Growing As a Community
Last week, Unificationists of all ages began their weeks nurturing their communities and ended them with Mother’s Day and plans for the future.
Generation Peace Academy Lends a Hand in Omaha
Generation Peace Academy participants continued their stay at the Omaha Family Church in Nebraska. The group of 11 young leaders in training had an extra challenge during the week, fighting off an infection that spread throughout the entire group. Despite the challenges, with the proper rest and care, the participants rebounded and were able to continue their volunteer work.
Mich Menning, a first year participant, prepared a camping trip for the Omaha and Iowa communities. Twenty people, including GPA, set up at the campsite in Iowa. A group of five left the camp in the morning to head to the Sakura Bana Japanese Restaurant in Omaha, where they met the owner’s son, Yuki Asanuma. The team helped with cleaning, organizing, and various odd jobs at the restaurant.
On Friday, May 8, the group switched gears and set up a flower stand for Mother’s Day weekend. The group prepared the needed materials starting at 9 a.m., obtaining flowers, buckets, solicitors permit, tables, chairs, and tents. The group of 12 split into five teams of two and set up tents at various locations. Francis Marsal, helped teach the group how to make boutiques, and they spent the first five hours setting up and practicing their skills. It was a nice end to their second week to be able to raise money, but also to spread some love and cheer in honor of Mother’s Day.
Iowa Discusses Tribal Messiahship and Christens a New Holy Ground
On Sunday, May 10, Iowa families gathered in Iowa City to create a new Holy Ground, under the guidance of Rev. Carl Swearson, former District Pastor for Iowa.
The Swearson family relocated to Iowa City in 2014 to be nearer to extended family. Rev. Swearson brought rocks that he has collected over the years from various holy sites in Korea and America—some of them autographed by True Parents’ children. Each person was given one or brought one of their own and prayed deeply that True Parents’ love can be planted in a new Holy Ground and in the hearts of the people of Iowa.
Earlier, following the Mother’s Day message from Rev. Swearson, Pastor Alan Jessen presented the Tribal Messiahship PowerPoint developed by the National Evangelism Director, Demian Dunkley, casting the vision of the Tribal Messiah Movement now being launched in America. In it the 5-step process to take personal ownership as a Tribal Messiah is explained. Pastor Jessen concluded with an appeal to begin a 21 Day Condition for the start, from May 10 through May 31. Through participation in this condition, spiritual momentum will be built within the community as a whole, while individually, each person can ask God for spiritual help in understanding the call to be a Tribal Messiah. At the end of the condition, each person will decide for themselves whether or not this is the time for them to make a public commitment. From this group, a second condition will begin to support the actual steps of making lists and claiming their tribes. Upon this foundation, Iowa seeks to align with True Parents’ vision and inherit the gift of Tribal Messiahship from them. It’s a start.
Contributed by Alan Jessen