On Thursday, August 1, 2019, the Unification faith community commemorates two of the eight major Holy Days in the Unification faith: the 29^th Declaration Day of God’s Eternal Blessing (Chil Il Jeol), and the 23^rd Declaration of the Realm of the Cosmic Sabbath for the Parents of Heaven and Earth (Chil Pal Jeol). Local Unificationist communities sent in photos to share their celebrations. 

In 1993, on the 3^rd Declaration Day of God’s Eternal Blessing, True Father said:

Today, on this occasion of Chil Il Jeol, I again promise you God’s eternal blessings. Therefore, there must be no Fall from now on. Although the Fall occurred at the time of Adam and Eve, henceforth the Fall must not happen. Now that the promise of eternal blessing has been proclaimed, the Fall must not occur in this era of history. Adam and Eve must attain their central position by growing from the level of little children to the level of adults. They must grow until they reach perfection. However, in the end, there is still Adam and Eve’s own five-percent portion of responsibility, which they must accomplish within the realm of dominion based on accomplishments through the Principle. Only when they are connected with God through love in both spirit and body can they do as they wish, being in a direct relationship with God both internally and externally. … I am saying that the era has arrived in which God can directly intervene in both the realm of direct dominion and the realm of dominion based on accomplishments through the Principle. (Cheon Seong Gyeong, Book 11, Chapter 5, Section 1, Number 49)

For further reading on Chil Il Jeol, see also Chambumo Gyeong, Book 12, Chapter 2, Section 2.

The declaration of Chil Pal Jeol was made on the foundation of completing the blessing of 3.6 million couples. True Parents declared that God was finally able to take his “Cosmic Sabbath”, and that God’s eternal resting place can be in the hearts and homes of every blessed family. For further reading on Chil Pal Jeol, please see Cheon Seong Gyeong, Book 11 chapter 5, Section 1, from Number 52, and Chambumo Gyeong, Book 12, Chapter 3, Section 2, Number 7.

The Honolulu Family Church celebrated the two Holy Days on August 4 with a pledge service during their Sunday Service program.

The Los Angeles Family Church celebrated on Sunday, August 4 at the Los Angeles Family Church.

The Columbia Family Church in South Carolina held a Sunday Service on August 4 to celebrate Chil Il Jeol and Chil Pal Jeol. A wonderful sermon was given by new District 5 Pastor, Rev. Young Tack Yang. A total of 40 people were in attendance, and everyone shared a wonderful meal and fellowship after the Service.

The New Orleans Family Church celebrated the two Holy Days on August 4 at the Monestere’s family home in Laplace, LA. True Mother’s latest speech given in Busan, South Korea was read by Pastor Monestere. Testimonies and spirited discussion followed. Helenita Thomas made a delicious celebration cake which was enjoyed after lunch.

The Triangle Family Church in Durham, North Carolina celebrated Chil Il Jeol and Chil Pal Jeol on August 4. Pastor Josh Angelucci shared a message about a “Step Toward God’s Love,” speaking about how God’s blessing is right around the corner and we simply need to take a step in line with the Principle to receive it.

On Sunday, August 4, the Washington, D.C. Family Church celebrated Chil Il Jeol and Chil Pal Jeol. Led by Dr. Achille Acolatse, family members gathered together with sincere devoted hearts to celebrate these two important Holy Days. After singing Holy Songs, the family pledge was recited followed by a representative prayer by Dr. Acolatse.

A commemorative cake was cut followed by a sermon by Dr. Acolatse explaining the meaning and importance of the Holy Days.

The Elizabeth Family Church in New Jersey celebrated Chil Il Jeol and Chil Pal Jeol on August 1 at 7:00 p.m. with 60 Unificationists. Rev. Emiljun and Christine Rapada led the celebration starting with the recitation of family pledge. Then, Mr. Jessie Tenepre read the history and significance of Chil Il Jeol declaration, followed by Mrs. Gudilla Lumbay who read on the foundation for True Parents’ declaration of Chil Pal Jeol.

Pastor EJ explained the connection between the two Holy Days and concluded that only when Blessed central families fulfill their portion of responsibility centering on the original ideal of creation without any connection to the Human Fall can a Cosmic Sabbath of Heavenly Parent and True Parents truly be accomplished.

Afterwards, three Unificationists gave reflections and greetings. Mrs. Cresencia Nery rendered a beautiful song titled “A Whole New World.”

A homemade celebration cake, baked by Mrs. Lina Ualat, was cut and the celebration concluded with a representative prayer by Mr. Primitivo Alvarez and three cheers of Eog Mansei led by Mr. Leonardo Combatir.

A potluck dinner was then served followed by warm and joyful fellowship.

The Bay Area Family Church celebrated Chil Il Jeol and Chil Pal Jeol on August 1. Pastor Kevin and Masako Thompson led the Pledge Service with 150 people who gathered to hear about the significance of these precious days and the time at which they were declared in God’s Providence.

A celebration song and dance were offered by three young Korean missionaries, which was followed by a breakfast fellowship.

The Sacramento Family Church held a wonderful Holy Day celebration as well. Pastor Charles de Watteville shared True Parents’ words about the Holy Days and gave inspiration learned from studying about Chil Il Jeol and Chil Pal Jeol.

The Family Church of Connecticut held their Pledge Service at 7:00 a.m. on August 1 in Spurgin Hall at the Bridgeport International Academy. The gathering drew 10 families together, and took part in a Hoon Dok-style message and discussion led by Pastor Mika Deshotel. Pastor Mika read about the two Holy Days from the updated Traditions Book, recently put out by the Blessing and Family Ministry. She then read from the transcript of True Mother’s recent speech in the Busan Church. Brothers and sisters discussed points that struck them the most. One unique addition to their celebration was that the offering table was made as a collaboration between several second- and third-generation Unificationists.

The Las Vegas Family Church celebrated at 7:00 a.m. on August 1, and gathered around a beautiful offering table. The celebration began with an opening prayer and three cheers of Eog Mansei. Four community members, Rachael McDaniel, Kinesha McDaniel, Sera Hirano and James Oberg, offered congratulatory songs to Heavenly Parent and True Parents, which echoed God’s never-ending love and His longing for His children to return to Him. An inspirational reading by Mrs. Mary Hida followed, then Rev. Ken Doo, District Pastor of Las Vegas, explained the origin and significance of the two Holy Days.

Families and friends then shared treats from the offering table.

On the morning of August 1, around 40 Unificationists gathered at the Belvedere Chapel to celebrate two Holy Days. Brothers and sisters gathered prayerfully in the Chapel, which was beautifully decorated with an offering table. A few New York City Family Church Pastors, elders, and a number of Blessed families attended. Rev. Edner Pierre-Louis, District 2 Pastor, opened the ceremony with declaration of the holidays. President of Family Federation for a Heavenly USA, Rev. Demian Dunkley, and his wife led the congregants in singing the Cheon Il Guk National Anthem, the Kyung Bae Ceremony and recitation of the pledge. The local church pastor, Dr. Drissa Kone, offered the representative prayer followed by the cake cutting ceremony. After Harlem Family Church Pastor, Rev. Juanita Pierre-Louis, read from the Cheon Seong Gyeong on the significance of the holidays, Demian took the podium and shared a profound message on the significance of attendance, especially as it relates to our present relationship with True Mother. Brothers and sisters listened attentively, at times voicing their agreement out loud during the sermon.

The ceremony ended with a rousing three cheers of Eog Mansei led by Dasse Diarra of Harlem.

Seattle Family Church celebrated on August 1 at 7:00 a.m. at the Windermere House.