One Body: Beyond the Physical Walls

“That there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.”
—1 Corinthians 12:25-26

What does it truly mean to be of one body?

When deciding on a topic for this blog, there were far too many matters of interest to discuss, but there seemed to be one theme in common that called out to me: unity. With the context of our current hyper-partisan political climate, division amongst us seems to be an overpowering force. Whether it is based on race, gender, sexuality, nationality, or even religion, some narratives lead us to believe that our differences are too vast to bridge.

Growing up as a pastor’s kid, my identity and understanding of the world were mainly shaped by the church. The church was not just a weekly Sunday visit; it was my home, a place of comfort and community. From an early age, we were taught to love, have compassion, and to help others through scripture and parables like the Good Samaritan. We were taught the fundamentals on how to follow in the steps of Jesus through prayer and scripture.

Yet, as I grew older, a question began to linger: How do I bridge my faith with lived experience and action? Church built the foundation of my faith, but how can I truly practice my beliefs in a way to actively show up for others?

In Methodist theology, the Wesleyan Quadrilateral provides the theological framework for our tradition, providing a unique lens built on four pillars: scripture, tradition, reason, and experience. Prior to this internship, my upbringing in Christianity held a heavier emphasis on scripture and tradition but I felt as though it still lacked a meaningful action-based experience in faith.

Through my work with Peace with Justice at GBCS, I was able to gain firsthand experience with what faith looks like when it transcends theory. In a rather short time period, I had the opportunity to partake in projects such as the Summer of Korea Peace Advocacy with the Korea Peace Network, Cuba Faith Advocacy Week, as well as learning from Churches for Middle East Peace’s weekly briefings. While collaborating with many groups and individuals, I was in awe of the passion and commitment seen in every step of the process. With the wide range of experiences from attending congressional meetings to organized protests, I felt the power of what it truly means for us to move as one “body” and to have “equal concern for each other.” Differences did not equate to division. Instead, they strengthened our collective efforts by bringing together diverse perspectives and ideas, creating a genuine unity grounded in a shared purpose.

The “one body” cannot be fully defined without the inclusion and care of all of God’s children. Though scripture speaks directly to the church, its moral implications cannot remain confined within the church’s physical walls. We are called to carry that same spirit of compassion into the wider world. The body that God speaks to is neither divided nor fragmented; it is society as a whole. Social justice cannot be reserved for isolated causes. As faith-led advocates, we are called to acknowledge the interconnectedness of injustice, while committing to showing equal concern for every issue for those within and beyond the church. Though I am far from where I need to be, my hope is to use the inspiration I have gained as momentum: to continue my journey in life guided by faith, rooted in commitment, and actively using my voice as a tool to protect and stand by every part that makes our body whole.

“The United Methodist Church believes God’s love for the world is an active and engaged love, a love seeking justice and liberty. We cannot just be observers. So we care enough about people’s lives to risk interpreting God’s love, to take a stand, to call each of us into a response, no matter how controversial or complex. The church helps us think and act out of a faith perspective, not just respond to all the other ‘mind-makers-up’ that exist in our society.”
(The Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist Church 2020/2024, User Guide)

About Haeyoon Annette Kwon

Haeyoon Annette Kwon is a third-year college student studying public health and nursing (De Anza College and San Francisco State University). Her commitment to advocacy has been shaped through years of ministry as a youth leader, mentor, and retreat counselor, as well as through her work advocating for safer environments for women and survivors of sexual harassment and violence. During high school, she organized student demonstrations and engaged school leaders to promote policies that better protected female students. Through her internship at the General Board of Church and Society, Haeyoon hopes to deepen her understanding of advocacy while strengthening her leadership skills to support marginalized communities. She is passionate about healthcare, social justice, and faith-based leadership and envisions a future in which her healthcare career and faith work together to advance justice, compassion, and dignity for all.