This Week Features:
Baltimore Family Fellowship, Maryland
Chicago Family Church, Illinois
Columbia Family Church, South Carolina
Denver Family Church, Colorado
Los Angeles Family Church, California
Nashville Family Church, Tennessee
Norman Family Church, Oklahoma
Northern Virginia Family Church, Virginia
Unification Family Life Center, Kansas
Washington, D.C. Family Church
Worcester Family Church, Massachusetts
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.
Chicago Family Church, Illinois
On a beautiful Sunday morning, 300 members of the Chicago Family Church Community celebrated the Special Grace Holy Wine Ceremony and made a commitment to rebirth in their lives of faith.
The program was an extension of the Sunday Worship Service. It began with a greeting to True Parents and congregational reciting of the Family Pledge. Rev. Jeff Schmidt, District 7 Pastor, offered the Invocation and Rev. David Rendel, Chicago Senior Pastor delivered an inspiring message entitled, “God’s Blessing Through Special Grace”.
It was wonderful to see so many families participating from throughout Illinois, some traveling many hours to attend. Unificationists of different ages, ethnicities and backgrounds were all connected through a common love for Heavenly Parent and True Parents and a commitment to building the Heavenly Kingdom.
“It was a beautiful ceremony,” commented one participant. “I felt God’s love and forgiveness so deeply and True Mother’s desire that we all fulfill our portion of responsibility.”
The program ran smoothly as families joined together in offering their Cheon Il Guk Resolution Forms and sharing the new Holy Wine. The team of first and second-generation Unificationist volunteers managing the many facets of the program did a fantastic job. It felt like a large family affair as everyone supported each other in completing each step.
Rev. Rendel’s message explained the historical significance of True Parents’ Special Grace and described eight key blessings contained within True Mother’s benediction prayer. A highlight of the program was watching a video of that prayer and taking time to offer our own prayer of repentance and re-determination.
One sister’s expression of gratitude represented the sentiment of most participants. “I realized that behind this amazing grace given to us is True Parents’ tremendous devotion to God. Their love is absolute and eternal, for all of humankind. We are so blessed to have been able to meet True Parents on the earth and manifest God’s lineage through us.”
The program ended with a festive time of fellowship and refreshments. Everyone felt renewed and hopeful for the future – and excited to be receiving the Cheon Il Guk Holy Items later this month.
Baltimore Family Fellowship
Contributed by Rev. James Stewart
On Sunday, August 7, Baltimore Family Fellowship held our Special Grace Ceremony on Sunday. After our holy songs, we heard a testimony from Mr. Jim Dasher. Jim has just finished a 40-day condition of reading the Divine Principle and joined our community on this very special day. It was moving to hear from a new member as we gathered for the Special Grace Ceremony.
Over thirty people, three generations of Unificationists and friends, gathered for our ceremony. It was uplifting, moving and filled with the spirit of Heaven and True Parents as we entered into the grace of forgiveness and a new beginning. We felt we will be the salt and the light to our community.
We finished the day with a burning ceremony of our repentance and new resolution letters and joined together for our usual fellowship lunch.
Columbia Family Church – South Carolina
Contributed by Rev. Randall Reeves
On August 7, the Columbia Family Church of South Carolina held a ceremony for 58 participants. Included among the participants was a bishop and his wife, a ministers of 20 years and his wife, one brother who recently returned from a seven-day workshop in Las Vegas, and one sister who recently attended a one-day Divine Principle workshop.
Denver Family Church, Colorado
Contributed by Pastor Michael Hentrich
Colorado completed our first Special Grace Ceremony and education today. From 1:00-3:00 p.m., we did the education portion of our program, which included excerpts of Sun Jin Moon’s question-and-answer and Hoon Dok Hwe session with the Global Top Gun Youth in Korea, a video of True Father from a long time ago, sharing about the significance of the new Holy Items and how to multiply them, and also a video from a spiritualist sharing about how he sees the Holy Items spiritually and also the value of Hoon Dok Hwe. Whoever was interested could also come afterwards to see the Holy Items being multiplied and to ask questions about the process and help prepare the Holy Wine for the ceremony.
Afterwards, there was time for people to write their repentance and re-determination letters. Emphasis was given on looking forward to the future and being honest about the past, but not beating oneself up over mistakes or shortcomings.
The Special Grace Ceremony itself took place from 4:00-4:40 p.m. The chapel was full and many families came with their children. Altogether, 117 people attended and we are planning a second ceremony in the near future for those that could not attend today. Some families came from very far away to attend. One family came from Wyoming and another family drove about 6 hours from a remote part of Colorado. After the ceremony, there was a delicious Korean dinner, and people stayed and talked for several hours as the sun began to set.
“Today’s wonderful grace ceremony held in Denver, exceeded by far most if not all participants’ expectations. The Colorado Family Church is truly blessed to have Michael and Adonia Hentrich prepare and conduct this event with so much sincerity and love. I liked the educational part of today’s event, in particular, the video clip of True Parents’ beautiful daughter Sun Jin Moon. The pictures and words of her question and answer session with the 1200 Global Top Gun Youth gathered in Korea gave me new life. Sun Jin Moon’s testimony made me proud again to be a Unification Church member and to expect more of myself and to do a better job; to be a living testimony of True Parents to the world. How can I, how can we all, exceed our own expectations of ourselves and touch True Mother’s heart and surprise her in a positive way? Today’s grace ceremony was for me the first step towards it. Thank you to Michael and Adonia Hentrich for conducting True Parent’s four Holy Items and Special Grace Ceremony.” – Anton Scherbl
“Yesterday I had a very deep experience with True Mother. During her prayer, as I listened to her words and felt her heart, I was renewed in my spirit. I have been a Unificationist for 43 years and now I feel young in heart again, with determination to go forward with True Parents to relieve Heavenly Parent’s suffering heart. Thank you, True Parents, for such grace and renewal.” – Cynthia Hiromitsu
“On behalf of my family I want to express my gratitude for the Grace we received from Heavenly Parent and True Parents, and our pastors Michael and Adonia for leading us through this amazing spiritual event! Besides the Grace and Love we received from our Heavenly Parent and True Parents, I feel that the education prior to the main event was incredibly powerful to prepare our hearts to receive it. Especially True Father’s video where He explains that each individual knows himself/herself better than even God, emphasizing how important is our self image, how we see ourselves. Also watching Sun Jin Moon’s talk with Top Gun participants was very precious, where she shares her very personal experiences with True Father and True Mother.” – Vasiliy Neobutov
“I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit. Today I feel different – lighter – like burdens have been lifted from my shoulders. Thank you, dear Heavenly Parent and True Parents.” – Shirley Chimes
Houston Family Church, Texas
Contributed by Jin Kayadu
Participants who attended our recent Special Grace Ceremony shared:
“I feel a lot better having done the ceremony. I noticed I want to reach out to people around me and to people I have wanted to reach for so long. Self-pity has to go! We have to make more effort to reach out and approach people. I am in a soul searching process and shedding tears repenting for the lack of doing anything with my life. We need to go out and do something! Not just talk about it!” – Elizabeth Kayadu
“Conditions are hard for me to commit to doing, but this time when True Mother asked us to make the 40-day study condition, my wife and I determined to do it. With my wife’s help and encouragement, we fulfilled the condition. Upon this foundation and with prayer, we reached the time of the Holy Wine Ceremony. On the day of the ceremony, I woke up early with a deep realization and understanding of True Mother’s message as the Only Begotten Daughter of God. It was with deep repentance and gratitude that I could receive the forgiveness and new beginning of the Holy Wine Ceremony.” – George Brewer
Los Angeles Family Church, California
Contributed by Pastor George Kazakos
In Los Angeles, 380 people received the Special Grace. I’m happy I had a chance to repent and receive this Special Grace.
Nashville Family Church, Tennessee
Contributed by Pastor Yukihiro Saito
The Special Grace Ceremony was held at the Nashville Family Church in Tennessee on Sunday morning, August 7, 2016. Eleven Blessed Families participated, including nine first-generation families and two second-generation families, with 17 adults and 15 children total.
We began the ceremony by singing the Cheon Il Guk anthem and a few Holy Songs to lift up the spiritual atmosphere. After offering the bow and Cheon Il Guk Family Pledge in front of Heavenly Parent and True Parents, Pastor Saito offered his invocation prayer. Then, Pastor Priscilla Agari explained the background and the significance of the Cheon Il Guk Holy Wine. Each family came forward to submit their own resolution papers on the altar and to receive the Holy Wine by Blessing order.
After receiving True Mother’s benediction prayer, elder brother Stephen Parks, the son of the pioneer family of the movement in the United States, led three cheers of Eog Mansei for the participants. All participants felt so much grace through the ceremony and offered a new determination to achieve Vision 2020.
After the ceremony, we enjoyed fellowship with potluck lunch.
Finally, the pastor’s family held a Burning Ceremony of the resolution papers in the backyard of the church.
Thank you so much True Parents for giving us this Special Grace!
“I am super grateful that I was able to attend the Special Grace Ceremony this Sunday. The repentance and resolution paper helped me to reflect on my past mistakes and renew my determination to better myself as we work towards Vision 2020. Thank you Heavenly Parent and True Parents for this great blessing!” – Yuri Saito
“I want to thank True Mother and True Parents for bestowing Secial Grace for those unworthy. Some of my family members participated and I think all of the members together had a very uplifting and grafting experience. Through this I could feel a lot of love given to everyone from Heavenly Parents. Thank you from the Agari family in Nashville, TN.” – Priscilla Agari
“Thank you for your continued forgiveness and patients as we strive to be redeemed.” – Ronald Swint
“The Special Grace Holy Wine Ceremony was an exceptional experience for us! At the beginning, I felt the spirit world coming down with an aura of excitement. During True Mother’s benediction, even though I couldn’t understand what she was saying, I was moved by the emotional intensity in her voice, and I could feel her speaking to me. I felt her anguish and sorrow! I am more determined to fulfill my resolve to bring victory to our True Parents!” – Stephen Parks
“Thinking True Father, who prepared the CIG Holy Wine for us before his ascension, my heart feels as if it will break. I would like to thank True Mother who knows the value of it very well, and is sharing it with us after her three years of sincere devotion course and mourning. I pledge that I will return great beauty to her in my daily life. I felt God’s love deeply.” – Etsuko Kajisa
Norman Family Church, Oklahoma
Contributed by Jun Orikasa
We had Holy Wine Ceremony at the Norman Family Church on August 7. We are small congregation, but 17 people attended the ceremony. I was surprised by today’s ceremony. Recently fewer people have been attending church service. But today I met six people who haven’t come to Sunday Service for a long time. Among them, was one second generation brother who donated a beautiful sofa to the church. Another couple also donated a beautiful table for the church.
One sister talked with me about the one-day Divine Principle workshop which we held here on July 31. She said “I appreciated the last one-day workshop and reading Chambumo Gyeong. Throughout history, many religions had male central figures. But through reading this book, I realized God sent one man and one woman as central figures for the current age.” I think that this sister has now realized how important the Chambumo Gyeong is. Another sister talked about her outreach goals with me. I will start doing outreach with her this week.
I believe today is a really substantial new start for us as Tribal Messiahs. I have more conviction for victory in 2020.
Northern Virginia Family Church, Virginia
Contributed by Rev. Werner Seubert
Northern Virginia Family Church held its first Special Grace Ceremony today, August 7, 2016. It took place immediately after Sunday Service. Every seat was taken as Dr. Michael Balcomb, President of FFWPU USA, addressed the congregation. Visiting the Washington, D.C. area for the National Parents’ Day celebration, his sermon was titled ‘Grace Eternal.’ He encouraged the congregation to take a realistic look at new beginnings, citing True Father’s own path of struggles and breakthroughs.
After concluding Sunday Service, the pastoral couple of NVFC, Werner and Debbie Seubert, led the Special Grace Ceremony. In total, 40 people participated representing 21 different families and individuals. Holy Songs raised the atmosphere. Each family presented their new resolutions with sincere hearts and placed them into a receptacle in the front of the church. Then the Holy Wine cups were passed to each family. Wives took a first sip, and husbands received the cup and finished its contents. Children shared cups with siblings or took remaining sips from their parents’. Our Blessed Central Families tearfully listened to True Mother’s benediction. The ceremony ended with three shouts of Eog Mansei. A deep sense of seriousness in appreciating Heavenly Parent’s and True Parents’ love for our brothers and sisters, who are representing 7.3 billion people still awaiting to be connected to their love as well, filled the hall. All wish to convey their gratitude to True Parents who once again gave their all to show their love for their children.
An elder Unificationist sister Olga Kennedy commented, “I feel a deep sense of gratitude to True Parents, and feel closer to them. Their hearts are to give us everything to fulfill God’s Will and want to equip us for the battle we are in. I felt a sense of wanting to reflect Mother’s heart in reaching out to love others, to encourage and support one another, and to spread God’s word to bring the blessing to all. This was truly a holy event, representing the precious and sacred love of God.”
Another participant, elder sister Silvia Eberly shared, “When I got home, I felt like a weight had lifted off, like a heavy stone, had fallen from my spirit. It really is a new beginning. Thank you True Parents.”
Unification Family Life Center, Kansas
Contributed by Pastor Mieko Saarna
On August 7, 2016 after Sunday Service we held a Holy Wine Ceremony at the Unification Family Life Center in Kansas City, Kansas. Rev Claudio Melgarejo opened the ceremony with three Holy Songs and Mr. John O’Connor gave an invocation. Then Rev. Saarna gave a talk on the significance of the Holy Wine and Holy Items. After that each participant submitted resolution forms and we proceeded with the Holy Wine Ceremony. Then we watched True Mother’s moving benediction and ended with Mr. Don Marsolek’s three cheers of Eog Mansei. We burned our resolution forms in our BBQ grill since it is difficult to get a burning permit here in Kansas.
A new first-generation Unificationist asked Rev. Saarna why we burn the resolution forms and Rev. Saarna answered that when we burn them we burn our sins away, too. One brother shared that his motivation to attend the ceremony was in response to True Mother’s desire for us all to unite. Another brother said he wrote that he determined to forgive people who judged him on his resolution form. A total of 17 people participated including six second-generation Unificationists. It was a beautiful ceremony.
Washington, D.C. Family Church
Contributed by Dr. Achille Acolatse
On August 7, 2016, the Washington, D.C. Family Church hosted the Special Grace Ceremony. 40 families and over 100 people were present to receive the Special Grace from our True Parents.
The emcee of the program was Pastor Achille Acolatse. The program began with Holy Songs followed by a recitation of the Family Pledge and a tearful invocation prayer offered by an elder sister, Juliana Hess. Pastor Ndassi Babatunde reminded the congregation of the significance of the Special Grace Ceremony. Then, families, with a repentant heart, submitted their resolution forms. Pastor Jean-Pierre Sonna, the officiator of the Holy Wine Ceremony, explained the process of the drinking of the Holy Wine and two attendant couples distributed the Holy Wine to all participants. We then listened to the tearful prayer by our True Mother. The Special Grace Ceremony ended with three cheers of Eog Mansei and the burning ceremony.
It was a heartfelt Special Grace Ceremony, where members expressed their sincere gratitude to our Heavenly Parent and True Parents. Our elder sister Juliana Hess said this about the program: “Today I felt that brothers and sisters arrived at the Washington, D.C. Family Church with eager, expectant, serious hearts, longing for Heavenly Parent’s and True Parents’ embrace. The weight of the preparation for this day, combined with prayerful reflections before the special envelopes were brought to the altar and the Holy Wine was being offered, gave way to a very joyful, light, bright and excited atmosphere. Thank you, True Mother!”
Worcester Family Church
The Worcester Family Church conducted the Special Grace Ceremony on August 7 with 51 participants, including both children and adults.
“Sometimes you might feel that the love of God is non-existing, but if you open your heart and mind without any hesitation and try to see God closely through His words, you will find an incredible feeling of love and grace from Him. Same with True Parents, their life of sacrifice and the incredible commitment of guiding our path to righteousness is the very example of the love of God, our Heavenly Parent.” – Pastor Machado
“It was well organized and a very beautiful ceremony. I’m glad I came, Thank you!” – Yoko Miranda
“I determine that I will commit myself to Tribal Messiahship, doing my best to return to True Parents’ love and forgiveness. I am so grateful that my family could stand before the True Parents, representing our tribe and receive the Special Grace. This day represents the new beginning for our tribe to work with True Parents in accomplishing the goals of Vision 2020.” – Esther Batino
“On behalf of the families in Worcester, MA, I would like to thank God, our Heavenly Parent, for giving us such an incredible grace. I felt the bountiful love of God while giving the opening prayer and I can’t help but shed tears. I’ll do my best to comfort His heart through supporting and following the direction of our True Mother. I hope that all brothers and sisters will join to this incredible opportunity to receive True Parents grace and love.” – Pastor Machado
