|
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: . . . a time to plant and a time to uproot.
- Ecclesiastes 3:1, 2b, NIV
Last week I was contacted by the Rev. Yeonkwon Jeon, the pastor of the Korean Atlanta Good Church that has been meeting at JCPC for about a year. He shared some bittersweet news. His Atlanta Good Church had been given a church building by our Presbytery of Greater Atlanta in which to meet, so they would be leaving us shortly. Of course, it was good news because The Atlanta Good Church has grown to the point that they can now meet in their own space. But it was sad for me because I will miss them, even though they have not been here very long.
It was a little more that twenty years ago that the New Church Development Commission of the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta bought fifteen acres, including a house, to start this church. Dr. Frank Harrington was the chair of the commission that called Dr. Larry Wood as our founding pastor. The presbytery also helped with financial support of the church for the first five years, until the church could fully support itself.
Now we have been given the privilege of helping to start another Presbyterian church. I look forward to the time when our presbytery will officially charter The Atlanta Good Church. Even though I don't like seeing that new church family leave, I have to remind myself that is exactly what we want them to do. It is like raising kids - it is hard to see them leave, yet that is ultimately the goal - for them to make it on their own in the world.
I want to say thank you to the members of the JCPC church family who nurtured this new church by providing space for them to gather for worship and fellowship. It is one more example of generous giving and I am honored that we have all been a part of that!
|
