Dear Leaders and Families,

Dr. Yang and I sincerely thank all our leaders from every organization and especially our family members and brothers and sisters for bringing True Parents great joy. Ministers and the second generation from every denomination and race came to the blessing in Washington D.C. and to blessings held throughout America and the World. We also wish to thank the National Messiahs, without whose sacrifice and leadership the victory of July 3rd could not be achieved. Also, to our Japanese missionaries whose steadfast faith has transformed Christianity forever. The theme of this glorious blessing was Stand For Family, Save the Nation, Save the Next Generation.

The focus was on transferring the blessing of our True Parents to the "Next Generation". Therefore many sons and daughters of the world's great religious leaders had come forward to receive the blessing of marriage from True Parents. Over 700 Couples jammed the Sheraton National Hotel. Events all over the world were overflowing.

Dr. Martin Luther King III stood as co-chairman of the event along with Rev. Torrey Barrett Jr. (Pastor Barrett's son), and Minister Ishmael Muhammad (Son of Elijah Muhammad and assistant minister to the Nation of Islam). One U.S. Congressman who was blessed in the April 27th Blessing in Chicago gave an excellent congratulatory address. Rev. Levy Daugherty was the emcee for the first part of the program and many great men and women of God gathered to lift up their congregations and their families to Jesus. World religious representatives offered prayers from the American Indians, Hindus, Sikhs, Moslem, Jewish and Christian faiths. Dr. Bawa of the Sikh faith shared about the significance of such a ceremony bringing all faiths together. Chief Longwalker gave a beautiful prayer for the blessing complete with a ceremonial waving of a large "Prayer Feather", Imam Elahi of the Shiite Moslem tradition from Detroit gave a stirring prayer and explanation that we have gone beyond 9/11 and through this ceremony families are bound together before the one God of us all.

Rabbi David Ben Ami of the Jewish faith and prominent leader of Jewish Christian dialogue gave a prayer in Hebrew. Then Minister Ishmael Muhammad of the Nation of Islam offered a profound prayer in Arabic, standing together with his Mother, Mother Tynetta Muhammad representing the first and second generation he called for God's blessing upon the couples of all religions and faiths and thanked God for sending Rev. and Mrs. Moon for this work. Finally Rev. Jesse Edwards closed with his wife Tanya by his side as he stirred the soul of the audience with a rousing prayer crying out for God to save and bless these families.

The Nation of Islam brought 40 couples, the Sihks brought 20 couples, the Hindus 20 couples and many other groups brought their lineages before heaven that they might receive God's blessing.

The Concelebrant Clergy led by Bishop G. Augustus Stallings and Rev. T.L. Barrett had well rehearsed their grand processional entrance to the Alleluia chorus of Handel's Messiah. The J.e Pastor Barrett and Bishop Stallings designed the basic format of the procession. The procession was led by Pastor T. L. Barrett Jr. who was leading representing the First Generation and his son and daughter in law Minister Torrey and Brandi Bae Pastor Barrett and Bishop Stallings designed the basic format of the procession. The procession was led by Pastor T. L. Barrett Jr. who was leading representing the First Generation and his son and daughter in law Minister Torrey and Brandi BaJ.wed. Then there were 7 Concelebrant clergy couples represented by chairman of the ACLC of Denver (Rev. and Mrs. Demmer), Rev. Cleveland and Mrs. Sparrow, Rev. and Mrs. Johnson, Rev. and Mrs. Jesse Edwards, Bishop Michael and Mrs. Watson, Bishop wed. Then there were 7 Concelebrant clergy couples represented by chairman of the ACLC of Denver (Rev. and Mrs. Demmer), Rev. Cleveland and Mrs. Sparrow, Rev. and Mrs. Johnson, Rev. and Mrs. Jesse Edwards, Bishop Michael and Mrs. Watson, Bishop J., Bishop and Mrs. G. Augustus Stallings. Bishop Stallings guided the rehearsal the night before several times for both the attendants and the concelebrant clergy so they could enter with great grace and dignity. Then when the clergy had taken their positions the Co-Officiators the Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Sun Myung Moon were announced. As they entered the applause and shouts of alleluia filled the congregation. This was the moment that Minister Torrey Barrett had just testified about. The moment in which his marriage was healed. There is some kind of mystical power surrounding the gathering of the saints of all religions in one accord. This is a moment when the Holy Spirit moves and marriages are healed.

True Parents took their position on the stage and Rev. Chung Hwan Kwak gave the "Report to Heaven". Rev. Kwak reported that this blessing represented the expansion completion of the 1.8 million couples blessing (144,000 x 12 couples) to achieve the blessing of the second generation.

Then the Holy Water ceremony was conducted by our True Parents. In complete unity with True Parents the Christian leaders of the ACLC couples performed the sprinkling of water with True Parents. As Father and Mother prayed for the couples the concelebrant clergy held their hands up high and prayed.

The unity of the service was so moving. Imam Elahi said, "I owe my entire life situation to Father Moon. I came to the Assembly (IRF) in 1990 in San Francisco, which was the first time I was ever out of my country, and first time I met the world of other religions. It is because of Father Moon that I am in America, thanks to being a participant of the Assembly of the World's Religions in 1990." He also said, "This is the most significant activity to make strong marriages and bring peace between religions."

Bishop J. shared, "The spirit in this blessing was even greater than that of April 27th. I can't believe how this movement is growing. This time Christians, Muslims, Jews and all religions were one. It was totally natural being together."

The next day, Father proclaimed "God's Independence Day". The notes from the Hoon Dok Hae follow.

Father gave new direction at the next Hoon Dok Hae.

Father gave great guidance to our 250 youth that were there at the July 4th celebration. See it on the Familyfed.org website. Also you can see the Blessing as well as the audio or video of Father's speech on the 4th.