wfn.org | Korean Church Gives $50,000 to NCCCUSA/WCC

[CAROL_FOUKE.parti@ecunet.org]

National Council of the Churches of Christ in the 
USA
Contact: Wendy McDowell, NCC, 212-870-2227
Internet c/o carol_fouke.parti@ecunet.org

NCC4/15/97                   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

KOREAN CHURCH GIVES $50,000 
TO ARCHBISHOP IAKOVOS FUND

 NEW YORK, April 15 ---- A generous gift of 
$50,000 was recently given by a Korean Methodist 
congregation in Seoul toward the Archbishop Iakovos 
Fund for Faith and Order work of the National 
Council of Churches (NCC) and World Council of 
Churches (WCC).

 "We are very grateful for the gift from Bishop 
Sundo Kim and his Methodist congregation in Seoul 
for the commitment to ecumenical life their gift so 
generously represents," said the Rev. Dr. Joan Brown 
Campbell, NCC General Secretary.  "Furthering the 
Faith and Order work of both the National and World 
Councils in pursuing Christian unity is a gift 
appreciated by all our member communions."  Bishop 
Sundo Kim leads the Kwang Lim Methodist Church in 
Seoul, Korea.

The contribution to the Iakovos Fund was 
requested and received by United Methodist Bishop 
James Mathews of Washington, D.C., chair of the $10 
million endowment campaign.  He interpreted the 
Korean congregations' gift as its strong witness to 
the unity of all Christians in Jesus Christ.

Bishop Mathews wrote to Bishop Kim saying, "Let 
me assure you that this step of faith which you and 
your congregation have taken will have the most far-
reaching effect in the Christian world.  This is 
really unique and sets an example for other churches 
to follow.  It will go far to ensure the answer to 
our Lord's prayer that his people `might all be 
one.'"

 The Rev. Dr. Albert M. Pennybacker, President 
of Ecumenical Development Initiative for the NCC/WCC 
also wrote to Bishop Kim praising his commitment and 
leadership.  Rev. Dr. Pennybacker stressed that the 
gift will be "a model and an encouragement as we 
seek new ways to stand together in honoring our 
divine Master."

The Archbishop Iakovos Fund was established in 
the early 1990's to undergird the faith and order 
work of the two councils.  According to the Rev. 
William Rusch, Director of the Faith and Order 
Commission, NCC, "Faith and order concerns have 
always been very close to the heart of Archbishop 
Iakovos.  The fund was named in his honor to 
recognize his commitment to the ecumenical 
movement."

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