We celebrated True God’s Day in London with Pledge services held in three locations – HQ Church, South London Peace Embassy and Bromley Church. Around 400 Blessed family members and Ambassadors for Peace attended the services to welcome in the new decade and offer their families to build Cheon il Guk.

HQ Church

Our National Leader and HQ Church pastor, Simon Cooper lead the Pledge service in the Ballroom of our national HQ in Lancaster Gate. Many first and second generation couples attended with their children and sat in front of the beautifully prepared holy table, created the previous day by Blessed husbands and wives. After the service all went downstairs to enjoy the Korean breakfast and a time of sharing with one another. A few families braved the icy but glorious sunny weather to pray at the Holy Ground in Hyde Park.

Bromley Church

In our Bromley Community, the Sunday before True God’s Day, many joined in a thorough cleaning of the house (pic) as part of the preparations. On the day itself, after a beautiful pledge service we shared a Korean-style breakfast followed by an hour of entertainment including this “Pensioners’ Rap” from two new members from 2009. We then had a most exciting ‘Public Speaking Challenge’ – Oh, boy! The Holy Spirit came down! – twelve people spoke for four minutes on one of four topics: “What I would say to the Prime Minister if I had four minutes, one-to-one”, “What the Divine Principle has done for me”, “What we can learn from the World’s Religions” and “My Heaven on Earth”.

A Taste of Cheon Il Guk at South London Community’s True God’s Day Celebrations

On the clear and frosty morning of 1^st Jan. 2010, after a full moonlit night, we all congregated at South London Community’s Peace Embassy for our True God’s Day celebration.

The main hall was packed with members and Ambassadors for Peace of all ages, most of us sitting together as families on the carpets provided, with a few chairs around the edges for those who needed them. The atmosphere was very friendly and relaxed but with the hush that you associate with sincere reverence. The offering table was truly splendid, beautifully and lovingly put together, and feeling just like a miniature of our True Parents’ offering tables.

After the pledge and prayers our pastor, Franklin, spoke passionately on the need for us to witness, warning us not to forget the tradition of HDH which would be a great mistake. We could see that his heart is very much united with Rev Song’s as he encouraged us all to rise to the standard of this era, and as he shared how although True Father appears older externally, he’s still so hard to keep up with as He forges forward!

Franklin’s strong message was followed by a heartwarming one from his wife, Cecilie, which truly expressed the mother’s heart, as Franklin’s had expressed the father’s. She reminded us that we are all so different and each one of us is so precious. She let us know that we are all giving our best, so we can never judge another member’s efforts who may not appear to be giving as much. She told us that the success of the South London community is all thanks to the unique and sincere contribution of each and every one of us.

These wonderful talks were followed by gifts which Cecilie presented to each and every family. Then came a lovingly prepared breakfast followed by the entertainment. This was in no way entirely professional, as a few voices struggled with high keys, although everyone appreciated their sincere hearts! Ashley Crosthwaite was our very heartistic MC, who also introduced some totally amazing performances given by the 2^nd generation. There was a powerful rendition of ‘The climb’ sung by Christa Kamga, who demonstrated the internal struggle of her own life through the lyrics of this popular song, bringing tears to not only my eyes. Tears were flowing aplenty after 11yr old, Mia Gardiner’s beautiful rendition of ‘No Matter What’ as she sang with such simple beauty of expression. But there was plenty to laugh at in the theatre pieces and magic show, particularly a theatrical piece presented by the four children of the Mould family, which was spectacular.

The whole occasion was rounded off with a rousing performance of the Spanish speakers singing ‘Guantalamara’ and ‘La Bamba’ with almost the whole congregation rising to their feet and celebrating by dancing and laughing with each other, with a wonderful free expression of heart and unity.