Visions and Plans for this New Year
On Thursday, February 19, 2015, the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) USA held its monthly national ministry meeting after a lively celebration of True Heavenly Parent’s Day at East Garden. They took this opportunity as the first day of the Lunar New Year in the third year of Cheon Il Guk to share both recent reports and overall highlights of 2014.
Miilhan Stephens, the new Vice President of FFWPU USA, acted as emcee and echoed the sentiments of a message given earlier that morning by Dr. Ki Hoon Kim, Continental Chair of FFWPU North America. “After Dr. Kim spoke, I thought of True Heavenly Parent’s Day and envisioned True Parents claiming this day for God, as a protection or stake in the battle against Satan.”
With an opening prayer by Rev. Andrew Compton, congregational songs and Hoon Dok Hwe (scripture reading) by Dr. Michael Balcomb, FFWPU President, the group connected with the true purpose of this Holy Day as they began this meeting. Below is a brief summary of the reports shared during this meeting.
The Women’s Federation for World Peace
Alexa Ward, President of the Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP) International, shared exciting news of forums and networking happening at the United Nations. One theme this year will be the education opportunities and obstacles of women, and local young women leaders as well as high school students have been invited to attend the annual Commission on the Status of Women on this topic. Look forward to this free, public event on March 9, 2015.
Angelika Selle, President of WFWP USA, recounted milestones of this organization in 2014 and activities centering on True Mother’s vision for WFWP, including mother-daughter workshops, radio time, Love IQ education in public schools, the establishment of WFWP chapters on university campuses, the 2014 WFWP National Assembly, the Las Vegas “Bridge of Peace” 150th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, as well as service projects and leadership training around the world.
The Holy Marriage Blessing in the Philippines
On January 31, 2015, an Interfaith Peace Blessing Festival was held in the Philippines. Miilhan Stephens shared his experience there, describing it as a “living miracle.” He asked how the Philippines is able to share the Holy Marriage Blessing with so many people, and in response, identified one factor that we can apply in America to learn from their approach: Hoon Dok Hwe (scripture reading). We can achieve great unity in our work through the Word and prayer, and by investing our whole selves as we work together.
The Universal Peace Federation
Dr. Lynn Walsh represented her husband, Dr. Thomas Walsh, President of the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) international in describing the recent activities of UPS. With a main focus of promoting marriage, family and interfaith values, UPF has been very active on a global level. Last year, UPF launched a presentation on parenting at the United Nations Headquarters in New York and hosted an international leadership conference. This year, UPF International looks forward to programs around the world to commemorate International Day of Families on May 15, 2015. On the national level, UPF USA is planning a marriage seminar in June.
The International Peace Education Center
Dr. Michael Jenkins, Chief Financial Officer for FFWPU USA, gave a special report on the status of the International Peace Education Center in Las Vegas. Photos showed that the renderings are nearly complete, and plans are already under way to secure organizations for future conventions and make this facility self-sufficient. Many people have contributed to this project, and a significant offering of over $2.8 million has been made by America alone. If you still wish to contribute, it’s not too late to have your name printed in the registry of honor!
The Collegiate Association for the Research of Principles
Teresa Ferete and Kwonsung Jung presented on the vision and recent activities of the Collegiate Association for the Research of Principles (CARP) USA. CARP aims to create a culture on campuses that reflect the vision of CARP’s founder, True Father. Because future leaders of America are built on university campuses, social events and impact events by CARP have been highly influential. A recent writing contest showed that winning entries reflected True Father’s vision. This year, CARP USA is gearing up for its national Momentum event.
mary
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We should tell Heavenly Parent that we want to bring back His children to him not just making th the church bigger. AJU!!!!!!!
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Esther Faith Batino
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What Milhan Stephens mean by Hoon Dok Hwe( WORD ad prayer is that, these Peace Blessing over the years since, 2012 – was supported by early morning payer at 5 a.m. in the morning. Rain, hurrican, typhoon or what, there was consistent prayer in the Philippine Church Headquarter, srated with Pledge, Reading of Divine principles and Internag Guidance, usually by the Continental Leader Dr. Yong or the National leader, Rev. Malicdem. The Hoon Dok Hwe is ususally, in an increment of 120-days Prayer and Witnessing Conditions. And, a Reading the DP tradition for everyone in the country, young or old, leader or member, everyone is continuing individually to study the WORD thru’ the Divine Principles. How I knew these, I experienced it and did it with many members in the Philippine Church. Even every after big events, someone … memberships are gathered to do the Hoon Dok Hwe condition.
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sean
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Amazing amazing amzaing!
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Robin Graham
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Thank you.
Concretely, how many members joined in the last year?
Is the FFWPU on track to reach its goal by 2020?
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Nadia
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Milhan: He asked how the Philippines is able to share the Holy Marriage Blessing with so many people, and in response, identified one factor that we can apply in America to learn from their approach: Hoon Dok Hwe (scripture reading). ………could you be more specific? We’d love to follow their successful model, if we knew more practical details…thx much for considering this request :)
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roberto turconi
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I think the answer is right there ” We can achieve great unity in our work through the Word and prayer ” I think that in witnessing our internal desire and attitude should be more important then the external physical action of talking to people : I mean before going out to witness we should read True Father’s word and pray with tears telling Our Heavenly Father that we want to bring his children back to him and not just making our church bigger and beg Him to send us the people that are searching and longing for True Parents ( even if most of the time they don’t even know that it is what they are looking for, like I did when I joined the church ) . Of course is not easy to have this kind of pure heart and desire but I think that was the heart of the brothers and sisters that brought so many people to the church and to the blessing in the Philippines on the foundation of unity between themselves and their leaders !!!
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