Jinha’s Monthly Message – November 2024
Discovering Grace Even in Suffering Because of Thanksgiving Day, November is often referred to as the month of gratitude, a theme frequently mentioned in church. Yet, when we look closely, we may find ourselves [...]
Jinha’s Monthly Message – October 2024
Two Wings of Our FaithLast month, I took an 11-day trip to Korea. Both the outbound and return journeys were direct flights, each lasting 14 hours. It's always amazing to see how a massive airplane, [...]
Jinha’s Monthly Message – September 2024
The Muscle of Faith As we age, maintaining muscle mass becomes increasingly important for a healthy life. Muscles not only shape our bodies but also support our posture, protect our bones, and help us [...]
Jinha’s Monthly Message – July – August 2024
Loving Our Neighbors Last Thursday afternoon, a woman visited the church. She couldn’t speak any English, so we couldn’t understand why she came here at first. Then, she showed us a flyer that we [...]
Jinha’s Monthly Message – June 2024
Confirmation of Faith We currently have a confirmation class for our youth with their Confirmation to be held on the last Sunday of this month. What is confirmation in the church? Why does their [...]
Jinha’s Monthly Message – May 2024
God the Father and Mother’s Day Traditionally, God is expressed as an image of Father that was formed in patriarchal cultures and systems of Ancient Near East and Medieval Europe. We can find many [...]
Jinha’s Monthly Message – April 2024
General Conference In April, there is a very important event that we all should be concerned with and pray for. It is the “General Conference of the United Methodist Church.” The General Conference is [...]
Jinha’s Monthly Message – March 2024
The Season of Resurrection Spring is coming. Beginning in March, we can feel that spring season is slowly but surely approaching. Temperatures rise steadily and the colors of nature change accordingly. Trees produce new [...]
Jinha’s Monthly Message – February 2024
"God Calls All of Us" We are currently having our Wednesday Bible Study with our topic a famous Christian TV Show Series, ‘The Chosen.’ Through the show, we view the stories of the people [...]
Jinha’s Monthly Message – January 2024
“God’s Continuing Creation and the People of God” We are living in the world God created. Here, I used the past tense, “created,” but I actually think that it would be more appropriate to [...]
Jinha’s Monthly Message – December 2023
“How to Enjoy Jesus’ Birthday” When each Christmas season came, I would ask the children a question about their Christmas Day in my children’s sermon. “Do you know that Christmas Day is the birthday [...]
Jinha’s Monthly Message – November 2023
My First Thanksgiving Day Do you remember your first Thanksgiving Day? I think that you may not have any memory about that day, because you were just a baby on your first Thanksgiving Day. [...]
Jinha’s Monthly Message – October 2023
“Charge Conference” In October, there will be a very important church event. It happens annually for every United Methodist Church. It is a “Charge Conference (or Church Conference).” Charge Conference is an annual meeting [...]
Jinha’s Monthly Message – September 2023
Autumn: The Season of Transformation September marks the onset of autumn which is the season of transformation. As we step into September, we face many changes. First, the temperature is gradually decreasing, as we [...]
Jinha’s Monthly Message – July – August 2023
A year gives us many memories in our lives. When we live through a year, many stories arise. During that one year, we meet many people; we eat many foods; we do many good [...]
Jinha’s Monthly Message – June 2023
Understanding God’s Heart This spring, I started gardening with several flowerpots. I planted seeds of lettuce, sesame leaves, Korean chili peppers, and chives. They are growing well except for the Korean chili pepper. (Actually, [...]
Jinha’s Monthly Message – May 2023
“God’s Love: Motherhood” Happy Mother’s Day again! I would like to introduce a dedicated poem for all our great mothers here and in remembrance of them. The title is “A Mother’s Love” and the [...]
Jinha’s Monthly Message – April 2023
When we travel to some famous places, we often stop by a gift shop to buy something to remember where we have been. It is something we can decorate our home with or wear. Some [...]
Jinha’s Monthly Message – March 2023
“V-Formation” I like to look at the sky. I like to see the various shapes of clouds, airplanes and birds in the sky. Even at night, I like to see the moon and stars [...]
Jinha’s Monthly Message – February 2023
“Tree Planted by Water” When we buy electric appliances such as a TV or refrigerator, we find a manual in the box. The manual includes how to assemble the product, how to start it, [...]
Jinha’s Monthly Message – January 2023
Happy New Year! Another new year is coming again as usual. And we greet each other, saying “Happy New Year!” It includes our hope that we all may be blessed well and healthy in [...]
Jinha’s Monthly Message – December 2022
Christmas Gift The most exciting moment Christmas morning for children may be when they open their gifts from the Christmas tree. Whenever they open them, they may have a big expectation for what they [...]
Jinha’s Monthly Message – November 2022
Coca-Cola and Thanksgiving Day One day, about 12 years ago, when I was a theological school student in New Jersey, I visited a diner with my friends. When we were choosing foods from the [...]
Jinha’s Monthly Message – October 2022
Have you ever heard of ‘connectionalism’ in the United Methodist Church? It stems from John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, who formed an organization by connecting the groups of people who followed [...]
Jinha’s Monthly Message – September 2022
First Image from the James Webb Space Telescope. Credits: NASA, ESA, CSA, and STScI Have you ever heard of “James Webb”? It is a brand-new space telescope launched on December 25, 2021 [...]
Pastor Jinha Choi’s Monthly Message – July 2022
Last year, I started gardening in my back yard. I planted seeds for some vegetables in my tiny garden. In the spring, everything looked okay. Sun light was good. I also regularly fertilized them. [...]
Sungmu’s Monthly Message – June 2022
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your support during the past eight years of my ministry. As announced before, I will be appointed as pastor [...]
Sungmu’s Monthly Message – May 2022
Try to call God the Mother, and you may feel awkward. In fact, God is beyond gender, neither male nor female, but we have traditionally called God Heavenly Father. I think that if God [...]
Sungmu’s Monthly Message – April 2022
In the United Methodist Church, the bishop makes appointments annually. Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton and his cabinet gave notice that all the pastors should be opened to move on this year, because there are [...]
Sungmu’s Monthly Message – March 2022
It is hard to believe that 7 and a half years have already passed since my wife Hyeonjin and I moved to our church. In doing ministry at our church, I have tried to [...]
Sungmu’s Monthly Message – February 2022
In Memory of Wilma Whitley: As I recall my ministry as a pastor, I am so thankful that God has blessed me and our church that we may do ministry together joyfully and effectively. [...]