AAMA VAUMC

01/01/2026

The 2025 AAMA Family Retreat was held from Sunday, December 28 to Tuesday, December 30, 2025. It was a grace-filled time of Spirit-led worship, meaningful workshops, and authentic food, offering space for participants to be recharged, refreshed, re-energized, and reconnected after the busy Christmas season.

Our retreat theme, “Well-Being,” was beautifully woven throughout worship, messages, workshops, and programs. It reminded us that caring for our whole selves, body, mind, and spirit, is an essential part of faithful ministry.

This retreat was also the first retreat planned and led by the current AAMA Executive Committee: Jiyeon Kim, Dan Kim, Mikang Kim, Minoo Kim, Teashin Kim, Yun Kim, JeongSeung Lee, Arum Kim, and Esther Kim. God truly used many prayers, self-giving dedication, and sincere care we hold for one another to make this retreat a great success.

We are deeply grateful that we were able to serve 138 people in total, including 112 retreat participants, including 20+ children, and 26 youth, counselors, and chaperones who participated in the youth retreat during the same time. What a joy it was to witness community and connection!

Thank you to everyone who prayed, participated, volunteered, and supported this retreat in countless ways. We give thanks to God for reminding us once again: we are not alone in this journey.

To see more photos, click here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/BKr5a6xJiTqZHtt4A

07/03/2025

We are excited to announce that AAMA has been awarded $8,600 from the Ethnic-In-Service Training (EIST) Grant of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM)! The funds have been successfully deposited into our AAMA bank account! This grant will allow us to increase only the minimum registration fee for our upcoming AAMA Winter Family Retreat.

If you haven't done so already, please mark your calendars:
Our AAMA Winter Family Retreat is scheduled from Sunday, December 28 to Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at Wesley UMC in Vienna, VA (Northern Virginia). Lodging will be at Embassy Suites by Hilton Tysons Corner. More details about registration and programming will be shared this fall.

Lastly, we are praying for all those who will have their first Sunday of worship at the newly appointed congregation(s). If that’s not you, we encourage you to reach out and welcome one of our colleagues this month over coffee or a meal.

We look forward to sharing more exciting news with you soon. May God bless you and your continued dedication to the Church!

Presentations from partners energize Global Ministries and Higher Education and Ministry board members, inspiring questions on how the church might be uniquely positioned to meet this moment of increased suffering around the world.

06/13/2025

Around 180 people gathered for this year’s annual AAMA banquet!

We want to thank everyone who made the day so meaningful:
❤️Thrasher UMC and Roanoke Korean Church for their generous support in making this banquet possible;
❤️All the lay members who joined us to support their clergy;
❤️Our special guests: DS Doug Forrester, DS Hyo Lee, and incoming DS Kyungsuk Cho; Amanda Miller Ge**er, Director of Missional and Community Engagement; Lan Davis Wilson, incoming Director of Belonging and Advocacy;
❤️Taehwan Roh, Tasehin Kim, and Seong Jae Jo, who each led a part of the program with grace and leadership;
❤️Hungsu Lim, who shared important updates on the status issue of immigrant clergy;
❤️The AAMA Executive Committee for their vision, planning, and faithful service

Thank you all for your presence and ministry as United Methodists in Virginia!

📅 Mark your calendars! AAMA Winter Family Retreat will be held Sunday, December 28-Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at Wesley UMC in Vienna, VA (Northern Virginia). We can’t wait to gather again!

05/16/2025

Last day of the SEJ AAMA Conference! Grateful for a time filled with connections, food, learning, and the powerful message shared by Bishop Hee-Soo Jung, bishop of the Ohio Episcopal Area. What a blessing to close with Holy Communion, served by the two eldest clergy participants—a sacred moment honoring wisdom and legacy.

Out of 111 participants, over 70 individuals from the Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church attended the conference, were blessed and became a blessing to others.

Among them were not only active clergy, but also Bishop Sue, Rev. MJ Kim, the first Asian American clergy of the Southeastern Jurisdiction, DS Kirk Nave, three conference staff—Jonathan Page, Amanda Miller Garber, and Jason Stanley—and David McAllister-Wilson.

Hearts full. Spirits renewed. We are again ready to serve the Church and live as the Church! Let's continue to thrive together!

05/15/2025

Day 2 of SEJ AAMA Gathering: What a full and Spirit-filled day at our clergy conference! It was a joy to witness the leadership and dedication of our clergy on the Praise Band, as our featured speaker, and among our insightful panelists.

We are especially grateful for the presence of three bishops who shared powerful, Spirit-led messages that inspired and challenged us. Also, special thanks to three district superintendents, including two incoming DSs, in the jurisdiction, for their faithful leadership and presence.

Throughout the day, we experienced meaningful fellowship, shared both tears and laughter, and felt the deep bond that unites us in ministry. Moments like these remind us why we are proud to be clergy of the United Methodist Church!

The Spirit is truly moving among us!

05/14/2025

Over 100 people gathered for the Southeastern Jurisdiction Asian American Ministers Association (SEJ AAMA) Conference! The first offering gathering covering the entire jurisdiction in history! Despite the rain, 57 active Asian American clergy from our conference made the trip, bringing with them hope and excitement.

We were deeply blessed by the presence of our special guests representing our Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church: Bishop Sue, who delivered a power message for Opening Worship; Rev. MJ Kim, the first ordained Asian American clergy in the jurisdiction, ordained in 1966; two conference staff, Jonathan Page and Amanda Miller Garber, 2 seminarians pursuing ordination process in our conference.

We look forward to building new connections with our Asian American siblings across other conferences and witnessing signs of God’s incredible work in and through us, in every ministry setting and beyond.

We’re so thankful for our active clergy who served on the SEJ Prep Team, Praise Band, and as panelists. Special thanks to Korean United Methodist Church of Greater Washington, its pastoral team, and its Women’s Group for their generous hospitality!

We can't wait for tomorrow, a full day of learning, dreaming, hoping, and laughing TOGETHER! Let's thrive together!!!

05/05/2025

Last Saturday, May 3, 2025, we had the great privilege of gathering in worship and witness to celebrate Rev. MJ Kim’s 90th birthday. It was a beautiful occasion to honor Rev. Kim’s legacy of love, support, and faithful ministry. We also joyfully celebrated our Korean heritage and gave thanks to God for the many ways Rev. Kim has blessed our lives and community.

Special thanks to all who served in worship, helped with preparations, shared in the celebration, and traveled from across the state. Your presence and participation made the day truly memorable. We are especially grateful to Virginia Korean United Methodist Church, which not only hosted the event but also blessed us with a heavenly level of home-made Korean food—a true feast for both body and soul.

Worship: https://www.youtube.com/live/XKg_ZmRLZ8s?feature=shared

Worship Bulletin: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1k0lCpPYsUsYGCM6FyFZUOhuaC21HuB8t/view?usp=share_link

An article “A Legacy of Faith: Celebrating Rev. M.J. Kim at 90: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YZQH8bG75FeiImmoye_b2FEyqHk-1e1e/view?usp=share_link

04/04/2025

Asian American Ministers Association (AAMA) is delighted to invite all AAMA families and guests to our AAMA Annual Conference Banquet on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at 6:30 pm at Thrasher Memorial UMC. During this special gathering, we will honor clergy members who are being licensed, commissioned, ordained, newly appointed, or retiring this year. Join us for a time of loving fellowship!

For more details and online registration, please visit the link:
https://forms.gle/UVfSjB5LaQk96N3v7

Register by Thursday, May 23, 2025.

04/04/2025

All Asian American Ministers of the Southeastern Jurisdiction of the UMC and friends are invited to this inaugural conference, "Thriving Together" which will be held on May 13-15, 2025 at the Korean United Methodist Church of Greater Washington in McLean, Virginia. The first registration deadline is coming up on Tuesday, April 15. Register now to be part of this "Thriving Together" opportunity.

Registration Link: https://form.jotform.com/250135316174146

Video Invitation Message from Bishop Hee-Soo Jung: https://vimeo.com/1069956968/4196bb9001

Questions? Email at [email protected].

Update: 1.0 CEU has been approved for this conference (5/4/25).

04/01/2025

Last Wednesday, March 26, 2025, AAMA Executive Committee had the opportunity to meet with Bishop Sue. We shared a wonderful conversation filled with insight and encouragement. Please keep Bishop Sue and all of our Asian American clergy and families in your prayers as we continue our journey together. Blessings to all!

지난 수요일, AAMA 임원단이 수(Sue) 감독님과 함께 귀한 대화의 시간을 가졌습니다. 앞으로의 여정을 위해 수 감독님과 AAMA를 계속해서 기도로 함께해 주시기를 부탁드립니다. 모두에게 주님의 은혜가 함께하시길 기도합니다!

01/28/2025

AAMA is pleased to share that Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson has announced the appointment of Rev. Kyungsuk Cho as the new District Superintendent of the Shenandoah River District, effective July 1, 2025. We offer our heartfelt congratulations to Rev. Cho on this new role and look forward to seeing how God will continue to work through him to build vibrant communities of faith in the Shenandoah River District.

Please join us in praying for Rev. Cho as he prepares for this transition.
Congratulations, Rev. Cho, and blessings on this exciting new journey!

Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson is pleased to announce the appointment of two new District Superintendents to serve the Virginia Annual Conference beginning July 1, 2025: Rev. Lindsey Baynham Freeman will serve the Mission Rivers District and Rev. Kyungsuk Cho will serve the Shenandoah River District.

“Clergy and laity throughout the Annual Conference know the Revs. Baynham Freeman and Cho for their deep commitment to Christ and His Church, their reflection of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in all that they do, and the many ways they lead in our UMC connection and their local churches,” Bishop Sue said. “Our conference will be very blessed as they assume these new roles.”

Learn more: https://vaumc.org/new-dses-announced2025jan19