Chicago Unificationist Publishes His Autobiography
Bruce Sutchar and his family
A Unificationist in Chicago recently published a book chronicling his life and experiences in the church, which includes various musings and writing samples from over the years as well.
From Rogers Park to Hanover Park is the autobiography of Bruce Sutchar, a native of Chicago and longtime Unificationist. “It’s neat to know about your own history,” he said. “I was amazed I was able to pool as much as I did.”
Bruce was inspired to write his book after his friend Patrick Hickey, a Unificationist and former state leader in Chicago, wrote his own autobiography. True Father advised church members to write a book about their lives for their descendants and Bruce felt encouraged by Patrick’s example.
As a published author and lifelong writer, Bruce already had many stories and articles to share in his book. “Writing’s what I do,” he said. “There are poems in there from 30 years ago from UTS.”
Bruce has written for The Cornerstone newsletter at UTS, as well as articles for UC News, among others. His biggest challenge with the book was doing all the editing himself. “That was probably the hardest part,” he said. “I’m not an editor.”
Still, Bruce felt determined, and after a year of collecting everything he had written (during which time he continued to write), he finally completed his book after three years. “There’s a lot of people who start a book and never finish it,” he said. “It really was a labor of love. I always write from my heart.”
Growing up in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood, Bruce got the inspiration to have an abstract map of Chicago as the book’s cover. “I went to a lot of art stores and took pictures [for inspiration],” he said. “I feel deeply connected to Chicago.”
His book also includes a variety of pictures from different periods of his life. “My desire was my target audience,” he said. “I want my family to read it, the Chicago community to read it, my friends of 40 years in the church to read it.” And, hopefully, he can encourage other Unificationists to write their personal story, too.
Bruce has used his book and passion for writing as a tool for church outreach. “Probably the most important thing in my life in the church is outreach,” he said. “I continue witnessing and I’ve met a number of really good people—next to True Father’s autobiography, I give people my book.”
Bruce has continued writing, penning a half-dozen articles since the new year. “I haven’t stopped just because the book is done,” he said. “Writing’s a big part of my life. If I stop, there’s some kind of void.”
Get your copy of From Rogers Park to Hanover Park on Amazon today!
Excerpt:
“Two years later, Rev. and Mrs. Moon returned to California. At that time I was working at a Jewish delicatessen, run by members of our movement. … Father Moon casually strolled through the restaurant. … One funny thing about our restaurant is that we had an extra bathroom. It was carpeted and had brass fixtures and it was not open to the public as we used it as our prayer room. We wanted so badly for Rev. Moon to visit it, but no matter how much coffee we gave him, it was just not meant to happen.”
(p 108, Unification Church and I, From Rogers Park to Hanover Park)
Bob Gauper
| #
Years ago, I worked on a maintenance crew at an Air Force Base. Many times my fellow workers would say, “Bob, tell us another one of your stories.” Also, I’m a member of Toastmasters, and I’m known as “The Story Guy”.
Just this morning I mentioned to my wife that more members need to be writing their memoirs. So glad to see this book. Will be ordering soon and I’ll encourage my wife to pick it for a local book club book.
Congratulations Bruce.
Reply
Steve Dufour
| #
Great Bruce. I’m going to get a copy for my collection.
Reply
Bengt
| #
Great.
Here are more great UC Testimonies (Free)
http://www.tparents.org/Lib-Unif-Talks.htm
/Bengt
Sweden-Finland
Reply
David Kasbow
| #
Congratulations on the book. I just ordered it. Yes, lets encourage others to do theirs.
Reply
Mereth Huemer
| #
Congratulations! I can hardly wait to read it! I love Chicago too – must have fundraised every inch of it – several times – in the seventies!
Reply
Edy Iversen
| #
Dear Bruce,
Will there be a kindle edition so I can order it in France?
Reply
Rosemarie Leja
| #
I am from Germany and have the same question !
Reply
jhon & Marina Acevedo
| #
Congratulations Bruse, We want a copy…thanks!
Reply
JESSE J. REALMO
| #
Also growing up in Rogers Park……….went to ~AGO ~ maybe you heard of it!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply
Jerry
| #
OMG, Jessie. Do you mean Angel Guardian Orphanage?
I had a choice to go to AGO or “Merryville.”
Of course, I chose Merryville which turned out to be Maryville! Ouch!
Small world…
Reply
vitor saraiva
| #
Parabéns pelo vosso trabalho!
Reply