Higher Purpose Forum: Implications of God as Heavenly Parent - March 2, 5 PM EST on Zoom

Presentation & Discussion Series Saturday, March 2 @ 5:00 PM EST via ZOOM (Registration Required) Co-Hosted with HJ International Graduate School (formerly UTS)

Implications of God as “Heavenly Parent” Presenters Barbara Robertson Pastor, Mid-Hudson Valley Family Church

Justin Okamoto Pastor, Belvedere Family Community

Respondent Kaeleigh Moffitt President, Womens’ Federation for World Peace

We welcome you to join our Higher Purpose Forum meeting on Saturday afternoon, March 2nd. We will be discussing a topic of central religious importance: understanding the feminine/maternal aspect of God.

Established Christian tradition is to refer to God as “our Father” or “our Heavenly Father”. This masculine characterization of God seems to be confirmed in our understanding of the translated opening words of the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13).

Mother Hak Ja Han Moon, who presides over the worldwide Unification faith, teaches that the term “Heavenly Parent” reflects more fully God’s ontological role as both our father and our mother. This revised terminology is in fact a profound and challenging recharacterization of who God is and how we relate to Him/Her. Our speakers will address the implications of this semantic, conceptual, and relational progression.

Presenter Barbara Robertson Barbara Robertson is Associate Chaplain at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, NY, and Co- Pastor of the Mid-Hudson Valley Family Church in Barrytown, NY. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Fine and Studio Arts at the University of California, Los Angeles, and completed her Master of Divinity degree from HJ International Graduate School in 2022.

Presenter Jusin Okamoto Justin serves as a pastor, life coach, and community leader. He holds a degree in Anthropology from Purchase College, SUNY, highlighting his interest in cultural dynamics and human relationships. Currently residing in Valley Cottage, NY, with his wife and son, Justin serves as the Head Pastor of the Belvedere Family Community since August 2021, where he has been pivotal in fostering an inclusive and nurturing environment that emphasizes family, faith,and service.

Respondent Kaeleigh Moffitt Kaeleigh is the President of the Women’s Federation for World Peace USA. In 2019, she became the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Family Federation and became the Founding Director of the Young Christian Leadership Conference. In April 2021, Kaeleigh joined Universal Peace Federation - USA in the position of Congressional Liaison. Kaeleigh has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Operations Management and Family Science from University of Maryland and a Master’s Degree in Peace Studies at HJ International Graduate School.

NEW Registration Link - Upcoming

Five Upcoming HPF Meetings Tues. March 12 The Unity Between Science & Religion: Past, Present and Future Henry Christopher, HJI Staff

Tues. March 26 Science and Religion from the Viewpoint of the Principle Dr. Andrew Wilson, HJI Professor of Scriptural Studies

Tues. April 2 God’s Dream: Building a Racially Integrated Culture, Part I Jeffrey Kingsley & Christine Edwards

Thurs. April 11 – Sat. April 13 1st HJI Conference on Peace and Public Leadership “Addressing Challenges of Our Times” Session IV: Friday, April12 8:00 – 9:30 PM EST HPF Session on Economic Democracy

Alan Jessen, IADP; Professor Robert Ashford, Syracuse University; Dawn Brohawn, Center of Economic andSocial Justice

Tues. April 23 The Principle’s Perspective on Science according to Wolli Wonbon Dr. Andrew Wilson, HJI Professor of Scriptural Studies

Sincerely, James Edgerly Director, Higher Purpose Forum