Cranford Methodist Church Welcomes Its First Woman Of Color Pastor

CRANFORD, NJ — Cranford United Methodist Church has welcomed a new pastor, HyunHui Kim.

Kim is the first woman and person of color to serve as pastor in the church's 150-year history.

According to the Methodist Church, Kim uses her theological and philosophical understanding of race, gender, sexuality and social class, along with East-West comparative studies, to "enrich ministries challenged by the complexity of a global world."

Kim was born, raised and educated in South Kora and later moved to New Jersey in 2006. She completed her Master of Divinity degree and her Ph.D. in Theological and Philosophical Studies at Drew Theological School.

“It is my great pleasure to serve God as the new pastor of Cranford UMC,” said Rev. Kim. “I am confident in God’s grace and excited to be where God has led me. What is most exciting about being the pastor of Cranford UMC is that it is a reconciling congregation.”

The Reconciling Ministries Network is an organization that seeks the inclusion of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in both the policy and practices of United Methodist Church. Read more here.

Under Kim's leadership, Cranford UMC is seeking to increase its efforts to support those who are racially and sexually marginalized, according to a press release from the Church.

Worship services are at 10 a.m. every Sunday at Cranford UMC at 201 Lincoln Ave. E.

Holy Communion is shared on the first Sunday of every month. Anyone is welcome to join the Church's programs, such as children and youth ministry, choir, praise team, Advent/Lenten small discussion group, prayer group and various outreach programs such as the Drive-Thru Food Collections, Samaritan Sandwich Making Events and the Free Little Pantry.

You can read more about the Church's programs on their website.