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Dear Friends,

I spent the last month of August resting and reflecting on what I had learned during my first year. There were many valuable lessons, but this particular lesson made me laugh.

Moving from a small rural town to a city meant downsizing for my family and me. I had to eliminate many things I had collected over the years. I had these two large desks in my home office. I used one for my computer and laptop and the other desk to work on books and files. Since we were moving from a house to a smaller apartment, I gave them away and replaced them with small desks. I tried everything to love those two smaller desks, but I just hated those desks. Something was not right. It took me a while to realize what the problem was. Yes, I moved from a spacious house to a smaller apartment, but my body did not shrink. My computer did not shrink, and my laptop and its monitor did not shrink. I can even argue that I am bigger today than a year ago. So what did I do? I went to Ikea and got a large desk. So now I have three desks in the apartment.

So what did I learn from such human experience? That I need to move to a bigger place? No. I have learned that certain things don’t change, no matter wherever you go. Yes, you moved to a different congregation, but certain things don’t change. When I look back at my own life and ministry, God was so gracious to me. God was patient with me and showed me many wonders. Many times I did not know what to do or where to turn, but God showed me a new door after another to open. I don’t think God will change how God loves me and works with me simply because I moved to a different congregation. Sure I will face other tasks and challenges. Sure I need to make certain adjustments and changes in what I do. But God will continue to work with me, and God will continue to work with the people of God.

During the year, I have learned that the way people express the love of God for each other may differ from one place to another, but the desire of people to love God and to welcome everyone in the name of God is the same. I have experienced tremendous passion and love for God and the people of God from this beautiful faith community.

We don’t know what kind of challenges and blessings we will be facing tomorrow, but I firmly believe everything we experience in our human life will teach us one thing that does not change, the unconditional love of Jesus Christ, how much God loves us. One thing we cannot change is doing everything in the confidence of God’s grace and love. Things may not go the way we plan or want, but I am confident that everything we experience in this amazing community will help us to deepen our love for God and each other. May God bless our faith community and journey.

—Rev. Chuck Moon

Photo credit: “Desk, designed by Frank Furness, 1870-71, Philadelphia Museum of Art.jpg”. Francis Helminski. Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. Taken from the Wikimedia Commons.

A version of this message first appeared in the Saturday, September 17, 2022, edition of Tidbits.

Dear Friends,

In writing, we understand how important this small punctuational mark—the comma—is.

During the last five weeks, I worked on my comma. I did not realize how much I needed such a comma until I put it in my life. Emotionally, spiritually, and physically I was ready for rest and reflection. My comma included traveling with my immediate family, visiting my extended family in Korea, spending four days at a friend’s cottage, learning how to kayak, writing a diary, going to a bookstore, walking, and visiting different churches, restaurants, and cafés. I even had time to watch some Korean dramas on Netflix.

Thank you for your prayers and blessing me to spend time away from the ministry. And thank you for welcoming my family and me back to our wonderful church community and family.

– Rev. Chuck Moon

A version of this message first appeared in the Sunday, September 11, 2022, edition of Tidbits.

We are starting a virtual book club starting Sunday, September 18, and will meet at 1 PM every third Sunday of the month. We would like to invite those who are interested in sharing their thoughts with each other. A Zoom link to the meeting will be posted later.

The book is Devotional Classics by Richard Foster, which has 52 small chapters on individuals like Francis of Assisi, Martin Luther, Søren Kierkegaard, Annie Dillard, Thomas Merton, and John Calvin. The first chapter we will discuss together is on C.S. Lewis’s ‘Mere Christianity’. We hope to study a chapter each month, very easy and short reading.  In each meeting, we will be sharing, “What did I like about the chapter? What was my least favorite? Are there any lingering questions from the chapter you are still thinking about?”

The book is available for purchase at Chapters, Amazon, and other bookstores.

— Rev. Chuck Moon

A version of this message first appeared in the Sunday, September 4, 2022, edition of Tidbits.

Dear Friends,

Henri Nouwen writes:

It is important to know when we should give attention and when we need attention. Often, we are inclined to give, give, and give without asking anything in return. We may think that this is a sign of generosity or even heroism. But it might be little more than a proud attitude that says, “I don’t need help from others. I only want to give.” When we keep giving without receiving, we burn out quickly. Only when we pay careful attention to our own physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs can we be, and remain, joyful givers. There is a time to give and a time to receive. We need equal time for both if we want to live healthy lives.

I will be taking a vacation between July 25–August 29. I hope that my vacation will allow my emotion, body, mind, and spirit to rest and relax. I have learned the hard way in my ministry that when I don’t look after myself well, everything else suffers as well, and it takes time for our emotions and mind to relax and recover. It usually takes two to three weeks for my mind to stop thinking about what I have to write next, and two to three weeks for my emotion to stop feeling the pressure of always being available for others. I find it takes time to let go and forgive myself for the things I could have done better or things that didn’t go well. Of course, I hope to spend time with my immediate family, visit my extended family, and deepen joy in my life.

In the early stage of ministry, I was hesitant and even afraid of taking a vacation. I wasn’t sure whether my pride, guilt, insecurity, or a little bit of everything made me feel uneasy about taking time for myself or spending time away from ministry. Probably my theology back then did not help, either. “How could I rest when God is working?”

I have learned to accept that I am one person, and I am not here to replace God or to produce the love of God but to celebrate the love of God we receive from God. Christ died on the cross so we could live, not for us to remain under the cross. There are still many days I struggle to take time for myself, but I am working on it. I am sure many of you are working on it as well.

I would like to ask for your prayers for my family and me during my time away.

—Rev. Chuck Moon

A version of this message first appeared in the Saturday, July 23, 2022, edition of Tidbits.

Dear Friends,

Someone once said, Technology is great… when it works. Our human technology can help us connect faster, more creatively, and more conveniently, but it can also bring challenges.

I am a Rogers customer, which means I had no working internet, phone, or cable on Friday, Saturday, and a part of Sunday. I could not help but ask, “If someone needs me, how do they connect with me?”

It made me realize how much we depend on technology to connect. How unsettling it is to be unable to communicate with others.

Once everything came to normal, I heard from two friends asking whether I had sent an email requesting an e-transfer for $1950! Of course, I did not send the emails; it was a scammer who had used my name. I felt very unsettled! It is not the technology but how people use it to take advantage of others that made me very disappointed and helpless. It reminds us how vulnerable our human life is.

The following day, this is what I read from the Bible. I found peace in it. I would like to believe the scripture found me.

For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.
He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall never be shaken.
For God alone, my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.
Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah.
Those of low estate are but a breath; those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath.
Put no confidence in extortion, and set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, do not set your heart on them.
Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord. For you repay to all according to their work.

Psalm 62

Once again, God has sustained me and strengthened me!

May God continue to sustain us and give us the strength we need this week.

—Rev. Chuck Moon

A version of this message first appeared in the Saturday, July 16, 2022, edition of Tidbits.