True Heavenly Parent’s Day in Bridgeport Connecticut

On a beautiful sunny Sunday morning with the winter crisp air, Unificationists jumped out of their cars and gathered to celebrate True Heavenly Parent’s Day. The offering table, full of different colored fruits as well as snacks and other goodies, stood beautifully in front of the room. At 9:30am, Pastor Abe and Mika Deshotel lead the congregation through the ceremony with the reciting of the family pledge and a prayer. Pastor Mika asked the young people in the audience who are preparing to receive the Marriage Blessed in the upcoming Foundation Day Blessing to cut the cake with her. It was a hopeful moment for the congregation to acknowledge and see these four young Unificationists inheriting the tradition of the Blessing. Everyone sang “Happy Heavenly Parent’s Day” in high spirits.

After a short break, Pastor Abe and his band led everyone in a few songs to start the Sunday Service. The music set a lighthearted atmosphere and everyone was singing with a lot of energy. Pastor Mika went up to the podium to show her video sermon, which was a story of “The Terrible Chenoo”, retold by Fran Parnell. It was a story of loving one’s enemy and how that love melted the Chenoo’s icy heart. After the video sermon, Pastor Mika asked some people to read a few quotes from “The Way of God’s Will” about heart.

After the morning celebration, everyone was excited to have lunch, talk and spend time with each other. Children were running around and there was laughter everywhere. Soon afterward, there was a heated game of yute with a lot of excitement and energy.

“I believe God was enjoying the time with everyone and made the experience even better,” said local Unificationist Yasutaka Ozawa.