Dr. David Sang Chul Kim's Passing

May the love and blessings of our Heavenly Parent and our True Parents be with you and with your families.

Our dear, beloved elder brother and member of the 36 Couples Blessing, Dr. David Sang Chul Kim, passed away and transitioned to the spirit world at 1:30 AM this morning, Tuesday, November 8, 2011 (October 13 by the Heavenly Calendar). He was born on November 9, 1915 (Heavenly Calendar) and passed away at the age of 96, after living a life of incredible offering and service to God and True Parents.

Dr. Kim is one of the earliest disciples of our True Parents, who have deep love for him, and was sent to America as a pioneer of our church in 1958. He is also loved and cherished by all of our families in America and throughout the world. He presided over the Unification Theological Seminary (UTS) from its founding by our True Parents in 1975. He and his wife established a beautiful tradition at UTS, which has been inherited by those who succeeded him.

Upon hearing of Dr. Kim’s ascension, True Parents immediately gave their special blessing to him and his family in the form of a calligraphy which reads, “Congratulations! Dr. David Sang Chul Kim entered the Garden of Heaven as a representative of loyalty and filial piety for the establishment of the Fatherland, centering on True Parents.“

True Parents have directed that we hold a National Seunghwa Service for Dr. Kim. The tentative plan is to hold the service this Thursday, November 10 at 11:00 AM in the Main Chapel at UTS in Barrytown, New York.

Following the Seunghwa Ceremony, Dr. Kim will be flown to Korea where a Won Jeon Ceremony will be held on Sunday morning, November 13, at 11:00 AM in Chung Pyung. Dr. Chang Shik Yang will accompany Dr. Kim to Korea.

Dr. Kim gathered together twenty people two days ago for Hoon Dok Hae. At the end of the session, he strongly proclaimed the words, “Hoon Dok Hae!”, and then he lapsed into a coma. He is truly a holy man, literally uttering his last words in honor of True Parents and the Word of God.

On behalf of our senior pastor, Reverend In Jin Moon, our Continental Director, Dr. Chang Shik Yang, and all of our leaders and blessed families, we send our love, prayers and support to the family of Dr. David S.C. Kim and we thank you for your faithfulness and devotion.

More details will be announced very soon. Let us thank God for the life of this true son of filial piety.

May God bless you.

Rev. Joshua Cotter Executive Vice President HSA-UWC USA