Unification Church Columbus stages Summer Fest for its neighborhood

To commemorate the third anniversary of True Father’s Seonghwa, the community at Unification Church Columbus decided to stage a large Summer Fest for the whole neighborhood. The festival boasted games and attractions for all ages, international food, magic, music, and arts and culture breakout sessions.

On Sunday, August 16, preparations started already before Sunday Service. Almost as many people were outside, setting up the stage and decorating the grounds.

The purpose of the Summer Fest was to experience love between friends, unity among generations, and the energy created when we work together.

As soon as Sunday Service finished, the congregation flocked to the parking lot, which had been turned into an “International Food Fest” with delicacies from ten countries prepared by friends of the church who had volunteered to provide food in honor of the event and True Father’s life and legacy.

After lunch, children young and old took part in the many games offered on the lawn surrounding the church. To encourage full participation, the children were given a map detailing the different activities, including a Bouncy House and face painting, creative outlets like potato stamping and gardening, and scientific experiments with giant soap bubbles.

Many locals joined in the festivities, responding to flyers that had been distributed and posters put up at the local library and recreation centers. Participants enjoyed a delightful magic show, and the magician himself had such a great time that he stayed to enjoy the festivities, even volunteering to participate in the Dunk Tank. Participants also enjoyed dunking Pastor Frank Sanchez and Young Adult Pastor Noah Trimble.

The crowd got a chance to snag four different raffle prizes, and was serenaded by two bands, Soul Monsters of Unification Church Columbus and Brothers of Completion from Cincinnati.

With such a wonderful response and experience, the community didn’t stop at one day, but held another festival the following Saturday. While the first part of the festival was geared toward children, the second part on Saturday offered a multitude of activities for the more seasoned. Six classes were available: Japanese Ramen Making; Painting; Marriage Enrichment Sessions based on Susan Page; Gardening and Wood Working outdoors; a Music Master Class; and a new way to get into religions and the Unification Church in particular: JeoparDP.

The kitchen filled fast for the demonstration and hands-on class on Japanese Ramen. Both parts of the Summer Fest were a great success, and hopefully this will become a yearly tradition as a tribute to True Father’s life as well as a service to the community.