Mari Curry and Miyoung Eaton new leaders of the Research Institute for the Integration of World Thought — David Eaton

Two highly-accomplished Unificationist women have recently been honored with positions of top leadership at the Research Institute for the Integration of World Thought (RIIWT). On November 14, Reverends Mari Curry and Miyoung Eaton were appointed president and vice president of RIIWT, respectively, effective November 30.

Both women, former colleagues at Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) USA headquarters in New York City, and both under 40, have been at the forefront of many national projects and conferences in recent years. This newest appointment, however, left them deeply grateful and speechless.

“I am so humbled by this great honor,” said Rev. Curry, who served as the national director of education at FFWPU-USA. “To be given a responsibility that has me working with my heroes of faith on the foundation of RIIWT’s founders and my elders, I am beyond words.”

Rev. Eaton also shared her heartfelt appreciation and dedication toward the new role.

“I am truly humbled by this appointment and grateful to be trusted with the leadership of RIIWT together with Mari,” said Rev. Eaton, who was previously the education coordinator at FFWPU-USA.

Established in 2000 by FFWPU co-founders Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon and her late husband Rev. Dr. Sun

Myung Moon, RIIWT quickly became a venerated hub of Unification Thought. The organization, headquartered in Bridgeport, Conn., was developed with three principal thematic drivers: the role of philosophy, religion, and history in human and sustainable development. And while all philosophies are studied at RIIWT, Unification Philosophy’s relation to traditional philosophy and philosophical questions is emphasized.

The new appointments — a first at RIIWT for two young women — greatly complement Rev. Curry, who received a doctoral degree at the Unification Theological Seminary (UTS) in Barrytown, New York, and Rev. Eaton, who earned a Master’s Degree there.

“Having a glimpse of the investment, blood, sweat and tears that RIIWT is built upon, my prayer is that I can do justice by those who came before me and live up to their hopes,” said Rev. Curry. “The future of RIIWT is a story still to be written and discerned through much prayer and collaboration with my elders and the board.”

Related: New Leadership ‘An Era of Growth’

Rev. Curry succeeds longtime RIIWT president and board member, Dr. Thomas Ward. He and other board members will guide and mentor Revs. Curry and Eaton as they embark on their future vision for the organization.

“I see the next chapter of RIIWT being that of ‘ownership,’” said Rev. Curry. “Where hand-in-hand with our experienced elders as one team we create a space of harmony and collaboration to bring the institute to the next level. Regardless of how it unfolds, I am so excited to work with this organization and see the miracles that God can create through it.”

“I have a clear impression of the opportunities available to us to promote and develop avenues for more people to engage Unification Thought, both personally and culturally,” added Rev. Eaton. “Our theme for 2021 — ownership — feels really fitting in this light as there are many opportunities ahead to grow in our own ownership.”

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16 Nov New Leadership ‘An Era of Growth’ 2020

Photo credit FFWPU-USA

Reverend Naokimi Ushiroda, a native of Japan born to Unificationist parents, is the first of a younger generation of Unificationsts to be appointed U.S. national president of Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) by co-founder and Mother of Peace Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, affectionately referred to as True Parents along with her late husband and FFWPU co-founder Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon.

Rev. Ushiroda has joined a wave of new FFWPU-USA leadership welcomed during the National Family Service on November 15.

“This is going to be an era of growth and I am truly humbled and honored to serve in this role,” said Rev. Ushiroda. “I just recently found out I was being appointed to this presidency role in a race I didn’t know I was running. It really shows a tremendous amount of trust and expectation and hope that True Mother has for our next generation and for America.”

The announcement was made on the 61st anniversary of True Children’s Day, an important holy day established by Rev. and Dr. Moon in 1959.

“True Children’s Day is indeed the most blessed day for humankind,” said Rev. Moon at the time. “On this day, we honor all of God’s children. This day is not only for Unificationists; it is a day for all people of the world to mark and celebrate forever.”

Rev. Ushiroda, who fills the position vacated by Rev. Demian Dunkley, said he feels the responsibility and significance of representing younger people, and the desire and responsibility to harmonize generations together moving forward.

“I think our previous leadership really did a great job of elevating younger generations to different levels of leadership at FFWPU-USA headquarters and even in the field,” said Rev. Ushiroda. “I will do my best to inherit from our elders, and believe I can help with the harmonizing between different elements. I really want to reach out to all of our youth and young adults wherever they are; this is a new era and a new time to reconnect and bring our national family back together.” Rev. Ushiroda also aims to unite Eastern and Western cultures.

A U.S. resident of nearly 40 years, Rev. Ushiroda said his Asian heritage allows him to embrace his Eastern roots while still appreciating Western culture. Additionally, his work as a professional life coach has also given him greater skills in connecting with and helping other people in their daily lives.

“Coaching is a great way to empower individuals, families, and tribes to be able to manifest a culture of heart,” said Rev. Ushiroda. “It’s been a challenge to express our depth of heart and our values so that society can really appreciate it, but I hope to leverage technology in more useful ways, and share our understanding of God and the teachings of True Parents in a manner that people can truly and easily digest and receive. The next seven years is really the next growth phase for our movement.”

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In early November, Dr. Chung Sik Yong was appointed regional president of FFWPU- North America, succeeding Dr. Ki Hoon Kim. Both leaders shared their delight about Rev. Ushiroda’s new role.

“True Mother’s recognition and appointment of world leaders as part of the recent restructuring of our worldwide movement are some of the biggest and boldest changes we have ever seen,” said Dr. Yong. “Let us think about the meaning of these new appointments from her point of view as we enter the second seven-year course in the era of Cheon Il Guk (Kingdom of Heaven on Earth). This is truly a special time in history and I look forward to working with Rev. Ushiroda.”

“We are a generation of righteousness centered on God—our Heavenly Parent—and True Parents,” added Dr. Kim, Cheon Eui Won chairman of North America. “When we unite together and with our new leaders we can bring America back to God.”

Leading the Unification movement in America is an incredible undertaking, but Rev. Ushiroda is up to the task with faith and confidence hand in hand.

“I think these next seven years are going to be really exciting,” said Rev. Ushiroda. “I will give my very best and ask for America’s support to really attend God and True Parents, and to serve and inspire the rest of the world.”

Revs. Kevin Thompson and Kazuo Takami were also appointed FFWPU-USA Northwest and Midwest regional directors, respectively. They are filling the positions of Revs. Larry Krishnek and David Rendel.

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COMMENTS (2) COMMENTING GUIDELINES

November 18, 2020 at 3:23 pm | # BIRIAN

Congratulations Rev. Naokim! May God guide you to build unity and bring peace to all God’s people in the USA. And I pray for you to inherit TP’s heart in your mission to bring only God’s ways in all cultures.

November 17, 2020 at 1:56 pm | # THEODORE SHIMMYO

Hi Naokimi, congratulations! When you were asked to be the director of mobilization for True Mother’s 12/28 rally at Prudential Center last year, you obediently and humbly united with that request. At that time I saw a great spiritual quality within you and made a prediction about your future. God’s blessings!