🌈Opening Reflection — Jeong Gyu Lee (KSCF Staff)
Recently, I watched The Odyssey. I had encountered the story of Odysseus as a child through comic books about Greek and Roman mythology, but come to think of it, I had never really seen the story of his journey home. I knew about his victory through the Trojan Horse, but not much about what came afterward. Perhaps because of that, I found the film quite fascinating. After watching it, I even felt like reading the original Odyssey.
There is one rule that is repeated throughout the story, from beginning to end: “the law of Zeus.” Welcome the stranger. Who knows whether the stranger might be Zeus himself, or a god in disguise? It is a strangely familiar rule.
Early in the story, Odysseus’s son welcomes a stranger into his home and speaks of this law. The suitors around him mock him, asking what about this stranger could possibly make him a god.
Later, as Odysseus is making his way home from the war, the same law is invoked before he and his men enter an island. They speak of the law of Zeus—the obligation to welcome strangers. Yet in the end, their own actions turn into plunder.
The law of Zeus appears again and again throughout the story. The characters say that this law has sustained the human world, and yet they break it for the sake of survival and victory in war.
In the film, Penelope and others worry that strangers from across the sea—people who do not care about the law of Zeus—might arrive and throw their world into chaos. But if we think about it, even before those strangers arrive, they themselves have already begun to break the law of trust and hospitality.
We, too, have promises much like this “law of Zeus.” After the World Wars, the world made a commitment that there should be no more war. We affirmed that the dignity and rights of every human being must be protected. And for us as Christians, there is the Golden Rule of love and hospitality—the law of love.
Yet when we look around us today, these promises also seem to be fading. Our language has been the language of hospitality, but that hospitality is gradually breaking down. And perhaps it is not strangers arriving from across the sea who are destroying it. Perhaps it is we ourselves.
No matter how famous the story may be, there may be others like me who come to it without knowing how it ends, so I will not spoil the ending. Still, it leaves me with one thought. Even this ancient story continues to be forgotten—and then repeated. Much like the way we forget history and find ourselves repeating the same things again.
So I find myself wondering: What is our role in all of this?
Perhaps it is to remember. Even if hospitality seems to be a value that is fading away, perhaps our task is to keep remembering the word, to keep holding on to it.
Could that be something we can do? What do you think?
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2026 Youth Peace Camp | August 3–5
KSCF and Gonanhamkke jointly held the 2026 Youth Peace Camp. KSCF expressed its hope to take part in the Youth Peace Camp, which Gonanhamkke has organized for the past 22 years, and Gonanhamkke warmly welcomed us as a co-organizer. We extend our sincere gratitude to the board members and staff of Gonanhamkke who made this collaboration possible.
Around 40 young people and 20 staff members participated in this year’s camp. Under the theme, “We Are Masterpieces Called Peace,” we reflected and shared our thoughts on peace within ourselves, peace with the world around us, and ultimately, peace with God.
On the final day, the young participants created their own Peace Declaration, expressing what peace means in their own words. Nonviolent Peaceforce Korea (비폭력평화물결) joined us in this process, facilitating circle conversations where the young people could listen to one another and share their stories.
We would like to share the Peace Declaration created together by the participants of this year’s camp. |
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For us, peace is...
Understanding and respecting one another. It means having safe and equal conversations, resolving conflicts without fighting, and caring for others.
It means laughing together, having room to breathe, learning and growing,
and becoming friends without discrimination.
It is a world without war, where our families and friends can live safely,
have time to rest, and where nature is protected.
It is the ordinary things in life: love, freedom, nature, learning, cats...
It is the stillness of nature and the kind of love that brings a smile to our neighbors.
It is choosing, with love, not to pass on to others the violence that we ourselves have received. |
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Myeong-dong Redevelopment District 2 Solidarity Worship | August 6
On August 6, KSCF joined EYCK, the Human Rights Center, and Q&A for a solidarity worship service at Myeong-dong Redevelopment District 2. We prayed together with local shopkeepers who are struggling to protect their livelihoods and shared our commitment to stand in solidarity with them. KSCF will continue to stand alongside the shopkeepers until adequate relocation measures are secured. |
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GISARYEON Summer Retreat | August 10–11
KSCF General Secretary Nam Gi-pyeong participated in the GISARYEON Summer Retreat from August 10 to 11. Participants shared meals, rested, and spent time together while exchanging stories about the work of their respective organizations and fields and encouraging one another. By listening to stories of movements continuing in diverse contexts, they also explored possibilities for greater solidarity and cooperation. |
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KSCF Website Renewal
Since the renewal of the KSCF website, we have been regularly sharing updates and stories from our activities. You can now find news about KSCF’s programs and initiatives, as well as various resources, on our new website. We will continue to share more stories, so we hope you will visit and stay connected with us! |
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Hebrews Reading Challenge
We successfully completed our month-long Hebrews Reading Challenge in July. Participants read the Book of Hebrews together each day, sharing meaningful Bible verses, reflections, and short prayers while encouraging one another. By reading Scripture in community—something that can be difficult to sustain alone—we had an opportunity to connect the Word more closely with our daily lives. We will soon share some of the reflections and stories from the participants. |
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“Women and Youth” Reading Groups
We are continuing two reading groups under the theme of “Women and Youth.” One group is reading Part 3 of Feminism in the Digital Age, which explores the ways neoliberal realities intersect with discrimination, and will gather to discuss their reflections. The other group is reading You Said Hello together, reflecting on today’s society and our own lives from the perspectives of women and young people. |
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Brick Book Reading Challenge: Cosmos
Some thick books can be difficult to open on your own—but together, we can take them one step at a time and make it to the end.
For our sixth “Brick Books from the Bookshelf” Reading Challenge of 2026, we will read Carl Sagan’s Cosmos together. Participants will read an assigned portion at their own pace and share memorable passages, reflections, and questions through Naver Band. We will also meet online at the beginning and end of the challenge to talk about the book together.
📚 Challenge Information
Book | Carl Sagan, Cosmos
Challenge Period | August 31 (Mon) – September 17 (Thu), 16 sessions in total
Opening Meeting | August 28 (Fri), 8:30 PM / Online
Final Meeting | September 17 (Thu)
Participation Fee | KRW 10,000
Application Deadline | August 27 (Thu)
Minimum Participants | The challenge will take place with at least 5 participants
Application | Apply here
After registration is complete, an invitation link to the Naver Band will be sent on the morning of the opening meeting.
🚀 How It Works
After reading the assigned portion, participants will post the following on Naver Band:
① A memorable passage
② A personal reflection
③ One question
The opening and final meetings are also part of the challenge.
※ To receive the reading support grant, participants must attend both the opening and final meetings.
If Cosmos has been sitting on your bookshelf for a while, this might be the perfect time to finally open it together. Join us for 16 journeys through the universe! |
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2026 University Student Trip: “From Village to Village”
This summer, our university student group will visit Bongha Village under the theme “From Village to Village.” Together, participants will study the life of former President Roh Moo-hyun and the times in which he lived, while considering from the perspective of young people what paths we are called to take today.
Before the trip, participants will meet for four study sessions to learn and exchange their thoughts. At the end of August, they will visit Bongha Village for a three-day, two-night trip. We ask for your interest and prayers that this journey may be a meaningful opportunity for young people to learn and grow together and to reflect more deeply on our society and faith. |
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KSCF’s ministry continues through your prayers, support, and generosity.
We invite you to stand with us in prayer and support so that communities of students seeking to live out their faith while pursuing justice and peace in society may continue to grow. |
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