Ha Na’s Letter to Immanuel United Church, June 10th, 2022

Dear Immanuel United Church, 

 

As I write this letter, I hold each one of you in gratitude, from the bottom of my heart. I hope and pray that you will be able to do the same for me. 

 

The past five years have embraced my incredible journey with Immanuel United Church. I gained so much understanding, confidence, sense of belonging and safety, friendship, and the joy of working together in “intimate equality”, with you. I cherish, with all my heart, all of the Guiding Elders, the loving and kind staff, the children, and all members and friends of Immanuel.  

 

In God’s grace, I have found among you a refuge, a home. I have found family, community, and collective, creative ways to respond to God’s call for us to be faithful for all things and all beings in creation. You have made me a better person, someone who can be capable of more meaningful work and participation in God’s joy each day. I sincerely enjoy sharing my vocation with you. I witness your empowering faith in God’s love to support and care for the community – both in Winnipeg and worldwide. 

 

It has been my privilege to serve our unique, authentic, life-long learning community, committed to lay leadership and team ministry. Immanuel. God-be-with-us.

 

Our history together and the love I carry for you all makes this next part so much harder…

I have made the decision to accept a new call from Broadview United in Victoria, BC. This decision was not made lightly; I must honour God’s call, even from the happiness and home I have found with you. The lessons I learned from you will be carried on to my new church – I will bring your light to the West Coast, in hopes that it will inspire a new community to dream, to dare, to achieve.

 

In humility and courage, I hope to carry what I have learned from Immanuel, as individuals and as a community, wherever I journey. For the last five years, you have been a Christ-like gift to me, something only a true and good, loving friend can give. 

 

May you, Immanuel, continue to shine brightly in community. I will miss everyone at Immanuel. Every face. Every smile. Every word we shared, touching each one’s strength… 

 

Blessings, 

Ha Na Park 

Ha Na at Martha and Richard’s home - at the first Council meeting (on my birthday, Sept 7th, 2017)