Local Rallies Keep “God’s Hope for America” Alive
One month after the conclusion of the nationwide bus pilgrimage, the “God’s Hope for America” vision is alive and well in New York. Unificationists are planning a Rally and Open House in Brooklyn on Saturday, September 13, 2014, as a way to keep the momentum going. The rally will take place at 3:00 pm. at the corner of Newkirk Avenue and Marlborough Road (just a 1 minute walk from the Newkirk subway station, Q train), following the American Clergy Leadership Conference (ACLC) Prayer Breakfast that morning. Participants will be invited to join a program at the Brooklyn Church Center (1206 Foster Avenue) following the rally.
The rally comes as a direct result of this summer’s God’s Hope for America Holy Ground pilgrimage. Inspired by its success, several Unificationists in the New York area answered the call, “What happens next?” The events at the Holy Grounds provided such wonderful outreach opportunities and a revitalizing spirit for all those involved that they decided to plan a “God’s Hope for America” Rally in their local area.
The first rally took place in the city of White Plains, north of New York City, on August 30. About 50 members of the WestRock Church met downtown and filled the street with music. After a reading of True Father’s words and remarks from Dr. Michael Balcomb, the president of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) USA, the participants broke up into groups of two or three to witness in the nearby area.
They gave outreach cards, flyers for an upcoming worship service on “The Joy of Family Life” and extended a lunch invitation to the people they met. After 20 minutes or so of reaching out on the streets, the participants and five interested guests went to the Arthur Murray Dance Studio a few blocks away.
After lunch and a few brief icebreakers, the group was divided into smaller groups for discussion on two topics: “What I like best about America” and “What I can do to make things better.” The emcee, Rev. Andrew Compton, senior pastor of the WestRock Church, then gave a short introduction to True Father, the ideas he teaches about God and a brief outline of available local activities. Participants shared some of the ideas that had come up in the small group discussions. Dr. Balcomb expressed the importance of doing little things to help others. He also extended a warm invitation to everyone to attend the National Memorial Service for True Father taking place in New York City on September 20, 2014.
Rev. Compton hopes to hold similar small group meetings on a regular basis in White Plains. Jumping off the momentum of the first, this upcoming rally is a continuation of what local Unificationists hope will be an ongoing effort to revitalize the community and spread the message of True Parents.