In 1885, Mary Scranton and her son William Scranton became the first missionaries sent to Korea by the Methodist Episcopal Church, a forerunner to The United Methodist Church. Through their dedication, hospitals and schools were established, and the Good News of Jesus Christ spread throughout the land.

Although Mary Benton Scranton lived most of her life in Connecticut, she later moved to Cleveland, Ohio in 1882 when her son, Dr. William Scranton, began his medical practice. While in Cleveland, they attended First Methodist Episcopal Church (formerly located at E. 9th St. and Euclid Ave.), where Mary joined in the work of the Women’s Foreign Missionary Society (WFMS) as she had done in her home state. She even started a local chapter from her home.

In 1884, William felt called by God to serve as a medical missionary in Korea. This calling became Mary’s calling as well, and they were both commissioned for missionary service. In January 1885, they began their long journey to Korea, where William established a hospital, and Mary founded a school for girls. That school, Ewha University, is the largest women’s university in Asia. Despite many challenges, their mission flourished, and their work laid the foundation for the Methodist movement in Korea.

Bishop Hee-Soo Jung, resident bishop of the Ohio Episcopal Area consisting of the East Ohio and West Ohio Conferences of The United Methodist Church proudly claims to be a product of Ohio Missions. He converted to Christianity when he was a teenager and one of his early ministry appointments was to East Gate Church, which was begun as a result of Mary Scranton’s mission and ministry.

Please plan to attend this special celebration of the 140th year of our Methodist missions partnership in Ohio, Korea, and beyond.

• Monday, August 4 through Wednesday, August 6
  “Celebrating Methodist Mission in Ohio, Korea, and Beyond:
  The 140-Year Legacy of Mary and William Scranton”
  Church of the Saviour UMC in Cleveland Heights
  Scheduled Speakers:
  Bishop Hee-Soo Jung, resident bishop Ohio Episcopal Area
  Bishop Kim Jung-seok, presiding bishop Korean Methodist Church
  Bishop Tracy S. Malone, president of the Council of Bishops of The UMC
  Special Music: Wisconsin Annual Conference Harmony Choir

More details will be available soon.