The Revd David Grosch-Miller, former Moderator of the United Reformed General Assembly, reflects on his participation at the Asia-Pacific Peace Zone Consultation, held on JeJu Island, South Korea, in September as a guest of the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK).

‘The consultation was the initiative of the PROK and intended to look beyond the immediate concern of bringing an end to the Korean War.

‘The armistice signed in 1953 between the US and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPROK) does little to heal the gaping wound of a divided country. The people of Korea look not only for an end to the hostilities between North and South but for a regional stability that will guarantee a future of justice and right relationships. While President Trump and Chairman Kim, of the DPROK, dominated headlines recently, the churches of North and South, with the help of the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Forum on Korea, patiently build bridges and pray for peace.

The autumn meeting of the United Reformed Church’s Mission Council opened at The Hayes Conference Centre, in Swanwick, Derbyshire, on 16 November 2018.

It began with worship led by the Revd David Coaker, Chaplain to Mr Derek Estill, Moderator of the General Assembly. The Revd Susan Durber led the first of three Bible studies from Philippians, this one about cultivating the virtue of joy, despite our circumstances, as Paul did in this letter from prison.

Worship on the final morning of Mission Council began with worship led by the Revd Elaine Colechin, Chaplain to Nigel Uden, Moderator of the General Assembly. The Revd Susan Durber led the third Bible study from Philippians, about cultivating the virtue – or receiving the gift – of perseverance, as Paul urged on the church facing dispiriting difficulties in Philippi.