With September upon us, students are beginning a new school year with all the excitement, hopes, and homework that it brings! On Sunday, August 31st, Unity in Christ United Methodist Church blessed the students in their congregation for the year ahead but – more than that – celebrated their impactful leadership in the church and community.
The worship service, like all the church’s services, was conducted in both Korean and English. For older members who primarily speak Korean and younger members who are more fluent in English, bilingual worship is a way of living into the church’s vision of being one body. It was especially fitting on this day, when children and youth were recognized for serving alongside and learning from their elders.
Rev. Minho Cho, Unity in Christ’s pastor, presented children and youth with the John Wesley Leadership in Community Impact Award. The award, which will be conferred annually, was established this year by Unity in Christ UMC and certified by the cabinet. It encourages the next generation to lead with compassion, faith and action in the spirit of Jesus Christ. This Christlike leadership was exemplified by Methodism’s founder, the award’s namesake.
During the sermon, special guest preacher, Central District Superintendent Rev. Ronell Howard, called worshipers to “fall in love with God again,” to be reignited with the kind of faith that inspired John Wesley to start the Methodist movement. She preached,
“We, the Methodists, were born out of a longing, a longing for more, a longing for deeper discipleship, a longing for a holiness that wasn’t just inward and spiritual but that was facing outward and practical, a longing for a faith that moved beyond the pews and into the prisons, into the coal mines, the fields, the schools, and into the margins of society.”
The young recipients of this year’s awards have, like Wesley, devoted themselves to a faith that moves beyond private devotion and shows itself in care for others. Some of the ways they have done this include visiting residents of a nursing home, volunteering for Little Hands, Little Feet, a ministry that provides clothes and other items to children in need, and helping at a senior’s coffee house event hosted by the church.
Three of the young people shared about their experiences with this work. Luke Park spoke to the power of “showing up consistently with compassion and care,” sharing that his experiences serving others have taught him empathy, purpose, and presence. He has learned both “how much joy small moments of connection can bring,” and that “kindness can be quiet but still incredibly meaningful.”
Andrew Jo admitted with honesty and a grin that he only began volunteering because his mom told him to but as he grew older, and began serving with a community service club at his school, he “started to understand the importance of helping others people through community service.” He said, “The award that we are receiving today is just icing on the cake in comparison to the sense of joy and accomplishment I experience every time I do something to help other people.”
Ashley Kim, who has only been attending Unity in Christ UMC for about a year, spoke about the wide range of personalities she encountered during her visits to the nursing home. Despite the language barrier, she said, “I still found joy in our time together–doing puzzles, playing memory games, decorating eggs, and coloring. These small moments reminded me of the value of presence and non-verbal connection.” She gave thanks to God for guiding her to these volunteer opportunities.
After these testimonies, Rev. Cho called each student up to the front of the church to be recognized with warm applause from the congregation and a special certificate. Eight recipients were present at the service: Andrew Jo, Luke Park, Ashley Kim, Calvin Jo, Andrew Cho, Aiden Park, Clay Park, and Hana Cho. Another seven were unable to attend: Hellen Ann, Jorden Ann, Owen Shin, Mijeong Kwon, Winston Yoon, Minah Kim, and Janis Lee.
Once those present had received their award, students of all ages were invited forward to receive a blessing for the new school year. Rev. Cho asked the congregation to lift their hands toward the young people and offer words of prayer for them. Voices co-mingled in a rush of Spirit-filled intercession and blessing. Each student also received a bountiful bag of snacks to sustain them in the days of study and service ahead.
As the worship service drew to a close, D.S. Ronell offered a parting benediction and students lingered in the sanctuary to have their photos taken before heading to a time of food and fellowship in the church’s hall. Their celebration, however, was not the end of the day’s work. In the spirit of leadership in community, they soon turned to sorting clothing and stuffed animals for the Little Hands, Little Feet program—continuing the very service that had just been honored in worship.
As they begin a new school year, the young people of Unity in Christ UMC bear witness to the power of serving others in Christ’s name. May their work inspire all of us to listen for the ways – big and small – that God’s Spirit is calling us to faithful action in our own daily lives and communities.