What a wonderful blessing I have received through the work of the Holy Spirit and the Jurisdictional Episcopal Committee. I am excited to "come home" and reacquaint myself with the deeply faithful, beautiful people of Wisconsin. I have fond memories of my family's early life in Madison, East Troy and our time in Green Bay. While Korea may be my native home, Wisconsin captured my heart many, many years ago. It has been eight years since you blessed me with your prayers and support and sent me forth to be a Bishop in the General Church. Your nurture, love, modeling and training have equipped and molded me to provide the servant leadership required of a Bishop. Now, much to our surprise and delight, we return home. My whole family has been blessed by our life among the good people of Wisconsin. The boys grew up here, Im began her ministry here, and I was offered pastoral and leadership roles that helped mold and shape me.
While there will be familiar faces and places greeting me over the next few months, and we might share some old stories of our life together in the past, I know that much has changed in the last eight years. I've changed the world has changed; change has even taken place in Wisconsin! I look forward to taking a deep dive with you as we learn anew. Revisiting the past and the many good memories we share together is part of our reunion, but understanding the present and visioning for the future will mean a time of new learning, new listening, and new understanding.
Over the course of the next few months, I will listen. I have been seasoned in the role of Bishop by my time as the Episcopal leader in the Chicago Area. I have found great joy and insight in opportunities to meet clergy and laity in their communities, on their own turf, where they are comfortable sharing and reflecting on God’s call in their lives. I hope to have many of these conversations in the course of the coming year – moving from our reminiscing, to deep sharing and reflection on the future. Changes in mainline Protestantism have touched our state in ways that are challenging. Changes in the economy have given us pause. My ministry has been shaped by an understanding of God's abundant generosity, a generosity of spirit that we must embrace as we mold our plans together. I enter this new assignment as the Episcopal leader for the state of Wisconsin, open to God’s direction, excited to lead in healing ways so we might make clear the path toward faithful discipleship and witness, all for the sake of the Kingdom.
Join me on the journey; celebrating our shared past and forming our faithful future--all to the glory of God.
Your Servant Leader,
Bishop Hee-Soo Jung
In order for you to get to know Bishop Jung, we have created a series of five videos which are available on our YouTube page. You can also request a free DVD by contacting Michele Virnig at mvirnig@wisconsinumc.org or 888-240-7328. The five clips cover Bishop Jung's experience in the Northern Illinois Conference as a bishop, his earlier years in Wisconsin, his family, his leadership style, and plans as a new bishop in Wisconsin. Pictures from Bishop Jung's reception can be found on our Flickr page. We have also attached an article entitled Journey A Reflection on my Leadership Journey, which was presented in the Forum at Chicago Theological Seminary, June, 2012. Please share with your local congregations.
Author
Hee-Soo Jung
Bishop Hee-Soo Jung has served as resident bishop of the Wisconsin Annual Conference since September of 2012. Prior to leading the Wisconsin Conference UMC, Bishop Jung served eight years as bishop of the Northern Illinois Conference (Chicago area).