MBU FC played their final match of the season, playing away at Tufnell Park against Swiss Cottage Tuesday, a team that had beaten MBU 6-1 just two months ago. Victory would not have uprooted MBU from the foot of the table, being 4 points behind the team ahead of them in the league. Nevertheless, MBU had a goal of 10 points to achieve, and with 7 points, a win was the order of the day.

MBU were able to field a strong starting XI, which included Will Aso who had travelled by bus all the way from Newcastle to be with the lads this Saturday morning. The trip was worth it, as Will broke the deadlock half-way through the first half scoring a header that was beautifully crossed in from a corner by Toby Suda. This opened the floodgates for MBU to score, something unthinkable earlier in the season: Seijin Thomas scored a cracker, running into the box from the right wing, perfectly timed to meet Toby’s cross, and thumping it into the top corner of the goal. Kyung then managed to get the ball into the back of the goalnet after the Swiss Cottage goalkeeper made a couple of athletic saves. Alex Shaw then put his name on the goalsheet volleying in a ball that had ricocheted off the crossbar after a Will Aso effort.

At half time, MBU were winning 4-0. Unsurprisingly, there was a jubilant feeling amongst the team.

Feet came back down to earth as Swiss Cottage Tuesday edged their way back into the game. Jude Greaves, who had otherwise performed valiantly in goal, dropped the ball and picked it up again as he was about to kick it out, resulting in an indirect free kick within the MBU pentalty area. Tuesday converted this into a goal, denying MBU a first clean sheet. Another goal was conceded before Sean Greaves muscled his way through the Tuesday defence and placed his shot into the bottom left of the goal. One more goal for Swiss Cottage resulted in a final score of 5-3. MBU reached their goal of 10 points for the season and finished with a 3-game unbeaten run (win, draw, win).

The transformation in fortunes reflects the effort – the literal blood, sweat and tears – that the MBU lads have put into this season. It takes time to build a football team, as MBU has discovered, but thankfully we were able to invest patiently into each other and the results are now clear to see. To expect MBU to succeed in their first season would have been hugely ambitious, and although MBU finished bottom of the league, the last few matches demonstrated how the team can play. It took the whole season for the team to gel, but now it has, and the future for MBU looks bright.

Bring on the 2010-11 season! We hope you’ll be there with us…

It’s been a while since the last MBU report, so here’s a brief update on how things have developed over the season so far.

Basically, MBU has been going through a steep learning curve. There were some tough times, when things became so frustrating on the field, tempers flew off it and relationships within the team were strained. These, and other problems, were teething pains, predictable in the sense that this is our first season, a formation stage, and thankfully things are beginning to click into place.

With the exception of a solitary victory in a knock-out cup competition (against a team who are no longer participating in our league!) MBU has become familiar with defeat. The scorelines have been quite embarrassing at times, but frequently, and especially recently, the lads have felt that these scores were poor reflections of the large steps we’re taking forward in our improvement. Individuals are growing in their ability, there’s more fluidity in our game and the managerial style is gaining confidence.

We won our first league game just over a week ago, a 3-4 away victory with a late Toby Suda goal securing the victory. Wild scenes ensued as the touchline members of the team celebrated; the manager ran onto the field in jubilation, and although the referee reminded him to return off the pitch, the ref was rather sympathetic to our joy having refereed many of our defeats.

Below are pictures and a video (courtesy of Tadaharu Hashimoto and Chris Jubb respectively) of last Saturday’s game (a 6-0 loss, but there was some tasty football on show).

Expect more victories to come!

David Fortune on his debut in goal - he did a sterling job

I'm putting on Kyung's shin pads which were worn by Victor, because Mark is wearing my pads after forgetting his ones...

Half time team talk

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.

There was roast chicken, roast vegetables, sprouts, gravy and stuffing.
There was pear tart, chocolates, Christmas pudding, apples pies, cream and mince pies.
Most importantly, there was a healthy serving of jovial merity.

Erena, Elisa & Connie

Most of the students from the Heythrop, Imperial & Queen Mary chaplaincy came to visit the home of Matthew & Natasha Huish to share a festive dinner one week before Christmas Day.  On the final day of term for many university colleges, this would be the final chaplaincy event of the year 2009, helping to kick off the holiday season.

Everybody brought something to contribute to the meal, so there was plenty to go around.  Even when most people had satisfied their appetite, we continued to enjoy the treats that had been prepared, embracing a gastric challenge for the sake of receiving culinary love.

Takao collects his winnings

After a couple of hours of prolonged dining, we began to a game of poker (purely for fun – no money was involved).  Although most of the players were rather novice, everyone picked up the rules pretty quickly and began to enjoy the relaxed competition.  The eventual winner was Takao Kobayashi, although it was later revealed that Jonathan Bateman, in his role as the dealer, had cheated by handing a pair of aces to Takao earlier in the game!  Such was the mood of the evening that nobody was terribly bothered – it was all part of the fun.

In the New Year, our chaplaincy will continue our regularly meetings.

True Parents, Connie, Thomas the Tank Engine and a Christmas tree

A moment of tension during the game (as Matthew washes the dishes)

South London Christmas Party for young people.

Musical Chairs...

The group photo

Pastor Christmas

.... and his merry elf helper

Its warmer at home

Despite the cold and wet, South London community have recently been working hard to raise funds to restore more rooms at the back of their Peace Building.

Cecilie Fortune ran a small Christmas fair in her house from 10am – 1pm last Friday (7 stalls in total) where everyone invited 25 friends to come. There was no cost. In the 3hrs Cecilie was able to make £125 in sales (this is all profit as we don’t have any product costs).

Braving the weather with a smile

Last Sunday (29th) South London members also booked a stall at the Dulwich Xmas Market. When Simon Roselli made the initial enquiry (early Oct) he was told that all the space had been sold out in June but that they were welcome to take their chances with an outside pitch   – but they would have to provide their own gazebo. After a lot of tracking down Tina Baklanov was able to borrow one from another mother from her children’s school.

The weather on Sunday was appalling with rain coming in from the sides and they had to hold down the gazebo with weight-training weights (however even then they had to spend a large amount of time holding down the gazebo to stop it blowing away). Many people coming to the fair ran past them trying to get into the halls as quickly as possible where it was warm and dry, and many outside stall holders gave up early and went home as they were wet, cold and sales were very low.

In the end they stuck it out and at 4pm had made just over £100. It cost £25 for the stall so they made about £75 profit. Many thanks to Masumi Thomas, Huey Er Fisher, Cecilie and Yuriko Roselli who also braved the wet and cold. Simon said, ” next year we will try to get a stall inside Dulwich College as this was packed with hardly room to move. In total we made £200 from two fairs which will be added to the fund to do up the back rooms.”

The Il Shim; One Heart – One Mind programme aims to educate youth about purity. It is part of a new effort to establish ‘Rights of Passage’ for young people – beginning from early Sunday school lasting until the Blessing. It also aims to support youth through the ups and downs of growing up and educate and inspire them through each stage of development, nurturing their hearts and minds. The programme is divided into four parts to study which teaches about purity and the value of being single, this is studied at home with parents to bring unity between the first and second generation.

The seminar held on Nov 1st in South London was made up of  lectures which went into more detail than the study programme itself, such as information from the book by Josh Harris “I Kissed Dating Goodbye”, which includes the meaning and purpose of singleness. The seminar was also enhanced by Susan and Ashley Crosthwaite’s inspirations and care for the participants on the day. There were discussions and sharing on the day which gave the participants a chance to share what they learned from the programme and seminar. Afterwards 12 of the participants took part in the Purity Ring Ceremony where a money offering was given, the purity pledge was read and through full bows they expressed respect for their parents. This was representing their pledge to purity, service to God and preparation for the Blessing, finally ending with the Purity Rings being presented to each of the participants as a symbol of this pledge.

Natania: “The day proved to me how this decision within the hearts of Blessed Children can really make an impact to their lives and the lives of others. As we all stood there, united in the decision to stay pure, I felt a deep connection with my fellow brothers and sisters and felt proud that I could help them make such an important choice in their lives. I really believe that this programme is a great way to unite with true Father’s core teachings of love, life and lineage; how we love each other, how we live our lives and how we keep and respect our lineage. This reflects purity through living pure lives, being our true selves and sharing in true love with one another. Our dear Aunty and Uncle gave us guidance on how to respond to life’s challenges and how to stay strong with our beliefs, faith and purity. I made the choice to pledge my purity many years ago, with half the conviction that these brothers and sisters have, and it changed my life.”

By Natania Squizzato and Susan Crosthwaite

Hey everyone – Alex Shaw giving a report here on MBU FC’s last two games and its interesting turn of events. On Saturday 31^st October we played a team of big Irishman called ULA. We had already lost 3 games in a row so there was a lot of tension built up already for this game. We really needed a win. At first we started off OK with good possession of the ball and early attacks but after a swift counter they scored giving them an early lead. An all too prevalent formula since we have never had the lead before in previous games. Immediately this changed the mood of the players as we tried desperately to gain a goal back. This came to no avail as they scored again which really created a lot of stress and tension in the team as we thought in our heads “We’re gonna lose again!”. Our team members were really starting to get agitated with the other team and with each other. As the game went on we got worse and worse, our heads started bobbing down and we become more disunited.  By half time the score line was 3-0.

At half time no one really knew what to say. The performance was bad, and we felt like crap. Steven tried to give us a talk to get our heads up but in that situation not much could change it. The second half was quite a massacre. We were fighting with each other, there was no teamwork. This resulted in one of the players storming off the field leaving the whole team in disarray. At the end of the game we managed to pull ourselves together a bit more and score a goal leaving the score line at 7-1 by full-time. Quite a thrashing. The end was really emotional for the team. Many people released a lot of inner frustrations and pains with some even saying they don’t want to play for this team any more. I felt this couldn’t be it, we’ve got to keep going.

There is a saying that when you hit rock bottom the only way is up. We could see the weakness in our team from the last game – we needed to become more of a “team”. So the Friday before the next game we had a movie night together in LG; 300 - oww yea. So Saturday 7^th November we had our first cup game against a team called SSS FC. That day the team felt so much more relaxed, as if we had nothing to lose. The game started and within a few minutes Toby scored the first goal. We had never been in the lead before. Suddenly the whole team got uplifted and was on fire. Everyone was playing with smiles on their faces as quickly the score line became 6-0.

Even we hadn’t been trashed this badly before. This was a better result than we could have hoped for. At half time instead of seeing downed faces, you saw a team of joy and energy. There was no need for a talk this time we just had to keep playing the way we were.

In the second half we became more complacent and so it wasn’t a massacre in the second half. The game ended with a score line of 8-3.VICTORY!! We had won our first game. Afterwards we all want to McDonald’s and had a nice victory meal. Through really fighting through we could finally achieve a great victory. Hopefully from here we can keep going up.

(Authored by Michael Rawlence)

On a rainy Saturday morning, 24th October, MBU gathered at their home grounds in Catford for their third match of the league against Battersea Alexandra. Before kick off there was a chance for some practice. Steven, the team’s manager focused on getting some corner practice. We had some great shooting, and the defenders proved that they were a force to be reckoned with as well as Ollie Davies showing some talent in goal.

The match itself was a good challenge for MBU: Battersea Alexandra had proved themselves earlier in the league that they were a formidable team winning one of their matches 7-0. Going in with an aggressive 3:4:4 formation, we wanted to show them we meant business from the beginning. We had a one man advantage from kick off since they had a late team-mate. We used this to our advantage by keeping up the strong offensive and maintaining possession the majority of the time. A very near goal by Su-Yang Klotz got everyone on the edge of their metaphorical seats, however it landed just wide of the goal, sending off a sharp intake of breath all across the pitch. Although we managed several shots on target, they managed to sneak a run past our defenders and gained a one goal advantage. At this point their last man showed up, making their 11th man. The rest of the first half had some very good passing and control of the ball from both sides but neither was able to score.

An energetic half time talk from Steven, encouraged the team to communicate more, keep some width with the formation and get some shots in. ‘You’re too nice too take the shot’ He said, ‘For God’s sake get some glory’.

The second half presented us with many opportunities, we continued our persistent offensive and managed several shots, but no cigar. Then an injury: One of their players twisted his knee while running and remained unable to continue playing. ‘Surely’, we thought, ‘This will be the chance we need’. But in our eagerness to finally bag a goal, we left our defences sloppy and to our great frustration we fell another goal behind. Not giving up hope, we continued to push forward. Not long after, striker, Sean Greaves, managed to dodge through the competition and give the ball a convincing wallop towards the goal; the keeper got a finger on it and a rebound off the post gave another chance, and then another, finally the third shot followed up by Alex Shaw was cleared from the line by a quick manoeuvre from the other side’s defence.

After a long and exasperating match, we finally conceded a 2:0 defeat, but it was valuable experience for the still rather green footballers of MBU. ‘We learned a lot from it’ said midfielder Toby Suda. Overall, we certainly played some good football and with a little bit of luck, we could win a lot of the upcoming games we have left this season.