WestRock Family News for January 6, 2013

January 6, 2013 Era of the Victory, Liberation, and Completion of the True Parents of Heaven, Earth, and Humankind

Weekly Greeting Table of Contents . Weekly greeting and Dear Brothers and Sisters Testimonies . Sermon Notes Greetings! I pray that you are well and filled with hope and determination for the new year. . Light Thought for the day I am inspired by the message given this past Sunday by Rev Hyung Jin and Yeon Ah Moon’s on absolute sex. Wasn’t it great to hear from both of them? But I am also challenged by it. One local pastor called me . Providential News and asked if they should resign – in light of the fact that they are not presently having intimate relationships . Quote for the Week with their spouse. I think it is important to remember that Hyung Jin Nim and Yeon Ah Nim are speaking to . WestRock Council us of the ideal – where the true center is, where our most profound and deepest relationship of love with God . Announcements (from begins. I don’t think any of us have achieved that original ideal 100%. We are all at different stages along the Sunday Bulletin) the way. The important thing is that we know what that goal is, and that we are making plans and investing ourselves to reach that goal. I will ask David Okamoto (our Blessed Family Rep) and Debby Gullery about the possibility of a relationship seminar for spouses. Let’s all work on improving our relationships with our spouses with the goal of achieving God’s ideal of true “good sex.”

Concerning other topics, there are several points that I would like to share with you.

1) The Feb 17 Blessing, Holy Wine, and Foundation Day:

I hope you had a chance to read Dr Balcomb’s letter. It conveys the most important points regarding Foundation Day; our attitude in preparing for it, the grace and liberation that True Parents are bestowing on us through it, and finally the practical point – how to register for it. Please take the time, with your spouse, to carefully read Dr Balcomb’s letter.

Several members I spoke to did not understand the difference between the Blessing on Feb 17, the Holy Wine, and the Foundation Day Blessing.

Feb 17 Blessing – this is the Blessing for those who are receiving the Blessing for the first time. It is the Blessing of marriage, the same Blessing that all blessed couples received (including the Holy Water, ring ceremony, indemnity stick ceremony and 3 day ceremony).

Holy Wine Ceremony; this is God’s grace in preparation for Foundation Day Blessing – this is the new Holy Wine which all members (including children) are to receive before the Foundation Day Blessing. The date for this in our district is still to be announced. (I would like to see it happen on God’s Day. We will do it as many times as necessary until everyone has received it)

Feb 22 Foundation Day Blessing – this is a ceremony which is for all Blessed Families (including those blessed on Feb 17). We have not yet decided on a venue.

2) Recent Developments in the NY District.

I am happy to announce that the NY Dist Council gave their approval for the start of 2 ministries.

The first is the Unification Church of Queens. Last month the members of the Queens community gathered together and expressed their desire to re-start Sunday service in Queens. At the same time Rev Yuji Mizuguchi, who has been the pastor there for the past 12 years, decided to step down. The community then chose John Kung to take his place.

I want to first thank Rev Yuji for his 12 years of sincere dedicated service to the members of our Queens church. He and his family are loved by everyone I have spoken to. I know the members deeply appreciated his investment of heart.

Secondly, I want to congratulate and welcome Rev John Kung. He has a special calling to serve God and True Parents in Queens. I encourage all members of the Queens community to support him with prayer and with your actions. I know that God is planning to do great things in Queens – beginning with their first service which will take place this Sunday, Jan.13.

The second ministry that was approved to start (also on Jan 13) is the Unification Church of Manhattan, Latino Ministry. This ministry will have its home at 43rd Street. They will be meeting at 2 pm. The Latino Ministry is being guided by Ricardo Desena and Rev José Rafael. They will work closely with Pastor Andrew Love – sometimes holding joint services. Congratulations to them! Let’s pray for their success!

Before ending this letter, in the spirit of absolute sex and good heavenly conjugal relationships, I would like to mention (thank you Eric Erstling for the tip) that Broadway and off Broadway have half price ticket offers for about 2 weeks during the end of January and the beginning of February. What a great way to let your spouse know how much you love them.

The websites are: Broadway: www.nycgo.com/broadwayweek Off Broadway: www.nycgo.com/offbroadwayweek

And finally – for those who would like to study the OSDP content, and for those who could not attend a OSDP workshop, but would like to make effort to fulfill the conditions preparing for Foundation Day, below are links to Rev Sudo’s OSDP presentations to English speaking members in Japan. This content is not for new guests – it is meant for blessed members. (Thank you to Maria Vargas for providing this tip)

OSDP English Lecture Series held throughout Japan in 2012 Rev. Ken Sudo

Lecture PowerPointSlides: “truelove.org/ucbooks/smmspeaks/2012/OSDP_Slides.pptx Lecture 1: vimeo.com/46564067 Lecture 2: vimeo.com/46564878 Lecture 3: vimeo.com/55200311 Lecture 4: vimeo.com/55202163 Lecture 5: vimeo.com/55229318 Lecture 6: vimeo.com/55232472 Lecture 7: vimeo.com/55267243 Lecture 8: vimeo.com/55235758 Lecture 9: vimeo.com/55308345 Lecture 10: vimeo.com/55313945 Lecture 11: vimeo.com/55318944

LET’S CONTINUE TO MAKE IT A GREAT 2013!

God Bless You Andrew Compton

I have a recording of Rev Hyung Jin Moon’s sermon. I don’t yet have permission to put it on line. If you missed the sermon and would like to hear it – let me know and I will make a copy of it for you. Andrew Compton

Light Thought for the Day

New Year’s Dinner As in many homes on New Year’s Day, my wife and I faced the annual conflict of which was more important - the football games on television, or the dinner itself. To keep peace, I ate dinner with the rest of the family, and even lingered for some pleasant after-dinner conversation before retiring to the family room to turn on the game.

Several minutes later, my wife came downstairs and graciously even brought a cold drink for me. She smiled, kissed me on the cheek and asked what the score was. I told her it was the end of the third quarter and that the score was still nothing to nothing.

“See?” she said, continuing to smile, “You didn’t miss a thing.”

Providential News

 True Mother is in Korea  True God’s Day will be on Sunday Feb 10  43 Days until Foundation Day; 13th Day of the First Month of the 3rd year of the Heavenly Calendar (which will be Feb 22 on the solar calendar)

Quote for the Week (and a poem) “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” - Matthew 6:21

WestRock Council Chairperson – Matthew Strater Vice-Chair – Rob Kitchens Secretary – Grace Selover Treasurer – Danso Sawamukai

Committee Assignments (so far): Youth and Education – Toby Gullery Care Team – Grace Selover Finance – Danso Sawamukai Outreach – Tokiko Stewart Small Groups – Jim Stinard Sunday Service – Rob Kitchens 24+ – Danso Sawamukai and Grace Selover Peter Reiner is now on the council, replacing Mary Hida

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 10, 7:30 pm at the White House.

Announcements (from the Sunday Bulletin) WestRock Announcements (WR Web Site: www.westrockfamily.com)

Outreach  True Father’s Autobiography- please continue to do your best to distribute True Father’s Autobiography  Korean Cultural Program: Will be held at the Jewish Community Center in Tarrytown, Saturday, January 19 from 6:30 pm.  OSDP/Bible Study – The next date will be Monday, Jan. 14

 Council Meeting Notes: are available for viewing on our website  Prof. Oh: will speak today here in the Training Center after service – beginning at 12:30. Registration fee is $10  Matching: David Selover has been matched to Denielle Yejeong Keating, eldest daughter of Gerald and Myung Yeob Keating of Seattle WA. Yejeong is currently a junior at the University of Washington.  Foundation Day Information: please check the email sent out last night.  Care Team: Meeting on Saturday, Jan 12, 9 am @ the White House.

Other  Looking for a room to rent in WestRock: I have a request for a room to live in WestRock. A second gen sister who was formerly on GPA. if you have a room you would like to rent please contact Toyomichi Hagiwara

Prayer  WestRock Prayer by Conference Call- Sunday 8 to 8:20 am Phone Number: 712-432-1699, Access Code: 736416# All are welcome.  Prayer Continues for Jiau-Lan Weinstein and Michael Kiely, They are both fighting to overcome cancer.

Next Ahn Shi Il: Monday January 14, 2013

MAKE IT A GREAT WEEK!