AAMA VAUMC

09/30/2026

Nine Asian American clergywomen gathered for three days of rest, renewal, and connection in Colonial Beach, VA, thanks to the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry’s Clergywomen Networking Grant.

We laughed a lot, ate a lot, and simply enjoyed being together! Our bodies, minds, and souls are nourished, and we are ready to return to our ministries with renewed joy and energy.

Our connectionalism is truly a blessing. We are grateful for the support of our denomination that makes gatherings like this possible and gives us space to encourage, support, and strengthen one another in ministry.

Our connections have grown stronger, our hearts are fuller, and we are reminded that we don’t serve alone. Even though we are not physically together, we are more deeply connected in our sisterhood and in our prayers for one another. What a gift it is to walk this journey of ministry together! ❤️

05/28/2026

🎉 2026 Grant Recipient 🎉

Virginia Conference Asian American Ministers Association

We are grateful for this IGC grant because it allows our youth to participate fully in the AAMA Youth Mission Trip, engaging in meaningful service, growing in faith and leadership, and experiencing the life-changing power of serving others— opportunities that might not otherwise be possible for all participants.

05/13/2026

The entire AAMA Executive Committee met today for the first time in person since our body was formed in January 2025. We gathered to strengthen our relationships, share our lives, and enjoy delicious food and desserts together, with very minimal business to finalize our upcoming banquet and share prayer concerns among our Asian American clergy members and families. We are deeply thankful for all the members who have faithfully shared their gifts and leadership to equip, support, and advocate for Asian American clergy and families in our Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church!

Mikang Kim Dan Jinhyo Kim Minoo W. Kim Arum Kim Taeshin Kim JeongSeung Lee Yun Chol Kim Jiyeon Kim

04/29/2026

We are excited to announce that AAMA has been awarded $4,500 from the Clergywomen Networking Grants of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM), which "supports initiatives to strengthen or cultivate clergywomen networks throughout the United Methodist connection with an emphasis on regional associations, events and in-person gatherings."

These grants will support the AAMA Clergywomen Getaway, which will be held from Monday, September 21, through Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at a lakehouse in Louisa, VA. Clergywomen, mark your calendars!

04/22/2026

The 2026 AAMA Clergy Retreat, “Let Your Life Preach,” was held over the past two days at Francis Asbury UMC in Virginia Beach. Our guest presenter, Christine Parton Burkett, led meaningful sessions filled with encouragement, insight, practical tips, and engaging activities. The beautiful ocean view from the hotel and the delicious food also made our time together more restful and renewing.

Special thanks to Francis Asbury UMC and Pastor Won Lee for graciously opening their space to us, and to Virginia Korean UMC and Pastor Mikang Kim for providing such abundant and thoughtful snacks.

We were reminded once again that we can become better preachers each Sunday and that a sermon comes alive when it is delivered.

Lord, let our lives preach!

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!