The Words of the Hutcherson Family
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The Words of the Hutcherson Family |
On Sunday, July 27th, 2008 the North Carolina ACLC organized its First Annual Peace Cup Festival in an effort to create a movement of building “One Family, Under God”. The Peace Festival was held on the field by the church of Iglesia Cristiana Wesleyana, where Rev. Fermin Bocanegra is the pastor.
After only a few weeks in planning meetings with the local ACLC leaders, the decision was made to organize this festival. Soon afterwards, on July 8th, we gathered about 30 volunteers to bring young people together to start preparing the place. Due to the focused and determined effort of Rev. Fermin Bocanegra, the field was completed in time.
The Opening Ceremony was set for 3 pm, but was postponed because of rain and strong winds. The uncertainty of the weather sent many people to prayer asking for grace over this day; sure enough, the sky lightened up, the winds calmed down, and the rain stopped. We felt God’s presence with us and the opening could begin. The music band of Iglesia Cristiana Wesleyana brought everyone together in a festive spirit.
Rev. Fermin Bocanegra gave the welcome and then three Abrahamic faith leaders gave their respective prayer. Rev. Fermin Bocanegra shared about his vision, mission, and purpose of the sports field. Then three individuals, Mr. Philip Smith, Mr. A. D. Snow, and Mr. Luciano Covarubias, received beautiful Certificates of Appreciation for their investment in the Hispanic community and for making this sports field possible. The leaders of Iglesia Cristiana Wesleyana (and other faith leaders) were then invited to help cut the ribbon for the opening.
Following the official opening of the field, the Peace Cup Games were inaugurated. Mr. Carlos Bocanegra, the oldest son of Rev. Fermin Bocanegra and music minister of the church, guided this ceremony. He explained the mission and purpose of the games. Minister Willie Muhammad, Rev. Fermin Bocanegra, a representative leader of the Jewish community, and I then released three doves symbolizing the unity of the three Abraham faiths to the background music of the Jewish leader blowing the shofar, and the Jewish group performed a joyful dance.
Next, the game director, Beth Bocanegra, presented the ground rules of the Peace Cup Games and introduced the six teams and their players. There was a competition in soccer, volleyball, and tug of war. All the teams were fighting hard to win. At 7 pm the competition was completed and we were ready for the Award ceremony.
It was opened up with another Jewish dance, and then Mr. Carlos Bocanegra read the proclamation of the mayor of Kernersville honoring National Parents Day. Four couples, which were selected by their respective religious organization, were chosen to receive the Parents of Excellence Award. Then, as the final moment, the Peace Cup winner was announced. Host pastor Rev. Fermin Bocanegra’s team received the beautiful Peace Cup. His church will keep the trophy until the 2nd Annual Peace Cup and then that winner can keep it for the next year.
The youth of the different churches are determined to be better prepared next time to be able to win the Peace Cup.
I’d like to thank all the participants and volunteers who made this first annual Peace Cup Festival a great success. Especially I want to thank the families of Iglesia Cristiana Wesleyana for hosting the event, and, most of all, I’d like to thank Pastor Fermin Bocanegra for his tireless contribution of time and money. Without him, this festival would not have been possible. We are very grateful for a man with such vision.