Covenant Congregation in the News: Pasadena Presbyterian

Every week, worship services at Pasadena Presbyterian Church in Pasadena, Calif., are held in English, Korean and Spanish. It’s certainly not unusual for congregations to share space; many churches have other groups “nested” with them. But Pasadena Presbyterian Church is different in that these aren’t separate congregations.Instead they are “three language groups within one congregation,” according to the Rev. Luis Madrigal, parish associate for Latino ministries.  The single session includes members from all three language groups.In addition to Madrigal, the church is led by the Rev. Mark Smutny, who serves as lead pastor and handles the English language services, and the Rev. Hyun Sung, parish associate in charge of the Korean ministries.“Pasadena Presbyterian Church has been blessed by leadership — pastoral and laity — that is open to thinking in innovative ways,” said the Rev. Ruth Santana-Grace, executive presbyter for San Gabriel Presbytery. “They are one example of leadership that honors and allows for the distinctions of language and culture through worship and fellowship while simultaneously acknowledging the ‘oneness of the body’ through governance and overall leadership.”Read the whole Presbyterian News Service story, Three as one