|
March 2000
Dear Friends,
Springtime greetings from Korea and Hanil University
and Presbyterian Theological Seminary! That’s right, springtime,
for on February 4, Koreans celebrated Ipchun which literally means
"the mouth of spring" or "the onset of spring."
It is a bit like the American tradition of Groundhog Day—wishful
thinking for springlike weather when everyone knows better. Although
we have had an usually dry and warm winter season, much of February
has been marked by cold winds and snow flurries, and in years
past we have seen it snow as late in the year as Easter Sunday.
But at least we know that spring "is in the air."
Spring is also "in the air" for Hanil University with
the formal installation of the new president on January 21. There
are still cold winds of ongoing lawsuits on behalf of the former
president, and snow flurries from time to time when faculty loyal
to the former president boycott various university functions and
activities, but overall Hanil has had its own Ipchun and things
appear to be improving. Relations with local churches are going
well and a joint worship service of all Chonju churches held on
the campus several weeks ago. Seven regional presbyteries are
planning a similar joint service on the campus. The new president
has the support of the university of board of directors, the General
Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Korea, the alumni, the
staff, and the majority of the faculty. The new semester will
not be an easy one, however, for it will take time to rebuild
relationships and trust after the year-long dispute concerning
the presidency of the school. Although spring is "in the
air" there may still be a snowstorm or two before the coming
of summer.
The new president is The Rev. Dr. Lee Young-Ho, Who is the senior
member of the faculty. He has taught at Hanil since 1972 when
it was still a women’s Bible school. His field is Christian
education although he has also taught theology and Christian social
thought. He holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from Songsil University,
a B.D. from the Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Seoul, an
M.A. from the United Graduate School of Theology of Yonsei University,
and a D.Nfin. from San Francisco Theological Seminary. He is an
ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church of Korea. He has
long been involved in various local civil groups, human rights
organizations, and cultural associations. In recent years he has
been especially interested in the relationship between contemporary
film and the Christian faith. His wife, Koh Young-Ja, is active
in the YWCA and is a member of the North Cholla Provincial Assembly.
Dr. Lee is well known in the local community, and when he celebrated
his hwan-gap (sixtieth birthday) on October 29 1999, the banquet
hall was filled with hundreds of former students, faculty and
staff, local pastors, and other well-wishers.
We would ask that you keep Hanil University in your prayers during
this time of transition.
Graduation ceremonies were held at Hanil University on February
15 with a total of 240 students receiving degrees. Graduate degrees
included the M.A., M.Div., and Th.M. and undergraduate degrees
included the Th.B., B.A., B.S., B.F.A., and B.Mus. For a number
of departments this was their first graduating class since the
school received full university status. It was a special joy for
us to see our students receive both undergraduate and graduate
degrees in Christian education, ministry, and theology. Some of
our students from other departments such as social welfare and
music were also among the graduates. It was especially gratifying
to see among the graduates several students who have had a difficult
time financially, and who have benefitted from scholarship aid
sent by churches and individuals in the U.S. Sometimes when funds
are sent overseas "for student scholarships" it is difficult
to know whether or not the funds have been put to good use. We
can assure you, however, that the smiles on the graduates’
faces, and the pride shown by parents, spouses, and children,
was ample evidence of funds well used. We give thanks to God for
these young men and women who have prepared themselves for Christian
service, and we wish them well as they seek employment or continue
their studies.
Over the past several weeks we have received letters indicating
that many of you have had difficulty contacting us by e-mail.
To begin with there were a number of problems with Hanil’s
computer system and it was down for several weeks. Following this,
the entire system was down again due to a malfunctioning computer
at one of the universities which feeds into Hanil’s computers.
Then a virus infected our e-mail system with the result that we
lost everything—all e-mail, our address book, and all bookmarks.
Finally, in the process of fixing all of these problems, a new
web browser was installed on our computer and the person who installed
it failed to tell us how to use it and also failed to reconnect
all of the disk drives. However, we believe that everything is
now in order and that we are back on-line. The only consolation
about all of this is that it was all in virtual reality anyway
and any losses were only in cyberspace!
However, gifts to the international mission of the church are
very much in real time and space, and we would like to take this
opportunity to notify our supporting churches that the most efficient
way to send funds for our support is to make use of the pledge
form in the back of the DMS book. If you do not have a DMS book,
you can request one by calling 1-800-524-2612 and ask for PDS
#68700-00-050. If you do not know what a DMS book is, and are
curious and would like to request a free copy, just phone that
1-800 number given above.
By the time you receive this letter classes will have begun for
the spring semester and the new academic year (which begins in
March here in Korea). There will be new students, new challenges
and opportunities, new joys, and probably even a few new sorrows.
But spring "is in the air" and that gives us hope that
there will come the gentle breezes and refreshing rains of spring
which will be followed by flower blossoms and the warmth of summer.
We give thanks to God for continued grace and blessing.
Faithfully in mission,
Drs. Daniel J. & Carol Chou Adams
The 2000 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 168
|
