Blessed Children’s Blessing Workshops in Irvington, AL and at UTS

Phillip Schanker and Inguk Seo
November 15, 2008

(NHQ BC Blessing - 08 -- 001)

TO: District Directors, All FFWPU Leaders, BFD Representatives, and All Blessed Central Families
FROM: Rev. Phillip Schanker, Rev. Inguk Seo
DATE: November 15, 2008
RE: Blessed Children’s Blessing Workshops in Irvington, AL and at UTS

Dear Blessed Families,

There are a number of Blessed Children who have been matched by their parents and also a number of Blessed Children who would like to apply for True Parents’ Matching. Second Generation youth who intend to participate in the Blessing ceremony are required to have completed a Blessing Workshop no more than 2 years prior to their Blessing.

Therefore, we are happy to announce Blessed Children’s Blessing Workshops in Irvington, AL and at UTS for Blessing candidates, those who have been matched by their parents and any Blessed Child 17 years of age or older who wishes to participate in the workshop. We would like to invite parents as well to attend the entire workshop with their children.

There will be another Blessing Workshop in January 23rd - 25th on the West Coast. We will announce detailed information about that workshop soon.

NOTE: Workshop participants MUST attend the entire workshop in order to get a certificate of completion, which must be submitted at the time of their Blessing (NO EXCEPTIONS)

A. Workshop Places and Times

Family Church of Alabama, Irvington, AL (10965 Hogue Rd, Irvington, AL 36544)

Dates- Friday, December 19th to Sunday 21st, 2008

Schedule- Workshop will begin Friday at 6PM and end on Sun. at approx. 3PM.

Transportation- Airports: Mobile Airport (MOB) or Gulfport (GPT). Mobile is closer but Gulfport (one hour away) is usually less expensive. We can arrange transportation from either airport.

Accommodations- All workshop participants will be accommodated in local homes, which are all in close proximity to the workshop site. If parents would like to come, we can provide a list of several motels in the area, which are reasonably priced.

Workshop fee: $120 per participant. Pay by cash, check, or money order upon arrival.

UTS, Barrytown, NY

Dates- Friday, January 16th to Sunday 18th, 2009.

Schedule- Workshop will begin Friday at 6PM and end on Sun. at approx. 3PM. (Registration will begin from 4PM and dinner will be available from 5:30 on Friday)

UTS- Contact Cliff Yasutake for accommodations (reserving guest rooms).

Workshop fee: $125 per participant. Pay by cash, check, or money order upon arrival.

Transportation- from Airports, by Car- From Newark, NJ: Take the New Jersey Turnpike north to Interstate 87. Go north about 60 miles to Exit 19, Kingston. Bear right after toll booths and follow signs to Kingston Rhinecliff Bridge. After bridge, turn left at first traffic light, called River Road. Go three miles and at stop sign turn left. Go one mile and UTS is on the right.

From JFK and La Guardia Airports: Take Van Wyck Expressway north or west to Whitestone Bridge. Take Hutchinson Parkway north to 687 north. At I-84, go west (left) to Taconic Parkway north. Go about 30 miles and exit Red Hook/ Rhinebeck Rte. 199. Go west on Rte. 199 about 5 miles. At light bear right, go straight through village of Red Hook on Rte. 199. At next light, turn left and then a very quick right on Barrytown Road. Go straight through stop sign and UTS is one mile on the right.

From major Airports by public transportation: Newark, LaGuardia and JFK- Take bus to Pennsylvania Station in Manhattan. Cost is about $10 or $15 dollars. Take Amtrack train to Rhinecliff Station (about a two hour journey and cost is about $35). At Rhinecliff Station, you can usually take a taxi to UTS ($10)

B. Who can attend- 2nd Generation blessing candidates, those matched by their parents or any second generation 17 years and older is invited to attend, and their parents are invited as well.

C. What to prepare: Clothes and toiletries, pen and notebook and sleeping bags.

D. Workshop Registration: All participants MUST register IN ADVANCE.

Register online at bcblessing.familyfed.org/registration/registration.html

E. Program and Presenters: main presenter will be Rev. Phillip Schanker, VP for Education of the FFWPU, with testimonies from elder 2nd Generation couples, some special guest presenters, and lots of time for recreation, discussion and fellowship as well.

Most sincerely,

Rev. Phillip Schanker
Vice-President for Education
FFWPU- USA

Rev. Inguk Seo
Director, BC Blessing Department
FFWPU- USA