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

So, this blog is a little late in coming to you, but I wanted to let you know about the conclusion of the 5-day workshop for students hosted in Cleeve House a couple of weeks ago.

I think the workshop can be best summarised in the words of the participants themselves:

“I guess the main things I wanted out of this workshop were a deeper understanding of DP & finding ways of actually applying it to my life. The lectures that we have had have definitely helped. I have heard Uncle William’s DP workshop content before but he’s either added more or, upon hearing it for the second time, parts have finally got through to me. Hearing how DP is needed in fields, like politics & economics, makes me realise how it truly can be applicable to more, if not all, parts of life…”
(Takao Kobayashi)

“…it’s nice to get a different point of view and some very basic and simple points that were mentioned with examples became more understandable for me. Like the 3rd blessing! Before I couldn’t connect to it, but now I understand the meaning of it much better… I’ll definitely recommend this workshop…”
(Jeanne Penhard)

“Well, certainly not your orthodox DP workshop. Uncle William has illuminated the historical context surrounding the ideas discussed in the Divine Principle in a far more exhaustive fashion than is typical and re-emphasises its intimate relationship with the many, seemingly unconnected at first glance, goings-on on earth. The philosophy of human nature and the natural world is revealed in a fascinating manner through the lens of the Principle…”
(Christophe Murphy)

“Why I came? I suppose I was looking for answers to a couple of fundamental questions I had with the church, or maybe looking for someone to reafirm my own beliefs on the subjects. Whatever it was, I was definitely pleased with the content…”
(Iain Davies)

“This time here has also allowed me to think more deeply about what I should do in the future. So far I haven’t been too worried as I am still studying, but I have really started to feel an urgency in terms of what I should do with my life. I felt I was able to tell this to God very clearly and I am openly waiting for a response, and will continue to search until I find one… Somehow a new view of God has been awakened in me but also an understanding or rather feeling that there is soooo much that is yet to know and experience with Him. Just as I believe the relationship between husband and wife is infinite so is the relationship with God, and only by living according to the Principle more, or more simply the 3 blessings, can we come to reach these deeper and deeper levels of relationship. I get the feeling True Father wants to share these things but it’s something that can only be experienced and is different for every person and couple. Life is awesome! This I know.”
(Jonathan Bateman)

“… I really like the idea of trying to put oneself into a certain situation in history, to try to figure out what exactly was going on and how people felt, because sometimes I forget all of these historical figures were REAL people, normal people, they felt real emotions and sometimes I wander what I would have done in their situations…”
(Katrina Earle)

“I appreciate the fact that God gives us so much freedom to decide who we want to be and what we want to do. There are infinite possibilities in life. I am happy my life doesn’t have to be about following someone or only doing what I am told to do. I don’t want to be only a servant of God but I prefer to walk besides Him, like Abraham and True Father. Even if sometimes we have to do something our of duty, at least I can decide to di it or not. Whatever I am doing, I want to do it with my heart, this gives value to my life.”
(Tony Yuen)

Yesterday I did the unusual thing of attending the HQ community Sunday morning worship service. As a Bromley regular, the reason for this trip away was the fact that I was collecting 4 passengers – 2 sisters from Lancaster Gate and 2 Parisians from St Pancras station – with whom I would drive to Cleeve House for the workshop starting that evening.

Along the M4, while most of the passengers were peacefully snoozing, I chewed on wine gums and reflected on my purpose for coming to Cleeve House. Why do we do workshops? What’s the point of coming to this workshop? I wasn’t questioning the educational philosophical of our workshop culture. No, I had done that a few weeks ago and reached some conclusions that I might share at a later stage: I was questioning MY PERSONAL PURPOSE for dedicating some time on this workshop. I know some people don’t like the word “retreat” (it sounds like surrendering) but I felt that I would benefit from a retreat from life in London, and dedicating some time to reflect on my personal life of faith. Of course I’ll make myself busy all week trying to help the staff and participants on this workshop have a good experience, but while I’m in the GLORIOUS environment of Cleeve House, I’m committing myself to focus on some constructive me-time.

That means turning my phone and laptop off occasionally and just speaking with God.

Among many things I intend to discuss with God this week, I’d like to ask Heavenly Father what I need to do to be a better disciple. Discipleship is something I’ve been reflecting on recently (what does it mean to be a disciple???) and through the inspiration and revelation on this workshop, I hope to return to London with some clarity and hopefully some answers.

Recently I have received several emails about concerns church members have regarding the disagreement and confrontation that took place in Sao Palo, Brazil, between Hyun Jin Moon and the the Continental Director for South America, Rev Shim, who is appointed by True Parents.

It is quite apparent that some members of True Parents’ family do not always see eye to eye. This is perfectly fine and normal in life, but the problem is when those differences spill out or are played out in the public arena. As in most conflicts things are rarely straight forward, so unless we are personally involved and able to help bring about a solution it is best not to start taking positions and developing theories of who is right and who is wrong.

As a Unificationist what is important is to offer our devotion to God and connect to the heart of True Parents that we can discover through studying the Principle and practising it in our day to day circumstances.

As a result of this incident in Brazil True Father has made an announcement and direction for all blessed family members. He has taken the significant step to write it by hand and sign it with his own signature. I take from this his desire that people believe and follow his guidance and understand what he wishes to clarify.

Please see below Father’s calligraphy and  also an English translation:

Translation:

No.1 says:

God is the one King of Kings.

There is only one set of True Parents.

All families are the people who share a single lineage, and are the children of one heavenly kingdom.

Moreover, the command center of cosmic peace and unity is the absolute and unique command center.

Its representative and heir is Hyung Jin Moon.

Anybody else [who claims such a position] would be a heretic and one who brings things to destruction.

The above content is True Parents’ proclamation.

[Signed] Sun Myung Moon

(Father wrote the character for “seal” indicating where his seal could be placed)

2010.4.23 by the heavenly calendar

No.2:

Special note: I recognize only the official memos from the World Mission Headquarters of

Tongilgyo of Heaven and Earth

Tongilgyo International.

[Signed] Sun Myung Moon

2010.4.23 by the heavenly calendar

June 5, 2010

Announced at Cheon Jeong Gung, Korea

I hope this helps you to know where True Father stands on any friction that may exist amongst leaders or members of his family. I think he also wants to dispel any ideas that memos go out to our international community with out his approval. He may be 90 years old, but he is fully in charge of charting the course of the Unification Movement and guiding those who take take public roles with in all its different organisations. His mind remains sharper than any razor you may use on your face or legs, so be cautious about being ageist.

Personally I feel it is a hopeful reality that issues of unity with in our movement can be addressed by Father directly while he is still with us. In that sense all that goes on in our community (good and bad) if dealt with in a principled way can only help to secure the future.

Of course we have been taught to love the family of our True Parents and we should continue to do so, but let us remember as Father has made clear there is only one God we worship and that is the invisible one.

There are times when we all feel that the leadership we experience does not inspire great confidence. That is always a good time to reinvigorate our own life of devotion to God so that we are able to ensure that we are spiritually healthy and full of blessings to share with others.

The Divine Principle is the rock on which Father has diligently built his life and ministry. He has only been able to consistently develop and expand his mission because of that fact.  It is also the foundation for all that is good and eternal in our life.

This week our regular “Wednesday’s evening prayer for healing” in 43LG will be dedicated to prayers for unity amongst our movements international leadership and also to give people a chance to express any concerns they have and ask questions. Please feel free to come along. 7.30pm – 8.30pm Wednesday 9th June.

On Thursday I am going to Korea to celebrate the upcoming Day of All True Things with True Parents and also to take part in a national leaders meeting which I am sure has partly been called to address the current friction that has just taken place.

I will keep you updated.

God bless.

Simon

Your Pastor

A Divine Principle Seminar was held in the Ramada Hotel in Glasgow on Saturday, 29th of May. This was the second in a series of Divine Principle seminars to be held in Scotland recently. The first was held at a hotel in Livingston where the lecturer Jack Corley was from Ireland. The second was held in the centre of the city of Glasgow and the lecturer was  Edward Stacey from the west country of England. Flora Robertson our MC guided us skillfully through the programme.

 There were  over 20 participants including members, associates and new guests. One of the young members, Vladik Prichina, has just fulfilled a 7-day fast, followed by a week’s hike on the West Highland Way from near Glasgow to Fort William. He brought two  young women students from his university class to attend the seminar. Ed Stacey, as an elder member of much experience, gave deep lectures on the Creation, Fall and the fulfilment of God’s purpose today. Ed joined the Unification Church in 1971 and has over thirty years of  lecturing experience. His lectures are made all the more vivid by his background as a carpenter (Jesus’ trade), his sincere search for the truth which led him to the Messiah and to become a father of a blessed family (118 Couples Blessing in Lancaster Gate, 1978). The seminar was well appreciated by all.

Come along to a residential workshop to find out more about the Divine Principle. Whether or not you’ve been to one before, this will probably be the best introductory weekend workshop you will have attended to date.

Taught by Mr Ed Stacey, it’s not to be missed.

If you have never heard the whole of the Divine Principle, this workshop will give you a good overview. If you have not heard Ed teaching before, come and take this opportunity: You will be glad that you did.

Basic Schedule:

* We will start on Friday evening at 6pm with a meal and orientation.
* On Saturday we will have an early start with morning devotion at 6am (earlier for those who wish) and breakfast at 7am.
* We will finish early (3pm) on Sunday to allow you to get home.

If you play a musical instrument, please bring it, along with any other gifts you possess.

For more information, email David Hanna or call 020 8467 2296.

Download the application form here (NOW AVAILABLE!)

Click here to download the workshop application form
Click here to view the Workshop Agreement

Click here to download the application form

Our Divine Principle scripture teaches that we should mature our own heart by connecting to God’s love. This is how we prepare for nurturing the hearts of our children or those who are influenced by us.

Here is a profound STORY for all of us, sometimes angry parents, to be careful how we treat our children:

The Prophet Mohammed, peace be upon him, took a child to sit on his lap. While on his lap the child urinated. The prophet then asked for some water to clean himself. The father of the boy took his child and shouted “you stupid boy, what have you done,” and terrified child recoiled in fear. The Prophet hugged and consoled the child, and told the father: “My clothes can be washed. But watch how you treat your son. If you deal harshly with him like this, who can then restore his self-esteem?”

I heard this story on the radio from Abdal Hakim Murad he concluded by saying: “in its earliest years, the soul is vulnerable. Our greatest duty as parents is to preserve it from harm.”

Inspired by the activities of many of the True Family and the recent witnessing initiatives around the world, the Family Church in Scotland has decided the revive a regular Divine Principle Workshop program.

Our first one-day seminar took place on Saturday, 17th April in Livingston.  We were honored to have Jack Corley, with his experience of presenting Divine-Principle programmes all over the world as our lecturer.  Undaunted by the cancellation of all aircraft flights due to the volcanic eruption in Iceland, Jack drove from Dublin to Belfast, took the ferry from Belfast to Stranraer, where he was met by car for the last leg from South-West to Central Scotland. There was a good turnout of members and guests from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle.

Jack opened with a video from recent activities in China that he has participated in, an eye opener for all participants. Then we covered key sections from the Divine Principle including the Principles of Creation and the Human Fall, using some recently-introduced content.

It seemed that all participants enjoyed the program as they generated a good spirit throughout the day. As a bonus, Jack shared insights from Father Moon at the next day’s Sunday Service in Edinburgh.