This Week Features:
Harlem Family Church, New York
Long Island Family Church, New York
Nashville Family Church, Tennessee
Ocean Family Church, North Carolina
Tacoma Korean Family Church, Washington
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.
Nashville Family Church, Tennessee
Contributed by Pastor Yukihiro Saito
The Nashville Family Church held the Bequeathing Ceremony of the Cheon Il Guk Holy Items on Sunday, September 4.
We sang Holy Songs for spiritual preparation, followed by an opening prayer by Mr. Stephen Parks and a bow in front of Heavenly Parent and True Parents. After reciting the Family Pledge, we studied the history and significance of the CIG Holy Items. Then, each family received one Holy Items box containing Holy Wine, Holy Salt, Holy Candle and matches, and Holy Earth with a thankful heart. Finally, all participants joined True Mother’s benediction prayer. Everybody felt True Parents’ unconditional love and offered their resolution toward 2020 again.
The following are some comments that the participants shared:
“We are truly grateful to participate in the Special Grace Ceremony! This time we were given the clear message of love from True Mother. Thank you so much. Upon receiving Holy Items we have a renewed sense of being embodiment of the Marriage Blessing on behalf of Heavenly Parent and True Parents. These items are precious and we will keep them in our home to sanctify everything we touch and to use to prepare for special occasions, especially the birth of a Blessed Child. Thank you so much for this ceremony and blessing. Aju!” – Ikemoto Family
“True Mother, thank you so much for your love, forgiveness, and guidance. Also, I greatly appreciate your tremendous grace.” – Junko Woods
“I felt that we received the CIG Holy Items unconditionally based on True Parents’ sincere devotion. I’d like to make a strong determination and to offer the victory and return great joy to True Mother.” – Etsuko Kajisa
“The ceremony was very interesting. When we were reading about the items we were about to receive, I thought about Heavenly Parent’s heart and how it is a blessing to receive all the grace and mercy. I am grateful and happy to be a part of this.” – Marilyn Modeste
“The ceremony today was very inspiring and uplifting. While receiving the Holy Items, as well as knowledge about them, True Mother’s words that followed were truly motivating and today’s event has inspired a greater mindset onward for our family.” – Agari Family
“I am so grateful for the Special Grace given to us by Heavenly Parent and True Parents. After receiving this Special Grace, I feel a renewed determination to truly unite in oneness with Heavenly Parent and True Parents.” – Justin Woods
“It was a very humbling experience. The blessing to receive the Holy Items is something I am truly grateful for. The whole event was also spectacular. Everyone was formally dressed and everything ran smoothly.” – Nolton Woods
“True Mother, my heart soars with happiness at receiving the four Holy Items. So long we have waited for this day, but still feeling ‘I am not worthy’ to receive this most wonderful blessing. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your grace and blessing. My life is yours, and I pledge my everlasting loyalty to you, True Father, and Heavenly Parent!” – Stephen Parks
“True Mother, I thank you with all my heart. I have really enjoyed this, you and True Father. This was so wonderful. Thank you for the gift. I will do my best to lead more people so that they can receive the Marriage Blessing like my husband and I have.” – Gayle Parks
“While multiplying the Holy Items for our families with humble prayer a few days ago, I could not stop my tears from flowing. It was truly a Holy Spirit experience. I felt that these items were representative of Heavenly Parent and True Parents. Through this experience, I have renewed my determination to work harder to offer victory to True Mother through witnessing.” – Yukihiro Saito
Ocean Family Church, North Carolina
Contributed by Junko Hasebe
The Ocean Family Church in North Carolina held the Special Grace Ceremony and Holy Item Bequeathing Ceremony on Sunday, September 4 with six Blessed Families and 21 people in attendance.
We are a small community, with more than half of the families living in separate cities or states. There are many reasons that limit us from gather together, and it is never easy to participate with the whole family on a particular day. However, most of the registered Blessed Families could gather together for the Special Grace Ceremony. This means God definitely guided us. All participants, especially parents, have been offering sincere prayer and devotion in preparation for that day.
All Blessed Children participants showed their pure faith in front of their parents’ love. We could feel each other’s burden and tears behind the smiles, and we wished peace for each other and the entire community. There was a spirit of true love and also give and take centering on God, which felt very natural during the ceremony. We were sure we are one family under God.
All of us were glad to see one young Unificationists who has been in our prayers due to an illness. She has not been able to attend any church activities during the past eight months, but she participated with her whole family and enjoyed this day, especially with her brother and friends.
The Special Grace Ceremony provides us with grace and reminds us of God’s amazing love that dwells in the hearts of Blessed Families. We would like to sincerely thank God, True Parents, leaders, organizers, and our dear brothers and sisters.
Tacoma Korean Family Church, Washington
Contributed by Rev. Inchan Park
The Tacoma Korean Family Church held a Special Grace Ceremony on Sunday, August 21 in Tacoma, Washington. Seven families joined the ceremony to receive the Special Grace.
Harlem Family Church, New York
The Harlem Family Church held a Special Grace Ceremony officiated by Rev Juanita Pierre-Louis on Sunday, September 4 for all those who could not attend the District-wide ceremony at Camp Sunrise.
Long Island Family Church, New York
The Long Island Family Church received the Special Grace on September 4.
