Information for Participants in True Parents' Cosmic Blessing



MEMO: BFM 2012-12-31

To: To District and Local Pastors, Community Leaders, all Blessed Families and Members
From: National Blessed Family Ministry
Re: Information for Participants in True Parents’ Cosmic Blessing Ceremony- February 17, 2013
Date: December 31, 2012

As an important part of the commemoration of Foundation Day, a Cosmic Blessing Ceremony by True Parents will be held in Korea on Sunday, February 17, 2013 (January 8th by the Heavenly Calendar, in the 4th year of Cheon-gi). This ceremony will be for matched couples and previously married couples participating in the Blessing for the first time together. It is different than the Foundation Day Blessing ceremony on February 22nd, which is intended for all Blessed Central Families. While we are still awaiting official announcement of additional details, the following information will help those planning to participate in the February 17th Blessing ceremony in Korea or the USA to prepare for it.

  1. Ceremony Information

    1. Date: Sunday, February 17, 2013 in Korea (This will be Saturday night Feb. 16th in the USA)

    2. Locations: The main ceremony will be held at Cheongshim Peace World Center in CheongPyeong, Korea, with simultaneous ceremonies via internet in the United States. We plan to hold a memorable national Blessing ceremony in the New York area, with education, a special dinner, and celebration after the ceremony. Check with your district to learn the plan for your area.

  2. Who Should Participate

    1. First and Second Generation matched couples.

    2. Candidates matched during the February 12-14 Cheon Il Guk Standard matching program.

    3. Previously married couples (including those with one partner in the Spiritual World).

  3. Cheon Il Guk Standard Matching Program

    An education program and matching ceremony for candidates who meet the Cheon Il Guk Standard will take place from February 12-14 at the Cheongshim International Youth Center at Cheonga Camp and Cheon Jeong Goong, the Original Palace. For further details and information about this program, qualifications and how to prepare for it, see MEMO BFM 2012-12-20.

  4. Tentative Schedules and Venues in Korea

    February 11 Candidates for the Cheon Il Guk Matching Ceremony Arrive
    February 12-14 Cheon Il Guk Matching Program and Ceremony
    February 15 Previously Matched and Married Couples Arrive
    February 16 Orientation and Education Program for All Blessing Participants
    February 17 Cosmic Blessing Ceremony by True Parents
    February 22 Foundation Day Blessing- all newly Blessed couples are currently encouraged to remain and participate

    Candidates for the Cheon Il Guk Matching and All Blessing participants will stay at Cheonga Camp or nearby. Further schedule and venue details will follow soon.

  5. Preparation for Matched Couples

    Matched couples planning to attend the February 17th Cosmic Blessing should prepare the following:

    1. Complete the Online Matching and Blessing Application at www.familyfed.org/bfm, or at the Foundation Day website. This detailed application is meant to be completed prior to the matching. Those who have submitted a matching and Blessing application to their district prior to their matching or within the past year do not need to re-apply, but should inform your district that you intend to participate. All others must complete the online form by January 31, 2013.

    2. Complete a Purity Interview- Blessing participants should have completed a confidential purity interview prior to beginning their matching process. Those who have not done so, or need to update their confession and disclosure, should do so with their District Pastor or their appointed representative. The form is downloadable at the application site, and once the interview is completed, your pastor will confirm by uploading their signature with your online application.

    3. Divine Principle Education- participants should have completed at least a 7-day level of DP education or its equivalent. For qualifying programs, consult the matching handbook or your District.

    4. Blessing Education- couples should complete the Level 3 “Start Smart” Blessing workshop. One more Level 3 is scheduled for January 19-21 in San Leandro, CA. To register visit here.

      Those unable to attend prior to the Blessing should include a letter expressing your commitment to attend within 8 months of the Blessing.

    5. Blessing Fee- Established by our True Parents, this is an historical condition and offering of sincerity to receive the the grace of God and True Parents through the Blessing. The fee is $2000 for each participant, but will be reduced to $1500 for those traveling to Korea, to offset some of the expense. Those being re-Blessed, who paid the full offering previously, need only offer $500. Download this payment form and detailed instructions at the application site.

    6. Spiritual Conditions- A 7-day fast prior to the Blessing, and a 40-day separation period offering our Blessed marriage to God after the Blessing are also important conditions for participants. First Generation couples should complete these absolutely. Candidates for Cheon Il Guk Standard matching are also required to complete them, and traditionally True Parents have asked all Second or Third Generation candidates to complete these as conditions of sincerity, to honor the Blessing and its precious value. Candidates with health concerns or an intense schedule at school or work should consider an alternative fasting condition, such as 21 days of morning fasting only.

    7. Preparation for Previously Married Couples

      Previously married Unificationist couples who plan to receive the Blessing for the first time should complete a simple application which can be downloaded from www.familyfed.org/bfm or the Foundation Day website. The Blessing fee is $2000 per couple. Be sure to connect to your pastor or spiritual mentor, who can understand your situation and guide you in preparing well. The conditions of fasting beforehand and renewing your relationship through the first 40 days after the Blessing can be extremely helpful to bring God into the center of your marriage and leave any painful past behind.

    8. Participation of Couples who are Friends, Associates or Members of Your Tribe

      In order to support our members seeking to share the Blessing of True Parents with family or friends, we encourage each district or large community to welcome previously married couples to participate in local ceremonies in your church or an affiliated ACLC church. We will be providing simple educational materials to assist you in the coming weeks.

    We will share more information about the schedule, transportation and accommodations in Korea, a national ceremony in the USA, and ceremonies by internet broadcast, as these plans develop.

    May God bless you and your family,

    Dr. Michael Balcomb
    Executive Vice President
    Unification Church - USA

    Rev. Phillip Schanker
    Blessed Family Ministry
    Unification Church - USA