Groundbreaking Seminar in Boston

Forty people of all ages gathered for a seminar at the Boston Family Church to hear Dr. Andrew Wilson, Dr. Kathleen Burton, and Jeanne Carroll present on the theme “Divine Principle Post Foundation Day” on Saturday, March 5, 2016. This program, hosting participants from Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Maine, Washington, D.C. and other states, was designed to consider how we might live in a world where the Principle of Creation, rather than the path of restoration through indemnity, features in all aspects of life. It highlighted as central aspect of this emerging new reality the maternal aspect of the Heavenly Parent, in the role of the Heavenly Mother.

The purpose of this event was simple but important. To date, little information had been made available on such a critical topic.  With a passion and sincere desire, the three presenters have been working for the past three years to grasp a new understanding of our Heavenly Mother and bring it to the public.  In fact, this was their first time ever presenting this detailed material.

The format in which these three presenters conveyed the new content was dynamic and new.  Participants were seated in groups of six to eight at round tables in the room.  The three presenters spoke in brief 10-minute segments on different sections of the Divine Principle: the Principles of Creation, the Fall, and Restoration, with each of them highlighting the viewpoint of the Heavenly Mother.

With three speakers providing a different aspect of the Heavenly Mother on each section, participants were able to open their hearts and minds to rediscover the Divine Principle anew.

“It laid the foundation of the importance of both masculine and feminine,” reflected a participant. Another stated, “It opened my mind about the liberation of God as Heavenly Mother.”

In addition to opening the eyes of the participants to a new vision and reality, participants found new direction and motivation in guiding their own actions and those of the Unification movement.

“This is very helpful as I work on Vision 2020 to do my Tribal Messiahship, with lots of insights and guidance,” said a participant. Another participant reflected, “Let’s all pray as a group for this idea to be accepted broadly, for then we’ll have so much to do on a pragmatic level. Healing our brothers and sisters is a very motherly gesture.”

In addition to the use of the Divine Principle, the speakers also read words from the Cheon Seong Gyeong and other key scriptures.  By hearing True Father’s own words on who the Heavenly Mother is, participants realized the content was more than something theorized.  “I love that we are finally focusing on Heavenly Mother,” a participant said. “It was useful to see True Father’s quotes about True Mother and Heavenly Mother.”

After each round of presentations, participants discussed the content at their tables and selected a speaker to present their findings to the rest of the audience.  Groups were never static, but rotated throughout the course of the the event.

“I really enjoyed changing tables,” said one guest. “This concept allowed for an open flow where many participants had the joy of meeting many more other participants. The energy flowed easily, beautifully.”

The exciting new content combined with the dynamic format left participants enthusiastic about the seminar and wanting more.  

“I honestly wouldn’t mind coming again, with guests. This needs to happen again!” Another stated, “I need to hear this content again!”  

With the presenters having just created this material, there was room for improvement, but overall the seminar was well received, with participants sharing a new sense of inspiration and hope for the movement. With time, hopefully the entire movement can come to hear this wonderful content and share it with the world.

Contributed by Daniel Perry