We've Arrived in Korea
There are two Presbyterian Church denominations in Korea. One is called, The Presbyterian Church of Korea , the other is called the The Presbyterian Church of the Republic of Korea. Both churches share the same heritage, but split over a theological issue in the 1960s. Today the relationships between both of these churches is a good one, both of their Assemblies are running concurrently, and are celebrating their joint 100 year heritage. As Moderator I've been invited to these celebrations along with other Presbyterian Churches around the world to join in the celebrations. There is a particular warmth towards the Church of Scotland because of the pioneering role Scottish missionaries have played in bringing the Christian Faith South East Asia, and especially the role that John Ross from Nigg Bay in Sutherland played in translating the New Testament into Korean. We arrived in Korea on Tuesday afternoon at our hotel in Seoul around 3.00pm. We had been travelling for over 14 hours . We had a three hour hold up in the airport at Schipol, but apart from that, you might say a comfortable flight, (economy class), on a Boeing 747, but we were looking forward to our beds. Our time clock said it was 4.30 am in the morning in Korea it was 1.30pm, little did we know we had a full day ahead of us before we'd get to bed. We were met at Seoul airport by Rev Song and transported to our hotel where we met up with our colleagues for the week, Sandy Sneddon who is the Asia Secretary for the World Mission Council and Rev Iain Cunningham who is one of my chaplains this year, but also e Vice Convener of the World Mission Council. We had about an hour and half to recover from the flight get a shower and be on parade to deliver the greetings to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church Korea. We arrived at the venue for our evening meal, at 5.00pm and returned to our hotel around 11.00pm. Church events are the same the world over. Too often we cram a lot into one service. The 5.00pm gathering would be what we call in Scotland the purvey followed by the Installation of the new Moderator and the celebration of the 100 years of the Presbyterian Church The service had two parts to it. The final part included the greetings from the overseas delegates. I was one of five people invited to speak to the Assembly. I brought the greeting of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. It is very humbling to discover the high esteem in which the Church of Scotland is held here in Korea. Much of this is because of the historical links that Scottish missionaries like John Ross created in this part of the world. I was glad to receive the news this morning that the Scottish Parliament have recognised the significance of this invitation. A motion will be presented to the Parliament as follows *S4M-04162 Rhoda Grant: Recognition for Ross-shire Minister for Christian Work in Korea-That the Parliament recognises the significance of the work of the Scottish missionary, Rev John Ross, originally of Ross-shire, in his contribution to translating the New Testament into Korean, leaving a lasting legacy for Christians in Korea; wishes the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland well as he joins the General Assembly of the Korean Church in celebrating its 100th anniversary; understands that the Moderator, Right Rev Albert Bogle, will address the General Assembly of the Korean Church on issues relating to renewable energy policy, and considers that both Scotland and Korea play a significant contribution in promoting renewable energy policy." ( It is available to view on the Scottish Parliament's Business Bulletin for today: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness) You can imagine we were glad to get back to the hotel for that long awaited sleep.
