Contributed by CARP Las Vegas
After hosting virtual events for over thirteen months, CARP Las Vegas, a hub consisting of chapters from University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) and College of Southern Nevada (CSN) campuses, members and participants were elated to host an in-person Summer 21-Day workshop. Some participants completed the first week with the 7-day Divine Principle workshop while others, including three brand new participants, completed and graduated from the entire 21-day workshop.
As we sang songs, played sports, and sat down to share meals, it was very clear that nothing could replace the bonding of heart and love that we can experience through in-person interactions.
7-day Divine Principle Workshop
With the theme of ‘Transforming Love, Life, and Lineage,’ two CARP Las Vegas graduates, Chungbom Katayama and Kobe Neuhaus, presented the content to the participants who were eager to learn and explore topics such as, “why God created us,” “why God would allow human beings to suffer,” and “the significance of the time we are living in human history.” To conclude, the outgoing UNLV chapter president Ryota Naito, gave a lecture introducing the culture and lifestyle of sexual integrity for young adults.
Throughout the workshop, we had morning activities that introduced the participants to explore life of faith habits such as prayer, reflection, and reading God’s words. Evening activities such as skits, camp fire, and self-reflection complimented the messages shared during the day by helping them to apply the content they learned into their own lives. A very special appreciation goes out to all the mothers from the Las Vegas Family Church community who came to cook delicious meals for these hungry participants! Many expressed that this was what “One Family Under God” looks like.
The new participants received the presentations very well. They were based on Father and Mother Moon’s core teachings, living a life of purity, and the Marriage Blessing. CARP Las Vegas director Makiko Watanabe, and her husband Akira, who now works with a gap-year program called Generation Peace Academy (GPA), thoughtfully but firmly conveyed the value and necessity of living a life of pure heart, mind, and body as the preparation to invite God into their future marriages. Rev. Andrew Compton and Blessed couple Jonathan and Yuri Jesper, shared testimonies about their Marriage Blessing and experience of raising families. Hearing their testimonies helped the workshop participants to feel hopeful in their journeys.
Actionizing Program - an introduction to a life of faith
The purpose of the Actionizing program was to help participants taste what it would look like to practice the Divine Principle in their daily life as young adults. Daily activities were designed to help them become familiar with healthy habits for a life of faith such as: studying God’s word in the morning, prayer, self-reflection, service, and building a trusting relationship with a mentor.
The highlight of the Actionizing was a two day trip to St. George, Utah. The Actionizers experienced some fundraising as well as outreaching, inviting people to the “Peace and Blessing Festival” on June 5th. Through these experiences, they deepened their conviction in the importance of the family, the significance of the Marriage Blessing, and the work that Father and Mother Moon are doing to substantialize those ideals.
Conclusion - Purity Pledge, and Peace & Blessing Festival
The Purity Pledge ceremony took place on the morning of June 5th. It was meant to be an internal and spiritual preparation to receive the message of Mother Moon during the “Peace and Blessing Festival.” The ceremony started with a Korean-style bow to show respect to Heaven, followed by burning off a life confession to leave the past behind. Then, the participants recited the Purity Pledge—promising to grow their God-given heart and talents as single persons, while refraining from inappropriate sexual activities, and received purity rings as reminders of this promise. One Actionizer was able to bring her father to the ceremony and receive the ring from him personally.
Attending the “Peace and Blessing Festival” was the best way to conclude this 21-day workshop. The new Actionizers especially felt it was like a confirmation that their decision to participate in the Purity Pledge and take steps towards the Marriage Blessing was the best thing that they could do at this time.
Check out more from CARP Las Vegas on their Facebook page. Share your story to jennifer@carplife.org!