Statement of Support for Rev. Dong Hwan Lee

Rainbow Tree, Open Methodists, HA:N UMC

Today, we step out from the stillness of our prayer rooms, carrying the breath of prayer within us. We sense the Holy Spirit’s flame kindling in our hearts and follow its light  into the open square. God's fire dissolves the walls of division, and the holy wind gently enfolds the weary, opening the doors of fearful hearts and awakening souls long asleep. The living water of the Holy Spirit quenches the thirst for truth, breathes life into dry souls, and opens eyes and ears, illuminating a path beyond prejudice. We step beyond the door of fear, crossing the walls of discrimination and hatred to share with you the story of God’s boundless love that flows freely without borders.

We are here with you.

We are disciples of Jesus Christ, who taught us to love one another, breaking down all discrimination and separation. We are clergy and laity of the United Methodist Church, following a biblical tradition that emphasizes unity in essentials, freedom in non-essentials, and love in all things (Romans 14:1-23). We are Christians who believe that all people are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and should be free to express themselves as they are in God's love for all.

Sharing God's blessings is a biblical calling and the mission of the church. God created each person fearfully and wonderfully (Psalm 139:14). Every person is already loved and blessed by God through the grace of Christ. No one—no church, no theology—can deny this truth. It is contrary to our calling to limit the blessing of others based on who they are or their circumstances. In all cases, we must remember that God's blessings are to be given equally to all.

We believe that the church, as the body of Christ, stands on this firm foundation and continually renews itself to be disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. In the name of the liberating Holy Spirit, we welcome all people in God's love, regardless of gender, race, or sexual orientation.

We stand with Rev. Dong Hwan Lee, who shared God's love for all by blessing LGBTQIA+ people at the 2019 Incheon Pride Festival, with the nine Korean Methodist Church pastors who followed his courage by offering blessings at the 2024 Seoul Pride Festival, and with the 137 pastors who signed a letter in support. Most of all, we stand with all those who have been hurt in this process and have experienced hate and discrimination in the very place where they should have been celebrated and blessed.

We oppose the Korean Methodist Church’s decision to excommunicate Rev. Lee, and we support him in solidarity, with all his supporters and allies. We stand with those who share the love of Jesus across walls of discrimination and hate. Our solidarity extends beyond the United States, across geographic distance, time zones, denominations, and theological differences. Across rivers of ignorance and indifference, we stand with you, where the dignity of those made in God's image is denied.

To you, who are reading this right now: We are here with you. We walk with you as you follow God's path of unconditional love and full inclusion. We offer our support, solidarity, prayers, and blessings so that you will never be alone in your mission to bring God's blessings to all people, everywhere.

We are here with you.

- Rainbow Tree, Open Methodists, HA:N UMC

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Rainbow Tree is a gathering of Korean/Korean American Christians in Boston Area who believe in the open and inclusive love of God as the foundational tenet of Christian faith and practice. We welcome and stand in solidarity with all people who have been excluded by many Christian communities including LGBTQAI+ and allied siblings of God.

Open Methodists is a group of clergy members of the Northern Illinois Conference in the United Methodist Church who share Korean heritage and support the full inclusion of LGBTQIA+ communities in God’s unconditional and unlimited love. We are fully committed to opening our church homes to all of God’s children.

HA:N United Methodist Church is a Korean-American, queer-celebrating church sustained by many who hold diverse and sacred identities. Each person at HA:N is on their unique spiritual journey of decolonizing their Christian faith and deconstructing/reconstructing from harmful theologies so that we may co-create a just and peaceful Kin-dom of God that God desires for all. HA:N’s mission is to live out the healing and liberating message of Christ, queer the status quo, and confront all forms of injustice and oppression—together.