European Assembly 2017 in Prague, Czech Republic presentation: Developing a Seonghwa Culture - PowerPoint

Let’s start by everyone kindly filling out this short questionnaire…

Let’s do it together!

Transition and Ascension, not Death

Our way of dealing with death, or as Unificationists say, transition, ascension or ‘going to the Spirit World’ is one part of a larger philosophy of life in which true reality is recognized as having two dimensions: physical and spiritual. God created men and women as the microcosm of the physicial and spiritual worlds.

Father’s Words at Heung Jin Nim’s Ascension Ceremony, 7.1.1984

“I’d like to a make a very clear announcement that will set the tradition of our movement and our church. In the secular world, death signifies the end of life. However, in our world, death is like a rebirth or a new birth into another world, particularly for those who give their life for the purpose of the Kingdom of Heaven and for the sake of the Movement, they are special heroes.”

Father’s Words at Heung Jin Nim’s Ascension Ceremony, 7.1.1984

“For that reason, we must not make those occasions gloomy or sad or feel discouraged. Instead, we shall rejoice in the victory of the spirit in which that life was given for the mission. If we here on earth become very mournful and gloomy, it is like pulling the person who is going up to the heavens down to the ground.”

Father’s Words: “This is a birth from the second universal mother’s womb into another world, just like when a baby emerges from its first mother’s womb.

“A Seonghwa ceremony is actually comparable to a wedding, when men and women get married. It’s not a sorrowful occasion at all. It’s like an insect coming our of its cocoon, getting rid of a shackle, and becoming a new body and new existence, a new entity. That’s exactly the same kind of process.”

Evolution of the Seonghwa

■ 1984 – first used to honour Heung Jin Moon’s ascension ■ 2010 – Father initiated the Memorial Festival of Ascension and Unity (extending tradition to non-UC individuals who had helped the providence) ■ 2011 – Change of name from Seunghwa to Seonghwa ■ 2016 – True Mother bequeathes Cheon Il Guk Holy Earth to mix with the soil that will be thrown on top of the casket at burial.

In Preparation for a Seonghwa

■ Talk to your spouse and your family about your wishes. ■ Prepare a will and make plans ■ Plan for expenses and location for burial/memorial

■ Consider elements of a ‘living will’ – concerns such as: ■ the person I want make care decisions for me when I can’t

■ The kind of medical treatment I want or don’t want

When a loved one’s passing is near

■ Contact your local Pastor and close friends to start a prayer chain. Simple home gatherings. ■ Consider announcements and a care team for spouse and children in the the family ■ Prayer offered on last breath

■ Care team can inform pastor and prepare prayer vigil ■ There are things that all people have to do – death certificates, etc. Make the time for a beautiful ‘send off’ and for loving one another.

■ Ipjeon ceremony ■ Ghihwan ceremony

■ Seonghwa ceremony

■ Wonjeon ceremony

■ At any stage, the wishes of the family are to be considered. Having things carried out with the right heart and with the deepest respect are perhaps more important than being ‘by the book’.

Thanks for your help.