Report of Some Family Fellowship activities in MA

Esther Batino
May 30, 2008

Here is a short report from our Family Fellowship Group for the 21-day prayer and witnessing condition we have just finished. During the condition, Mr. and Mrs. Edgerly's group had a Family Fellowship Group meeting several times in April. They organized one "gateway event". It occurred on April 12, at the Edgerly residence. Everyone had a lot of fun with the karaoke and enthusiastically joined into the singing. After singing, Dr. Frank Kaufman gave a brief talk about the spiritual significance of gathering in small groups. There were not so many guests, but they all had a wonderful time. As a result of this experience, a decision was made to have one "music night" each month. The event will occur on the Saturday evening before the District Sunday Service. Therefore, in May, our Music Night will be on May 17. The purpose of these "Music Night" events will be to bring guests into our Divine Principle Education Program, including the weekend workshop.

Also, in April 11, the group of Catherine Ono hosted a cultural evening at the Beacon Street center. Centering on the Vietnamese couple in the group, about 25 people gathered. A happy family atmosphere was created through singing songs and enjoying a bountiful meal prepared by family members of the group. Relatives of our members who were usually indifferent to us and our movement opened up their hearts and a closer relationship was established.

To draw neighbors, friends, relatives, and old contacts to our small group Family Fellowship, it is essential to have inspiring and light gateway events. But, to truly guide old and new members to become serious Blessed Families of our movement, a study of Divine Principle is very important. We are lucky to have a wonderful weekend workshop site in Glen, New Hampshire, where we can bring our guests who are ready for a weekend Divine Principle study with Mr. Edgerly as our main lecturer. In these past two months four of our neighbors who attend our small group meeting heard lectures in New Hampshire and eight Blessed children in our neighborhood went to a two-day workshop with our new guests. With wonderful music during breaks and the delicious home cooking of Mrs. Edgerly, our participants were inspired to invite their friends, as well.

Sincerely, Esther Batino