Preparing for the 30th Anniversary of the 8,000 Couples Blessing on July 1

Happy 50th Day of All True Things and 58th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Unification Church.

Time is passing quickly as we approach the upcoming 30th Anniversary of the 8,000 Couples’ Blessing on Sunday, July 1. This is truly a profound testament to the steadfast faith and dedication of our Blessed Central Families and is an historic opportunity for us to return love and joy to our Heavenly Parents and True Parents.

National Celebration in New York City

We are preparing an incredible national celebration on July 1 at the Manhattan Center in New York City. It will begin with the Lovin’ Life Sunday Service at 10:00 AM in the Hammerstein Ballroom. Afterward, couples and their families will gather for a commemorative photo in front of Madison Square Garden. It will be a Heavenly treasure to be cherished by future generations.

Lunch can be enjoyed in the many restaurants around the New Yorker Hotel and the Life Lounge in the Manhattan Center. A special ballroom dance practice guided by our Ballroom Dance Ministry will be held in the Grand Ballroom on the 7th floor of the Manhattan Center from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. It will be the perfect way for couples and their families and friends to prepare for the festivities later in the day.

At 3:00 PM, doors will open again at the Hammerstein Ballroom for a Celebration Gala from 3:30 to 7:00 PM. Guests can be interviewed as they enter the ballroom on the red carpet to express their gratitude and joy. The program will feature a special Congratulatory Message (our Senior Pastor is invited to speak) and historic video and photos of the 1982 Madison Square Garden Blessing event. Special entertainment will be provided by representatives of the 8,000 couples and their children.

After the program, a light meal will be served and a wonderful time of fellowship among the 800 participants with ballroom dancing will begin. Photo sessions and video interviews will be available for all in designated booths located in the ballroom. A commemorative gift will be given to each participating family and a historical DVD of the 2,075 Couples Blessing Ceremony and other items will be available for purchase.

Registration

The registration fee for the New York City gala is $30 per individual, $50 per couple, $60 per family with children under 10 years old, and $100 per family with children 10 years and older. Parents and children

10 years and older are welcome to attend the program in the Hammerstein Ballroom while child care, fun and games will be provided for children under 10 years old in the Grand Ballroom.

Online registration is available at http://www.familyfed.org/30. It’s important to register now because the fee will increase by $20 in all categories beginning Tuesday, June 26.

National Broadcast

A national broadcast of the New York City gala will begin at 3:00 PM EST and end after entertainment at approximately 5:00 PM EST. It can be accessed via the same web streaming page used for the Lovin’ Life Sunday Service. This broadcast can be used during local celebrations throughout America to connect everyone with a unified heart and spirit. More broadcast details will be announced next week.

Attending the New York City Celebration

We encourage everyone who can to join with our Senior Pastor in attending the national celebration in New York City. It will enrich our families and is an excellent opportunity to introduce contacts and friends to the value of our True Parents through the beauty of our Blessed Central Families. Everyone will have an incredible experience!

Please plan now to attend to save on the registration fee and travel costs. Organize transportation with other families and friends. Make the weekend trip to New York City a major milestone in your life of faith with our True Parents!

Thank you all for your continuing investment in building God’s Kingdom.

Rev. Joshua Cotter and the Anniversary Preparation Team