Unification News for February 2004

True Parents' Birthday Celebrated in Korea

by Rev. Michael Jenkins

We began the birthday morning of January 27, 2004 with 7 AM Pledge service at Han Nam Dong in our Holy Robes. It was very beautiful and filled with the sense of purity and love. Rev. Kwak carefully prepared each and every step of the service and then just before True Parents entered he uncovered the traditional meal that is offered to Parents and the Heavenly Father. The care with which Rev. Kwak did this was very moving.

True Parents entered and Father lit the 7 Candles that stood in front of 12 towers of fruit and representative food from all the creation. Then True Parents bowed together and took their positions behind the offering table. Father is 84 years old today. His health is excellent and he bowed before God like a man in his 30's. With such reverence this ceremony purifies us and helps us to understand heavens commission.

Then True Family bowed, Hyo Jin Nim, Hyun Jin Nim, Kook Jin Nim and Hyung Jin Nim came forward with their families to offer their bow of love and respect to the Parents of Heaven, Earth and Humanity.

Then all Blessed Couples did our Kyung Beh followed by representatives of providential nations, continents, the Abel world and the Cain world, religions and spirit world and the physical world.

Then Rev. Kwak and Mrs. Kwak as the Representative of all Blessed Families prayed with tears.

Upon the completion of ceremony, True Parents distributed the offering table to all. Then we dismissed for the Chamshil Gymnasium for True Parents Birthday Celebration. (One side note: it was amazing that over 200 blessed couples could change their Holy Robes with men and women in separate areas, in an extremely small amount of room. We should have no concepts about what is possible under the guidance of heaven!)

Ceremony

Later, the Birthday Commemorative Ceremony was hold at Jamshil Indoor Gymnasium in Seoul. Rev. Sun Jo Hwang was the Master of Ceremonies. Rev. Dae Haeng Yu, the leader of FFWPU in Japan, gave the opening prayer. On the stage were many current and former heads of state, including His Excellency Tommy Remengesau of Palau and H.E. Dr. Nevers Sekwila Mumba, Vice President, Republic of Zambia. (The Vice President is a Christian Pastor who is over a church in Dallas, Texas). H.E. Mary Note, First Lady of the Marshall Islands was also recognized. Many other current and former heads of state were introduced, including former President Shushkevich (Belarus), Prime Minister Green (Guyana), Prime Minister Sandiford (Barbados).

Rev. Chung Hwan Kwak, Chairman of the Interreligious and International Peace Council gave a deep tribute to both Father and Mother who share this day jointly as their birthdays. Rev. Kwak covered the providential history leading up to the Peace Kingdom and highlighted the Coronation of Jesus in the Middle East. He then went into the life of Father and Mother which gave incredible heart to the event. He testified deeply to True Father's love for humanity and the most persecuted man in history who responded victoriously with True love. And to True Mother who silently went the path of unspeakable trials and tribulations against all the dark forces of history to be proclaimed publicly as the True Mother of all humanity. A True Mother, who without exception upholds the will of heaven by centering on True Father while as the same time embracing all races, people and religions unconditionally.

True Love abounds through True Parents !! That's why Muslims, Christians, Jews, Black, White, Hispanic, Asian, American Indian - all of God's Children come to feel deeply comfortable when they understand True Parents heart, teaching and practice. That's why peace is sure to come in the Holy Land as both Palestinians and Israelis feel deep love and understanding from True Parents !!

President Remengesau and Vice President Mumba joined together with the Venerable Woon San Lee of the Taegojong Buddist Order in giving congratulatory remarks. They each, in their own way praised True Parents for unifying religions, bringing moral values into the process of governance and most importantly how they are blessing and healing the marriages and the families of the world.

Gifts were presented from each Continent of the World by the Continental directors and leaders of the providential nations. Most notably the current President of the Philippines sent a very special gift in honor of True Parents.

True Parents gave the main address. It was powerful and captivating. God's Fatherland and the Peace Kingdom. Father proclaimed with absolute confidence that the Dream of God and Humanity that the Kingdom of God will come on the earth is now realized. Father said he couldn't proclaim this lightly but only on the basis of spiritual conditions and substantial accomplishments that allow both heaven and earth to affirm this. Father guided all the leaders of the world there to understand that "Power will not bring Peace" Peace can only come by loving your enemy. This brings reconciliation and True Love.

We then had a beautiful program of entertainment from all over the world. Many second generation have developed professional performing groups. From Hip Hop to Classical Opera to Modern Korean Ballet it was rich and enjoyable. Hyo Jin Nim gave a very moving performance and demonstrated profound love for True Parents and humanity. Chris Allen Deflinger and Cindy Yoktore represented America beautifully.

Celebration

True Parents were honored by delegates from around the world at the Celebration banquet later that night. Mr. Neil Salonen, President of the University of Bridgeport was the MC.

Father Abbou Hatum our Catholic hero from Nazareth who played such a key role in the Coronation and Reconciliation process. (He brought 1100 people to the rally and march on December 22nd.) H.E. Rev. Josef Hromadka former Vice Prime Minister of the Czech Republic and prominent Christian religious leader there honored True Parents, saying "without a doubt Rev. and Mrs. Moon you are leading the way to World Peace, Happy Birthday."

Archbishop George A. Stallings, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the American Clergy Leadership Conference gave the tribute to True Parents saying "Why are they now being recognized as the Messiah or Anointed one of God? Because they have walked the path of restoration to fulfill the family that God wanted at the time of Adam and Eve.

They have received the anointing of Jesus and the confirmation of Muhammad and the saints. They are worthy to be called the Messiah and True Parents because the Messiah is the one who pulls down the strongholds that divide races and religions, the Messiah is the one who heals lifts up and blesses the marriages and restores man's family back to God. The Messiah is the one who dares to challenge the Boundaries and the divisions of the world and usher in the Kingdom of Peace and love".(Paraphrased). It was deeply moving. It was from the heart and the Prime Ministers and Presidents and top religious leaders of the world could understand and appreciate this moment that heaven has opened. Father was then given gifts of recognition by Rev. Michael Lamson and representative of the President of Cameroon, and another gift from a Hispanic national representative.

Rev. Kwak, the Representative of all Blessed Central Families worldwide gave a profound presentation and introduction to True Parents. Father then gave his historic address. The Messiah and True Parents. It was very deep and serious.

Father called upon all the leaders to go through the three revolutions of the providence. The revolution of Indemnity (severing all ties to the fallen world), the revolution of conscience (coming to the place and position of casting no shadow from the light of God at high noon - if we are perfectly vertical at with God and pure then there is no angle or deviation at high noon and there is no shadow), finally the revolution of heart (that we have the heart of the Father, the heart of God and take the responsibility to save our tribe, our nation and our world). Father said, I am the Messiah, what about you. You must become the Messiah and True Parents too. One with God. You have to accomplish this by putting your neck on the line to accomplish God's will.

Entertainment was very rich and beautiful, traditional Korean musical performances and a beautiful singing performance by the Little Angels.

Rev. Kwak led three cheers of Ok Mansei. The Confetti and Streamers were so massive on the third cheer that they completely covered Rev. Kwak. He was unfazed and cheered gloriously - it all made for a feeling of completion and great joy for the True Parents of Heaven, Earth and Humanity.

Now we must sincerely dedicate our hearts to fulfill the three revolutions and substantially build of world of Goodness for all.

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