2025 Pastoral Letter of Church Conference

My Honeymoon 

My honeymoon has been both bitter and sweet. The bitter part was separation from my family and my country when, after marriage, we moved to the United States. But the sweet part was that Victor became my new family. Another bitter part was learning how to live together. Even though we had been in a romance for two years and two months, we soon discovered that we were both opinionated and strong-willed! Yet the sweet part was discovering that the only way to truly become one was through God. We surrendered not to each other, but to the Lord. Prayer and communication became the two keys to working through our struggles, and we felt deeply that God wanted us to be united in the one Spirit.

My honeymoon with Stetson Memorial Church has also been both bitter and sweet. The bitter part is the separation from my three other church families and no longer being able to worship every Sunday with the whole Han family together. But the sweet part has been gaining a new family here. The bitter part is discovering our limitations—my own life, and my family’s life, have been stretched thin. At the same time, four church families have not always received the attention or presence of a pastor as much as I would hope. But the sweet part is finding ways to be united through combined women’s gatherings, Cluster VBS, and our recent combined service.

Even though my honeymoon period has been only two months so far, I am already learning again and again why God sent me and my family to Patten. Especially last Sunday, when 103 people filled the sanctuary with choirs, bands, worship dance, a puppet show, the Word, prayers, and a special mission for Laos. The joy of unity overflowed. All week, members have been telling me how uplifted they felt by that service. We raised $210 for the Laos mission—enough to provide school supplies and toothbrushes for 70 children for a year. Praise the Lord!

Through my sermon series “A New Journey,” I have shared my conversion and calling stories and also listened to your testimonies. Together we have begun to learn who I am, who you are, and who we are as we walk this new journey God has called us to share.

Who I Am

I have also discovered that I am the first young Asian female pastor with a large family in the history of this church. Even though my English is not perfect, and even though you have been patient with my family’s busy schedule—especially around meeting times—you welcomed me with a standing ovation, embraced me as your family, and received me as your pastor. For a long time I struggled with feelings that I was useless or that my calling was not valuable. But after meeting you, those negative feelings have disappeared.

I had been praying for younger generations with whom I could share my life experience, and God has answered that prayer here. I have already met young mothers who struggle as I do, and children who are the same age as mine. Just as you welcomed me as family, I see you welcoming others with the same love—through the food pantry, children’s ministry, public suppers, men’s and women’s groups, and Bible studies. I am so encouraged to see new people coming each week, including parents, grandparents, neighbors, and relatives.

Most of all, I am grateful to witness how God gives new life through our testimonies. One person’s story encourages another, and people are discovering again that God is real and alive today. I cannot wait to hear Denise’s story this Sunday, and many more in the future.

Who You Are

You are a church that has continued to grow even during denominational division. Last year, your membership grew without a pastor but with the Holy Spirit and with one another. Everyone has been part of the ministry, serving and reaching out like true missionaries. Without relying on the internet, texting, or social media, you have held one another together through calls and fellowship, all in the same Spirit. As a new senior pastor, I feel so blessed that you are my first congregation.

You have also opened this church to your community. The food pantry, AA meetings, exercise groups, public suppers, and so many other events all find a place here. I am especially impressed that the church is open every day from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for anyone who needs to come and pray. I had never seen this kind of open-door church before.

You love your community, and Patten works closely with nearby towns such as Island Falls and Sherman. My children and I were so happy to join Sherman’s community event last weekend. This shows me how much potential there is for ministry in Patten and beyond.

What God Wants to Do

At the same time, our community has real challenges. We see struggles in children’s education, poverty, and addiction issues with alcohol and drugs. The needs are many. But I am excited to see what God will do through us as we bring our “five loaves and two fishes” in love and service for His people. If we continue welcoming new people and making disciples through our living testimonies, we will see God orchestrating our resources to meet the needs of our neighbors.

We also have the chance to be a role model for cooperative ministry, working with the other three churches and cluster congregations. Together we can do bigger things, like Vacation Bible School, that we could not do alone as small churches.

I have fallen in love with you all. I know I am still in the honeymoon stage, but as our District Superintendent, Rick said, a happy honeymoon can grow into a happy marriage. May God bless our holy covenant as we walk this journey together every day.

With sincere love,

Pastor Joyce Kang