During the 2026 Lunar New Year (Seollal), Shincheonji churches across several regions in South Korea extended their celebrations beyond church walls—engaging directly with seniors, local merchants, and residents through meal service, gift-sharing, and open house programs.
Cheongpyeong Branch: Tteokguk Service for Senior Residents
On February 9, the Shincheonji Volunteer Group Cheongpyeong Branch held a “Baekse Manse” volunteer program under the theme “A Bowl of Tteokguk for Seollal” for 30 senior residents at the Jojong-myeon branch of the Gapyeong County Senior Association.
Gapyeong County has an aging population ratio of approximately 30%, making senior welfare an important local concern. In response, 11 volunteers prepared tteok-mandu-guk (rice cake and dumpling soup), stir-fried pork, fresh kimchi, and fruit, serving a full New Year meal.
Volunteers also spent time conversing with seniors and providing companionship. Participants expressed appreciation for the consistent visits made each year during major holidays.
The “Baekse Manse” program, meaning “Even if we live just one day, let it be a beautiful life,” is an ongoing initiative supporting the well-being of elderly residents.
Guri Church: New Year Gift Sharing at Traditional Market
On February 6, Shincheonji Guri Church visited Guri Traditional Market to deliver New Year gift pouches to merchants as part of its “Dotown Jeong” outreach activity.
Church members prepared small blessing pouches containing symbolic rings, handwritten New Year messages, snacks, vitamins, and hand warmers. Merchants selected their preferred pouches and exchanged seasonal greetings with volunteers.
The event was organized to encourage mutual support between the church and local small businesses during the holiday season. Several merchants expressed appreciation, noting that the gesture provided encouragement ahead of the busy New Year period.
Andre Church in Busan: Fifth Merchant Outreach Activity
On February 11, Shincheonji Andre Church conducted its fifth community communication activity near its training center in Beomil-dong, Busan.
Volunteers, dressed in traditional hanbok, visited 17 nearby businesses—including hair salons, cafés, and bakeries—to deliver rice cake slices for tteokguk and share New Year greetings.
According to church representatives, the purpose of the outreach was to build trust and maintain consistent communication with neighboring merchants. Store owners responded positively, describing the activity as meaningful and festive.
The church stated that similar communication activities will continue alongside environmental cleanup and small-scale sharing programs.
Busan Church Open House: Public Engagement Event
On February 7, Shincheonji Busan Church held a large-scale open house event titled “Cheongrang’s House – We’ll Give You Blessings” in celebration of Seollal and the beginning of spring.
Approximately 700 attendees—including church members’ families, acquaintances, and local residents—participated in the event.
More than 10 experience booths were operated, including health consultation (“Doctor Check”), caricature drawing, aromatherapy, and a youth counseling corner titled “Today’s Worries to a Doll.” A lecture on the theme “The True Blessing of the New Year” was delivered by the tribe leader.
Church officials stated that the event aimed to reduce misunderstandings and create direct communication channels with residents through open interaction.
Continuing Community-Based Service in 2026
Church representatives from each region indicated that seasonal outreach will remain part of broader community engagement efforts throughout 2026. In addition to holiday-based programs, activities such as environmental cleanup, volunteer service, and cultural exchanges are expected to continue.
Seollal 2026 across Cheongpyeong, Guri, and Busan highlighted a consistent pattern of seasonal outreach—centered on direct interaction, cultural tradition, and ongoing local communication.
Source:
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