Thousands Gather in Las Vegas for Rev. Moon’s Kickoff Event

It might be a typically cool March day for the flamingos and the gamblers at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas, but for Unificationists streaming into this town by bus and plane from all corners of the nation, today is anything but business as usual, according to Rev. Joshua Cotter, Unification Church Vice President.

HSA-UWC staff (left to right) Rev. Rendel, Rev. Joshua Cotter and Chris Stein preparing for Saturdays event in Las Vegas, NV.

Speaking of Saturday’s schedule speech by Rev. Moon at Caesar’s Palace, a gala afterwards, and the Lovin’ Life Worship Service the following day, Rev. Cotter told a gathering of Unification Church HQ staffers, “If you think we are here for business as usual, you are going to miss the point.” With little more than a week’s notice, 1860 Unificationists registered for the March 5, 2011 assembly, and with them more than 500 ministers, community leaders and friends of the church, he reported to the staffers at the Tropical Breeze restaurant in the Flamingo Hotel. Some are driving for 23 hours by bus from the states of Washington, Minnesota and Texas.

“We got a huge response to the announcement last week. The spiritual world is working,” Rev. Cotter said. Saturday’s schedule will include presentations of the Original Divine Principle from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Doors open for the Founder’s speech at 1:00 p.m. The Founder’s address is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Ballroom dancing practice will take place from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., followed by dinner and a gala. He suggested that all who are coming should bring headsets or ear-buds for radio sharing in case there is a shortage of radios for simultaneous translation.

The Lovin’ Life Worship Service, including some members of the Sonic Cult band, will take place at 10:00 a.m. at Caesar’s Palace Hotel. The worship on Sunday will be week 100 of Lovin’ Life Ministries services, which began Easter Sunday, 2009, according to Assistant Pastor David Hunter. “From what I hear, True Father is very happy about the Lovin’ Life service. He has said that two things are going to save America – music and Lovin’ Life Ministries,” Rev. Cotter said. Father Moon’ speech will be the kick-off event for an intense two-year campaign in Las Vegas that aims to distribute more than 100,000 copies of Rev. Moon’s autobiography, As A Peace-loving Global Citizen. Already more than 50,000 copies of the book have been given to individuals and to businesses in Las Vegas through the initiative of Japanese church members led by Unificationist Kay Yamaguchi. Rev. Staffan Berg, the newly appointed state leader of Nevada will take responsibility for coordinating further distribution efforts by church members from other states who will visit Las Vegas to complete the goal. Some Unificationists visiting the Flaming Hotel and Caesar’s Palace will be taken aback by the rivers of soft- porn advertisements, lingerie stores and huge lighted billboards that play off of Las Vegas’ famous brand name, “Sin City.” Father Moon has said frequently during the last two years that his hope is to transform the city of Las Vegas into a hub of family-friendly entertainment and tourism — as he has said, from “Sin City” to “Shining City, or Sun City.”

The official name of the event points to the importance of the Founder’s autobiography as a witnessing platform: Assembly to Celebrate the Victory of Distributing 50,000 Copies of Rev. Sun Myung Moon’s Autobiography. Father Moon’s speech may include text about his continuing concerns for the problem of starvation, his efforts to develop ocean resources and the need to preserve the earth’s environment, according to event organizers. Details: Date: March 5, 2011 Time: 2 pm Place: Caesar’s Palace (The Octavius Ballroom) Featuring music from Sonic Cult Sponsored by the Universal Peace Federation For more information call 702-896-0156 or email march5peacerally.vegas@gmail.com

Father Moon’ speech will be the kick-off event for an intense two-year campaign in Las Vegas that aims to distribute more than 100,000 copies of Rev. Moon’s autobiography, As A Peace-loving Global Citizen. Already more than 50,000 copies of the book have been given to individuals and to businesses in Las Vegas