Global Ministries recognized by Korean church for ecumenical solidarity

In recognition for its advocacy for justice, peace and reunification of the Korean Peninsula, Global Ministries — the overseas ministry of the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) — received a Gratitude Award for ecumenical solidarity from the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK). The award was presented during the recent PROK General Assembly.

“Global Ministries and the PROK have a long history of working together for peace and justice,” said the Rev. James A. Moos, co-executive of Global Ministries and executive of the UCC’s Wider Church Ministries. “Most recently, the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) were the first churches in the world to pass resolutions in support of the reunification of the Korean peninsula. We are deeply honored to receive the Gratitude Award from our Korean partners.”

The Rev. Karen Georgia A. Thompson, UCC ecumenical and interfaith officer, and the Rev. Jinsuk Chun, executive pastor of North American Pacific/Asian Disciples, accepted the award on behalf of Global Ministries.

The 2015 General Synod adopted a resolution that called for the reunification of the Korean peninsula. This year is the 60th year since the conclusion of the Korean War. The resolution renews a call for the church to reconcile the split between North and South Korea and re-unify the divided peninsula and its people. It also calls on political leaders to “commit to sign a final peace treaty ending the Korean War, and to turn from policies of militarization and confrontation between North and South Korea.”

Moos is scheduled to visit South Korea with colleagues in October to meet with partner organizations there.