Sunday's Twelve, Worship and Brunch

08 April 2008

The twelve come on a fairly regular basis, good folks interested in reading and studying the Bible in English with the foreigner. Twelve, a good Biblical number, don't you think?

Three are Chinese and speak fluent English, as do most of the remaining Koreans. We have only forty-five minutes and the time goes quickly. Our time together is generally filled with the obligatory Bible passage, then peppered with lots of questions and resulting discussions. As expected, the longer we are together, the more we trust each other and the richer our discourse. While not antimated by any means, we are enjoying each other's company and the opportunity to find out how we can relate Biblical passages to our daily lives.

This past Sunday I took my camera to record our group. As you can see to the right, only half of our group came, but we were good! We've only six more Sundays together and like other things, our time together is much too short.

Following our lesson, we leave for worship service temporarily being held downstairs in the 21st Century Building auditorium. Members have broken ground and dedicated an ideal site for the future church. To be located above the main entrance to the university, the design is architecturally very modern with glass walls protruding skyward ending in triangular points. It is scheduled to be completed sometime next year.

Worship always begins and ends with one loud but muted sounding gong. It's a fitting sound invoking the tradition of Korea, albeit Buddhist. Students participate through music leadership, both singing and playing of instruments. AnNa, my assistant, plays the piano and I'm like a proud Mama as her fingers fly over the keys. Several students also read the day's scripture passage in Korean, Chinese and English. The service is very much like ours in the UMC and many of the hymns are familiar, so I sing in English while all around me is Korean. Sounds great! We even have the passing of peace, and you'll never guess who always seems the last one to return to her seat. Theology professors and our Chaplain take turns preaching each Sunday and although I don't understand a word of what they say, the spirit works just the same.

After service, which concludes exactly at 12:00 noon, a light brunch is served to everyone. On Easter morning, we each received a chicken leg with thigh and an Easter egg. Last Sunday it was a foot-long hotdog with pickles. Of course hot tea is always served. The ladies prepare the brunch just before each service, and my job last Sunday (token, I think) was to take the wrapped hotdogs to the table for later distribution. We have a good time meeting new folks and catching-up with others.

JB