쳐주십시오. 영광의 하느님, 부활하신 주님, 평화의 임금님, 우리가 오늘 조상들의 땅에서 평화롭게 살 수 있게 축복해주셔서 감사합니다. 우리가 상처가 있는 형제들과 우애 있게 살 수 있도록 사랑하는 마음을 주셔서 감사합니다. 우리가 하느님을 미워하는 이웃들에게 온유함을 보일 수 있는 용기를 주셔서 감사합니다. 주님, 오랜 세월 살고 있는 이 땅에서 벌어진 전쟁의 상처를 치유하려고 합니다. 형제들이 서로 죽이고 죽은 이 땅에서 서로 용서와 화해의 입맞춤을 하려고 합니다. 가족을 죽이도록 사주한 범죄자들의 사악한 이기심을 대면할 수 있는 용기를 가지려 합니다. 다시는 사랑하는 사람에게 고통을 주지 않을 수 있는 지혜를 찾고자 합니다. 하늘에서 오는 평화를 이 땅의 평화로 이룰 수 있도록 희생의 십자가에 올라가려고 합니다. 미워하는 형제 앞에 무릎 꿇고 그의 발을 씻어줄 수 있는 주님의 겸손을 얻고자 합니다. 주님, 구원자이시며 아버지이신 하느님, 우리를 불쌍히 여겨주십시오. 우리들은 아직 주님의 뜻에 따라 살지 못하고 있습니다. 하느님의 형상에 따라 창조된 우리들이 창조의 섭리를 깨닫지 못하고 있습니다. 하느님을 닮게 변모되는 길 위에서 우리는 헤매고 있습니다. 주님, 70년 전에 벌어진 비극을 희망으로 바꾸려는 우리에게 기도하는 법을 가르쳐주십시오. 평화와 통일을 이루기 전에도 아버지께 영광과 감사드릴 수 있는 기도를 가르쳐주십시오. 이 땅에 통일의 날이 올 때까지 남과 북이 함께 드릴 수 있는 기도를 가르쳐주십시오. 침 뱉고 모욕하여 죽인 살인자들을 용서할 수 있도록 죽은 자들을 위로할 수 있는 기도를 우리에게 가르쳐주십시오. 주님, 당신께 기도하면서, 주신 복음 말씀에 따라 살 수 있도록 우리를 도와주십시오. 평화를 위해서 우리의 마음이 가난해지도록 도와주십시오. 평화를 이루지 못하면 슬퍼하게 해주십시오. 평화를 이루기 위해서 온유하게 살 수 있게 도와주십시오. 평화를 이룰 수 있는 옳은 일에 주리고 목마르게 해주십시오. 평화를 위해 일하는 자비로운 사람이 되게 해주십시오. 평화를 위하여 마음을 깨끗이 하는 사람이 되게 해주십시오. 평화를 이루어 갈 때 옳은 일을 하다가 받는 박해를 피하지 않게 해주십시오. 주님, 우리가 평화를 위하여 일하는 사람이 되게 해주십시오. 그렇게 하면 우리가 하느님의 아들이 될 것이라는 주님의 약속을 믿습니다. 모든 영광과 찬미와 경배가 성부와 성자와 성령께 이제와 항상 또 영원히 있나이다. 아멘. Prayer for Peace 53 - Fr. Antonios Lim Jong Hun, Korean Orthodox Church Teach us, O Lord, how to pray so we may achieve peace. God of glory, Lord of Resurrection, King of Peace, Thank you for blessing us for living in peace in the land of our ancestors today. Thank you for loving us so that we can live in a agape love with our wounded brothers. Thank you for giving us the courage to show gentleness to our neighbors who hate God. O God, for many years we have been trying to heal the wounds of war on this land. In this land where siblings killed each other and died, we are also trying to kiss each other in forgiveness and reconciliation. We seek the courage to face the evil selfishness of the criminals who instigated us to kill our own families. We hope to find the wisdom that will never bring pain to our loved ones again. We are trying to lift the cross of sacrifice so that peace from heaven can be achieved through peace in this land. We want to have the humility of Jesus, who could kneel before a hateful sibling and wash his feet. God, O Lord, Savior and Father, have mercy on us. We have not yet lived up to the will of God. Though we are created in the image of God, we do not realize the providence of creation. We are wandering along the road of being transformed into God's image. Teach us how to pray, O God, so that we may turn the tragedy that happened 70 years ago into hope. Before achieving peace and reunification in this land, please teach us a prayer that will give honor and gratitude to you, our Creator. Teach us prayers for consoling the dead so that we can forgive the murderers who spit upon and insulted them. As we pray to you, O God, help us to live according to the gospel you have given us. For peace, help our hearts to be poor. Let us grieve if we fail to achieve peace. Help us to live a gentle life for achieving peace. Let us thirst for the right actions that achieve peace. Let us be people of mercy who work for peace. Let us be people with clean hearts for peace. Let us not avoid the persecution for doing the right thing when making peace. God, let us become people who work for peace. We believe in God's promise that we will be children of God if we do so. All glory, praise, and worship to God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.---한국기독교교회협의회(NCCK)는 지난 68회 정기총회에서 “평화를 이루기까지 있는 힘을 다할 것”(시 34:14)을 다짐하고, 한국전쟁 발발 70년을 맞는 올해 2020년을 한반도에서 전쟁을 종식하고 평화협정을 실현하는 “희년의 해”로 선포하였습니다.이 희년운동의 일환으로 세계교회협의회 (WCC)와 함께 3월 1일부터 8월 15일까지 “한반도평화를 위한 세계기도운동”을 전개하오니, 이번 주부터 매주 보내드리는 기도문 (혹은 신앙간증문)을 가지고 교회와 가정, 직장과 각 자의 삶의 자리에서 이 기도운동에 적극 참여하여 주시기 바랍니다.
2020-08-11 15:36:53
화해·통일2020 Peace Prayer Movement (Light of Peace) Prayer #52
2020 Peace Prayer Movement (Light of Peace) Prayer #52
* Korean (Above) - English (Below) 8월 1주 한반도 평화를 위한 기도 52 조슈아 목사, 대만장로교 에큐메니칼 국장 나사렛 예수님, 주님은 이스라엘 땅, 제국과 이데올로기로 찢겨져 있던 그 땅을 거니셨습니다. 주님은 제국과 종교 권력에 의해 죽으셨으나, 생명으로 다시 부활하셨습니다. 주님은 제국과 이념으로 찢겨진 동아시아 사람들을 위한 최선이 무엇인지 아십니다. 주님은 동아시아에 세계 열강에 의해 고통 받는 많은 사람들을 잘 아십니다. 주님께서 선언하셨던 진정한 정의와 자유가 우리 아시아 문화에 깊이 뿌리내리기를 소원합니다. 이 곳의 교회들이 다양하게 펼쳐져 있지만 이 땅의 현실에 깊이 뿌리내려 사랑과 고난을 통해 희망의 표지가 됨으로써 당신의 복음을 살아낼 수 있게 하소서. 주님, 생명의 충만함 가운데 당신의 복음으로 한반도를 치유하여 주소서. 단지 한반도뿐 아니라 한반도를 둘러싼 죽음의 제국들을 치유하셔서 당신이 선언하셨던 이 세상을 전복시키는 하나님의 나라가 오늘 당신의 신실한 제자들의 수고를 통해 현실이 되게 하소서. Prayer for Peace 52 Rev. Lian Chin-Siong, Program Secretary for Ecumenical Relations of Presbyterian Church in Taiwan(PCT) Jesus of Narareth, you walked the land of Isreal, the land torn by empires and ideologies. You died the death of the empires and religious authorities. Yet you were raised again to life! You know best the East Asian people torn also by empires and ideologies. You know full well the many people suffering under the empires in East Asia. May the true justice and freedom you proclaim be deeply rooted in our Asian cultures. May the churches here, although manifold and varied, be able to live out your gospel by being deeply rooted in the land and through love and suffering becoming the sign of hope. Heal the Korean peninsula with your gospel in its fullness of life. And also heal not just the Korean peninsula, but the death-dealing empires around the Korean peninsula, so that the upside-down world you proclaim can become reality today through the work of your faithful disciples. --- 한국기독교교회협의회(NCCK)는 지난 68회 정기총회에서 “평화를 이루기까지 있는 힘을 다할 것”(시 34:14)을 다짐하고, 한국전쟁 발발 70년을 맞는 올해 2020년을 한반도에서 전쟁을 종식하고 평화협정을 실현하는 “희년의 해”로 선포하였습니다.이 희년운동의 일환으로 세계교회협의회 (WCC)와 함께 3월 1일부터 8월 15일까지 “한반도평화를 위한 세계기도운동”을 전개하오니, 이번 주부터 매주 보내드리는 기도문 (혹은 신앙간증문)을 가지고 교회와 가정, 직장과 각 자의 삶의 자리에서 이 기도운동에 적극 참여하여 주시기 바랍니다.
2020-08-04 18:18:49
화해·통일2020 Peace Prayer Movement (Light of Peace) Prayer #51
2020 Peace Prayer Movement (Light of Peace) Prayer #51
* Korean (Above) - English (Below) 8월 1주 한반도 평화를 위한 기도 51 최수산나, 한국YWCA연합회 총괄부장 생명의 주님, 70년 전 참혹한 전쟁의 비극을 겪은 한반도는, 아직 아픕니다. 전쟁의 공포와 분단의 상처가 깊게 뿌리박혀 있습니다. 피해와 고통 속에 있는 이 땅을 당신의 날개 아래 품으시고 한없는 위로와 치유로 새롭게 하소서. 자비의 주님, 우리는 하나님 안에 한 자매형제를 고백하면서도 관계를 단절했습니다. 정치적 이데올로기와 증오를 무기 삼아 두려움과 불신의 장벽을 키웠으며, 서로를 이용하여 자신의 권력과 탐욕을 채워왔습니다. 평화를 유보하며 분쟁을 조장하는 이들에게 맞서지 않고 침묵하였고, 부정의한 분단 체제에 희생당하고 아픔을 겪는 이들을 외면했습니다. 주님, 우리의 죄를 용서하여 주소서. 정의와 평화의 주님, 남과 북의 지도자가, 여성이, 청(소)년이, 시민이 마음껏 만나며 한반도 평화의 비전이 되살아나고 이 기운이 한반도를 흘러 전 세계에 퍼져나가게 하소서. 당신의 형상으로 창조된 우리가 이 땅에 화해와 일치를 이루게 하소서. Prayer for Peace 51 Susannah Choi, Director of National YWCA of Korea God of Life, The Korean Peninsula, which suffered the tragedy of a devastating war 70 years ago, is still in pain. The fear of war and the scars of division are deeply rooted. Embrace this land full of damage and suffering under your wings and renew it with never ending comfort and healing. God of Mercy, Even as we confess we are one sisterhood in God we have broken off our relationship. By using political ideology and hatred as weapons, We have raised barriers of fear and distrust, We have used each other to fulfill our power and greed. We have remained silent in the face of those who deferred peace and encouraged conflict. We have turned a blind eye to those who have suffered and been sacrificed to an unjust division. God, forgive us our sins. God of justice and peace, May the leaders of the South and North Korea, women, young men, and citizens meet together to their heart's content, Revive the vision for peace on the Korean Peninsula, And let this energy flow through the Korean Peninsula and spread throughout all the world. Let us who are created in your image achieve reconciliation and unity in this land. --- 한국기독교교회협의회(NCCK)는 지난 68회 정기총회에서 “평화를 이루기까지 있는 힘을 다할 것”(시 34:14)을 다짐하고, 한국전쟁 발발 70년을 맞는 올해 2020년을 한반도에서 전쟁을 종식하고 평화협정을 실현하는 “희년의 해”로 선포하였습니다.이 희년운동의 일환으로 세계교회협의회 (WCC)와 함께 3월 1일부터 8월 15일까지 “한반도평화를 위한 세계기도운동”을 전개하오니, 이번 주부터 매주 보내드리는 기도문 (혹은 신앙간증문)을 가지고 교회와 가정, 직장과 각 자의 삶의 자리에서 이 기도운동에 적극 참여하여 주시기 바랍니다.
2020-08-04 18:14:37
화해·통일2020 Peace Prayer Movement (Light of Peace) Prayer #50
2020 Peace Prayer Movement (Light of Peace) Prayer #50
* Korean (Above) - English (Below) 8월 1주 한반도 평화를 위한 기도 50 데트레브 크노헤 목사, 독일 헤센나사우 주교회 에큐메니칼 총무 주님, 우리의 삶에 베푸시는 당신의 도움과 우리 인생의 아름다운 면과 어두운 면 모두를 인해 주님께 감사드립니다. 주님은 단순한 생존 이상의 삶을 약속 하십니다. 하나님, 한국교회와 전 세계 에큐메니컬 공동체에서, 평화와 정의, 사람들의 존엄한 삶의 환경을 위해 헌신하는 모든 이들에게 힘을 주시길 부탁 드립니다. 특히 한반도에 평화의 빛을 비춰주시기를, 한반도 평화통일에 대한 희망의 표지를 주시기를 기도합니다. 경제적, 정치적 결정을 내리는 모든 사람들로 하여금 전 세계 사람들이 삶의 충만함을 나눌 수 있도록, 새로운 비전과 지혜를 개발하도록 해주십시오. 아멘! Prayer for Peace 50 Rev. Detlev Knoche, Secretary, Ecumenical Center in Hessen und Nassau Lord, we thank you for your support in our lives, for both the beautiful and the dark sides of life. You promise more than just bare survival. We ask you to give strength to all those in the Korean Churches and in our worldwide ecumenical fellowship who are committed to peace, justice and dignified living conditions for people. Especially we pray for a light of peace for the Korean Peninsula and signs of hope for a peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsula. Let all those who make economic and political decisions develop new visions and strategies so that people all over the world may share in the fullness of life. Amen! --- 한국기독교교회협의회(NCCK)는 지난 68회 정기총회에서 “평화를 이루기까지 있는 힘을 다할 것”(시 34:14)을 다짐하고, 한국전쟁 발발 70년을 맞는 올해 2020년을 한반도에서 전쟁을 종식하고 평화협정을 실현하는 “희년의 해”로 선포하였습니다.이 희년운동의 일환으로 세계교회협의회 (WCC)와 함께 3월 1일부터 8월 15일까지 “한반도평화를 위한 세계기도운동”을 전개하오니, 이번 주부터 매주 보내드리는 기도문 (혹은 신앙간증문)을 가지고 교회와 가정, 직장과 각 자의 삶의 자리에서 이 기도운동에 적극 참여하여 주시기 바랍니다.
2020-08-04 18:10:55
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