Four Communities Gather for a Regional Youth Service

On Sunday, August 23, 2015, four congregations and their worship music teams from Manhattan, Westrock, Clifton and Bridgeport gathered on a beautiful Sunday morning at the historic Belvedere to fill the air with music for a combined worship service. Over 300 Unificationists from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, as well as American Clergy Leadership Conference (ACLC) clergy, local pastors and members of local church councils, came together to worship and listen to inspirational messages from three young adult speakers.

Jessica Garand from Manhattan, Mika Deshotel from Bridgeport, Connecticut, and Raymond Burns from Clifton, New Jersey, gave passionate talks about accessing passion and motivation, living in the moment and welcoming challenges in order to change the world. You can watch videos of their messages here.

The service ended with a collaborative worship song, “Great I Am” featuring musicians from all four communities.

The music kept going after the service, with a benefit concert to support My Sister’s Place, an organization working to end Human Trafficking through education and victim support. Justin Okamoto, Wonky Todd, and Cienna Tardly organized the concert that featured local bands as well as dance groups and solo performances. Proceeds of food sold that day also went to My Sister’s Place. They raised $1,300 for the organization and enjoyed an afternoon full of quality entertainment.

The regional service was largely organized by young Unificationists. Hyun Moraes and Mirandy Kim acted as project coordinators.

“Our vision is to continue to grow, in numbers, in professionalism, in heart and in intention,” said Hyun. “We want to reach as many people as possible, and continue to inspire others to step up and take ownership over their faith within their own lives and their communities, and through our actions support God and True Parents. We want to demonstrate that we are proud of our faith, proud of who we are, proud of our families and communities and if we work together, anything is possible.”

All of the communities involved expressed a desire to work together again. They hope to organize a Regional Youth Service every three months in the future.