My First Pastoral Letter to Stetson Memorial UMC

 


Dear Stetson Memorial UMC Family,

Peace be with you!

I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself and my family more fully before we meet in two weeks. My name is Youngeun Joyce Kang (강영은), and my Korean name means "Glorifying Grace"—a beautiful meaning given to me by my parents. My father is a Presbyterian pastor, and my mother, a retired teacher, has also recently become a pastor. I have one younger sister and a younger brother who is also a pastor. Thankfully, God has called us all into ministry, and we are grateful for His amazing grace in our lives.

My husband, Seungri Victor Han, and I have five children: Lydia (15) loves to read; Abe (13) loves to play chess; Grace (9) loves playing piano; Esther (8) loves making crafts; and Hannah (5) loves to cook with Mom. Lydia and Abe, by God's grace, just completed their first year of high school at MSSM. Our three younger girls attend GHCA in Houlton, where they enjoy gymnastics; they are spirited children! Our family loves singing, dancing, and outdoor activities—including running, playing soccer, swimming, hiking, skating, snowshoeing, and skiing. We fell in love with Aroostook County, and we feel blessed to have enjoyed its nature for the past 11 years. I am eager to discover Patten's beauty, too! Baxter State Park is one of our family's favorites.

Life with seven family members is always an adventure! The amount of food and dishes we manage daily often resembles a holiday gathering, a constant, joyful bustle. A week's worth of laundry piles up like a mountain, and household chores are truly endless. Conversely, almost every month brings an anniversary or birthday celebration, and on Mother's Day and Father's Day, we're blessed with five times the cards and gifts! My husband even gave me a poster for my new office with our family prayer: “The World is Our Parish”.

I also enjoy hobbies such as writing poetry on my blog (https://restinjoy2022.blogspot.com/), capturing meaningful moments through photography, reading, listening to classical music, playing the piano, and gardening.

For over two years, my husband and I have been praying for your congregation. We were heartbroken to hear you were without a pastor for so long, and our hearts and prayers were always with you. We’ve heard amazing things about your resilience from Mary, Paula, and Kathy, who faithfully helped lead your services. You showed what a true church is: a community with Jesus as its head, growing even in the absence of a pastor. Pastor Kwan Lee, who served as the interim pastor in Patten, always says, "Patten Church is the best church I’ve ever ministered in."


Cluster Children's Handbells choir

June Outing at Riverfront Park
 
Thankfully, I've already had several opportunities to meet Patten church members through pulpit exchanges, cluster meetings, our Cluster Children's Handbell Choir, and children's outings. When I heard how God has blessed Patten Church with authentic testimonies and new members, my heart rejoiced!

Just as Paul’s letter to the Roman church expressed his longing and prayer for them, I believe God speaks to us now: "First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed throughout the whole world. For I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you, that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith." (Romans 1:8, 11-12, ESV). I am thankful that your faith is proclaimed throughout the entire cluster. May God use my small gifts to strengthen you, and your gifts strengthen me, so that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith as we serve together.

I became a Local Pastor in 2023, and I am currently pursuing my M.Div. degree. I know I have much to learn in this role. Whenever I feel fear about this uncertain and unseen journey, God reminds me of Jeremiah 29:11: "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope.'" I believe in God’s big plan for the Han family to serve four churches in Aroostook County.

I pray for you every day. Please pray for our new journeys. My prayer requests are:

  1. Please pray for me as I prepare for this role.
  2. Please pray that our church will be ready to start this new journey with one Spirit.
  3. Please pray for all other churches in our cluster and the UMC to build the Kingdom of God together, especially the other three churches my husband, Pastor Victor Han, serves.

I can’t wait to see you, to listen to your stories, to pray, and to serve the Lord together. I am deeply honored and feel immense gratitude to be called your pastor at Stetson Memorial Church.

See you in two weeks!                                                                                   

                                                                                                 

With all my heart,

Pastor Joyce Kang

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