KNCC

REMEMBERING and CELEBRATING ONE OF OUR SAINTS

On Jan. 3, the one-year memorial worship was held for our beloved Dr. Oh Jae Shik,

one of the great ecumenical leaders of Korea, who passed away last Jan.

The NCCK arranged for a bus to transport guests to the cemetery at MaSeok,

where many human rights and democracy leaders are buried, for the remembering

of Dr. Oh.  Words of welcome were offered by Rev. Ahn Jae Woong,

with YMCA Korea and formerly of CCA. The unveiling of his gravestone was done

by Mrs. Noh Ik Shin, Oh’s wife and his friend Rev.

Park Hyung Kyu; the inscription on the gravestone was read by Rev. Kim Young Ju.

A memorial address was given by Prof. Park Kyung Seo,

and then the assembly laid flowers at the grave.

Later in the afternoon, the second part of the ceremony was held

at the NCCK worship chapel.  Candles were presented by those who had worked

with Dr. Oh - Ahn Jae Woong, teacher Kim Hye Kyung who had participated

in community development work with him, and Father Lee Jae Jeong who talked

about his reunification work.

Part of one of his writings was read by his student Miss Chung Ju Jin.  

Hanshin Theological Seminary president Dr. Chai Soo Il preached

on “rulers and leaders”, taking as his text Mt. 23:12, “Whoever is greatest

among you must be your servant”.

Greetings were given by Kim Young Ju, NCCK General Secretary,

and by Buddhist monk U Ka Juk, then in a very moving demonstration,

the candles presented by those in the earlier part of the service were passed

to younger people who are also involved in the same work today. 

 Student Song Yo Jin presented a talk, “the dream remains unchanged”,

and Rev. Oh Beom Seok, “many people continue to step forward”.  

The service closed with songs by activist song-writer Hong Sun Kwan, and then

the guests and family shared a meal provided by World Vision.