Holy Day Celebration at East Garden
On the morning of April 7, 2016, over 100 local Unificationists, local leaders and members of the National Ministry Team gathered at East Garden in New York to celebrate True Parents’ Day and the 56th anniversary of True Parents’ Holy Wedding. New York District Pastor, Rev. Edner Pierre-Louis, emceed the celebration.
Rev. Edner Pierre-Louis was emcee of the East Garden Holy Day celebration
East Garden is a place close to True Parents’ heart, especially during their ministry in America, which took root over 40 years ago. A highlight of the Holy Day ceremony was a series of readings and messages in preparation for this year’s 40th anniversary celebrations of the groundbreaking Yankee Stadium Rally (June 1) and Washington Monument Rally (September 18) of 1976.
The offering table at East Garden
The group started the morning early with the traditional offering table, prayer, cake cutting ceremony and Hook Dok Hwe (scripture) reading from Book 6 of the Cham Bumo Gyeong, which described True Parents’ behind-the-scenes experience organizing the 1976 rallies. The reading, an excerpt of True Father’s words, described the torrential rainfall that took place at the start of the Yankee Stadium Rally, and that as organizers sincerely prayed for the rain to stop and pleaded with a yearning heart for the world, they experienced God’s heart.
Rev. Grodner reads the Hoon Dok Hwe message
After the reading, a heartwarming and upbeat historical video was shown, of True Parents singing on True Parents’ Day in the early days of the Unification movement. The video caused an eruption of laughter across the room and brought tears to the eyes of many as they remembered True Father’s energetic and warm spirit and witnessed his playful yet deep expressions of love for True Mother.
After the video, FFWPU North America Continental Chairman, Dr. Ki Hoon Him, shared a message about the significance of True Parents’ foundation in America, and what that means for the next four years of moving Cheon Il Guk forward. “True Parents left us a victorious foundation, and we celebrate this foundation on True Parents’ Day and True Parents’ Holy Wedding Anniversary,” he said.
Dr. Kim shares a Holy Day message
Dr. Kim explained the providential significance of the Yankee Stadium Rally in 1976, drawing a parallel between this time in the second year of True Parents’ public ministry in America and that of Jesus’s early ministry. He explained that, as with Jesus, the second year of their ministry was a critical time for building a foundation for a nationwide and worldwide movement. Likewise, Vision 2020 is our present-day goal to build a national foundation within the next four years so that God can move another step forward for the sake of Cheon Il Guk. Watch the following video to hear Dr. Kim’s full message.
As we move forward in these critical years for God’s Providence, we unite under True Parents’ and Heavenly Parent’s love and vision for peace. Holy Days are a great opportunity to regroup centered on True Parents’ teachings and historical foundation, so that we can move forward their momentum, determination and spirit.
Over 100 people celebrated the Holy Days at East Garden
What did your family and community do on True Parents’ Day? Share your story here. For further reading about the Holy Day, click on the links below.
Monica
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Wow what the heck is wrong with offering table? When did it even become like this? Before it was neatly stacked with many fruits, one by one. Why are all the fruits piled on top of each other???
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