P.S
But we appeal to you,
brothers and sisters, to respect
those who labor among you, and have charge of
you in the
Lord and adminish you; esteem them very highly
in love
because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
And we urge you, beloved to admoish idlers, encourage
the faint hearted, help the weak, be patient with
all of
them. See that none of you repays evil for evil,
but
always, pray without ceasing, give thanks to all
circumstances; for this is the will of God in
Christ Jesus
for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise
the
words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast
to what
is good; abstain from every form of evil. 1 Thessalonians:
12-22
I thought the June issue of The Link was my last
one, but I was given one more opportunity to express
my appreciation to you. So my friends, "Thank
you," and "Good Bye."
In the Methodist tradition, the pastors
come and go periodically while the parishioners
stay in the same community and go to the same
church for many years. Well, that is an old-fashioned
church. It is different today. Many parishoners
also move from one place to another. The faces
of the church change constantly. Only fifty years
ago, the churches in suburban towns and villages
had only European-Americans or African-Americans,
Asian-American, Middle-Eastern Americans, and
Hispanic Americans. You are all a member of an
ethnic group. By the way, the word "ethnic"
is no longer limited to determine the minority
group today: it includes the majority, such as
European-American.
We live in such a diverse and changing
society. Along with that, the preference and tendency
of the people change constantly. Many people,
especially younger generations, do not want to
commit themselves to the church in such a transitional
and trend-oriented world. Yet, the church issustained
by those who attend the worship service and takes
responsiblities. I am grateful to all of you who
support the church and my ministry here in Park
Ridge. For thirteen years, you have loved me,
nurtured me and helped me to grow in spirit as
Apostle Paul said in the 1st Thessalonians.
Now, I ask you to do the same to your
new pastor, leaders, and one another. Both Isumi
and I will miss you so much, but let all of us
move on toward one future, toward Christian perfection.
May God bless and keep you well.
Peace,
Jun
Reverend Jun Yoshimatsu was born in Tokyo,
Japan, in 1958. He is the son of a pastor
in the Japan Holiness Church, which maintains
the Methodist tradition.
After graduating from high school, Jun came
to New York to study Fine Arts and specialized
in oil painting. He studied at Fashion
Institute of Technology and Pratt Institute for
a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.
Pastor Jun then studied at Drew University
Theological Seminary and received a Master of
Divinity degree. (1987 - 1991)
From 1991 to 1993, Jun attended Yale University
Divinity School for a Sacred Theological Master,
specialized in Art and Religion.
He is presently attending Columbia University,
Teacher's College, to earn a Doctor of Education
in Art and Religion
After graduating from Drew and prior to coming
to Park Ridge in 1995, Pastor Jun led a Japanese
ministry in northern New Jersey. He continues
this mission ministry while here in Park Ridge.
In 1995 he received his Deacon’s Order and
two years later, in 1997, received his Elder’s
Order.
Jun adds: I always enjoy educational ministries,
such as camp and retreat ministry, youth ministry
and teaching at schools. My Parish Ministry
is filled with joy, challenge - some difficulties
- but I feel a strong sense of calling to the ministry
and I love our church and Park Ridge. |
