| September 24 2012
Friday, September 21, 2012 was a day of healing and new beginnings for members of the Unification faith in the Capital area district. More than 600 members from all over Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia welcomed Rev. Hyung Jin Moon, international president of the Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity (HSA-UWC), along with his wife, Yeon Ah Moon.
During the prior week, many of the local church leadership team and about 100 representatives of the Unificationist families of District 1 (Maryland, District of Columbia, Virginia, and West Virginia) had traveled to Korea to attend the Seonghwa (funeral) of Unification Church Founder Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon. His Seonghwa was held on the grounds of the Cheongpyeong Heaven and Earth Training Center in the Cheonshim World Peace Center, where nearly 40,000 people had packed the stadium and grounds on September 15, 2012.
More than 600 members from District 1 welcomed Rev. Hyung Jin
Moon and his wife Yeon Ah Moon in the the grand auditorium of the
Bladensburg High School. Rev. Hyung Jin Moon, who was appointed as the new president of
the Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World
Christianity after Rev. In Jin Moon's resignation, acted with
compassion, concern, and love. Rev. Hyung Jin Moon answered questions from the audience for
nearly five hours.
Rev. Hyung Jin Moon and his spouse were warmly welcomed as they entered the grand auditorium in the Bladensburg High School.
The Metro Music Ministry Worship Band, led by Unificationist-born youth Jin Soon Stephens, performed rousing renditions of favorite Holy Songs, concluding with the gospel great, “Just A Closer Walk With Thee” sung by George Burton. Someone said it seemed Elvis was in the house.
The evening’s purpose was introduced by Emcee Rev. Joshua Cotter, vice president of the Unification Church USA, who then called on Rev. Michael Jenkins, chairman of American Clergy Leadership Conference, to offer a powerful invocation beseeching God to bring His love and vision upon all present. Dr. Chang Shik Yang then set the tone outlining the recent week’s happenings surrounding the illness and ascension of the late Rev. Moon, or “True Father.”
Rev. and Mrs. Moon then took seats at a beautifully decorated table and immediately encouraged all gathered to offer questions at the floor microphones provided. There quickly became two lines of concerned individuals at both sides of the auditorium.
For the next four-and-a-half hours, questions and comments on issues pertaining to the resignation of Rev. In Jin Moon and church policy were respectfully presented to Rev. Hyung Jin Moon, who thoughtfully listened to answered all of them.
He responded honestly with deep compassion, concern, and love, saying that, “As sinners ourselves, we love the sinner but hate the sin.” He also said that any actions outside of the Divine Principle are wrong. This is why True Mother asked for Rev. In Jin Moon’s resignation immediately, even in the midst of the difficult tasks of preparing for True Father’s Seonghwa.
He explained that several Headquarters staff offered their resignations, but that he has decided not to act upon them until he has had a chance to complete the tour of 12 districts, and that he has asked Dr. Yang and Rev. Cotter to support him on this tour. Upon completion of the tour, Rev. Hyung Jin Moon said that he intends to look at the overall situation and make decisions about the leadership of the church and the restructuring of the ministry in the United States. The name of Lovin’ Life Ministries will be discontinued, at True Mothers’ request, and a renewed focus on the Unification Church and Unificationism will be put into place. This met with strong applause.
As the evening came to morning just after midnight, Rev. Moon called on all present to meditative prayer using the Chambumonim Eog Mansei song/chant. Attendees all placed their hands on their hearts as he encouraged them to feel the life vibrations and energy from God. He then offered a closing prayer of healing and hopefulness as church members continued to come to understand the events surrounding True Father’s ascension and changes in leadership.
Rev. Hyung Jin Moon and Yeon Ah Moon continued to greet members and shake hands before they exited the auditorium to prepare to go to Atlanta later in the morning.
Testimonies from Q&A Session
Pastor Judith Lejeune, pastor of the Northern Virginia congregation: “Everyone I have spoken with is so encouraged. Hyung Jin Moon is so approachable and even those who are angry about In Jin Moon feel hope according to those I have spoken with.”
Joseph Taylor, Maryland: “I felt it was a powerful meeting. It is good to let those who spoke get a chance to express themselves. It helps with the healing process. In the future, I hope we can have smaller gatherings where everyone can get every concern out. Then we can have a new beginning and the American movement can become hot again.”
Wasana Catalan, Washington, D.C.: “I hope that through these meetings, we can move America to a new level and stop accusing each other and the True Children. We need to be careful not to multiply sin. That is what Satan wants us to do.”
Young Unificationist: “I am so sorry that True Parents have had to endure this pain. I hope In Jin Moon can say something publicly, even a written apology, for hiding and fooling us into thinking she was following the Principle. It would go a long way to bring healing.”
Liana Gaarder, Young Adult Ministry leader: “Tonight was incredible. A big thank you to Hyung Jin Moon and Yeon Ah Moon from District 1! Many topics were addressed. People were listened to. People were real.”
Larry Moffitt, Maryland: “Hyung Jin Moon just finished. He listened and responded for five hours. What an amazing experience!”
Kaeleigh Moffitt, Youth Ministry Leader: “Please share our deepest gratitude towards Hyung Jin Moon. Second-generation Unificationists really appreciate his sincerity, his patience and his clarity. All of the questions were answered with really deep Divine Principle insight and with such a warm heart. Many of our hurt and hesitant feelings were eased because of the many hours he spent with our community sharing and listening. He made a great impact on the community tonight, one that really makes us feel like Father is working through the providence.”
Randall and Kumiko Francis, District Pastor couple of District 1: “Tonight we began a new heavenly journey. Hyung Jin Moon and Yeon Ah Moon gave great comfort to many for nearly five hours. Their heart of sincere listening and deep, clear answers allowed us to feel we are going to be guided to new heights of the principle relationships of husbands and wives, parents and children, brothers and sisters. We can begin cultivating a real culture of heart based on the Hoon Dok tradition and the eight sacred texts of True Parents. Thank you True Mother for the wise offering of your son and international president to rebuild the spirit of America centered on Unificationism.”
Angelika Selle, president of WFWP USA: “True Mother, We are truly grateful for sending us and appointing President Hyung Jin Moon and Yeon Ah Moon to the United States at this challenging time!
“Upon hearing the sad news, my prayer was immediately, ‘If only Hyung Jin Moon could come to America and speak to us even for one month, God's spirit could prevail and prevent our church from being even more divided.’
“Bob and I were very moved and inspired as to how Hyung Jin Moon with so much love and patience listened to countless people and many different takes and their hearts on the matter, respecting and answering to each single one with a pastoral, parental and brotherly heart. Healing took place indeed, and a turning point for moving forward was established here in Washington DC. Kamsahamnida!
“It was also good to see and hear from Yeon Ah Moon and see the both on stage for so many hours, witness their love for God, True Parents each other. We support him and you 100 percent, especially all members of Women’s Federation for World Peace, and will help comfort second-generation Unificationists pointing toward them to go back to basics of their relationship with God True Father, True Parents and the Divine Principle that never changes.
Thank you so much, Hyung Jin Moon and Yeon Ah Moon! We love you so much, and will carry forward Father's legacy and never stop!”
Matthew Goldberg, Maryland State Pastor: “I was moved to tears by the honest sharing of Yeon Ah Moon in giving her testimony. Also, many heartfelt wishes were shared for the well being of our True Mother and her family.
“Hearing the many viewpoints and even raw emotions of so many of our faithful brothers and sisters was not easy. However, especially as a person in a responsible position as a Pastor, I think it is vitally important. Even more important, as I reflect on it all, is for all of us to take to heart the call for clarity on what we believe and what is acceptable and not acceptable behavior for our Unification Church members. I do have hope that Hyung Jin Moon and his wife will make a positive difference and allow us to move forward with dignity and honor in the coming months and years. I wish to support them and True Parents in what every way I am able.”
Pastor Bayo and Ayano Adrien, Richmond, VA: “Certainly was a good start on the way to recover trust. Hyung Jin Moon displayed very good emotional stability for such an emotionally charged situation. I am terribly saddened he and his wife are the ones answering directly for the mistakes of so many leaders, In Jin Moon included. We are sincerely praying and hoping for the best.
Personally I feel partly responsible, deceived, betrayed, and yet somehow, I still believe in True Parents’ vision because of their unity with Jesus the Christ’s loving heart. This theological understanding of unity between Jesus and True Father as displayed and articulated by Hyung Jin Moon gives me great hope, as he encouraged us not to idolize him, hate the sin and always love the sinner back to restoration. Certainly a good start.”
Lorman Lykes, Maryland: “In the secular world and federal government, when a tragedy or misconduct occurs whether in an administration or department, an investigation is conducted by a blue ribbon committee. However, since we are not a secular organization, the rule of heart – not law – should dominate what happens next. A blue ribbon committee usually consists of the ‘best and the brightest’ people from different disciplines who can decipher what went wrong, when it happened, who is responsible and most important how to correct the situation so it will not happen again. In the Unification Church, this would help the new administration immensely as it seeks to unravel the past mistakes while developing a new church/movement culture prepared to lead us in the 21st century. A committee of church elders who are unbiased, unencumbered, and unfunded by the previous administration can serve the role of a blue ribbon committee. This could be done by concerned members who want to be part of the rebuilding environment for Hyung Jin Moon. Hopefully it will be on his agenda when he finishes the 12-city tour.
Contributed by Rev. Randall Francis.