The Words of the Cromwell Family
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The Words of the Cromwell Family |
The inauguration ceremony to install Dr. Chang Shik Yang as the new continental director of North America region 1 (consisting of USA and Bahamas) began with an invocation offered by Dr. Thomas Walsh, the international president of the Universal Peace Federation (UPF).
In his introductory remarks, Rev. Michael Jenkins, national chairman of the American Clergy Leadership Conference (ACLC), commented that Archbishop Ki Hoon Kim, the outgoing continental director, grew up in the former Korean headquarters church building in Cheong Pa Dong as a young boy, at the same time that True Parents and the eldest True Children lived there.
As the Master of Ceremonies, Rev. Joshua Cotter, executive vice president of HSA-UWC USA, stated, "I don't know why we are calling this a farewell address, since Archbishop Ki Hoon Kim is not going anywhere. He will still be here in America with us and serving True Parents with us." Nonetheless, Archbishop Kim gave a farewell address, announcing his new mission from Father: "I have been appointed to go around the country and later around the world to encourage Ambassadors for Peace to create ideal families, ideal nations and an ideal world, with True Father's teachings as their guide."
Archbishop Kim apologized for not being able to do enough for In Jin Nim as the continental director.
He encouraged leaders who had gathered from around the nation for the National Leadership Conference to "come together and fulfill for Father's providence."
In his remarks to introduce Dr. Yang, Rev. Phillip Schanker gave an overview of Dr. Yang's work in America as a continental director in the past, but cautioned that, "as Dr. Yang himself knows, it was all merely a rehearsal or practice for this time when we as a movement attend the True Children."
In his inaugural address, Dr. Yang commented that God had trained In Jin Nim behind the scenes to become an excellent leader for the American movement. Dr. Yang reminded everyone about the importance of this time as we approach Jan. 13, 2013. Recently, he had attended a special ceremony with Father and Mother, in which Father gave special meaning to the number of days left until "D-day." Dr. Yang showed the audience the special paper on which the days had been calculated, including Father's signature at the bottom.
Dr. Yang testified that the True Children are absolutely united with True Parents. He added, "I stand with an empty mind to attend True Parents and True Children."
In reference to the current divisive forces threatening the American movement, Dr. Yang reassured the leaders that, "We believe in the power of God to overcome the difficulties currently facing America. There is nothing that cannot be overcome with the power of God! Amen?" Many leaders strongly responded, "Amen," and the spirit in the room was very high.
After Dr. Yang's inaugural address, the Reverend In Jin Moon, president and CEO of the Unification Church in America (called In Jin Nim to honor her status as a True Child), was invited to the stage to offer a congratulatory plaque to Archbishop Ki Hoon Kim. She read, "We sincerely pray for our Heavenly Parents' and our True Parents' love and blessings to be showered upon you throughout your lifetime. We will always remember the love, care and leadership you have shown us in service to this nation."
Amidst the heavenly atmosphere that had been created, In Jin-nim rose to the podium and summarized Archbishop Kim's tenure, "At the time of his inauguration, Archbishop Kim said, 'I am exciting,' actually meaning that he was excited to serve God, True Parents and the American movement. And he kept that same spirit throughout the time he was continental director." She added, "He truly tried his best during the ox year. He was never without a smile or without his enthusiastic spirit."
In Jin Nim commented, "Archbishop Kim had an incredible desire to serve True Parents physically. It was a source of great comfort to me to know that a great older brother was properly attending True Parents while I was working hard at headquarters."
Praising Archbishop Kim for his work in Chicago and nationwide with Christian ministers as the foundation for her to be able to reap harvest, In Jin-nim called all of True Parents' foundation -- UPF, CARP, ACLC and the church -- to work together as a team during the next year.
In one of the most moving parts of this event, In Jin Nim proposed that the new year begin with a new partnership of In and Yang, "I hope that the In can really embrace the Yang and the Yang can really embrace the In to bring a great victory in America."
In Jin Nim also explained, "The most difficult thing for the True Children because they were somewhat ignored [as they grew up] is that they haven't had the benefit of developing a working relationship with True Parents. Therefore, the continental director has an incredible responsibility of being an intermediary between True Parents and True Children."
To the leaders, In Jin Nim requested, "Please embrace your new continental director. I will try my best to unite and to support this new continental director. I know and I feel the blessings of Heaven just waiting to come down upon this great nation of America. Please try your best to stay focused this year on our Heavenly Parent and understand who True Parents are. Please convey True Parents' heart to your members."
At the conclusion of In Jin-nim's congratulatory remarks, In Jin-nim, Archbishop Kim and Dr. Yang cut the commemoratory cake together, while those gathered stood and sang Happy Victory to You.
Rev. Hiroshi Inose, president of KODAN, thanked In Jin Nim for the blessing she had bestowed on this day as he led three cheers of Og-mansei.
Written by Tossa Cromwell, Unification Church USA headquarters staff