This Week Features:
Albany Family Church, New York
Delaware Family Church, Delaware
Kodiak Family Church, Alaska
New Hope Family Church, Maryland
Every weekend for the months of August and September, thousands of families and individuals across America are participating in Special Grace Ceremonies to experience forgiveness, love, and unity through receiving the newly established Cheon Il Guk Holy Wine from True Parents.
In this article series, communities throughout the nation share their experiences and sincere testimonies while receiving this Special Grace.
New Hope Family Church, Maryland
Contributed by Pastor Andrew Love
We had our second Special Grace Ceremony here in Maryland at New Hope on Friday, August 26. It was a good turnout and yet again the spirit was very serene and deep. There were families present, as well as some singles both younger and older.
Just as I had done the first time, I asked everyone to form either natural families or adoptive families before receiving the Holy Items in order to pray for one another. It was specified for them not to give big grand prayers, but rather to simply pray blessings and love on behalf of God to the individuals right in front of them.
This was amazing again. The purpose was for them to have just experienced grace from the Holy Wine and then to immediately offer that grace and love to somebody in front of them.
This group received the Holy Items unlike the first group, who took the Holy Wine before the Holy Items were prepared. A second ceremony was held after Sunday Service to bequeath the Holy Items to the participants of the first ceremony.
Albany-Adirondack Family Church, New York
Contributed by Mereth Huemer
The Albany-Adirondack Family Church held the Special Grace and Holy Items Bequeathing Ceremony in lieu of Sunday Service on August 28, 2016. Representatives from ten families attended. Rev. and Mrs. Sebastian Huemer officiated.
One elder sister shared, “I was so inspired to see the young Unificationists so involved with the preparation for and their leadership in the service.” The newly Blessed second-generation couple Hans and Erika Moriya Chaumont helped prepare the boxes and Holy Items, administered the Holy Wine at the ceremony, and offered flowers to our Elders Dr. and Mrs. Michael Kiely, who represented True Parents during the ceremony. Young Unificationist Harmony Bickerton prepared the celebration cake from scratch and led the singing. Another young Unificationist Jun Wan Park prayed an inspiring prayer over the service.
An elder member remarked that he was inspired to have a guest present who did not receive the Holy Items, but played in the band, stayed for the bow to our Heavenly Parent and True Parents, and recited the Family Pledge.
Rev. Huemer conducted the Holy Wine and Bequeathing Ceremony for two more members on Monday and Tuesday. Ceremonies will continually be planned until Foundation Day 2017.
“I feel grateful and appreciative of this great blessing and holy grace, which was given to me by our Heavenly Parent and our True Parents, and administered by Pastor Sebastian Huemer of the Albany-Adirondack Church,” shared Felice Hart.
Rev. Huemer concluded, “While preparing the Holy Earth, the following words came to me as I thought of True Father’s recent departure and True Mother’s ever-growing, comforting presence among us: ‘Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. (John 16:7).'”
Delaware Family Church, Delaware
Contributed by Shota Iwasaki
The Delaware Family Church held the Special Grace and Holy Item Bequeathing Ceremony on Sunday, August 28. All items needed for both ceremonies arrived in time for assembling on Saturday. I felt the invisible hands of Heavenly Parent and anxious ancestors of the Delaware families help speed up the delivery and assembly process in order to have this historic ceremony in Delaware. During the ceremony, people seemed deeply moved by the loving spirit of Heavenly Parent.
After the Holy Wine Ceremony, we spent about 10 minutes for each family to create a circle and express deep gratitude, forgiveness, and words of love and care to each family member. At the end, three young adults sang renditions of several Holy Songs, which set a tone for sharing testimonies by participants. One person testified that his lifelong anger issue suddenly healed during the 40-day devotional condition prior to the event. Another young adult shared that his lifelong struggle of self-accusation suddenly disappeared when he heard a voice say to him, “Because of True Mother, many negative voices in your head will be gone forever.” After sharing testimonies, everyone enjoyed potluck and fellowship.
Kodiak Family Church, Alaska
Contributed by Pastor Deanna Cooper
Sixteen families attended the Special Grace Holy Wine Ceremony in Kodiak, Alaska. It was a beautiful day and it felt like those who attended did so with gratitude and sincerity. The congregation received about one hour of education about the Holy Wine Ceremony. The various steps went smoothly and with a joyful spirit.
Jai Nan Fiala, a ceremony participant, shared, “I have four adult children living at different locations. Months ago I informed them of the ceremony and encouraged them to participate at their local churches. At the time of taking my Holy Wine, my deepest wish was that all my children will have faith in True Parents and receive this Special Grace. Such parental love to my physical children is similar to True Parents’ heart to humanity. Additionally, I sense that in the present day all people have pain and difficulties. These cannot be resolved by human effort alone. Only a universal spiritual awakening can correct such a huge evil influence. I believe the Special Grace comes at the right time to empower us to make such a shift.”
