The Easter HARP Divine Principle Workshop

13th-19th April

The Easter HARP Divine Principle Workshop

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Director: Ruth Johnson! ! Coordinator: Ceri Jones ! ! Lecturers: Uncle Ron German & Uncle David Hanna ! ! Workshop Father: Uncle Andrew Johnson! ! Workshop Mother: Aunty Mitty Tohma! ! General Affairs: Jonathan Hoyte! ! MCs: David Stout & Haesul Fagcang! ! Sports Coordinators: Soogun Shongwe & Daniel Johnson! ! Media: Louise Fisher! ! Cooks: Teresa Hays, Jeungsun Shongwe & Olivia Davies! ! ! ! Workshop Report, Page 3

“You must first learn Divine Principle. Unless you can teach the Divine Principle there is no way for you to gain the spiritual foundation. There is no way for you to gain success unless you can teach your ideals.” ! True Father, God’s Will & the Ocean - Let Us Begin Again ! ! ‘If that compass leading your heart is true love then you are bound to reach heaven. The rocket may seem to be going through unnecessary manoeuvres, but if the compass of true love is working it will definitely take you right into heaven.’ ! True Father, Mankind & the Ideal World, 1979!

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Ruth Johnson

Workshop Director ! ‘Although I had planned meticulously for this workshop, I departed for Cleeve House with trepidation as it had been a while since we had had a ‘full on’ Divine Principle Workshop specifically for the second generation, something that I knew was incredibly important. Nevertheless, I also knew that as long as the staff team could prepare the atmosphere in a prayerful and serious manner and work well together, ultimately, things would be ok! I feel that we struck the right balance between enabling God to be present through conditions and prayer, but also preparing well in a practical sense and engaging well with the participants both through study and games. This culminated in a truly wonderful atmosphere, with a openness I haven’t experienced on a workshop in a long time. !

It was also very special to have both a Workshop Mother and a Workshop Father, which provided much needed spiritual, emotional and practical support. Thank you Aunty Mitty & Uncle Andy! (aka Dad) !

Each and every staff member persisted with fervour to ensure that everything was going well, taking on each day with gusto, and ensuring that the participants were well cared for, the smaller number of participants lending well to more one on one care. I feel like this workshop was a renewal for both staff and the participants alike. From the Easter Egg Hunt, to the Sports, the wonderful prayer night with the field alight with 400 candles and, of course our lectures given by Uncle Ron German and Uncle David Hanna, this workshop was an incredible experience, and I thank each and every one of you! !

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And lastly, to the participants a massive ‘THANK YOU’, your openness, willingness to learn, infectious vivacity, and maturity astounds me! I love you all & will see you all again very soon! Stay strong!!

! Aunty Mitty Tohma

Workshop Mother ‘Personally I had been praying since December about my desire to attend and study the DP again, so when I was asked me to help, I felt my prayers were answered. I had no doubt about supporting this special DP harp Easter workshop. ! ! I was so moved by every single person who attended, and by all the staff members. There was a good spirit of unity and clear purpose.! I was sincerely amazed at the depth and capacity of understanding by our young people, I was revitalised by their energy and their total investment in listening to the DP, in their heartfelt singing, in their dynamic sports etc. ! ! It reminds me once again how essential it is for us all (no matter how old one is) to connect or reconnect to True Father’s teachings as Unificationists, in order to strengthen our identity & realign our spiritual compass. Deepest thanks to Uncle David Hanna and Uncle Ron German for teaching the Divine Principle.’!

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Uncle Andy Johnson, Workshop Father ! ‘I always feel really grateful to be involved in Blessed Children’s workshops, these young people when I am around them fill me with hope and joy.! ! I was very impressed with all the staff for the dedication they showed to serve and love their younger brothers and sisters and a big, big thank you to Teresa, Jeungsun & Olivia for the great meals and heart they expressed to everyone through their cooking. Ron German and David Hanna gave everything in their teaching of the Divine Principle and through them God’s truth through True Parents could fill the minds of everyone attending.! ! It is so easy to forget the transforming power of the Divine Principle. This week it could be felt in the very air, the love coming through these holy words, and it reminded me of the love I felt when I attended my first 2 day workshop the very same week 39 years ago.’!

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Participant’s Reflections ! ! ‘The Principle is a wonderful piece of art because these are the words of a great man. What I found moving was the Fall of Man because this section goes into why there are problems on the earth. This section can change a person’s view on life forever, and I think it is one of the most important sections and a story of sadness in the Divine Principle’! ! ……………! ! ‘Just such an amazing workshop. Thanks for this opportunity that you have given to us.’! ! ……………! ! ‘The part of the Principle that moved me the most was the course of Moses and Jesus, because their courses were completely difficult and they faced many problems. Even though they had any hardships, they were always determined to finish God’s will and tried to bring victory to God’s side. Through this, I learned God’s heart really well. ! The workshop was extremely fun. I was always happy here and never felt left out. Thank you so much for creating this workshop and I’ll take away many things from my lectures.’! ! ……………! ! ‘The atmosphere was always so amazing … ! I really didn’t want to leave this workshop :( ! Thank you :)’! !

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‘I am wanting to pray more & freely so I can hopefully communicate with God properly.’! ! ……………! ! ‘I had a good 45 minute talk with Uncle David Hanna, and the answers David Hanna gave really inspired me to read the Divine Principle’

……………! ! ‘Coming on this workshop has been one of my best experiences.’! ! ……………! ! ‘This workshop has made a great difference on the way I view life now. If only Adam & Eve obeyed God and took care of their purity then we’d all be living in the Kingdom of Heaven by now. In the same way I feel that I should always keep my purity until I am blessed.’! ! ……………! ! ‘I experienced a lot of wonderful memories, experiences and friends on this workshop that I will never forget.’

……………! ! ‘I learnt the importance of fulfilling our responsibility especially as second generation. God had been working extremely hard for a long time and the Messiah - True Parents were eventually able to come to earth and bless our parents, so as second generation, we must continue God’s lineage.’! ! !

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Uncle David Hanna Lecturer ! ! ! ! ! ! ‘I think it is vitally important that our young people get to hear the Divine Principle, and a good way to do that is via a seven-day workshop. They tend to have heard certain parts quite often, and some parts less so or not at all; the power of the Principle is felt when we hear it from beginning to end. Some worry that children aged twelve or thirteen may be too young, but I don’t think that way. When we are younger we worry less about what we don’t understand and a young mind is driven to learn and absorb truth. ! ! I am very glad that HARP-UK organised this workshop. The positive feeling and excitement engendered by sharing God’s word grew through the week (after a wonderful start to the teaching made by Uncle Ron German). The feeling at the graduation was so wonderful, I wished every parent could have been there to experience it together with their son or daughter. ! ! I encourage parents to send their children (I think prior to entry into secondary school can be a good first time - then at least two times more as they are going through their regular education. They will get more, and receive it differently each time). I offer my thanks to Ruth Johnson and all the staff, including Aunty Mitty and Uncle Andy - great job!’!

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Uncle Ron German Lecturer ! ‘It has been quite a few years since I taught at a youth/HARP workshop, so when asked to cover for David Hanna on the first days of the workshop I was very happy to accept. The first evening began with singing, introductions, rules etc; all the necessaries to set the compass on the right setting for the week ahead. At the very start I was stunned by the incredibly powerful spirit our youth generated with their singing, and on the first day – orientation – wow, what was the week ahead going to be like? It seemed to me they were far more powerful than anything I remembered from the past, certainly more powerful than the workshops I attended in my early days. Was this the new future right in front of me? I felt almost jealous of their youth and vibrancy but realised they are exactly what we parents want, our children to be better than us, how exciting! During the first lectures it was nice to see everyone investing, listening so well, taking it all in, and come break- time, to see the warm give and take, the caring and sharing that seemed to come so naturally to everyone, from the participants to the wonderful young staff working hard in the kitchen, to the workshop director and her assistants so full of energy, and enthusiasm working with a unity; that was impressive. It gave me confidence to know that if we truly invest in our young members and give them the trust and freedom they need to get on with the job and watch from the sidelines to give whatever snippets of wisdom might be needed … the future of our movement and the work of True Parents is indeed, in good, safe hands.’!

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! ! For the workshop video please visit our Vimeo account: www.vimeo.com/92458319 ! ! For all the workshop photography, plus further information please visit our Youth Ministry Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ UCYouthMinistry! ! For future workshops and other Youth Ministry/HARP events visit here: www.youth.um-uk.org! ! All photography courtesy of Louise Fisher! ! Logo designed by Kensei Thomas! ! ! !

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