Nominations for the 2010 Grace Miller trophy are now open! Please send your nominations as quickly as possible so that the most remarkable and exemplary young members of our FFWPU community in the UK can be recognised, honoured & encouraged for their good work and behaviour.

Who was Grace Miller?
Grace Miller was born in 1916 – four years before True Father. She committed her life to True Parents in 1972 at the age of 56 and later joined as a full-time member in 1974, having been witnessed to by David Miller, older brother of Tim Miller. She fundraised and witnessed, gave DP lectures and led workshops and centres over the next years.

Had our True Father been recognized after the Second World War she would have been among those who should have received him in the prime of her life.

She was among several key parents of members who accepted True Parents in the early 1970s and laid an important foundation of faith and substance. In her later years she lived in Livingstone House supporting workshops and was one of a group of senior sisters who maintained a daily prayer over many years for our members including 2nd generation.

What’s the significance of the trophy?
Tim Miller purchased the Trophy in 2000 after the seung hwa of his mother, Grace. It was purchased from money donated by those who attended the seung hwa. It was born of an inspiration that Grace Miller’s name and investment for the providence be remembered in a way that connects to the future and hence to the 2ndgeneration.

As a grandmother she had a deep heart, affection and concern for young people and a strong prayer that they could know True Parents in their youth in a way which had not been possible for her.

The trophy was to be awarded to a 2nd generation young person who had made an outstanding contribution to the Unification Community in UK (and the wider world) in the preceding year.

Who won the trophy in the past?
There have been 9 recipients of the trophy over the last 9 years, although nobody was awarded in 2009.

2001 – Matthew Huish

2002 – Miriam Zaccarelli

2003 – Michael Franklin

2004 – Francis Stacey

2005 – Maniyer & Parmy Olson

2006 – Matthew Jubb

2007 – Yoshiko Chellew

2008 – Haesul Fagcang

Nominations for 2010
If you would like to nominate a young person for this year’s award, please complete the nomination form. It doesn’t matter if the young person attends the same church community as you or not. Send your completed nomination forms by email or by post to 43 Lancaster Gate, London, W2 3NA. Applications must arrive before 5pm on Wednesday 18th August 2010.

Judging & Awarding the Nominations
All nominations will be judged by the trustees of the FFWPU, the trustees’ advisory board and the youth ministry directors. Their decision will be final and the recipient of the trophy will be informed by Sunday 22nd August.

The winner of the Grace Miller award will be publicly announced at the FFWPU Annual Gathering, taking place this year in Cleeve House, Seend, on Tuesday 24th August. The winning young person will have their name etched onto the Grace Miller Second Generation Trophy and they will receive a cash prize.

We look forward to receiving your nominations!

Download the cover letter here.

I was joined by Christa, Tokuwa and Maggie yesterday at the Albert Hall to watch one of the proms. Standing in the arena, we were entertained by a performance of Beethoven’s first and fifth symphonies and also Beethoven’s violin concerto. You can listen to the recordings on BBC iPlayer.

Both Maggie and I play the fiddle – although we’re both quite rusty – so we could really appreciate the virtuosity of the violin soloist. Check out the cadenza 48 minutes into the recording – I hope you’ll be able to see what I mean. While I never believe I’ll have the time or dedication to play the violin that well, it inspired me to give my violin a good cleaning and get back into playing it more frequently. Interestingly (at 1 hour and 15 minutes into the recording) the soloist plays a gigue by Bach that I tried (and failed) to perform in Livingstone House about a year ago – this is how it’s meant to be played!

I haven’t been to a classical music concert in ages, so last night was quite a refreshing experience. I’d forgotten how much I enjoyed the live performance of some of my favourite music. Despite being in the spirit world, Beethoven’s creativity and genius was able to move me along an emotional journey, through joy and sadness, fear and hope, fragility and strength. Thanks in part to the German orchestra and the American soloist performing last night, Beethoven’s legacy will continue to make people’s lives better with magical music.

I was blessed in marriage with Natasha six years ago today. Yesterday after Sunday service we went out for lunch at the Café Rouge opposite the Chislehurst pond. Natasha’s family took David & Olivia to their home, so we could enjoy our meal with only Bronwyn to keep us company. Thankfully she provided little distraction as she slept for most of the meal.

After the meal we went for a walk. We were remembering the details of the ceremony six years ago and the events surrounding it. We reflected on the progress we’ve made as a couple, which can be measured by the three children we’ve had so far. We also looked ahead, thinking about the direction our couple would like to take in the next few weeks/months/years.

When people try to woo each other or express their romantic affection for each other, the concept of eternity is often implied – “my love for you will last forever… my love will never die… I will love you for all eternity” – but inversely the idea of being stuck with someone for eternity is a commitment many fear to make. Six years seems like a long time from our perspective,

but in the grand scheme of things it’s not long at all. Those of you who’ve been enduring married bliss for 30+ years probably are thinking, “You’ve barely scratched the surface! Wait until this-or-that happens…” and you’re probably right. But right now, I like the idea of spending eternity with Natasha, learning all the complexities of each other and exploring the infinite ways of expressing greater love for each other.

To everyone else blessed at the 400 million couples 5th phase holy marriage event: HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

For me, it’s official. The final scene in Toy Story 3 is one of the most moving ever made. As Bonnie inherits Andy’s favourite toys and they play together for the last time, we are faced with the inevitable passing of the generations. It’s art that moves and talks, musing on our own vulnerabilities when faced with loss and departure and moving on. And it points subtly toward the inevitable event of death, both yours and mine. In fact Toy Story 3 is all about death;  from the blackness of claustrophobic bin bags, the demonic screechings of gate-keeper monkey to  the inferno of a twisting fiery doom.  Just don’t tell the person sitting next to you! Don’t even mention the ‘D’ word.

I’m surprised that no one on the Fireplace has expressed their feelings having heard Father’s recent speech in Korea. I watched it live from our computer and I felt something quite mysterious in the atmosphere especially as it appeared that the crowds there were above the clouds. Most significant for me is how Father spoke about death.  ‘It is a time for celebration’. He went on to tear down the fearful walls mankind has built that have left us cowering, unprepared to face this most unique event of all our lives. Father’s own death must occupy some of his thoughts  as he knows his time here is quite limited now. His passing may be the ultimate bridge for all of us.

We visited the British Museum last week and in the Egyptian and Greek rooms I could see clearly that all we have here is their collective preparations for their passage (or not) into the next (possible) world. Animalistic symbols, beautiful ‘perfect’ figures, the cold stone representing something far more permanent than wrinkly old skin. After thousands of years of their culture, all we have left of them is their dreams about death.

Both my parents approach their mid-eighties due to good health and some good luck too, I guess. Do I dare broach the subject of their impending end (or new beginning)? They give off many signs that they are more happy to ‘get busy’ because it is not a topic with a clear ‘instruction manual’ or a conclusive outcome.  Most others would suggest that I am ‘needlessly distressing’ them if I bring up the issue of ‘you know what’. In a way, we’re all in denial because any spiritual discipline seems to require our daily concentration,  that we don’t forget the eternal  quality that lies behind each passing moment and opportunity.  Father says that  ‘ the moment of death should be a time of greater excitement than that of a newlywed bride going to her groom’s home for the first time.’  Should we be excited about death? We carry the burden of knowing ourselves too well,  that we probably shouldn’t expect too much happiness on ‘the other side’.

It’s also possibly a massive historically mistaken assumption that the’ God’ mankind has believed in, the ‘God’ in our collective religious supra-culture has used fear of unknown punishment after death to  keep us ‘in line’. What if a kind of ‘karmic amnesty’ was presented to you? Would it become an excuse to live shamelessly? I don’t think so. At least , not if we can understand the message of July 8th. Why make ourselves and others unhappy?

Has the time finally arrived where God knows that this  ultimate ‘Good News’ will encourage us to be even more genuine in our motivation? Perhaps our True Parents have simply (not easily!) cleared the way for us to become like we have never been before.  Maybe  now all our lives can have a happy ending/ beginning! Oh well, we’re off to summer camp now! And enjoy that movie!

We would like to invite you to the UK HARP 7 Day Divine Principle Workshop 2010. This workshop is designed to give an understanding of the core teachings of the Unification Church, focussing on the content held within the Exposition of the Divine Principle book.

This workshop is targeting those who are new to the Divine Principle, creating an experience in which their first Divine Principle workshop is one to remember, as well as for those who would like to explore that bit deeper into their understanding of their own faith.

Age: 12 to 18 years old.

Dates: Evening of the 25th of July to the Afternoon of the 31st of July

Cost: £110 per person (£100 for every other child from the same family after)

Application Deadline: Spaces are limited to 30, so early application is advised. Unfortunately we cannot guarantee you a place even if you apply within the deadline – but we will do our best.

Please apply by sending an email to ukharp@gmail.com – please include your name, date of birth, contact number, parents’ email address and your local church community.

If you want to inquire about helping out as staff, please send us an email and we will get back to you to discuss the possibilities.

After the application deadline we will send out a confirmation email to all the participants and in that we will detail things that you need to prepare, the code of conduct and any more information that will help you prepare for the Workshop.

We look forward to hearing from you.

The HARP committee

It  has been confirmed that our International President, Pastor Hyung Jin Nim and his wife, Yeon Ah Nim  will come to the UK on Monday 23rd August and spend  a few days here to meet brothers and sisters before going on to visit the rest of Europe.

I am sure you will all look forward to meet them with your families and guests, so let us all prepare well to receive them and inspire them.

FFWPU Annual Gathering at Cleeve House

We have decided to move the Annual Gathering in Cleeve House to Tuesday 24th August (originally set for Saturday 21st August) so that all our Blessed families can have a chance to meet with Pastor Hyung Jin Nim and Yeon Ah Nim in our own beautiful environment .
We did not want to miss our traditional summer Annual Gathering and it was thought  difficult to gather UK members from all over the nation twice within a few days, so it seemed a wonderful opportunity to ask Hyung Jin Nim to speak to everyone at Cleeve on 24th.  We have there facilities for the younger children to enjoy the bouncy castles, games, etc.
Please try to book time off work if you need to. More details will come soon.

As a Peace-Loving Global Citizen, the book that tells the story of True Father’s life in his own words, is now available in the UK! Many thousand autobiographies have arrived at 43LG. Different communities are picking up their orders. Father has asked us all to distribute over 400 copies per Blessed couple/family.

This is the time we can start to really share father’s heart with people in a powerful way. The Korean version reached the bestsellers list in Korea, and the new 2nd English translation is greatly improved and has included pictures too.

You can buy a box (containing 28 books) for £100 each, or individual books for £3.50.

We are suggesting if you wish to sell the books on to make a standard cost of £12. Of course you are free to sell them for less and of course to give them to people as a gift, but it is good for people to know that they are also being sold for a real price. We will provide price tag stickers for those who want them. We will be setting up an amazon.co.uk shop asap which will allow us to sell them online too.

Uncle David surveys the container

If you have creative and good ideas that you want to own and get support on for distributing Father’s book, then get in touch.

Arriving at Lancaster Gate shortly after 10am, I met Takao , Réamonn and Sung Jong waiting in the lobby area of Headquaters. We were anticipating the arrival of a lorry bearing the expected 11,000 copies of True Father’s autobiography. I mentioned to the lads that I had walked past a lorry, which I suspected could be the one for which we were waiting. After a brief conversation with the vehicle’s driver confirming this, he skillfully manoeuvered his articulated lorry into the spaces in front of 43 Lancaster Gate.

Then the hard work began, transferring more than 400 boxes (containing 28 books each) from the lorry container into the building. It took not much more than an hour to transfer the boxes from the shipping container to the inside of our church Headquarters.

Just as we were nearing the end, Uncle Bernard Chellew arrived to collect as many of the boxes as would fit inside the Chrysler Voyager he was driving. Later, Uncle Franklin Fortune and Uncle William Haines also dropped by to collect boxes of books. Each time a vehicle drove away with their load of books, I prayed for the rear suspensions not to be overwhelmed!

With perfect timing, just as the last item was removed from lorry, the absolute good spirit world blessed us with the emergence of a Westminster council waste collection vehicle. The refuse collectors were happy to throw our left-over pallets into their rubbish truck, which gobbled them up quite easily.

Matthew de Souza then emerged with some lucozade bottles and some maple and pecan pastries, rewards for the hard workers (prepared by Uncle David Franklin, I assumed).

Many thanks also goes to Irene, Abi, Kenko, and Matthew de Souza who all offered their help.

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And here’s a (rather dull) film stitched together by Simon and myself:

Yoshiko Chellew, Keishin Barrett and Mariam Trubshaw have joined two Swiss and five other people from the UK (Kunimasa, Kuniyoshi Hayashi, Rose Taylor, Sophie Redihough and Seijin Thomas) for a month stay in Japan. They are doing grass rooots witnessing, teaching English, and service work for one month during the summer period. Three CARP centres are supporting the initiative: Horoshima, Tsukuba and the Keisei centre in Tokyo. At the end of their stay they will will meet together in Hiroshima for three or four days for a final service project, and sight seeing.

See Yoshiko, Keishin ands Mariam’s blog here , the Hirosima blog here and Tsukuba blog here. [ed: blog links work now]

Recently the squad of our community football team, Mind Body United met up with their coach/manager, Steven Huish, and team chairman, Chigo Ahunanya, for an end of season party and ceremony. Each player, even those who only made a couple of showings….like myself, received a beautiful certificate and the chance to take a picture with Stevo&Chigo.

We had the player of the year award which went to Seijin Thomas for his all round skill, commitment and team work.

Big congratulations to all the staff and team members who made the launch year for MBU a real adventure. They go into a new season this autumn with a level of trust, commitment, skill, and team spirit that will only result in them moving up the league table.

Pics below (sorry couldn’t get everyone’s) and a little video of Seijin’s player of the year speech.

(click on pic to double the size…if you want to check how handsome everyone is.)

Video insight: Seijin cracks a few…

As a team they even walked away with some league silver ware winning best sportsmanship of the year award. This is significant because part of the team’s mission statement involves team members being role models for other young people. Next season they’ve got their eye on a few other trophies.

Just back from Korea. Here is a little video from the iPhone with some highlights, spent some of the flight back messing around with imovie:

Diary notes: video explanation

7.30 Saturday morning 10th July:

True Parents have just arrived by helicopter out of the blue and are talking to a few hundred of us. Father’s checking to see which of his close disciples are here. He ends up staying with us until 2.30pm. He mentions how he hasn’t slept the night before. Finding it hard to keep up with his train of thought. True Father is like a cosmic encyclopedia. And he is jumping from topic to
topic before I can deconstruct the English translation…but he must be the sweetest grandfather in the whole world: completely at ease and full of the brightest energy. It’s not easy for me to sit for so long when I don’t speak Korean. But eventually I realise that Father’s main motive for being here is to just be together with us for as long as possible. That’s when I really get it, and catch this 90 year old man’s heart for his disciples, his children.Several times he asks if we are hungry and that he should get back to Yeusu, and then he decides to stay longer, talk more, sing more, etc. You get the sense of how he has been through so much in his life that nothing phases him. At one point he said about his life (amongst the hundreds of different things he shared about) “….I couldn’t go forward as I planned to, I was a man alone, but God supported me and you supported…”

Here is a link to the message Father gave on the 8th July in front of several thousand up on the mountain top:

http://www.slideshare.net/familyfireplace/july-8th-2010-proclamation-full-speech

Peace TV:

I heard from Peter Kim, who I bumped into in the new Coffee shop in Cheong Pyeong, that True Parents were very happy after hearing from Rev. Song about Europe. Especially True Mother was happy to hear about the younger generation in our community, and I think they noticed how many came as part of the European group for the event on the 8th July. She asked Peace TV to talk to Rev. Song to do an item on us, so I was called in with Geros Kunkel from the European Youth Dept. to their studios a few hours before my flight back to London.