Reverend Dr. Young-Mee Park retired last July after twenty-one years of fruitful ministries she describes as “wild and wonderful.” Her last appointment was to Hinsdale UMC where she served for five years. Her previous ministry experience includes six years of service as District Superintendent in the DeKalb District (now Prairie South District), eight years as the lead pastor at Oak Park First UMC, two years as an associate pastor at Dixon First UMC, and two years of internship at Evanston First UMC. She feels that each and every setting – rural and suburban, conservative, progressive, a mixture of both and everything in between - was enriching and rewarding, that they all loved her, shaped her, and taught her to become the best person and pastor she could be.

Born and raised in Korea, Pastor Young-Mee heard God’s call for the first time in her early teen years. Yet, back then, she did not pay much attention to it. While committed to following Jesus and pursing God’s plan, she did not think that becoming a pastor was necessarily a part of that plan. So, seeking further education and life experience, she went to France and obtained a BA, an MA, and a PhD degrees in Linguistics. Then, she returned to Korea, and taught at both undergraduate and graduate levels. After a decade of teaching and taking advantage of her husband’s sabbatical, she came to the United States and enrolled in Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. It was not because she, by then, had developed a clear sense of call, but rather because she had so many questions about life of faith. Even so, her first year of seminary was a liberating and empowering experience for her. This is when and where she heard God’s call for the second time. Upon
graduating, she entered ministry with a deepened love for God and God’s church in all its beauty and brokenness.

Having been in many different places culturally, spiritually, and theologically, Pastor Young-Mee is passionate about crossing boundaries, meeting people where they are and as they are, and bringing them closer to God and to each other. She is a firm believer in full inclusion of all God’s children and is committed to living out United Methodist call to “Open Hearts, Open Minds, and Open Doors.” Her personal mission statement is to stay open and curious and to live each moment fully, freely, and joyfully, alert to God’s presence and power within and without.
Pastor Young-Mee is an avid learner and enjoys hiking and traveling. She is married to Rev. Dr. Sang Hyeon Yoo, and together, they are proud parents of two wonderful adult children, Ihwan and Eunhwan.