SMU Students Make an East Coast Pilgrimage
It was an exciting week for a group of CARP students from Sun Moon University in Korea. All this week they traveled up and down the East Coast of the United States on a pilgrimage to many sites that are significant in the history of True Parents and Unificationists of America. On this whirlwind tour the students were able to experience amazing sights and deep inspirations.
New York City
The students arrived in New York City on January 20, a little jet-lagged but excited. “Their eyes shone as they watched the lights of Times Square,” said Kwonsun Jung, a CARP USA member who acted as one of the guides for the students.
The next day was the first full day in Manhattan. After breakfast at the 43rd Street offices, the group headed out to the Manhattan Center and New Yorker Hotel where FFWPU-USA President Dr. Michael Balcomb welcomed them. The students were given a tour by David Eaton and Joe Kinney of the Hammerstein and Grand Ballrooms, Manhattan Center Studios, and the boiler room and the roof of the New Yorker. After lunch back at 43rd Street, a group of 10 young Unificationists from Headquarters staff came and played games and took pictures with the students. “I was most grateful to be able to see the Manhattan Center Studios and other places where True Father had actually been,” said Fusanori, one of the students. The group also got a chance to see the Brooklyn Bridge, the Empire State Building and Madison Square Garden later that afternoon.
That evening, the students headed to Clifton, New Jersey, for the Young Unificationist Ministry (YUM) program. About 30 local Unificationists attended, making the total participant count about 70. Naokimi Ushiroda, CARP USA president, gave the keynote message and encouraged all the students to pursue their passions. It was a great time for the students to meet and mingle with Americans of their age. Participant Ikumi said, “It was new for me to see so many different types of people living in one nation. I realized that True Father’s vision for one family under God could facilitate in bringing peace to the world. Once religions and people come together in this nation, this would expedite the fulfillment of our dream. I could see that True Father had invested thirty years in America in order to offer America to God.”
The next day, the students took a ferry to the Statue of Liberty, walked through Wall Street, and explored the National September 11 Memorial Museum. The highlight of everyone’s day, however, seemed to be the afternoon trip to East Garden, True Parents’ main residence in the United States.
The staff members there were very welcoming and caring. The snacks and caffeinated drinks they provided were greatly appreciated, due to many of the students still fighting jet lag. Upon arrival, the group prayed at the Holy Ground where True Father used to kneel and pray. The staff told many interesting stories about their experiences while serving True Parents. The group also enjoyed the tour of the East Garden Museum. “Being able to see these places where True Father worked really brought some sense and scope into how our messiah lived,” said Kwonsun.
Unification Theological Seminary and Barrytown College
On January 23, the students watched a video on True Father’s life course which focused on his unjust conviction and his imprisonment at the Danbury Federal Correctional Institute in Connecticut. After a prayer at the Holy Grounds nearby, the students headed out for the Unification Theological Seminary and Barrytown College in Barrytown, New York.
The students were welcomed with a delicious meal, games, and introductory speakers. Five Barrytown College students gave the group a tour of the grounds including Father’s Trail, the car in which Heung-jin Nim had his fatal accident, and the Barrytown College facilities. Some of the staff offered testimonies about their time spent with True Parents at these historic places. Participant Soon-bok said, “I was put in awe when I heard about how True Father had people come to this seminary to learn God’s words and about ethics in order to promote interfaith and ecumenical harmony.”
Gloucester and Boston, Massachusetts
In the afternoon, the group was back on the road again and arrived in Morning Garden in Gloucester, Massachusetts, where they would spend the night. Victor and Silvia Quesada, who maintain Morning Garden, warmly welcomed them and gave a short orientation before dinner. The students enjoyed some relaxed time to visit, explore and watch the stars from the tower.
An ominous snowstorm the next morning didn’t stop some of the students from exploring Boston. They trudged through the snow in order to not waste “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Later, students had the chance to visit Harvard University and were assisted by two trilingual students who had reached out to the group. It was an inspiring and well-coordinated tour. Yujin, one of the tour guides, said, “The wintry and rainy New England weather was not the most ideal condition for walking and exploring the historic city of Boston, but all of the students’ spirits were so bright and awesome. I am glad to have met the Korean/Japanese students from Sun Moon University.”
The day ended with an intense game of Yute back at the Boston Church center. It was a fulfilling day and the students thoroughly enjoyed their time in Boston. Getting to know the community members really transformed the experience. “I think this was the first time during our visit that I was able to have a good time mingling with the local members at the church,” said Yuri, one of the students. “Always we were pressed because of our schedule, but this time I felt that we could overcome the language barrier to become as one.”
The team packed up the next day and, on their way back to New York City, made stops at the University of Bridgeport, Danbury Federal Correctional Institute, and the Korean Evangelical Association church in New Jersey.
University of Bridgeport and Danbury Federal Correctional Institute
The students met with Brian Lim, the dean of international students at the University of Bridgeport, who led a tour. The guides gave very detailed presentations on the history of UB and all of its accomplished alumni.
As the tour was wrapping up, university President Neil Salonen surprised the group with a visit and gave a short talk. President Salonen stressed that even though Americans have a very different culture from Koreans, human beings all originated from the same ancestor, and that was all the more reason to work together. “We heard from the vice president and president, who emphasized about leadership and becoming a leader who can make the right decisions, promote harmony and discern between good and evil,” said participant Wonju.
Stopping at the prison at Danbury, Connecticut, was a very reflective experience. “I was so grateful to be able to lay foot on this place. I was filled with emotion being here,” said Yuri. The group was not allowed to go near the building due to high security, but they parked right in front of the entrance gate. Here they took a few moments to take pictures, reflect and pray.
KEA in New Jersey
Finally, the group arrived in New Jersey for a visit to the Korean Evangelical Association church. Head pastor Lee Ki-Yeol explained the history of the community and the birth of the KEA. He told the group that one of the KEA’s main goals is the reunification of the Koreas, and that they have education and prayer specifically for this. The students felt right at home and really connected with the vision and purpose.
Washington, D.C.
There was so much for the students to see in Washington. The Washington Times, the White House, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Maryland (FFWPU) Learning Center were all amazing sights.
At The Washington Times, students were treated to a tour and talks from FFWPU-USA Director of Business Investments Dr. Michael Jenkins, Northern Virginia pastor Rev. Ernest Patton, and Washington Times Chairman Thomas McDevitt. They each gave a short talk about what they do and how The Washington Times is significant to this movement. “As a political communications major, I always had a strong desire to learn more about The Washington Times and its mission,” said Kwonsun.
Rev. Jang Young-Chul then gave the students a very precise and detailed tour of the monuments and memorials near the National Mall. Participant Amy reflected at the Washington Monument, “This was where True Father held that historic rally. I visualized the scene of True Father speaking to crowds of people here. I wish I could go back and actually be at that rally.”
The students had dinner and played ping-pong with some of the local Maryland students.
Kwonsun reflected on the day saying, “The students had a great time having a great experience and learning about our movement. Heck, I believe I’m experiencing an amazing spiritual experience through education of our church’s organizations. Knowing there are so many more of us out there, contributing to the providence, gives me so much more hope for our future. It is all about uniting with one another.”
The next day was another packed day of sightseeing and traveling. The students visited the Jefferson Memorial, the National Air and Space Museum and the U.S. Capitol before heading back to New York. They enjoyed learning about the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. The Air and Space Museum was also exciting and informative, and the students were captivated by the beauty of the Capitol building.
On the way back to New York, the students made a short stop in Edgewater, New Jersey, directly across the Hudson River from Manhattan, and admired the New York City skyline. With the tour almost at a close, students began to reflect on their overall experience, “I really enjoyed the Holy Ground pilgrimage this time, and I think it will become a priceless memory that I will never forget in my life,” said Takeru.
Kwonsun added, “I’m already sad, knowing that tomorrow is our last full day together. I just really hope the students were able to gain meaningful experiences that they can bring back to Korea.”
Last Day in NYC
The students made full use of their last day, with visits to Madison Square Garden, the original Yankee Stadium and the Woodbury Commons outlet mall.
The students were awed by the huge MSG stadium and the amount of history that took place there for the Unification Church, including the 1982 Holy Marriage Blessing. Yankee Stadium was equally impressive, because it is now a public park. The group could walk right onto the open field where True Father delivered his famous speech. They prayed and sang, “You Are My Sunshine.”
After a brief shopping excursion to the Woodbury Commons outlet mall, the students spent a few hours exploring more of New York City and enjoying their last big meal together in the United States.
The trip was surely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that affected the students greatly. As the tour guide and caretaker for the group, Kwonsun was also extremely moved by the students themselves, “For me, it wasn’t about where we went and what we did. It was really all about who I met and what I learned by communicating with them and observing them.” He added, “The fact that Rev. Moon really loved and cared for America was made very clear to me during this trip. … I’m very happy to have been given this opportunity to serve our fellow young Unificationists from the other side of the world. I hope that I will get more chances like this soon!”