How to Hold a Blessing Ceremony By: Mrs. Crescentia Degoede, Rev. Ernest Patton, Mrs. Jessica Sattinger

Value of the Blessing Ceremony “The Unification Church mass wedding ceremony is not just a wedding ceremony of a man and a woman to make a family. Until now, marriage was centered on the individual self, but our wedding ceremony is holy and has the content to make God happy and the condition to indemnify history. Our marriage ceremony is to liberate God's grief caused by Adam and Eve's fall and fulfill what Jesus could not, which is to pass through the standard of the bridegroom and bride. This is explained clearly in the Divine Principle.”

A Few Quick Facts When can ceremonies happen? Who can host a ceremony? Anytime for married couples At the time of the Cosmic Blessing for matched couples Who can host a ceremony? Any community that registers with the BFM (registration on BFM website) Blessed Clergy approved by ACLC leadership Who can officiate a ceremony? District Pastors or HQ Approved Recommendations from District Pastors ACLC approved Blessed Clergy Who can participate? Married couples (UC or non-UC) who have completed the online registration Explain about matched couples Use poll

Preparing Married Couples Internally for the Blessing Important Education Meaning and value of the Blessing Role of True Parents What does it mean to be Blessed Couple and raise Blessed Children Change of Blood Lineage Process Methods of Education 1 day seminar Short segments, small group study style over a period of several weeks Pre-Blessing program (day of or day before)

Process to Change Blood Lineage and Become A Blessed Couple Holy Wine Ceremony (prior to the Blessing, or as part of the Blessing Ceremony) The Blessing Ceremony Chastening Ceremony (immediately following the Blessing Ceremony) Separation Period (40 days of abstinence, renewing their relationship and spiritual intimacy from the inside, beginning from the Blessing Ceremony) 3-day Ceremony of Renewal (the first 3 nights after the separation period)

Key Components for Blessing Ceremony Success Start Planning Now! Secure an Officiating Couple Register your community as a Blessing Ceremony host on the BFM website Form a Blessing Ceremony Planning Team and meet regularly Read through the Blessing Ceremony Guide Have Blessing Ceremony participants register on BlessingAmerica.org

Approval Process for Blessing Officiators Qualifications for Candidacy: —Ordained Unification minister/pastor; or —a couple recommended as officiators by both the BFM and a District pastor, —and approved by the FFWPU President Key Components of the Application: —List Ministry Training received and experience with teaching the Divine Principle and related content —Oral/Written Divine Principle Examination administered by a District pastor —Signed Statement of Commitment —Proof of having received the Blessing —District Pastor’s recommendation form Application available online at BFM website

Registering as a Blessing Ceremony Host

Essential Components of the Blessing Ceremony Program Holy Wine Ceremony Holy Water Ceremony Affirmation of Blessing Vows Prayer for Couples by True Parents (officiators) Proclamation of the Blessing by True Parents (officiators) Congratulatory Remarks Chastening Ceremony Celebratory Reception Receive guidelines Option to use video

Key Roles Needed for the Ceremony Event Coordinator Officiating Couple Emcee A/V Coordinator Registrar Attendees to sprinkle holy water Ushers/Greeters Meal Coordinator Entertainment Coordinator Photographer

Creating a Nice Celebration Great location Modern, elegant, with enough space to seat all guests comfortably and serve food Options: church building, banquet hall, hotel conference space, country club A tasty meal, presented in an elegant way Options: professional caterer, or someone in your community with professional food preparation/service experience Quality entertainment and testimonies UC or non-UC local performers DJ & dance floor Testimonies about blessings experienced in marriage, value of receiving the Marriage Blessing Words of encouragement to newly Blessed Couples A gift/favor for each couple

Funding Your Ceremony Reimbursement from HQ – Up to $500 per married couple that offers $2000 To cover the amount not covered by Blessing Offerings, you can choose to: Subsidize part of the cost and charge couples and guests for the remainder Subsidize all the costs and charge couples and guests nothing Charge the couples and guests for the full amount of the costs Ask couples and guests to make a donation of their choice, be prepared to subsidize the rest

Couple Registration for the Blessing All married couples seeking to become Blessed Couples should register online at blessingamerica.org Only couples that register online will be: Reported to True Mother and recorded as Blessed Couples Eligible to receive holy handkerchiefs *Registration process for married couples participating as Blessing Couples should be handled locally

Mobilizing the Community By: Rev. Earnest Patton

The Blessing Ceremony Kit By: Mrs. Jessica Sattinger

Q & A