This is to announce preliminary deadlines and guidelines for matching applications for the upcoming Blessing:

1. For single (unmarried) candidates for matching (1^st Generation): Applications must be received by October 26, 1999. Matching sessions will continue at periodic intervals after that, hopefully weekly, so please continue sending them in as soon as you have them completed.

2. For 2^nd Generation candidates (Blessed Children): No matching session has yet been scheduled, but applications may be submitted at any time in order to be prepared. You may use the revised application that was used last year for 2^nd Generation (the one with the third page added, the personal or confession page). For Blessed Children of broken Blessings applying for REMATCHING, there will be a NEW form for them; this form will be sent out to the regions in the next week.

3. For engaged couples and married couples, there will be new forms sent out next week also.

Included in this document are the official guidelines regarding matching applications for Blessing 2000, and related matters, in the 3 above categories:

According to new directions this year, preliminary matching will be conducted by the Blessing Committee, centering on the Continental Director. Matches will then be shown to True Parents for their approval.

The 3-page matching applications which were used last year may be used again this time, for candidates who are dedicated Unification Church members, and those who were blessed before and need rematching. For those applicants who are not UC members, but wish to participate in the matching and Blessing centering on the goals of the Family Federation for Unification and World Peace, may fill out a simplified application Family Federation application, which was distributed at the time the Japanese sisters arrived.

Divine Principle Education: the minimum education for all unmarried Blessing candidates is a 2-day workshop (or more) and be educated in Divine Principle to the point that they:

Accept Reverend and Mrs. Moon as True Parents

Accept to be matched by photograph by the Blessing Committee under the guidance of the True Parents

Pledge to keep their sexual purity

Pledge never to divorce.

Age Limits: Since in North America the legal age of consent is 18 in most states, that is the minimum age for participating in the matching. That means turning 18 sometime in calendar year 2000. If there are some candidates younger than 18 who strongly desire to apply, they may request special permission to do so, and the candidate and his or her parents must be interviewed extensively by the Blessing Committee.

Women age 40 and above should be encouraged to bring their own spouse, and apply under the category of "engaged couples." It is very important that female re-matching candidates in this age group find a partner who has not been blessed before. Any questions about this stipulation should be brought up to the Blessing Committee.

Blessing Fee: $2,000 per person, Payable in this way: $100 non-refundable deposit accompanying application for matching; $400 after receiving match; the remaining $1500 by the time of the Blessing in February, 2000. Please note that this $2,000 is NOT a tax-deductible donation. It is a fee. Checks should be made payable to HSA-UWC.

Seven Day Fast: It is not a requirement, but a strong recommendation that candidates be educated and guided to do a 7-day fast either before or afte the Blessing.

Celibacy: Candidates must maintain celibacy from the time they sign membership (or become acquainted with the FFWPU standards). If they have a sexual relationship after becoming a member, leaders should give them spiritual guidance and wait to include them in the Blessing when they pledge to keep absolute sexual purity.

Health: All candidates must have a basic health check up needed for marriage, and an AIDS test. The AIDS test must have been taken recently (within the last few months), and also have been taken at least 3 months after their last sexual encounter.

In addition, black candidates must have a sickle-cell test; and South East Asian candidates must have a blood test by Electrophoresis test for problematic blood traits.

Photographs: Each candidate should submit with the matching application 2 color photos size 5" x 7" (this is different from the previous requirement of 8" x 10"), along with 2 passport-sized photos of the face. [If they have already had 8" x 10" photos taken, they may be used. ] The 5" x 7" photos should be clear and sharp; taken indoors against a plain, light-colored background (as in a studio setting; not outdoors). Both photos should be of the vertical or "portrait" orientation (not horizontal or "landscape" orientation.) One photo should be a close up of the head and shoulders; the second should be full-length standing. Those who normally wear glasses should wear them for the photos.

On the back of the photos, please print the following information on a label: (do not write directly on the back of the photo):

Name, Gender
Date of Birth
City & State

Documentation to submit:

Application, TOTALLY filled out and checked for thoroughness and accuracy by local leaders and Regional Director

AIDS test and statement of medical health (& sickle cell tests where needed)

If divorced, copy of final divorce papers

If rematching, letter of release from former spouse, and statement of breakup

Photos as described above

Blessing fee of at least $100.

Divine Principle Education: Must receive guidance for their spiritual life through at least a 4-day Divine Principle workshop, and through Hoon Dok Hae. In addition, they should also receive 2-day Blessing Candidate Education, and also be sexually pure.

Age limits: same as for 1^st Generation: Since in North America the legal age of consent is 18 in most states, that is the minimum age for participating in the matching. That means turning 18 sometime in calendar year 2000. If there are some candidates younger than 18 who strongly desire to apply (not just their parents!), they may request special permission to do so, and the candidate and his or her parents must be interviewed extensively by the Blessing Committee.

Photos: 2^nd Generation should continue to have the standard 8" x 10" photos taken. See above for other details.

Blessing Fee and Health: same as above apply.

Documentation: In addition to above list, 2^nd Generation must also submit their high school graduation certificate (if they have graduated), DP workshop completion certificate, if available, as well as Blessing Education completion certificate.

Engaged Couples and Married Couples

Blessing Fee: ???????

Photos: Engaged Couples: 4" x 6" each partner along with application

Married Couples: passport sized photos on application (?????)

Procedure for All Applications

Completed applications must be evaluated, and signed by local leaders and then forwarded to Regional Directors. No applications will be accepted which were not signed and forwarded from the Regional Director’s office.

If any information is missing, the application will be returned, so please check for completeness and accuracy before mailing.

Mail completed applications to:

Blessing Committee
4 West 43^rd Street
New York, NY 10036

1^st Generation applications need to be received by October 26, 1999 to be included in the first matching round.

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