It's raining today in Seoul. These days there has been lots and lots of rain. It hasn't affected me too much, other than to get rather wet a few times, but it has caused serious problems elsewhere in the country. It is also national liberation day, marking the 75th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japan in 1945. With coronavirus the celebrations are limited, but let me share with you this prayer from the National Council of Churches in Korea ( NCCK ), which is the final prayer in their 70-day prayer campaign for peace and reunification of 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...
John in Korea; The United Church of Canada and the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea, in partnership with each other: for justice, peace, and reconciliation -- sharing in God's work of transformation -- in Korea, in Canada, and beyond . . .