The Words of the Cotter Family |
True Mother And Hyun Jin Nim Electrify An Overflow Crowd In San Francisco, As The Era Of Women Is Ushered In
Joshua Cotter
May 31, 2007
San Francisco, CA
The people seemed to stream through the gates at the Hyatt Regency Airport Hotel in San Francisco tonight to hear our True Mother and Hyun Jin Nim, as the 11th event in the national "America’s Destiny" speaking tour unfolded. A gathering of over a thousand packed out the Peninsula Grand Ballroom on Thursday night, anticipating the message of peace from True Mother. It was truly the inauguration of the "era of women," as our sisters representing WFWP, ACLC and Ambassadors for Peace took the lead in the planning of the event and took such a prominent role in organizing the "Women of Destiny" to welcome True Mother to the Bay Area.
The evening began with a special buffet reception at 5:15 PM, which was organized by our Northern California WFWP representatives for the Women’s Welcome Committee. Those who attended that reception received their certificates and heard and saw the work of Dr. Hak Ja Moon, which was visually depicted in a beautiful display, assembled by Mrs. Pat Detlefsen. Hundreds more attended the general reception next door.
By 6:00 PM, the doors to the ballroom opened and people began eagerly filling up the tables and chairs. The prelude program began at 6:20 and was co-MCed by Mrs. Christine Froehlich and Ms. Megan Simonds. The Bay Area Family Church International Choir sang two beautiful songs to start everything off. Then Mrs. Pat Fleischman (WFWP chair for Northern California), Pastor Carla Jackson (ACLC chairwoman) and Ms. Wafaa Aboreshed (Ambassadors for Peace) recognized the members of the Women’s Welcome Committee, who wore white scarves and stood with their certificates, to the applause of the audience. Following this, six women of faith came forward in their native dress and offered prayers and blessings of peace, representing Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism and Native American traditions. It was truly moving and beautiful to see the passion and sisterhood among these women of God.
By the time Reverend Jenkins took the stage for the main program, the ballroom was packed and the spirit was continuing to build. It was beautiful to look out and see a mass of God’s family, from all faiths and races, assembling for peace. The whole evening seemed to flow and continued to build momentum. Pastor Carla Jackson set the tone with a moving invocation that truly brought down the Holy Spirit. Five women of different faiths participated in the Holy Burning Ceremony on stage. After Dr. Yang’s address, Sister Jeannine Anderson (a member of Dr. Amos Brown’s Third Baptist Church of San Francisco) enthralled the audience with her amazing rendition of "Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter of Zion", from Handel’s Messiah. It was a perfect choice for the evening!
Mr. Henry Lozano, from the Corporation for National and Community Service, gave a beautiful testimony to the power of family and motherhood, from his life experience as a Hispanic and Native American.
Dr. Hyun Jin Moon gave a powerful testimony to his own father’s life of faith and praised the audience for its diversity, calling for "One Family under God". He testified to the importance of motherhood and marveled at his own mother’s raising 13 children and 44 grandchildren. He set the stage for True Mother’s grand finale.
Mother was beautiful and dignified as she read the message of peace from her heart, with great emphasis. The entire room was with her from the beginning, and responded naturally to her throughout the speech. No one got up during that time, but instead they sat riveted to her words.
Following Mother’s speech, flowers were presented to Mother and Hyun Jin Nim by Dr. and Mrs. Ray Johansen from Sacramento, and then the Women’s Welcome Committee chairwomen presented a beautiful painting to Mother, depicting "One Family Under God," which was chosen by the United Nations. The artist herself (a 90-year old woman from Lebanon) joined Mother on stage to honor her.
After Mother and Hyun Jin Nim departed, 70 new Ambassadors for Peace were recognized. The Declaration of Peace was signed by core members of the welcome committee and Church of Peace flags were given to eight pastors, both men and women.
Pastor Brondon Reems of Community of Hope Church in Oakland took up the offering and gave the benediction.
San Francisco is so grateful to our True Mother for bringing the Holy Spirit and the message of hope, harmony and healing. We will build on the great momentum from this evening and generate a waterfall of blessing and a heavenly earthquake of true love to shake America.
Thank you, True Parents and True Family!
Testimonies from Participants:
"The spirit of God truly met is here tonight. God has really given the charge to the women. He let us know that He is alive and His Word stands true. It is time for the women of God to stand up and usher in the spirit of peace in the world, in order for the family, community, city, state, nation and world to come together as one in God. Praise God for Dr. Hak Ja Moon for the example she has and is setting for the women of the world, regardless of faith, nationality or background! She must be appointed, anointed and approved in order to do this work. God bless Mother Moon for all of her efforts and complete obedience to God and respect to her husband. She is showing us how to live a humble and obedient life before God.
Pastor Carla Jackson, Carriage Hills Community Church
Rev. Dr. Andre Jackson, Pastor, Founder
Tonight's program was enlightening. It clarified what true love is all about, and emphasized that we are all God's children and part of His family.
I saw the quiet strength of Mother Moon, and this reminded me of my own mom.
Hyun Jin Nim's poise showed that he was ready to take that step of faith -- he totally believes in the work of his parents. I saw his devout relationship of love with God and his parents which could be seen and felt by all that were present. He is mature beyond his years. Praise God!
Pastor Raymond Lankford, Executive Director, Healthy Oakland (ACLC Clergy)
Tonight was awesome in that all faiths could come together -- people felt embraced by God. This kind of atmosphere was truly impressive!
Also, I was impressed with the unity of Hyun Jin Nim with his mother, Mother Moon. There is no division, only unity. They both are practicing what they are preaching. God bless them!
Pastor Nathaniel Jones (ACLC Clergy)
"It was an honor and a privilege to have such an opportunity to be part of planning this special event. The last 3 weeks were a great experience to work with Rev. Cotter, Pat Fleischman, Christine Froehlich and Siew Lian LeRoy. As the new chairwoman of WICS, I believe this event has created many opportunities to develop new interfaith and interracial relationships. I am encouraged by the energy and empowerment of women to heal our earth and the human beings that reside in it. Mother Moon has given me the empowerment to continue my journey to be a peacemaker and to work for the preservation of the family unit."
Wafaa Aboreshed, Ambassador for Peace, chairwoman of Women’s Interfaith Circle of Service
"We enjoyed Mother Moon very much! We have a record of perfect attendance for True Mother’s and True Father’s events since 1992! Tonight we brought more than 15 people from our church."
Rev. and Mrs. Victor Medearis, Double Rock Baptist Church, SF (ACLC clergy)
"It was an awesome experience. I was searching for this missing piece in my heart; finally I found it! What Mother Moon said is inspiring and true; it is what the island people need. It’s all about the heart. Listening to Mrs. Moon, I was very inspired by her heart. The world needs parental true love. It is my honor to listen to such a woman of great heart. I am inspired to become an Ambassador for Peace."
Keiki, student at Pasadena Community College
"Someone told me that my song surprised the audience, but I was the one who was beautifully surprised tonight. Beautifully surprised to see a movement beyond race and religion, diverse but at the same time unified in purpose centered on the family and peace; but especially where the women are standing up in the forefront. I feel that now there is truly hope for the world."
Ms. Jeannine Anderson, soloist; member of Dr. Amos Brown’s congregation