With prices soaring at Chuseok (a major mid-autumn harvest festival and a three-day holiday in South Korea) due to record-breaking heavy rain and abnormal weather conditions, Shincheonji Daejeon Church (Matthias tribe) of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony, delivered gifts to neighbours to celebrate the Chuseok holiday and permeate warmth throughout society.

On the 21st September, Shincheonji Daejeon Church delivered sweet potatoes to about 20 senior citizens' centres in the neighbourhoods of Yongmun and Tanbang, Seo district, Daejeon, and also prepared special Chuseok gifts to about 100 shopping stores around Yongmun neighbourhood, where the church is located.

Owner A, who runs a café near the church, said, “It’s tough; I’ve never had a Chuseok as difficult as this year's.” He added, “Even during the Covid-19 pandemic, many Shincheonji church members came and willingly carried out a disinfection service. I was even more thankful for their gifts and big heart.”

Seok-joong Kim, vice-head of the Daejeon Metropolitan City West Branch of the Korean Senior Citizens Association, expressed his gratitude, saying, “I've seen for a while that Shincheonji Church doesn't just carry out one-off voluntary deeds and that it's a place that respects the older generations and does a lot of good.”

A church official said, “Chuseok is a major national holiday, yet we felt sad that the atmosphere was not the same as usual.”