ESGD workshop for 21+ in Luzna, Slovakia

ESGD workshop for 21+ “Breaking or building: time for honest reflection and forward thinking” Luzna, Slovakia, 6. – 8. May 2016 Photos

T aking place between 6th- 8th discussions both within and outside of conversation between them and the May in Luzna, Slovakia, this was the schedule. Indeed, many of the participants. The main areas covered the third ‘Breaking or Building’ discussions were encouraged by Uncle included: looking at the original ideal for 21+ workshop that we have William Haines and Uncle Frank our movement and for the world; organised in the last year. Altogether, we Kaufmann’s insightful and relevant understanding the situation of our were 40 people including staff and content. Their presentations took a movement and of true family through lecturers, representing 12 different natural question and answer format that studying the Divine Principle and nations including America, Australia, allowed for much dialogue and biblical stories; considering the way New Zealand and various European countries. The goal for this workshop built on the previous ‘Breaking or Building’ workshops; to offer time for elder 2nd generation to share in honest reflection on issues that challenge us and receive relevant content that can contribute towards a better perspective and understanding on how to move forwards. As the lecturers themselves said in their opening talk, they wanted to create a space where participants felt ‘unbounded in any questions they wanted to ask, and where every question would be taken seriously and considered with respect’. A very strong atmosphere built up over the weekend through the stimulating content, as well as the song and music sessions and the conversations and

forward for us as blessed family Building’ workshop that will take place and think about how I want to live my members in the current circumstances. in the UK from 13th-15th May. life. Something that struck me was that A significant theme that was explored if we want to be able to inspire people Some participant reflections: with the Divine Principle and True throughout the weekend was that True Father left the world three main things: “The biggest thing I took away from the Father’s vision we need to look ourselves his family, the Divine Principle and BoB workshop was that I want to learn in the mirror and ask: “How could we blessed families. This brought a definite how to live a more principled life. I have better take care of the people in our sense of hope and clarity of how we as been so lost and confused about the spiritual communities? Are we dealing adult Blessed Children can contribute to Church because of all the corruption and with issues in a right way? Do we building something together: firstly, splitting I hear about, but the lecturers support and care for people instead of through each of us taking more were able to break down these issues wanting to control them?” I know there’s responsibility to know the Principle well and explain how things went wrong by a lot of work to be done in this area in and to live it in our daily lives more and relating it back to the Divine Principle. my own community as well. more; secondly, through taking our role To be able to talk about the issues in I also liked the perspective given on very seriously in building beautiful and such a straightforward way was super witnessing and how it should never be caring families and communities. helpful and brought a lot of clarity to the about striving for certain numbers, but Overall, we were made more aware of second-hand rumours I hear about the about being a good person and the significance and intensity of the Church. Now, more than ever, I’m genuinely touching peoples’ hearts. The time, which calls for us all to be clear inspired to save what is left in our message of “being generous with our and reflective in digesting and dealing movement and invest in my community love” is definitely something I will be with the real challenges that we have to back home. The Principle is the truth, keeping in mind. overcome on numerous levels. and I want to learn how to abide by it correctly. It feels weird for me to say Personally it was also nice just to see As staff, we felt very encouraged that that, but the clarity that the lecturers how much of a journey I have been on, this kind of workshop and experience gave me has led me to trust the Divine since being on my DONE programme 7 together is invaluable. Creating space to Principle as the truth I want to live by.” years ago. I am very fortunate to have speak about our current challenges in an had these teachers who have always honest and constructive way is key to A participant from Maryland, USA encouraged us to think for ourselves and gaining hope and direction to move be good people. It’s nice to come back to “Even though it was a very short forwards. We are therefore looking that year after year.” workshop, I could learn many things forward to the upcoming ‘Breaking or A participant from Finland