Making Kimchi at Annual Church Gathering

April 24, 2021

Pablo Kim teaches how to chop the Napa cabbage in making kimchi

April 28th
Making Kimchi at Annual Church Gathering

"Becoming an intercultural church is tricky, messy and smelly," said Pablo Kim at the MCEC Annual Church Gathering. Pablo, who has a MA in Intercultural Studies and is a PhD student at Emmanuel College with a specialty in peace and intercultural church, led 200 participants at the MCEC Annual Church Gathering in reflecting on church, discipleship, differences and kimchi making.

It was a unique meeting as participants gathered over Zoom with their devices set up in their kitchens. Throughout the screens, many were cutting, mixing and blending as Pablo led a conversation on becoming an intercultural church. “I advocate for an intercultural church that is based on our Anabaptist-Mennonite faith,” he said. “As we take this journey, be aware that it’s not only “the other” who will be transformed but we will all be transformed like these kimchi ingredients.” From showing how to cut Napa cabbage, to walking through a continuum on becoming an anti-racist and intercultural people, he had the full attention of the participants, evidenced by the lively chat and many comments.

"As we take this journey, be aware that it’s not only “the other” who will be transformed but we will all be transformed like these kimchi ingredients." - Pablo Kim

“Becoming church is a process,” Susan Boon from Harrow Mennonite Church commented in the chat feature. Nancy Frey, pastor at Listowel Mennonite Church added, “Diversity is a gift. We can learn from each other. This is such a helpful metaphor to understand the body of Christ.” Tobi Thiessen, Canadian Mennonite, also commented, “Each ingredient brings nutrition. We need the variety to get a healthy balance.”

Fanosie Legesse, MCEC Intercultural Mission Minister reflected, “I see God shaping us and lovingly drawing us into each other’s lives like Pablo is shaping the cabbages to easily mix with other ingredients. Some chopping may be necessary, but a chopping that does not change who we are as people and the cultures that we come from. To be part of the body of Christ needs an intentional mixing up, just like Pablo's recipes.”

Many homes across Eastern Canada that afternoon were fragrant with the rich smell of spices in kimchi that was continuing to ferment on their cupboards. “Kimchi will not solve all the churches problems and conflicts,” Pablo said, “but I believe it is something that can inspire, give us insight and is a good way to start our conversation about Courageous Imagination.”

Marilyn from Zion Mennonite Fellowship joins Annual Church Gathering from her own kitchen and makes kimchi alongside 200 participants.
Photo taken by: Paul Brubacher, Zion Mennonite Fellowship

Many homes across Eastern Canada that afternoon were fragrant with the rich smell of spices in kimchi that was continuing to ferment on their cupboards.

“Kimchi will not solve all the churches problems and conflicts,” Pablo said, “but I believe it is something that can inspire, give us insight and is a good way to start our conversation about Courageous Imagination.”