Upcoming Blessed Children Blessing Workshops in Chicago and UTS

Chang Shik Yang
May 2, 2008

NHQ SungHwa - 08 -- 003

TO: District Directors, All FFWPU Leaders, BFD Representatives, and All Blessed Central Families
FROM: Dr. Chang Shik Yang, Rev. Michael Jenkins
DATE: May 2, 2008
RE: Upcoming Blessed Children Blessing Workshops in Chicago and UTS

Dear Blessed Families,

There are a number of Blessed Children who have been matched by their parents and also a number of Blessed Children who would like to apply for True Parents’ Matching. Second Generation youth who intend to participate in the Blessing ceremony are required to have completed a Blessing Workshop no more than 2 years prior to their Blessing.

Therefore, we are happy to announce Blessed Children Blessing Workshops in Chicago and UTS for Blessing candidates, those who have been matched by their parents and any Blessed Child 17 years of age or older who wishes to participate. We would like to invite parents as well to attend the whole workshop with their children.

NOTE: Blessed Children who wish to participate in the May 17-18th Blessing Ceremony in Washington, DC, but have not fulfilled the requirement of completing a Blessing Workshop, may participate in the Blessing provided they join one of these two workshops. The details are:

A. Workshop Places and Times

Chicago: Dickson Valley Camp and Retreat Center
Address: 8250 Finnie Road, Newark, IL 60541
Dates - Friday, June 6th to Sunday 8th, 2008
Schedule- Workshop will begin Friday at 6PM and end on Sun. at approx. 3PM.

Transportation -- Participants should arrive through O’Hare International Airport. The Chicago Support Team will provide regularly-scheduled transportation from the airport to the workshop location (to be arranged based on need). Participants driving to the facility can follow the map through this map link; //ww36.com/s8Zr737by. More detailed directions can be forwarded after registrations are received.

Accommodations -- All participants will sleep at the workshop location with sleeping bags in lodges of 8 to 12 persons per room. Each cabin has men and women bathrooms and showers. Swimming clothing is recommended. Evenings may be chilly so light jackets are also recommended. Details regarding the lodges and a map of the facility are contained in the www.dvcrc.com website.

UTS, Barrytown, NY
Dates- Friday, June 20th to Sunday 22nd, 2008
Schedule- Workshop will begin Friday at 6PM and end on Sun. at approx. 3PM
//www.uts.edu/

Transportation- From Airports: By Car: From Newark, NJ: Take the New Jersey Turnpike north to Interstate 87. Go north about 60 miles to Exit 19, Kingston. Bear right after toll booths and follow signs to Kingston Rhinecliff Bridge. After bridge, turn left at first traffic light, called River Road. Go three miles and at stop sign turn left. Go one mile and UTS is on the right.

From JFK and La Guardia Airports: Take Van Wyck Expressway north or west to Whitestone Bridge. Take Hutchinson Parkway north to 687 north. At I-84, go west (left) to Taconic Parkway north. Go about 30 miles and exit Red Hook/ Rhinebeck Rte. 199. Go west on Rte. 199 about 5 miles. At light bear right, go straight through village of Red Hook on Rte. 199. At next light, turn left and then a very quick right on Barrytown Road. Go straight through stop sign and UTS is one mile on the right.

From major Airports by public transportation: Newark, LaGuardia and JFK- Take bus to Pennsylvania Station in Manhattan. Cost is about $10 or $15 dollars. Take Amtrack train to Rhinecliff Station (about a two hour journey and cost is about $35). At Rhinecliff Station, you can usually take a taxi to UTS ($10)

B. Who can attend -- 2nd Generation blessing candidates, those matched by their parents or any second generation 17 years and older is invited to attend, and their parents are invited as well.

C. Workshop fee: $125 per participant. Pay by cash, check, or money order upon arrival.

D. What to prepare -- Clothes and toiletries, pen and notebook and sleeping bags.

E. Workshop Registration - All participants MUST register IN ADVANCE. Register online at bcblessing.familyfed.org/registration/registration.html

F. Program and Presenters- main presenter will be Rev. Phillip Schanker, VP for Education of the FFWPU, with testimonies from elder 2nd Generation couples, some special guest presenters, and lots of time for recreation, discussion and fellowship as well.

G. For further information contact:

Chicago:
Jario Garvin- Chicago Youth Coordinator

UTS:
Rev. Inguk Seo- Dir. of BC Blessing Dept.

Most sincerely,

Dr. Chang Shik Yang
Continental Director
FFWPU- USA.

Rev. Michael Jenkins
President
FFWPU- USA