TO: District Directors, All FFWPU Leaders, BFD Representatives, and All Blessed Central Families
FROM: Dr. Chang Shik Yang and Rev. Michael Jenkins
DATE: March 4, 2008
RE: Official Announcement of May 17 Blessing and First Gen Matching

We pray for God and True Parents' blessing and love to be with America and all nations as we create the sacred reign of peace in Cheon Il Guk, the realm of cosmic peace.

We are happy to announce that there will be a USA National Level Blessing in Washington, DC, according to True Parents direction. The date will be Saturday, May 17, 2008. The place will be the Columbia Road church.

The Blessing will be held primarily for the following 1st generation members:

(1) those who have been matched,
(2) those who are previously married couples,
(3) Ambassadors for Peace and their spouses,
(4) ACLC clergy and their spouses,
(5) as well as other leaders of society.

All participants should have fully completed the course of Divine Principle education and be committed to perform the ceremonies that will fulfill the Blessing and Change of Blood Lineage to Heavenly Father’s Chung Il Guk lineage.

2nd generation couples matched by their parents are encouraged to wait to participant in the next Blessing Ceremony to be held by True Parents directly. We will be checking for True Parents guidance regarding participation at this Blessing by Second Generation. The next True Parents Blessing is expected in the summer of 2009 at the World Culture and Sports Festival.

Further announcements coming soon will explain all the necessary details and preparations that need to be made by all participants.

The traditional Blessing Donation established by True Parents will apply. The donation for individuals is $2,000. For May 17th Blessing, all those who want to attend should set the proper spiritual foundation for their marriage and Blessing by making the Blessing Donation in advance. In the past, many have not successfully fulfilled this condition and they should still consider it their spiritual obligation to do so. For couples who are already married and decide to be Blessed, the Blessing Donation is $1,000 for the couple.

Dr. Chang Shik Yang, along with District Directors and Blessing Coordinators, will be holding a Matching Conference on the weekend of April 19-20 to match First Generation candidates (including Jacob Children raised in our tradition). Therefore all those who desire to be candidates need to attend a Blessing Workshop and fulfill all documentation and requirements before April 18. Duplicate copies of your application should be submitted to your District headquarters to the Blessing Coordinators. Further details will be available soon. All suggestions for matchings should be offered up through your District Blessing Coordinators to the National Blessing Committee.

All participants in the Blessing must attend a Blessing Workshop. There will be two Blessing Workshops before the Matching. Details will be published soon and registrations will be taken online using the Internet.

March 29-30 Blessing Workshop will be at the Homewood Suites Hotel in Baltimore, near BWI airport. This Blessing Workshop is for all candidates 36 years old and older and for all re-Blessing candidates.

Blessing Workshop in early April will be held on the West Coast. This Blessing Workshop is for all candidates 35 years and younger (including Jacob Children)

It is important that all candidates coordinate very closely with your District headquarters Blessing Coordinator. This will ensure that you receive all information in a timely manner and that all your requirements and documentation are fulfilled.

True Parents have directed in Korea that Blessings be held every month for Ambassadors For Peace and leaders of all aspects and levels of society. All participants should be fully educated in the Divine Principle and the meaning and value of the Blessing. America must make every effort to begin to follow this pattern. Therefore we are planning the next National Level Blessing in America for September of this year. Please begin now to prepare your contacts to attend the Blessing.

Most sincerely,

Dr. Chang Shik Yang
Regional President
FFWPU of North America

Rev. Dr. Michael Jenkins
President
FFWPU-USA